TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE AUTUMN TERM | OCTOBER 2026 | ISSUE 2
Welcome to our second edition! Discover our latest school highlights, celebrate our pupils’ voices, and see what’s coming up across our community .
A MESSAGE FROM MISS ANDERSON Hello All, Welcome to October’s edition of the TSM Gazette. We hope that you are enjoying the new and improved, jam packed newsletters. Once again we have enjoyed a full month filled with learning and events and we hope that you enjoy reading through all of the information. Thank you to all of our parents and carers who joined us for the Musical Extravaganza and to all the staff for their hard work and dedication. It was an absolutely fantastic event and I am so proud of all of our amazing children. A huge thank you for the kind donations towards the new sound system, that we have received so far. Our overall total stands at £195! I hope you have been enjoying the video clips and photos of our wonderful children and their work we have been posting on our social media pages and on our school website. For more information on these please see the QR codes below. We had a fantastic Black History Celebration, with lots of parents and carers in attendance. The children did a lovely job of sharing their learning through story and song. Thanks go out to our children and staff for their hard work and our amazing parents for continually supporting us. Thank you to all those parents who attended parent meetings, your support with your child’s education is vital. If you were unable to book an appointment, please contact your child’s teacher and arrange an appointment for the first week back after half term. Good luck to Year 6, Miss Brewster and Miss Keys who will be attending PGL for the first week back after half term. I know you will have a great time! Due to popular demand we will be hosting another Quiz night for parents and carers and staff on Thursday 10th December from 6:00pm till 8:00pm. Tickets will go on sale after half term. Additionally, we will also be hosting the annual KS2 disco on Thursday 12th November from 3:30pm - 4:45pm. Weather permitting we are inviting all children, parents and carers to join us from 4:45pm to watch our firework display, which Mr Deeley will be doing. I would like to wish you all a happy, restful and fun filled half term break and look forward to seeing you all back on Monday 2nd November at 8:48am.
Kind regards, Miss Anderson
Miss Anderson
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RECENT EVENTS & SUCCESSES Harvest Festival On Thursday 8th October, St Mary’s & St John’s Divine hosted a joint Harvest Festival for Trinity St Mary’s and Hornsby House. It was a wonderful occasion and an absolute joy to see the children come together and sing in celebration of the harvest! Black History Celebration This year, we celebrated Black History Month as part of our daily community life, exploring a diverse range of books featured in the children’s classrooms and library. The children also enjoyed reading stories and singing songs that celebrated Black history, culture and heritage, helping to broaden their understanding and appreciation of the world around them.
Music Extravaganza A truly special event, celebrating the children’s hard work and dedication as they performed. There were some wonderfully moving, tear-jerking songs that touched everyone’s hearts, making it a memorable occasion for all. We were also delighted to put our new sound system to use, helping to make the performances even more special!
❤️ Show Racism the Red Card 2026 Change Hearts Change Minds Change Lives This year, we are proud to be supporting Show Racism the Red Card 2026, an important campaign that encourages children and adults to stand together against racism and celebrate diversity. To mark the day, our children wore Red as a simple but powerful way of showing that we believe everyone should be treated with kindness, fairness and respect.
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PTA Together We Can Do Great Things!
🌟WELCOME BACK TO ISSUE 2!
Can I start by saying a massive thank you for the overwhelming feedback and support we have received over the past seven weeks! Reigniting the PTA simply could not have happened without all of you. Every response, suggestion, idea and offer of support has helped us to shape what we are building together. It has been wonderful to see those conversations turn into small but meaningful changes, with many of our actions this half term directly inspired by the survey you completed at the start of term. And what a half term it has been! It has been filled with energy, enthusiasm and absolute joy, and we are so grateful to everyone who has played a part.
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PTA CORNER: THE TEAM BEHIND THE SCENES This month, I’d like to shine a spotlight on some of the wonderful people working behind the scenes our core PTA working team, see page 7.
