Newsletters

7.11.2025 v2

Be determined and confident,as God will be with you* as we learn, care and share through work, play and prayer. (*Deuteronomy 31:6)

Contact details below, just click on the name, or call 01257 262323 

Andy Purcell,   Headteacher of St George's, and Wrightington Mossy Lea 

Sharon Kellie, School Admin and Bursar

Nic Gregson,    Deputy Head Teacher, Child Protection, SENCO

Naomi Harrison,  Assistant Head Teacher, responsibility for Assessment & Mossy Lea

Rob Horne      Assistant Head Teacher, Responsibility for Teacher Training

 

Two churches. One parish.       

Follow either church for information, worship, church attendance, events

St George's Chorley    All Saints Chorley   Fr Jordan Bentliffe   

St George’s is now in a period of interregnum, as we await the Diocese’s appointment of a new vicar to lead our parish forward.   

Welcome to this week’s newsletter!

“The Lines of Life”

You may have seen the image below before. It’s a striking one — five doors, each with a queue. The lines for criticism and gossip stretch endlessly. But the quieter doors — the ones marked get involved, encourage, help — stand almost empty. A gentle reminder, perhaps, that the easiest paths aren’t always the most meaningful ones.

In school life, especially over recent weeks, we’ve seen this dynamic at play. We’ve been through a term of real challenge — not dramatic, not disastrous, but undeniably tough. Staffing has been stretched. Routines have been juggled. Standards have been held, but not without pressure behind the scenes. And yet — we’ve managed it, together.

We want to warmly welcome back Mrs Anne Fothergill, returning steadily after her health scare. And to Mrs Georgina McVittie, our continued love as she returns to school following her mother’s funeral. Your grace and strength have been felt.

To all parents — thank you. Thank you for trusting us, for working with us, and for recognising that, while everything has stayed good, some of the seams have been tight. When we see understanding, not judgement… support, not suspicion… we know we’re walking through the right doors.

Around school, you can just begin to feel it — a little scent of Christmas in the air. Advent calendars are being mentioned. Plans for nativities, carols, and kindness are quietly forming. But let’s not rush to the sparkle just yet. There’s still much to do — much to build — much to be thankful for.

Let’s keep choosing the right door.

04 Sep 2025
Seeking a top-tier school where tradition meets innovation, and every child thrives?​​​​​​​
Do you want a school that prepares children for their future, not our past? Child ready to start September 2026?
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Let's be honest, not every missed day leaves a visible crack — but absence has a way of weakening the structure quietly. A child’s education is built brick by brick: not just facts and figures, but confidence, connection, and rhythm. When children miss school, it’s not just a lesson they miss — it’s the moment it made sense, the laughter that came with it, the subtle nod that said “you’re getting it.” The impact isn’t always immediate. Like a wall missing too many bricks, it’s only later we notice the wobble. That’s why attendance matters — not for perfection, but for momentum. Every day helps your child build something strong, and each absence means they return to find the tools have moved on without them. Let’s build, together.

🎄 Christmas Art 🎄

The children all worked hard before the end of half term to create their special Christmas artwork! You can now create Christmas cards to send to family and all sorts of different gifts

The children will be bringing a leaflet home tomorrow with the details on how to order, including a discount code for 10% off which is valid until 14th November. I have copied the leaflet below and added the order link

Any commission we raise will go straight back into school for the children

Any queries or questions, please contact the customer service team in the first instance, Tel: 01530 887650 or via email customerservice@mychildsart.co.uk

https://mychildsart.co.uk/find-artwork?username=StGeorges5&access-code=77nyzmvb

Save the date 1st December

We will have 3 non-uniform Fridays which are on the calendar in the run up to the Christmas Fair – There is no charge for the non-uniform days; but we do ask that you send in a donation please for the Christmas Fair, in exchange for your child coming to school in their own clothes. Further details are in the link above 

THE FIRST NON UNIFORM DAY IS THE COLOURED THEMED ONE. Please try and send in coloured offerings that link to the class colour for the hampers! Following the success of recent years’ coloured theme hampers, each year group has adopted a colour, and if possible, we would like children to bring in anything that is of their colour! This should then make really nice hampers that can be raffled off on the night of the Fair.  

