15^th January 2010

Dear Parents

We have had a start-stop opening to 2010 and to the new school term with the snow experience  dictating matters for us at the top of Midanbury. Your excellent cooperation in using the one way system for entering and leaving the grounds greatly helped the smooth flow of traffic during these snow days.

You are invited to a Parents’ Information Evening on Wednesday 27^th January at 7.30pm in the College Dining Room. There will be a presentation on Internet Safety and Cyber bullying, led by Mrs L White of Hampshire Police. Light refreshments will be provided on arrival.

Yesterday the Summer 2009 GCSE results were made public. It was pleasing to see St Mary’s at the head of Southampton schools for ‘grade point average’, indicating the breadth of subjects we offer. In the whole of Hampshire St Mary’s was second. This is good information to help recruitment  and we hope  Year 11 this year will maintain these levels. Please see SMC-CH blog.(www.stmaryscollege.co.uk/blog)

Year 11 will be going to Sénégal at Easter to work and exchange with Brothers’ schools and with others. Fund raising  efforts this term will go towards the Sénégal venture at Easter. I would ask you to remember the people of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The Brothers have several schools here and the little information available indicates that up to five of our schools have been badly damaged by the earthquake and we know very little yet of pupils, Brothers and teachers in what is the  poorest area in the western hemisphere. We do know that two Brothers have died in the earthquake and two more are very seriously injured.. Your prayers would be a great consolation for the people of Haiti, especially in  Port-au-Prince.

May this year 2010 be rewarding for all in the many directions and experiences that make up our lives.

 Bro Francis

 P.S. Snow Days. We will be returning to normal standards for uniform and footwear on Monday, 18^th January. Your support to enforce high standards is greatly appreciated.

Information will continue to be displayed on the St Mary’s-Charlton Blog, as will this letter. Please continue to consult this as we noticed how effective the blog has been to keep you all informed quickly.

Both Charlton House and St Mary’s College will be re-opening on Monday 11th Jan.

As advised on the previous blog it is important that for reasons of safety on site that a one-way system operates from the top gate entrance to Midanbury Lane and our advice is then to turn right up to Cobden Ave. Traffic movement on-site is restricted by the icy conditions and it is not possible for parents to access or use the College or Charlton playgrounds at the start or end of the day to collect/drop-off students.

Parents collecting College students should make alternative arrangements for pick-up off-site and avoid parking and blocking the schools internal access roads. Charlton procedures for collection will be the same as the drop-off arrangements – Charlton staff will have students ready for collection at the main entrance at 3.15pm where parents may meet children and escort them up to vehicles on the driveway taking care of the conditions underfoot. Prompt collection and departure will be essential in order to keep the traffic flowing on the driveway.

Please note that after school care and homework clubs (Charlton and College) are postponed until further notice.

Staff will be available to help collect and transfer Nursery pupils from vehicles as they stop above the Charlton House main door. A ‘kiss and drop’ approach is desired to maintain traffic flow, however patience and understanding from all site users would be appreciated especially as younger children may find it disconcerting.

On a lighter note, if students would like to e-mail any pictures showing the conditions near them in the last few days, I will display the best of these and ask Fr Michael to select a ‘winning’ picture. Closing date: 15th Jan. Send pictures clearly labelled with your name to www.stmarysoffice@aol.com

Finally – if conditions do deteriorate overnight check the blog again on Monday morning or listen to announcements on Radio Solent.

Brother Francis inspects the school site and yes, its school on Monday !

Due to the current weather conditions the scheduled examination on Saturday has been cancelled. The school has contacted all parents affected. The re-scheduled examination will take place on Saturday 16th Jan. at 9.00am. Parents unable to attend should contact the school office.

We look forward to seeing you then.