Sometimes that means organising, sometimes it means making calls or sending emails, sometimes it means turning up and getting stuck in – and often it means simply saying, “I can help with that!”
There’s a saying that “many hands make light work,” and it really couldn’t be more fitting. So much of what we are planning, creating and shaping simply wouldn’t be possible without the time, ideas and commitment of this fantastic group of people.
Every contribution, however big or small, makes a difference. Together, we are building a PTA that is inclusive, collaborative and achievable, while keeping our ultimate goal at the heart of everything we do: creating wonderful opportunities and experiences for our children and our school community.
A PTA often has clearly defined roles and dedicated positions, but as a team of working parents and carers, we have chosen to approach our structure in a way that is realistic, flexible and works for our school community.
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So, to our core team, thank you! And to everyone who has supported us along the way, whether by sharing an idea, volunteering your time, donating, attending an event or simply spreading the word. This PTA is being shaped by all of us, together.
Rather than everything sitting with one person, we share the load, support one another and step in where we can.
SCAN TO JOIN Volunteer Group
Nadine PTA Chair
Event Updates Group
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MEET THE CORE PTA Meet the dedicated parents, carer, teacher & governor behind our PTA, working together behind the scenes to turn ideas into actions.
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Nadine
Sarah
Lynn
Louise
Janos
Selina
Ruth
Nikki
MEET MORE OF THE GOVERNORS
S teve
Bessie
My name is Steve Browne, I attended St Marys in the 70’s and was a chorister in the church choir for several years. I have two daughters Yasmine (34) and Kayla (26). I am a technical consultant, providing advice to several commercial properties in the City. I am a lifetime supporter of Arsenal Football Club We also need a new parent Governor, so I will be sending that information out shortly and will try and do a flyer image for newletter.
I've lived in Balham for the past 8 years and am a regular attendee of St Mary's Church. I'm a journalist at the BBC, working on the Today programme, our flagship news programme on BBC Radio 4. I've got a keen interest in primary education and am really enjoying finding out more about how the school is run as well addressing some of the challenges for primary schools in London.
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SPOTLIGHT ON STAFF
Hi I’m Mrs Bennett and I live in Tooting Bec. I have two children and 4 precious grandsons. My current roll at TSM, is School Business Manager, where I have been for the last 4 years. I have been working in schools across Wandsworth in various roles for 32 years. In my earlier years I trained as a graphic designer and worked in the print industry as I loved art and design. Out of school I enjoy reading, upcycling old and unwanted items and furniture.
Debbie
I love going to see live music, my most recent concert was taking my eldest grandson to see Bruno Mars during the summer holidays. I love days out in London, with family and friends and have been very lucky to be able to visit many countries across the globe, my favourites being Barbados and Shi Lanka. Trinity St Mary’s is very different to other schools that I have worked in as working in a small Community Church School radiates, inclusion, and a nurturing family-like environment. Work can be challenging at times but very rewarding, being part of a dedicated team that support children’s growth and help to builds a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
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OUTGREW DONATION DRIVE We’re pleased to introduce Outgrew at TSM a dedicated online marketplace designed to make buying and selling pre-loved school uniform simpler, more affordable and more convenient for TSM families. Instead of relying on WhatsApp groups, spreadsheets or occasional uniform sales, Outgrew provides one school specific place where families can: Buy good quality pre-loved uniform and school essentials Sell items children have outgrown and recover some of their value Request items that you can’t find Reuse uniform for longer and help reduce textile waste How does it work? Outgrew provides the online platform and handles the payment process, keeping administration for TSM and the PTA to a minimum. For family to family sales, the seller keeps 100% of the listed item price. Buyers pay the item price plus a 5% + 30p platform fee and a small school contribution. There is also the option for the TSM PTA to operate a school shop for donated or surplus uniform; which is live. For these sales, 90% of the listed price goes to TSM PTA and 10% to Outgrew Log in details: This link is a dedicated one for TSM only, and the easiest way to join and see what’s Friday 6th November available. What happens next? Your Parent/Carer join code is TRIN-7016, On Friday 6th November (morning) please please make sure you input this when bring on any pre-loved or unwanted you follow this link HERE uniform and / or PE Kits that are in a reAny help needed after the Donation Drive sellable condition. your Year Group Reps will be able to assist. Some members of the PTA will have a table Our aim at the entrance for you to drop the items To make school uniform more affordable off. for families, keep good quality uniform in use for longer, and create an easy way for They will also be on hand to assist with TSM families to help one another. guiding you through the app.
