School Newsletter – 16th October 2026

WEEK AFTER HALF TERM

The week after the half term break, will be assessment week when the children take part in summative testing to inform the teachers’ understanding of their progress. Ongoing formative assessment throughout the term also informs this and together will be fed back in the autumn reports at the end of term.

On Wednesday Mrs Gina will be speaking to parents of children in Year 5 about the 11+ process of the next few terms. This will take place on Zoom at the usual link 8.50am-9.20am.

On Thursday, Mrs Louise, our Head of Safeguarding and Wellbeing, will be giving a talk for parents along with coffee in the main hall from 8.25am – 9.15am. This will be an opportunity to share how we support children’s safety and wellbeing at school, how you can support your children at home as well as highlight where to find advice and support if you or your family ever need it.

We hope the session will help strengthen our partnership with families and reassure parents that we are here to support both children and their families through the ups and downs of childhood.

On Friday we invite all parents in Nursery and Reception to a talk by Kate Wiffen, Director of Teaching and Learning on ‘Confident Communicators’  developing your child’s all important speaking and listening skills. This will take place in the Early Years rooms at 9am.

On Friday we celebrate Diwali in assembly led by Mrs Tulsi. Little Village will also be having a collection on that day.

Also that day, Green House can come to school in home clothes as their reward for winning last term’s Golden Token competition.

Looking ahead to the rest of the term – a date for your diary, our carol concert will take place on Wednesday 9^th December 2pm-3pm and we are pleased to let you know we are returning to All Saints church, Wandsworth.

FORS

Thank you to everyone who joined the AGM on Wednesday this week. It was a really useful session, with good feedback and plenty of ideas discussed.

Freaky Friday


What a wonderfully spooky end to the week! We loved seeing all the costumes, thank you for all the imagination and effort that went into them, not to mention the donations to the house charities. We hope the classes enjoyed awarding their best costume medals, and that the spooky bookmarks get lots of use over half term!

Pre-loved Uniform Sale


A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered at and attended the uniform sale. Your support makes events like this possible and is very much appreciated.

Could you be our next uniform sale lead?

The sale is one of our most useful events: it saves families money, keeps good uniform out of landfill and raises funds for the school. But we need someone to take over running it. It’s a manageable role with plenty of support from the FORS team and previous organisers, and it’s a great way to get involved without a weekly commitment. If you’d like to find out more, please speak to your class rep or email rochefriends@gmail.com. We’d love to hear from you!

We wish you all a restful half term and look forward to seeing you again soon.

FORS dates for the diary this term:

Thurs 19th Nov: Merry Market order deadline

Fri 27th Nov: Merry Market collection / open morning

Tues 1st Dec, 3pm: Christmas bake sale

Thurs 3rd Dec: Wreath making class

Sat 5th Dec: Movie night

Mon 7th Dec: Christmas Fair & Christmas Jumper Day

Thurs 10th Dec: Whole school panto

AOB

Join Kidz4 After-School Yoga & Wellbeing Club – Reception to Year 3!

Join us after half-term, every Tuesday from 3:45–4:30pm!

Our fun and engaging sessions combine yoga, exciting games, mindfulness and creative movement to help children build confidence, friendships and emotional wellbeing. Children develop focus, resilience and emotional regulation, all while having lots of fun in a nurturing and supportive environment!

Spaces are limited – book your child’s place here:

Book Kidz4 at The Roche School

Miss Marcia will be running our holiday camp the first full week of the October half term from Monday 19^th October to Friday 23^rd October 8.30am till 5.30pm. The cost will be £60 per day and each session will be packed with art, sports and fun-filled activities.  Booking is available via School Cloud as this club will be run via the school. SchoolCloud – The Roche School

School policies have been updated on the website including Behaviour Management, Online Safety and Relationships and Sex Education as per new government regulations.

Putney Exchange will be hosting a range of fun and family-friendly Halloween events from 24th – 30th October. Highlights include Squishy Pumpkin Painting Workshop, Storytime with Waterstones, Trick or Treat Trail and Mission Lightyear!

Christmas Celebration for Local Pensioners – Message from Layla Ho (parent in Nursery)

On 17th December, we are organising a Christmas celebration for around 50 local pensioners in Wandsworth, particularly those who may live alone, have limited family nearby, or would benefit from some extra company over the festive period.

We are currently fundraising to help make the event possible. We are hoping to provide a traditional Christmas lunch, entertainment, Christmas gifts and hampers for our guests, and to create a really warm and enjoyable afternoon for everyone attending.

Any donation, however small, would be hugely appreciated. Sharing the fundraising link with friends, family, local businesses or anyone who may be able to support the event would also make a real difference.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/pensionerchristmas

We are also looking for parent volunteers from The Roche School community who may be able to help on the day. This could include helping to set up the venue, welcoming guests, serving food and refreshments, helping to run the event and clearing up afterwards.

We would also love to involve some Year 6 children, accompanied by their parents, who might enjoy helping to serve refreshments, hand out gifts and spend some time talking with our guests.

If anyone would like to volunteer, has suggestions or contacts for reaching local pensioners, or would simply like to find out more, please contact:

pensioners.christmas@yahoo.com

Miss Rebecca and Miss Lydia will be taking part in the DLAG Big Sleepout this November to raise money for Dons Local Action Group, a fantastic local charity that supports individuals and families experiencing financial hardship and homelessness in our community. If you would like to donate for this cause see the link below.

https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/21666/lydia-and-rebeccas-dlag-stadium-sleep-out/

See below details of all parent talks this term:

Zoom Details:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84426359317?pwd=ABdreTYOq86efH3ZD3CBxyp47e02sE.1

Meeting ID: 844 2635 9317                  Passcode: parota

Autumn Term

Have a relaxing half term holiday.

Jonny