We hope you had a fantastic half term break and enjoyed spending the time with your children – we’ve heard lots of stories from some of our pupils about the exciting things they did over the holiday. Thank you for all the donations of unwanted clothing sent into school this week. The clothes have since been collected by Recycle2School who will donate funds to our school in return for the number of bags collected. We’ll let you know the total amount that was raised once we find out. On Wednesday, our Year 5 class visited Spy Missions, in Milton Keynes, to carry out various spy themed puzzles and problems. This links with the Alex Rider spy novel (by Anthony Horowitz) that they are currently studying in class. Yesterday Year 3 walked to Uxbridge library to find out more about 'Rocks and Soils' as a part of their science work. It’s been a busy first week back!

 

Ash Wednesday

Next Wednesday 1^st March, Father Nicholas will visit school to lead an Ash Wednesday liturgy with the whole school. All parents, carers and family members are most welcome to attend. A member of staff will open up the main entrance shortly before 11am for all visitors to make their way to the hall.

 

Netball Team

The school netball team played West Drayton Primary School this week. The final score was 7-5. Next Wednesday they will be playing an away match against St. Matthew’s Primary School, in West Drayton. We wish them the best of luck!

 

Book Week – Bedtime Stories Event

Throughout next week we will be holding our Book Week in school. As part a part of the celebrations we will be inviting children in years 1 to 6 back to school on Tuesday 28^th of February from 4:30pm to 5:30pm, for bedtime stories.  Children can come dressed in their pyjamas and bring their favourite cuddly toy.  As a school we are trying to promote a love of reading. “The joy of a bedtime story is the key to developing a love of reading in children’’ (Frank Cottrell Boyce, 2004 Carnegie medal winner). As bedtime stories will be taking place on Shrove Tuesday, children we will be provided with a pancake and milk.

 

Book Dress-up Day and Visits to Waterstone’s

The National Book Day is taking place on Thursday 2nd March.  Once again every child will be issued with a £1 book token to spend. We have arranged for Years 1 to 6 to walk to Waterstones, in Uxbridge, to spend their voucher on a specially published £1 book. We require some parents to help accompany the children on this visit. If you are able to help – please let your child’s class teacher know as soon as possible. Each class will be leaving school at the following times, please arrive in school 5 minutes before this time if you have volunteered to help.

Year 5	9:15am
Year 6	9:45am
Year 2	10:15am
Year 3	10:45am
Year 4	1:15pm
Year 1	1:45pm

Children are invited to dress as their favourite book character on this day (Thursday 2^nd March).  Please do not go to any expense, costumes can be made at home. Please bear in mind that they will be walking to Waterstones so they will need to dress comfortably.

 

Year 1 – Class Assembly

Year 1’s class assembly will take place next Tuesday 28^th February – at 9am. All parents, carers and family members are most welcome to attend. A member of staff will open up the front entrance shortly before this time – for all visitors to make their way to the school hall.

 

Nearly New Books Needed

We are in urgent need of some new story books to fill the shelves of our school library. If you have any nearly new books at home that you would be willing to donate – please send them into school with your child. All story books (recommended age 7-11) are gratefully received but some of the suggestions put forward by the children are as follows:

·         Tom Gates series

·         Horrid Henry

·         Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series

·         Books by author Jeremy Strong

 

Early Years Messages

If anyone has borrowed spare clothes from Early Years, can they be returned please?

Donations of kitchen utensils, pots and pans will be much appreciated.

 

Years 2 and 5 – Church Visit

Next Friday, at 1.30pm, Years 2 and 5 will visit Church to find out more about the different Stations of the Cross. If you are able to help accompany the children on this visit please let your child’s class teacher know.

 

Reading Gladiators

Well done to our Reading Gladiators who have won yet another runner up prize for their online reading submission. The prize was a copy of the book ‘LOB’ by Linda Newbery.

 

Diary Dates for this Term

Please visit our school website for a complete list of dates: http://www.st-marys.hillingdon.sch.uk

Date	Time	Event
Mon 27th February		Start of Book Week
Tues 28th February	9am	Year 1 Class Assembly
Tues 28th February		Bedtime Stories
Wed 1st March	11am – 12pm	Ash Wednesday Liturgy (school hall)
Wed 1st March	3.30pm	Netball team match against St. Matthew’s Primary
Thurs 2nd March		Book character dress-up day All pupils visiting Waterstone’s book store
Fri 3rd March	1.30pm	Years 2 and 5 visit to Church (Stations of the Cross)
Monday 6th March		Start of Hinduism Week
Fri 31st March	1.30pm	Term ends
Tues 25th April	9am	Year 3 Class Assembly
Tues 16th May	9am	Year 4 Class Assembly
Tues 23rd May	9am	Year 5 Class Assembly
Tues 13th June	9am	Early Years (Nursery and Reception) Assembly

 

PTA News

Make-up Master Class Event - Tickets go on sale Friday afternoon 24th Feb, 3.20pm

Two chances to go to this lovely event - Thurs. 9^th March 10am & Fri 10^th March 5pm

LIMITED TICKETS!! - Just 12 tickets available for each session

Only £8 per session. Includes glass of bubbly/orange juice and inclusion in raffle draw

Obtain make-up tips from Professional Make-up Consultant. Get answers to all those make-up questions you might have. One name will be pulled out of the ‘hat’ to have their face expertly made-up. Meet at Yves Saint Laurent counter at Debenhams, Uxbridge

 

Bingo Night, Friday 24^th March, 8pm, Church hall -Tickets go on sale 1^st March 3.20pm

We are pleased to announce an event for adults. Come along for a fun evening, tickets £5 per person, this includes 4 games. Bring your own food and drink. Tickets go on sale 1^st March. A great opportunity for Mums from each class to have a night out !

 

‘The Giving Machine’

https://www.thegivingmachine.co.uk/

Please have a look at this website, we are now registered. Search for ‘St Mary’s school, Uxbridge’ this is the cause. You are the giver. Every time you shop online consider using it, raise lots of money for our school from the comfort of your armchair! How about every time you do an internet supermarket shop?

 

Raffle Prizes needed for PTA events

As our PTA grows we would like to organise more events, therefore we always need raffle prizes. Have you any unwanted gifts at home left over from Christmas? Re-gift to the PTA and funds can be raised for the school. Please drop items to the school office at any time throughout the year or contact Sarah Wells, 07855 998693.