🛍️ 💷 🔎 ♻️
Save The Date!!
In the meantime if you wish to set this up yourself, please see QR Code below.
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GOVERNOR’S INSIGHT Dear Parents and Carers, It’s hard to believe how much has already been packed into this half term. I wanted to take a moment to share some of the things that have been happening across the school and give you a little insight into what we, as governors, have been working on too. There has certainly been plenty to celebrate. Our Music Extravaganza was a wonderful opportunity for our children to showcase their talents and confidence, and it was lovely to see the school community coming together to support them. We also marked Black History Month, giving our children opportunities to learn, reflect and celebrate the achievements, history and contributions of Black people and communities. Events and learning like this are an important part of helping our children understand and appreciate the diverse world in which they are growing up. Our Macmillan Coffee Morning was another lovely example of our school community at its best. Thank you to everyone who baked, bought, donated, helped or simply came along for a cup of coffee and a chat. As well as raising money for such an important cause, occasions like this are a great way to bring families, staff and the wider school community together. Behind the scenes, the Governing Board havealso had a busy half term. One of our priorities is looking at how we can grow the school and make sure more families know about everything it has to offer. We know there is so much to be proud of here, and we are looking at how we advertise and promote the school more effectively, celebrate what makes us special and reach families who may not yet know us. Governors have also been updating our knowledge of new statutory requirements. Education is constantly changing, and part of our responsibility is to make sure that we understand the latest requirements and guidance so that we can provide the right support and challenge to the school’s leadership team. I also recently had the opportunity to meet with our school nurse, Louise Higgs. It was really useful to hear more about their work with the school and the support available to our children and families. As governors, we spend a great deal of time looking at education and achievement, but children’s health, happiness and wellbeing are just as important. Growing the school will remain a key focus for us. For me, that isn’t simply about numbers. It is about making sure that our school continues to be a place families actively want to choose — a school with a strong reputation, a welcoming community and, above all, somewhere our children are happy, supported and able to thrive. Being a governor involves plenty of meetings, paperwork and questions, but the most rewarding part is seeing what all that work is ultimately about: our children. Whether they are performing at the Music Extravaganza, learning something new during Black History Month or simply enjoying an ordinary day at school, they are at the centre of the decisions we make. Thank you to our staff for everything they continue to do, and thank you to all our parents and carers for your support. Please do say hello if you see me or one of our governors around school — we are always pleased to hear from you. I hope you and your families have a wonderful half term break.
Hayley Warm wishes, Hayley Van Den Bergh Chair of Governors
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YOUNG VOICES ST GEORGE’S
ST ANDREW’S
Charlie (Captain) Davyd (Vice-Captain)
Anna S (Captain) Simon (Vice-Captain)
5514 points
5952 points
ST PATRICK’S
ST DAVID’S
Parker (Captain) IIinca (Vice-Captain)
Lucy (Captain) Jaiden (Vice-Captain)
5924 points
4010 points
Young Voices Miss Anderson conducted a ‘pupil voice’ and asked some of us questions about belonging. She listened to our answers and then asked deeper questions. It was a lovely way to be listened to and heard. Miss Anderson then took our thoughts and answers and created a display by the office. If you are in school after half term, why not come and have a look? We enjoyed our discussion with her and the other children in the groups and it made us feel that we are important.
