St. Mary's

C.E. Primary School

'Shining Brighter and Brighter' Proverbs 4:18

Our Parents

Emergency School Closures

Emergency school closures will be communicated to parents and carers via the school text system as soon as possible, information on school closures due to snow and severe weather can be found on the Hertfordshire County Council website via the following link:

http://www.hertsdirect.org/services/edlearn/schlife/schoolclose/

Absence Information

You will need to complete a Leave of Absence Request Form which is also available from the school office. For children aged 5 years and over absence will only be authorised in exceptional circumstances. Good attendance supports a good education and we would urge you to consider the impact of missed curriculum before requesting leave of absence from school.

The School Day

We operate a 'soft start' to the day. All entrances are opened 08.40 enabling children to arrive and move independently into their classroom over a staggered ten minute period. We expect all children to be 'ready for learning' by 08.55 am

School day begins

8.50 a.m.  (Doors open 8.40 a.m.)

School day ends

3.20 p.m.

Lunchtime (Key stage 1)

12.00 p.m. - 1.00 p.m.

Lunchtime (Key stage 2)

12.15 p.m. - 1.15 p.m.

Playtime (Key Stage 1)

10.30 a.m. - 10.45 a.m.

Playtime (Key Stage 2)

10.45 a.m. - 11.00 a.m.

Total hours provided in a 'typical' week

 32.5 hours


Late Arrivals

Please ensure pupils are in their class rooms by 8.55am for registration.
Any late children must be signed in at the school office, persistent lateness will result in unauthorised absences.

Child Collection Changes

Please write a note for your child to bring in to school detailing pick-up arrangements. You can also ring the school office before by 2.30pm to inform us of pick-up arrangements. If you have a regular arrangement, you may wish to notify the school in writing to save having to ring up on every occasion.

Medicine

If your child has been prescribed antibiotics by a doctor we are happy to administer this during the school day. You will need to fill in the necessary Medical Form which is also available from the school office.

Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions

Illness

Your child can only return to school 48 hours after he/she was last sick.
Please contact the school as soon as possible to inform us that your child is not well.

Arbor

We use Arbor to send information home via text and email.

Parent Consultations

We use a computerised booking system for parents to book appointments for parent consultations, which are held twice a year, in October and March. 

School Meals

At lunchtime, you may arrange for your child to have a school dinner or bring a packed lunch from home.

Hertfordshire Catering Limited provides our school meals in line with current Government guidelines. School meals are a good opportunity for the children to develop their social skills and can play a major part in broadening children’s attitudes to what foods they will and will not eat! For all these reasons, we like as many children as possible to use the school meals service.  The menu offered by Hertfordshire Catering can be viewed here.

Pupils make their meal choices each day.

Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 continue to be eligible for the Universal Free School Meals programme.  School meals currently cost £2.65 for children in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6.  You will be billed half a term in advance, taking into account any credits from the previous term. If you no longer wish your child to have a school meal, please give two week’s notice in writing.

Packed Lunches

In order to promote a healthy lifestyle we ask that parents avoid chocolate and fizzy drinks when sending packed lunches into school. Many children bring carrot sticks and pieces of fruit or raisins as healthy extras in their lunch boxes. Nuts and nut products are not allowed in school because of the number of pupils with serious food allergies.

Free School Meals

For more information for parents and carers on free school meals click here.

School Uniform 

Winter Trousers Uniform

  • Pale blue polo shirt with school logo
  • Grey trousers or shorts
  • Navy sweatshirt with school logo
  • Years 5 & 6: White shirt, navy v-neck sweatshirt & school tie
  • Navy, white or grey socks

Summer Trousers Uniform

  • Grey short trousers if preferred
  • Pale blue polo shirt with school logo
  • Years 5 & 6: Short sleeved white shirt and school tie.
  • Navy, white or grey socks 

Winter Skirt Uniform

  • Pale blue polo shirt with school logo
  • Grey skirt or pinafore
  • Navy sweatshirt or cardigan with school logo
  • Navy tights or grey tights
  • Navy, white or grey socks
  • Years 5 & 6: White shirt, navy v-neck sweatshirt or cardigan & school tie 

Summer Skirt Uniform

  • Navy check dress
  • Navy, white or grey socks
  • Years 5 & 6: Short sleeved white shirt and school tie, grey skirt or pinafore or navy check dress if preferred

All children (except Nursery) must have a P.E. bag with a navy school logo T-shirt, a pair of navy shorts and a pair of trainers or black plimsolls for P.E. lessons.  An optional navy school logo sports hoodie is also available.

Jewellery and nail varnish must not be worn.  If your child has pierced ears, they may wear stud earrings which must be taped for PE.

Shoes should be black, practical and sensible in style.  Trainers should only be worn for PE lessons. 

From your mouse to your house…..

To find and buy our uniform, simply visit either website below where you’ll find a page dedicated to our school.

Once you’ve placed your order, it will be delivered to your home.  Please check estimated delivery dates when ordering.

Essential Schoolwear

Brigade (St Mary’s Primary School, Berkhamsted)