Although the coloured hampers are a great idea and are very successful, don’t let it add to the stresses of your daily lives….. if you can’t find anything of the particular colour, please do send in a regular donation as described above!  

Friday 14th November - Items for the coloured hampers (see list below )

Friday 21st November - any tombola items, bottles Chocolate, new and unused toys

Friday 28th November- any tombola items, bottles Chocolate, new and unused toys

Hamper colours:

Reception: Red

Year 1: Purple

Year 2: Blue

Year 3: Green

Year 4: Pink

Year 5: Black and White

Year 6: Gold

For the following 2 Fridays would you mind supplying us with bottles, clean re-useable soft toys (preferably unused ones!), books, games, chocolates, toiletries, or any prizes that can be used for the tombola stall. (I know things are tough out there - just do what you can..... don't worry if you can't. Still send your kid in non uniform..... if you can only do one donation, then only do one donation. The Christmas Fair, and Summer Fair are tremendous fundraisers, and we get loads of quality stuff from you - but I'm absolutely not the type of person, or indeed is the school the type of school -  who wants to add to your stresses - as always - just do what you can. That's all anyone can ask. 

Please try to sell the raffle tickets, probably sent out next week – 1 book per family!  Please fill in the details on left hand side of the tickets and return this side with the money to school – keeping the right hand side of ticket at home for you when you collect the winning prize! Prizes to be announced…

Raffle tickets are priced at £1.00 per ticket £5 per book, and will be sent home next week. Please return unsold raffle tickets/books

If you shop through EasyFundraising for St George's. Look out for Black Friday Deals, you could raise extra cash for School.

If you don't already, please consider signing up, it's so easy to shop and raise cash at the same time. Thank you! 😊

In other news as we prepare for the Fair

Cakes. Please Please Please = Let's do this! 

On the morning of the Fair can as many people as possible send in cakes for us to sell please? We'd love to re kindle the lovely cake stall of old! Hope you can help here. That would be amazing, and thank you. 

Location of stalls. The PTFA have organised a wonderful Fair - it should be amazingly gorgeous. You will enter the fair through the junior yard and i'll give more details on location next Friday. 

Refreshments, drinks, chips and hot dogs, will be served from the kitchen, as will mulled wine, tea and coffee. 

Santa will be in the stable - the hut outside class 4. Class 4 will be where you wait to see Santa. 

Reindeers will be on the small slope, heading towards the MUGA. (Where they were last year)

Please don't forget to bake

Please don't forget to come to the fair

Please don't for we are a cash only fair - change welcome - money very welcome! 

And can I pass on heartfelt thanks to all who have help prepared the fair - the PTFA who have worked tirelessly, and also a thank you to those of you who have offered to help come and help set up on the day of the fair - don't worry - full training will be given. Thank you all so very much indeed - as I say many times, we are so much stronger together, and together we can achieve great things.

06 Nov 2025
Behind the front door...... WE 7.11.2025
Whats been going on behind the front door this week..... 
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We’re pleased to inform families that Laura Daniels is now in post as our Wrap Around Services Manager, leading Breakfast Club, and Late Stay. Laura brings calm, clarity, and experience to this key role, and is already working closely with both new and established staff to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of our extended services. With a strong focus on kindness, consistency, and communication, she is here to support both children and families — and we’re excited to see how she continues to shape and strengthen our wrap around offer over the coming months.

03 Nov 2025
PE Days this half term
PE Days this half term
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Photographs taken 22nd October 2025   

Dear St Georges CE Primary School

Thanks once again for choosing Tempest Photography. It’s great to see parents ordering their child’s school photo online.