‘ I belong to London - I was born here it’s my original place for me to be.’ ‘With my grandparents - they look after me and give me the things I need to survive like food, the right to freedom and love.’ ‘I belong to our church because I work there every Sunday with my nan’ Do you feel you belong at our school (TSM) and why? ‘Yes because the way we are welcomed every day. Staff stand at the school gate and say good morning, using our names and that makes me feel special.’ ‘I know I belong at TSM, because the way in which we are shown kindness and you are always smiling at us.’ ‘TSM protects us.’ ‘TSM staff teach us fun subjects like science and we learn through doing fun things.’ ‘I double, double think that I belong at TSM because we do fun science, good maths, computing and we are made to feel safe and protected.’ ‘Even when I know I have given attitude or done something wrong, Miss Keys is always patient with me, even when she really should be telling
Where do you feel you belong and why? ‘With my family, because they feed and protect me.’ ‘At the hotel in Disney world, because their room service is second to none!’ ‘At TSM, because everyone looks after me.’ ‘I belong to London - I like the place, going to the park, walking around or playing on the water in the boats.’ ‘Jamaica - because I am of Jamaican heritage.’ ‘St George’s Hospital, cause that is where I was born.’ ‘Home - I feel comfortable there.’
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me I am missing playtime because I have been rude.’ ‘Because you love us all and you always explain things even when we have been rude.’ How do the staff and children at TSM show that you belong? ‘ Kindness, smiles and fun.’ ‘Trip, keeping us safe when we cross the road.’ ‘Using my name’ ‘Protecting me, or just giving me a hug when I ask for one, if I am hurt or feeling sad.’ ‘Being patient with me.’ ‘Sharing stories.’ ‘I know that Miss Anderson, Miss Keys, Miss Brewster and Miss Greene have a big job of keeping us safe online and in the world.’ ‘If we have a problem, I know I can talk to anyone.’ ‘By listening’ What can you do to help others to belong? ‘Listen more when people are talking.’ ‘Smile more.’ ‘Show more kindness to others, especially my teacher when I am being rude, that is not nice for anyone.’ ‘Work as a team.’ ‘Be a playground buddy - if I see someone sad, I can ask if they are ok.’ ‘Tell people that I like them.’
NEW SOUND SYSTEM Help Us Fill Trinity St Mary’s with the Sound of Music! At Trinity St Mary’s, we love hearing our children sing, and we want to make sure every little voice can be heard loud and clear! We’ve recently installed a fantastic new sound system to help support our children's love of singing, music and performing. We’re now hoping to raise at least £750 towards the cost of this wonderful addition to our school. Can you help us reach our target? Thank you to our amazing families, friends and wider school community for your continued kindness and support. Together, let's help our children's voices shine! Every donation, big or small, will make a difference. If you're unable to donate, simply sharing our fundraising page would mean so much!
