Headteacher's Newsletter

13 February 2026

Dear Parents,

Lent

School Values: Make a Difference Be Passionate about Learning Be Kind Be Respectful

We will begin the season of Lent on 18^th February. Lent is a special time of reflection, prayer, and preparation for Easter. During this season our school will be hosting a variety of activities to help students grow spiritually and to encourage them to think about the needs of others.

Throughout Lent there will be regular Masses, liturgies, fundraising events, and opportunities for students to reach out and support those less fortunate in our community.

We have prepared a comprehensive Lenten calendar so that families can stay informed of all the activities taking place. We encourage parents to support these initiatives by attending events, helping with fundraising efforts, and talking with children at home about the importance of giving, sharing, and reflecting during this season. Your involvement helps reinforce the values we are teaching at school and allows your children to experience the joy of contributing to their community. We hope that, together, we can make this Lent a special time for our pupils and our school community. Please see our Lenten planner detailing all the dates and activities here.

Safer Internet Day

School Values: Make a Difference Be Passionate about Learning Be Kind Be Respectful

This week we celebrated Safer Internet Day. Our digital leaders gave assemblies to the infants and juniors all about AI. The theme this year was: “Smart tech, safe choices, exploring the safe and responsible use of AI”

We welcomed guest speakers into school to discuss how they use AI in their work and enjoyed a game of ‘Okay or not okay” with some scenarios. Every child completed a bookmark to remind them about smart choices when using AI.

How you can support at home following the day:

• Ask your child what smart technology they use at home
• Talk about how AI sometimes makes mistakes
• Encourage them to check with an adult if something online doesn’t feel right
• Remind them not to share personal information with AI tools

If you would like to learn more about online safety, please visit our school website page: St Vincent's Catholic Primary School Trafford: Online Safety or visit Saferinternet.org.uk - Guide and Resources

Get Ready for the National Year of Reading at St Vincent’s!

School Values: Make a Difference Be Passionate about Learning Be Kind Be Respectful

The National Year of Reading is here, and St Vincent’s is proud to be taking part! Our goal? To spark a lifelong love of reading in every child and help them develop strong reading habits that last a lifetime.

How can you help? It’s simple, encourage your children to read… anything! Children love reading most when they get to choose what they enjoy. Whether it’s song lyrics, comics, fan fiction, news articles, TV subtitles, or their favourite novels, every bit counts. Even reading about films, TV shows, or hobbies they love can boost their engagement and confidence.

We’re also working hard to make our school libraries more exciting, modern, and full of materials that children want to read. And this is where you come in! You can help us provide the very best books and resources by donating here: Library Fundraiser

Let’s make reading fun, inspiring, and unforgettable for our children. We can’t wait to share all the exciting adventures this year will bring, but we need your help to make it happen. Please take a look at the library fundraiser page to donate to make our libraries full of fabulous reading materials.

Attendance and Punctuality Reminders

School Values: Make a Difference Be Passionate about Learning Be Kind Be Respectful

If you have any concerns or need support with your child’s attendance, please do not hesitate to contact the school office to request a call back from our pastoral team. We are here to help and work in partnership with families.

Please note that holidays in term time are not authorised. Before booking any trips, we ask parents to check our term dates to ensure holidays are arranged within the designated school breaks. You can view the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 term dates here:

St Vincent's Catholic Primary School Trafford: Term Dates and Times of the School Day

Half Term Fun!

School Values: Make a Difference Be Passionate about Learning Be Kind Be Respectful

We’re delighted to share a fantastic opportunity for families this February half term. The Trans Pennine Trail has launched a brand new February Half Term Activity Pack, filled with fun, nature themed activities, crafts, recipes and puzzles for families to enjoy during the holiday. With colourful characters leading the way, the pack encourages children to discover winter wildlife, get creative, and experience the magic of the outdoors. There are opportunities for children to share their adventures and earn a digital certificate. The activities are ideal for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, and there is something for everyone whether you are a teacher, parent, or young explorer. The pack can be used on the Trail, in your local park, or even indoors on a rainy day. Each activity is designed to help children learn, play and make special memories while exploring the natural world. The activity pack can be used on the go by downloading it to a mobile device or printed at home. We encourage families to download the pack directly where possible. The pack can be downloaded from the Children’s page at Trans-Pennine Trail - Children's Activity Packs

Raring2go is a comprehensive digital platform designed for parents of children aged 0–12, providing guides to local events, activities and family-friendly ideas. It serves as a go-to resource for finding fun things to do and helps families plan outings across various areas of the UK, including Manchester.

The platform also offers a range of helpful resources for families, including advice on parenting and child development. Do take a look at the website to discover new experiences, from educational workshops to enjoyable family days out: Raring2go! 

The children have worked incredibly hard this half term and should be very proud of all they have achieved. I hope the children have a well-earned rest over the break and that you enjoy some special time together as a family.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs A Harrop

Headteacher