Dear Parents and Carers,  

🌟 Values Week Highlights 

We’ve had a truly inspiring Values Week, with each day dedicated to one of our core school values. The children created beautiful boxes that reflect their uniqueness, celebrating the idea that ‘everyone is treasured and loved as a unique child of God’. They embraced new experiences with confidence and hope, trying out unfamiliar sports during our lively potted sports sessions. 

In line with our assembly theme, pupils wrote heartfelt Psalms describing their ‘heaven in the moment’ and enjoyed hearing staff share their own special moments. Through picture books about refugees, the children explored empathy and imagined walking in someone else’s shoes. The week ended on a joyful note with the ever-popular FLUFFY Friday—a perfect celebration of our ‘zest for learning and love of life’. 

🛡️ Online Safety Support During Parent Consultations 

As we prepare for next week’s parent consultations, we’d like to let you know that Tom, our Online Safety Lead, will be available in the entrance hall at the junior site to offer advice and answer any questions about keeping children safe online. 

Attached to this newsletter is a one-page guide from The National College, exploring how internet memes can serve as a shared cultural language for young people—while also carrying risks of misinformation or harmful stereotypes. If you find this format helpful, we have many more guides available on topics ranging from specific games and social media platforms to setting parental controls and creating family technology agreements. 

Next term he'll be setting up shop at Pewley for parent consultations, but if you are a parent at the infants and would like some support, please feel free to pop to the junior site Tuesday 21st October 5-7.30pm or Wednesday 22nd October 1.30-5pm. Alternatively, you can contact him by email at tome@htpd.surrey.sch.uk 

🚗 Parking Consultation – Have Your Say 

As part of the Guildford Parking Review 2024, there is a proposal to convert some visitor parking bays on Cline Road and Addison Road into permit-holder-only bays. The school was not consulted on these proposed changes. 

There is now a public consultation period where you can share your views—whether you support the changes, object to them, or have other comments. The easiest way to do this is via the online feedback form. Please note that the deadline for submissions is Friday 31st October. 

📚 Staff INSET Days – 23rd & 24th October 

Next week, it’s the staffs’ turn to show their ‘zest for learning and love of life’. Our October INSET days are a valuable opportunity for the team to come together and focus on our priorities for the year ahead. 

This year, we’re welcoming speakers to explore themes of play, belonging, and sensory circuits. Staff will have time to reflect, collaborate, and plan how to bring these ideas into our School. With a focus on belonging and play, we’re hoping for plenty of fun, laughter, and inspiration too. 

👋 Looking Ahead 

We’re looking forward to welcoming you to parent-teacher meetings next week. We hope you find them helpful in understanding how your child has settled into the new academic year. 

Thank you for your continued support throughout this busy first half-term. A huge thank you also to our dedicated staff team for a fantastic start to the year. Wishing you all a restful and enjoyable half-term break—ready to return for an even busier second half! 

Best wishes 

Vicky 

Thought of the week:  What does real friendship look like? 

 

Whole school notices: 

Please remember, school closes at 1pm at the infants and 1:15pm at the juniors on Wednesday. 

PUPS & Clubs+ - please note there are no sessions on Weds 22^nd October, as the school closes early that day. Sessions for after half term, are now available to book on ParentPay.