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KEEPING OUR CHILDREN SAFE The safety and wellbeing of our children is always our highest priority. We want to work in partnership with parents and carers to help every child feel safe, confident and supported, both in school and in our local community. Recent Metropolitan Police crime reports for the Trinity area of Wandsworth remind us of the importance of remaining aware of our surroundings and talking regularly with children about personal safety. While we do not want to cause unnecessary concern, simple conversations and sensible precautions can make a real difference. Staying Safe in Our Community We encourage all families to take a few moments to discuss the following with their children: Be aware: Encourage children to notice their surroundings and trust their instincts if something feels wrong. Plan safe journeys: Use familiar, well-lit routes and, where appropriate, walk with friends or trusted adults. Stranger awareness: Remind children never to go anywhere with someone they do not know or trust. They can say no, move away and seek help. Keep belongings secure: Encourage older children to keep phones and valuables safe, particularly in busy areas. Know who can help: Make sure children know which trusted adults they can approach if they feel worried or unsafe. Talk openly: Reassure children that they can always share their concerns and will be listened to without getting into trouble. Supporting Emotional Wellbeing Safeguarding includes emotional as well as physical safety. Changes in behaviour, increased anxiety or reluctance to visit certain places may indicate that a child needs extra reassurance. Regular, ageappropriate conversations about safety, friendships and personal boundaries help children feel confident to speak up if something is wrong. Working Together Please remain vigilant around the school gates and in the wider community, particularly at drop-off and collection times. Report concerning behaviour or incidents through the appropriate channels. If you have a safeguarding concern involving a child or family in our school community, please contact the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). To avoid unnecessary worry, please do not share unverified information or speculation in parent WhatsApp groups or on social media. Useful Contacts 999 – For emergencies where someone is in immediate danger. 101 – To report a non-emergency matter to the police. NSPCC: 0808 800 5000 – Advice and support about a child’s safety. School Safeguarding Team – Contact the school directly with any safeguarding concerns. Families can also find local crime information and community policing updates via the Metropolitan Police’s Trinity neighbourhood webpage. A Message to Our Families We are fortunate to be part of a caring and supportive school community. By working together, we can help our children grow in confidence and independence while keeping their safety at the heart of everything we do. Please take a few moments this week to revisit personal safety with your child in a calm and reassuring way. Our message is one of awareness, preparation and shared responsibility not fear. Thank you for your continued support in helping us keep all our children safe, both inside and outside the school gates.
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THE VICAR’S CORNER
THE CHURCH’S VISION FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE NATION
merged with Holy Trinity CE School in 1992. Like all pre-modern educational institutions TSM was built as a place where faith and academic discipline integrated. Today, that historic identity is alive in our current theological vision: "Nurturing minds, filling hearts, flourishing together," inspired directly by the biblical commandment in Luke 10:27 to love God and love one’s neighbour. A common modern misapprehension is that a distinct faith tradition requires exclusivity. Trinity St Mary's proves the opposite. By remaining honest to our Anglican roots, the school finds its mandate to welcome everyone. It is when we are comfortable in our own identity that we are best placed to welcome others. The Church of England’s vision for education has never been about forcing conformity; rather, it is about offering a hospitable space defined by Christian social morality and love. Because Christ’s commandment compels believers to see and care for every individual, TSM explicitly opens its doors to families of all faiths and none. We do not try to dilute our identity into a bland beige nothingness in order to achieve inclusivity. Instead, we use our Christian foundation to build a safe, respectful environment where students engage thoughtfully, celebrate differing perspectives, and learn from one another. By standing firmly in its 165year-old tradition of service, Trinity St Mary's continues to ensure that every unique child is known, valued, and given the space to flourish.
Fr.. Jonathan MacNeaney Vicar, St Mary’s Balham
Our school stands as a testament to the Church of England’s long-standing vision for national education. Long before the state provided education to children the church had a vision to provide local communities with free schools where children could spiritually and academically flourish. As Balham grew alongside the Victorian railway expansion, the need for local education increased. In 1857, Mary Harrison donated land on Balham New Road, and the foundation stone for the new school building was laid in 1859. The school's explicit mission was to provide opportunity, instruction, and Christian values to the children of the parish, particularly serving the most impoverished. The founding of our school mirrored the broader national strategy of the Church of England. Following Joshua Watson's creation of the National Society in 1811, the Church sought to establish a school in every parish across England. This national vision was not exclusive. Rather it aimed to educate the nation in an attempt to offer social mobility, pastoral care and the means to a better life. Trinity St Mary’s navigated the introduction of compulsory national schooling in the 1870s, transitioned from segregated classrooms into a mixed junior school in 1906, and eventually
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Big Feelings, LittlePeople
Supporting your child’s mental health and wellbeing Children experience big emotions too.They may feel worried, sad angry, overwhelmed or nervous ,just like adults do.Helping children understand and talk about their emotions from an early age can help build confidence, resilience and emotional wellbeing.