For those parents who are yet to order online, they have until Sunday 9th November 2025 to take advantage of free delivery back to school. We hope that you could send out the following communications to ensure that no-one misses out. 

We have included our contact details in the messages so that any questions come to our team rather than adding to your workload.

Kind regards,

Mandy

A message to our current Year 5 parents - 

An email has been sent regarding payment for next year’s PGL visit. The total cost is £345, with a £40 deposit due by Friday 28th November, or shortly afterwards if your payday falls at the end of the month.

Is the payment Voluntary or Compulsory?

We’re often asked about voluntary and compulsory payments. We are seeing an increase in families citing "voluntary payments" as an opportunity not to pay, which I guess it is! However, and Just to clarify: the PGL residential is not classed as a voluntary contribution — it’s an optional experience, and if your child is attending, payment is required in full.

For other educational trips and visits, schools are required to label these as voluntary contributions — but the reality is, unless enough contributions are received, the trip may not go ahead. We’re always grateful for your support in helping make these enriching opportunities possible.

That said, whether it be PGL, or a school trip, if finances are the reason your child isn't going, jsut come into school and have a chat with SLT. 

 

Y4 craft club
3:15pm – 4:30pm
from 06 Nov and on Thursday each week until 18 Dec
06
November
Fencing Morning Club Year 3-Year 6
8:00am – 8:45am
from 07 Nov and on Friday each week until 13 Dec
07
November
Class 7 Roman Day
9:00am – 3:15pm
07
November
Preorder School Meals
4:00pm – 4:30pm
from 22 Nov and on Friday each week except for between 22 Jul and 28 aug
07
November
Y6 to visit Lancashire Museum
9:00am – 11:00am
10
November
Remembrance Service
10:45am – 11:15am
from 11 Nov and on day 11 every 12 months until 12 Nov
11
November
Year 3 (Class 6 and 7) to church (Drop off)
9:00am – 10:30am
12
November
Fr David in school
11:15am – 2:15pm
from 02 Oct and on Wednesday each week except for 19 Feb, between 09 Apr and 16 apr, between 22 Jul and 02 sep, between 28 Oct and 04 nov, and for between 23 Dec and 01 jan
12
November
Y4 craft club
3:15pm – 4:30pm
from 06 Nov and on Thursday each week until 18 Dec
13
November
Non Uniform for the Christmas Fair.
All Day
from 14 Nov and on Friday each week until 28 Nov
14
November
Fencing Morning Club Year 3-Year 6
8:00am – 8:45am
from 07 Nov and on Friday each week until 13 Dec
14
November
Preorder School Meals
4:00pm – 4:30pm
from 22 Nov and on Friday each week except for between 22 Jul and 28 aug
14
November
Flu Vaccinations For All Year Groups
9:00am – 2:30pm
18
November
Book Fair
All Day
from 19 Nov and every day until 26 Nov
19
November
Fr David in school
11:15am – 2:15pm
from 02 Oct and on Wednesday each week except for 19 Feb, between 09 Apr and 16 apr, between 22 Jul and 02 sep, between 28 Oct and 04 nov, and for between 23 Dec and 01 jan
19
November

If anyone fancies a low key and local meet Santa event Adlington Scouts are running sessions again as a fundraiser. Quite a few St George's kids go to that group

As we wrap up this week, here’s something to ponder:

As we close this week’s newsletter, I’d like to share something we often say behind the scenes: aim for 80%. Not perfection. Not polish. But progress. Because in the real world 80% done with love, thought, and humanity will always outshine 100% done with stress, fear, and burnout.

So if this term has felt a little messy, a little frayed, or a little more human than usual… perhaps that’s okay. Perhaps that’s exactly what growth looks like. The art of life — and the heart of education — isn’t in getting it all right. It’s in showing up, sticking together, and choosing the right doors, even when they’re the quietest ones.

To all who have encouraged, supported, or simply understood — thank you.

Let’s keep going — 80% and all.