Friday 16th October 2015
Dress-Up Day Next Wednesday
Friends of St. Mary’s Association
As mentioned last week, we are hoping to relaunch our PTA under the new name: Friends of St. Mary’s Association. As parents, you will automatically become members of this group when your child starts school. The aim of this association will be to raise funds for our school whilst building community links.
In a recent letter we asked if any parents/carers would be willing to take on the crucial roles of Chairperson and Treasurer - unfortunately we didn’t get any volunteers.
Two parents have kindly agreed to organise the Summer Fete but without a Chair, or Treasurer, we would be unable to organise any other fundraising events (this would be a real disappointment to our children and would prevent us from purchasing much needed resources for them).
If you think you may be able to take on either of these positions (both roles could be shared) we would love to hear from you. Please speak to Mr Briggs (or Mr Ellis) or email the school at: stmarys@hgfl.org.uk.
Thank you in advance.
One World Week 2015
Next week we will be celebrating our annual One World Week. The aim of this week is to celebrate different customs and traditions from around the World. The following activities will be taking place:
Day |
Activity |
Mon |
Each class will research a specific world issue and produce a report or presentation |
Tue |
Hinduism Workshops |
Wed |
Passport Morning: Pupils will visit each year group to find out about the countries they have been studying. Before entering each classroom they will get their passport stamped. Whole school Dress-up Day (please see below for more details). |
Thur |
The ‘Small Earth Games Company’ will teach the children different games from around the World. |
Fri |
SCHOOL CLOSED – STAFF INSET DAY |
Passport: Dress-up Day
Each class has picked one country to research in detail.
Next Wednesday 21st October we are inviting all pupils to come to school wearing clothes associated with this locality. This could be the national costume - or simply clothes that are the same colour as their national flag. Please see below to find out the country each year group is studying:
Class |
Country |
Early Years |
Spain |
Year 1 |
India |
Year 2 |
China |
Year 3 |
Wales |
Year 4 |
USA |
Year 5 |
Brazil |
Year 6 |
Greece |
October INSET Day
Reminder: School will be closed next Friday 23rd October due to our staff training day and also the following week due to the Half Term break. All pupils return to school on Monday 2nd November.
Curriculum Open Afternoon
On Tuesday 17th November, from 2pm, we will be holding our Curriculum Open Afternoon in school. This will consist of a tour of the school, information about how we are going to assess your child without levels and will end with a coffee afternoon in the school hall. We will send home a separate letter, with further details, nearer to the date.
Pupil Safeguarding
Due to the safety and welfare of the children, particularly as the staff do not know all the parents, we kindly request that parents do not stop and look into playground or call to the children when passing. We are not always sure if the adults are known to the children. Thank you for your co-operation with this.
School Meals
We have recently had a number of children without a paid hot meal or packed lunch. As you can imagine, this causes a lot of extra work in phoning for lunch to be bought in and disruption in the dinner hall at its busiest time. It is also very upsetting for the child and the food we receive is supplied on portions ordered and therefore we can only give the child what is left over. Please can you regularly check the history of your bookings and note days that you will need to provide a packed lunch. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
Calling all accountants or auditors
The school has the Governors’ Fund Accounts and a Private Fund Account that need auditing each year; one set closes 31st March and the other closes 31st August. If you think you would have time to audit these accounts for us please get in touch with Mrs Law, Finance Officer for more information.
Voluntary contributions to the Governors Maintenance Fund
Thank you very much to everyone who has sent in a contribution. We know some parents wait for the reminders, which are being processed now. In order to reduce administration we will request that the whole school voluntarily contributes for the Academic Year 2015 – 2016 but if you wish to send more or less, just amend the request slips accordingly. If you wish to consider Gift Aiding your donation, which means we can get 25% more, of it at no extra cost to you, please contact Mrs Law, Finance Officer, for more information. Many thanks.
Diary Dates – Autumn Term 2015
See below for the main events taking place this term. For a complete list - please refer to the calendar on our school website:
http://www.st-marys.hillingdon.sch.uk/
Date |
Time |
Event |
Monday 19th October |
All day |
Start of One World Week |
Tuesday 20th October |
All day |
Hinduism Workshops |
Wednesday 21st October |
Morning All day |
Passport Morning All pupils to wear clothes associated with the country they are studying (please see Weekly Newsletter dated the 9th October 2015) |
Thursday 22nd October |
All day |
Sports from Around the World – led by the Small Earth Games Company |
Friday 23rd October |
All day |
SCHOOL CLOSED: TEACHER INSET DAY |
Monday 26th to Friday 30th October |
|
School Closed: Half Term Holiday |
Monday 2nd November |
8.40am |
All pupils back to school |
10am |
Groundwork Trust Assembly |
|
Tuesday 3rd November |
All day |
Years 4 and 5 Victorian Brick Making Workshops |
Wednesday 4th November |
9.30 – 10.30am |
Years 2 and 5 Mass (Church) |
Wednesday 11th November |
9.30 – 10.30am |
Years 3 and 4 Mass (Church) |
Monday 16th November |
All day |
Start of Friendship and E-Safety Week |
Tuesday 17th November |
2pm – 3.30pm |
Curriculum Open Afternoon |
Monday 23rd November |
3.30 – 4.30pm |
Last Week of Chelsea Football Clubs |
Wednesday 25th November |
|
Year 5 – Last Swimming Lesson |
Monday 30th November |
All day |
Test Week (all pupils) |
Wednesday 2nd December |
|
Year 6 Carol Concert – Westminster Cathedral |
Tuesday 8th December |
5.30 – 6.30pm |
Pavilion’s Carol Concert |
Wednesday 9th December |
2 – 3pm and 6 – 7pm |
Early Years and Key Stage 1 Christmas Productions |
Friday 11th December |
8.30am |
Last Kent and Early Bird Maths Groups |
Wednesday 16th December |
2 – 3pm and 6 – 7pm |
Key Stage 2 Christmas Productions (Years 3 to 5) |
Thursday 17th December |
9.30 – 11.30am 6 – 7pm |
Mother Goose Pantomime (Whole School) Year 6 Carol Service (Church) |
Friday 18th December |
9.15 – 10.30am |
End of Term Mass |
1.30pm |
School finishes for Christmas |
|
Monday 4th January |
8.30am |
All pupils return to school |