1. Make time to talk Youdonot needto have aserious or lengthy conversation. Everyday moments can create opportunities to chat, such as walking, travelling in the car, having dinner or getting ready for bed.
Try asking: “What was the best part of your day?” “Was anything tricky today?” Sometimes children do not need us to fix a problem. They simply need someone to listen.
3. Make time for connection
2. Help them name their feelings Children do not always have the words to explain you have feel. You can help by gently putting their emotions into words.
Try saying: “It looks like you’re feeling frustrated. Is that right?” Naming feelings can help children understand and manage their emotions. It also reminds them that all feelings are okay, even though some behaviours may not be.
4. Look after their bodies too
Connection does not need to be expensive or complicated. Ten minutes of playing, reading, drawing, baking or cuddling can make a real difference.
Put your phone down, get down to your child's level and give them your full attention. Small moments of togetherness can help children feel safe, valued and understood.
Good physical health supports good mental health. Encourage your child to enjoy.
A regular bedtime and enough sleep Regular, balanced meals Plenty of movement and outdoor play Healthy boundaries around screen time Time to relax, play and have fun
When might your child need extra support? It is normal for children to have difficult days. However, if you notice ongoing changes in your child's mood or behaviour, it may be time to seek additional support.
For example, your child may: Seem persistently worried or sad Withdraw from children of family Have difficulty sleeping Struggle to attend school Stop enjoying activities they usually love
You do not have to wait until things become a crisis. If you are worried, speak to your child's school, GP or school nursing team.
5. Notice the positives Children cansometimes beveryhard on themselves. Help them recognise their strengths and efforts, rather than focusing only on what went wrong.
You could say:
“I noticed how kind you were to your friend.” “You kept trying, even when it was difficult.” “You should be proud of yourself.”
Specific praise helps children notice their progress and feel more confident.
I’m here. I’m listening. You can talk to me.
Small moments matter. A few minutes of listening, playing or talking each day can help children feel safe, valued and understood. Let’s make talking about feelings as normal as talking about physical health.
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EXPLORE LEARNING Our 11+ offering enables families to pursue grammar and private school tests, focusing on Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning with our expert team of tutors. Our team is friendly and trained in the whole curriculum, as well as able to support children with SEND.
Hello TSM families! We are delighted to be part of a partnership between Explore Learning Merton and the PTA at Trinity St Mary’s, and would like to thank the PTA for the opportunity to write this article explaining what Explore Learning does! Explore Learning offers Maths, English and 11+ tuition to children aged between 4 and 16. We have been around for 25 years, always offering a ratio of 1 tutor to 6 children, and working in groups of mixed ages and abilities. The Merton branch is based in Colliers Wood, close to the tube station, and is open Monday to Saturday. We support children across Merton, Wandsworth, and Lambeth to access our service. We are an Ofstedregistered childcare provider too, enabling families such as yourselves to use tax-free childcare or the childcare element of Universal Credit or Student Finance to access our centre! Merton Centre is led by the management team of Dave and Isobel, both of whom have worked for Explore Learning for several years, with Isobel having attended as a child!
Our services provides support to build key learning skills at different educational stages. This enables children to feel capable, confident and supported at every step, building on their independence and joy within learning. We also work with families to ensure we can implement the best educational plan possible for their child, ensuring that they get the most from their time with Explore Learning. Our system is personalised to each child, individually tailoring and working through the curriculum to succeed long-term. If you would like to know even more, you can find us online through the Explore Learning website, or you can come into our branch at Colliers Wood to meet Dave, Isobel, and the team. Isobel will also be attending some events through the PTA this academic year and would be delighted to discuss what Explore Learning can do for your child. We also offer free trial sessions for interested families to experience the centre and see more of how we work!
Our curriculum is based on the National Curriculum, meaning children can stay close to what is being taughtin school, as well as be stretched beyond if they need! For our younger member, we support with phonics, early maths, and handwriting, using the Phonics Hero platform to provide play-based learning for our youngest members.
