Welcome to St Mary the Virgin Primary School. We are really looking forward to welcoming you and your child to our school family. We hope this page will guide you in all you need to know about the start of your child’s journey at school.
We are looking forward to working in partnership with you, to provide the best possible start for your child’s education. As part of our role, we aim to provide the children with a happy, safe and secure learning environment where they will be encouraged to explore their interests and learn new skills.
Staff
Class Teacher: Mrs Helen Bettiss
Class Teaching Assistant: Mrs Lyndsey Clark
PPA Teacher: Mrs Jo Harney
School day timings
- 8:40 a.m. – enter school ( via the green gates to the left of the main entrance)
- 8:45 a.m. -12:00 p.m. – morning session
- 12:00 p.m. -12:50 p.m. – lunch
- 12:50 p.m. -3:15 p.m. – afternoon session
- 3:15 p.m. – school finishes (collect via green gates to the left of the main entrance)
Transition Days
- Wednesday 10th June – Parent / Carer information evening 6pm-7pm
- Wednesday 17th June – 1.30pm – 3pm
- Wednesday 24th June – 1.30pm – 3pm
- Tuesday 7th July – 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
When will your child start school?
We spend the first week with a staggered start and your child will start full time in week 2. Your child will be in either group A or B for the first week.
Group A – Thursday 3rd September 2026
Group B – Friday 4th September 2026
Monday 7th September all children full time.
What your child should bring to school
Please could your child bring the following to school:
- named water bottle
- healthy snack for the morning ( fruit, veg, crackers, etc..) school will provide fruit and veg for the afternoon snack
- named wellies to be kept in school at all times
- spare clothes for accidents and water/messy play fun. These can be kept in a bag on your child’s peg
New Parent Presentation – School Nursing Service
New parents presentationWrap around care- Orbit Club
https://www.stmarygillingham.dorset.sch.uk/school-life/orbit-club/
Uniform
https://www.stmarygillingham.dorset.sch.uk/school-life/school-uniform/
Preparing your child for Pluto Class
Preparing your child for school
School meals /free school meals
https://www.stmarygillingham.dorset.sch.uk/school-life/school-meals/
Pupil Premium
FREE SCHOOL PE KIT WHEN YOU SIGN UP FOR PUPIL PREMIUM –
Cool milk
Click on the link and go to ‘Parents’ and register your child.
How do we communicate?
We use ‘Arbor’ as a way of communicating messages, events and payments. Please fill in the forms given to you on our information evening so we can register you for this. You will receive an email when we have set up your registration. If you were unable to make our information evening we will send you the forms you need.
Tapestry and Class Dojo
We use tapestry to share learning with you about your child. We would love you to send in photos of wow moments your child has done at home and put them on tapestry. Please also keep an eye on tapestry at the end of the summer holidays as we will put any key information on there ready for the start of September.
Contacting the school
Please contact the school office for absences and for any concerns.
Email: office@stmarygillingham.dorset.sch.uk
Phone: 01747 824446
Come and have a look around our classroom and outdoor learning space