Click HERE to view the website!
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Q&A WITH AUTHOR PIERS TORDAY In Collaboration with Backstory
On Thursday 1st October, TSM was delighted to welcome pupils from Alderbrook and Rutherford House for a very special morning with award-winning author Piers Torday, held in partnership with Balham’s independent bookshop, Backstory. Piers spoke to pupils across Years 4–6 about his life as an author, the creative process behind writing books and his exciting new fantasy series, Midnight Treasure, which was published in September 2025. He also shared insights into the second book in the series, Wolf Crown, published last month. The children thoroughly enjoyed hearing about Piers’ experiences as an author and had the wonderful opportunity to ask him questions about his books, writing and inspiration. Chrck out our exclusive Q&A below. Q. Any new material in the pipeline that you can fill us in on? I am writing the most action-packed book ever - more fights and more jokes than I have ever written before....and also the play of The Last Wild(my first Q. How did you begin your writing journey? and most popular book) coming to the Unicorn and I saw an early film version of Lord of the Rings (the National Theatre next year! unfinished 1970's cartoon) and loved it so much I wrote some fan fiction, aged about 7, in my school book. It was full of spelling mistakes and didn't make total sense, but it was the beginning.. I've been writing stories about wizards and monsters ever since!
Q. What or who inspired you to write this book? It all began when I discovered a fantasy map of a mysterious land drawn by my late father Paul while going through his papers. I had no idea what it meant, but it inspired me to research more of his family history which took me first to Budapest in Hungary, and then Transylvania (in modern day Romania) and as I learned more about the fabulous folklore of both those countries, from vampires to werewolves, I knew I had to write a story about it!
Q. Tell us an interesting fact about making this book? I got chased out of a Transylvanian village by a pack of wild dogs while researching it! Q. Where can we follow you to learn more about your book(s) and any future projects? Find me on Instagram: Piers Torday (@piers_torda
Q. What advice do you have for aspiring authors? Write little and often, and don't edit a word till you've finished the first version. Then don't read it for a week, and then rewrite it three times. First time to get the story right, second time to get the words right, and third time to check for mistakes. Never share your work with anyone until you know in your heart it is the very best you can do. Q. What was an early experience where you learned that language had power? When I discovered that, in a story, if you want there to be a magical land on the other side of a wardrobe, there can be! Q. What is your favourite childhood book? Too many to name, but Going Solo by Roald Dahl is up there.
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SPOTLIGHT ON….ENGLISH
Miss Brewster English Lead
As the Year 6 teacher and English Lead at Trinity St Mary’s, I feel very lucky to lead a subject I have loved ever since I was at school myself. English is one of my favourite subjects to teach, and there is nothing better than seeing children inspired by a book, discovering new vocabulary or coming up with wonderfully imaginative ideas. At TSM, we want every child to develop the skills and confidence to express themselves, while discovering the joy that reading and writing can bring.m
In Early Years, books inspire all sorts of exciting learning too through explicit teaching and continuous provision activities. During a recent visit, I saw children producing fantastic writing and acting based on ‘The Gruffalo’ by Julia Donaldson - a lovely example of books bringing learning to life! Reading for pleasure is equally important. This year, we have moved towards daily, discussion-based guided reading lessons, and it has been wonderful to see children growing in confidence and enthusiasm as they share their ideas.
Here at TSM, English is taught through high-quality books. In KS1 and KS2, each class explores two key texts every half term, using them as inspiration for different styles of writing, from narrative writing to newspaper reports. Children build their skills over several weeks before completing an independent piece to display what they have learnt.
Year 5/6 have been exploring ‘Floodland’ by Marcus Sedgwick, while Year 3/4 have been enjoying ‘The Iron Man’ by Ted Hughes. Across the school, children also visit our school library weekly and Balham Library every other half term, giving them opportunities to discover new books and choose something that interests them.
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At home, we encourage children to read with an adult at least four times a week. Sharing a story, chatting about a character or simply enjoying a book together can make a real difference. Our youngest readers also bring home phonics books to practise regularly, helping them become more fluent and confident. We hope to offer parent phonics training in the coming months, so keep an eye out for further information! This year, we are also placing a real emphasis on oracy - the ability to express ourselves clearly and confidently through speaking and listening. Research from The Education Endowment Foundation, suggests that oral language interventions can support an average of six months’ additional learning progress. At TSM, we are encouraging our children to talk to a partner, discuss ideas as a table and build on one another’s contributions. These skills matter far beyond English lessons, whether children are explaining their thinking in maths, sharing ideas during collective worship or confidently asking for their lunch.
We continue to build the vocabulary of our children through our ambitious Word of the Week. Ask your child which words they have been learning recently and help them to use them in conversation at home or on your way to the shops! There are so many opportunities to celebrate English throughout school life, from our annual World Book Day celebrations and author visits, including our recent visit from Piers Torday, to the wonderful storytelling and performances during Black History Month. Our weekly library visits and opportunities for children to write and share their own prayers in church also help bring language to life in different ways. Above all, we want our children to leave TSM as confident communicators, enthusiastic readers and imaginative writers who understand that words can open up wonderful new worlds. Whether you are sharing a bedtime story, exploring a new word or chatting about a favourite book, thank you for helping us nurture that love of English together!
Parent & Carer Reading Group
As part of the Survey sent out at the start of term we had a huge interest in Parents/Carers wanting to support the children with reading. Many thanks to those who put their names forward; we’ve been working on completing DBS checks and putting together an Autumn and Spring list which will be shared soon.
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CHRISTMAS DONATIONS & SUPPORT We’re planning a magical Christmas Market packed with festive fun for the whole family; and we’d love your support to make it happen!
DONATE
🎁 | BAKE 🧁 | VOLUNTEER 🎅
❤️ How you can help There are lots of ways to support the Christmas Market, whether you can donate an item, provide a raffle prize, lend equipment, bake something delicious or give an hour of your time to support a stall. Even the smallest contribution will help us create a magical evening. Please contact pta@tsm.wandsworth.sch.uk if you can assist with any of the above Or bring items in. Wrapping paper Bottles of drinks for the tombola unwanted gifts unused toiletries Mince pies Hot Chocolate Candy Canes Marshmellows Mulled wine sausage rolls Packets of biscuits Panetonie Raffle prizes Support with running a stall Support with setting up the market Support with cleaning up
Thank you to all who have kindly agreed to advertise the Christmas Market in collaboration with Porters Estate Agents!
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CHRISTMAS STALLS We are delighted to have the following vendors join out Christmas Market; and have a few others that we are currently finalising!
AND MORE…..
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PARENT, CARERS & FRIENDS EVENTS WREATH MAKING WORKSHOP
CHRISTMAS MARKET
The PTA have organised a festive wreath making workshop for parents, staff and friends taking place Friday 20th November 2026 between 68:30pm. We had limited space and blown away by how quickly the event sold out! If your still interested please let us know by Friday 6th November!
Our Christmas Market is fast approaching be sure to keep Friday 27th November 2026 between 2:304:30pm free! Our Christmas event will be transformed into a festive wonderland, with something for everyone to enjoy!
KS2 DISCO & FIREWORKS
QUIZ NIGHT
On Thursday 12th November KS2 will have a school disco; and this will be followed on by a magnificent Fireworks display held in the playground (for all year groups from 5pm).
Well we couldn’t end the year without another Quiz night! Save the date Thursday 10th December between 6:00pm - 8:00pm. Tickets On sale after half term.
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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
AMAZON WISHLIST
TSM’S NOVEMBER GAZETTE WILL BE PUBLISHED: FRIDAY 27TH NOVEMBER Trinity St Mary’s C of E Primary School