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News & Events

15 November 2024

It has been another busy week at HTPD. The final groups of Year 6 children have completed their Bikability course. This is a fantastic way to enable children to become more confident and competent, alert to potential risks and hazards on the road, and enables them to really enjoy cycling whilst remaining safe on the road. On Wednesday, a team of eight Year 6 children took part in a quiz at Tormead on children’s books. There were 18 teams from both maintained and independent schools. Our children were fantastic competitors achieving 2nd place; they were only one mark behind the winners. Well done to all the children who took part – they were such amazing ambassadors of the school. 

We really have been working hard to make the most of resources on our doorstep. This afternoon, Year 5 visited St Nicolas Church to learn more about Baptism and also visited St. Mary’s Church to look at the art exhibition on Extraordinary Women of the Bible. As part of their history topic, Year 5 are visiting RGS to look at their Tudor building and participate in drama and art that are all related to the Tudor period.

We'd also like to share some staffing news with you. Catherine Finniear is expecting her second baby and will go on maternity leave from the end of January. Tom will then be teaching in 6J on a Friday to cover her maternity leave. We wish Catherine and her family well at this exciting time for them.

I am sad to say that Debbie Chadwick will be retiring as Deputy Head and SENCO at Christmas after 33 years of service to the school. I am sure you will join me in thanking Debbie for everything she has done over the years to support the children, families and staff at HTPD. She has been a tireless champion for all children - especially for those with special educational needs - and deeply committed to leading and living the school's values in all she does. I will certainly miss her energy, smile and sense of humour.

I am happy to announce that, starting in January, Georgie Furlonger will take on the role of SENCO. Abigail Allen will be returning from maternity leave, part time, in January. She will job share with Georgie and teach 3G on Mondays and Tuesdays. Debbie will support us through this transition and make a guest appearance from time to time.  

From January 2025, I am very pleased to say that Tom Everard and Lilja Helgadottir will be joining Helen Pronger as Deputy Heads. Both Tom and Lilja have already made a significant impact on the quality of education in the school, and we are delighted that with this promotion, they will be continuing to develop their skills and experience in new leadership roles. 

November is racing away and Christmas preparations are well underway in school. The Juniors Christmas Fair will take place at The Spike on Friday 29 November. The choir will be performing and then carolling for all at 16:40, to open the Fair at 17:00 – we hope you will be able to join us! 

Have a wonderful weekend. 

Vicky 

Thought of the Week: “Turn the other cheek.” Mahatma Gandhi– can you control your anger? 

WHOLE SCHOOL

Admission to Year R and Year 3 – September 2025

The Surrey County Council on-line booking system is now open for September 2025 applications for Year R and Year 3 and closes on 15 January 2025. This applies if you have a child:

  • due to start school in September 2025 (born between 1 September 2020 and 31 August 2021)
  • in Year 2 transferring to Junior School. Please note that even though Pewley Down and Holy Trinity schools are federated parents must still apply for entry to Year 3 at HT. Applications can be made on the Surrey Council website: Apply for a place at a primary, infant or junior school. Applications can be made on the Surrey Council website: Apply for a primary, infant or junior school.

In addition to the SCC application there is also a junior and an infant supplementary information form, if you are applying in certain categories, available on the website or from either school office. Supplementary information forms should be returned direct to the school.

Infant

Flu vaccination e-consent

A reminder that the deadline for completing the e-consent forms is 4pm next Monday 18 November. The vaccinations will take place on Friday 22 November.

Year 2 swimming

The last swimming lesson for this term is next Tuesday 19 November. Swimming re-starts on 14 January.

Menu: week 2 beginning 18 November

See below for FOPS News.

Junior

Dates for the diary 

  • Monday 18 November – 3N Swimming
  • Wednesday 20 November  - 4SJ Swimming
  • Thursday 21 November – Flu Immunisation Y3 - Y6
  • Thursday 21 November – Y6 HTPD Design and Technology Evening
  • Friday 29 November – HT Christmas Fair and Choir Performance at The Spike
  • Friday 6 December - HT children from all year groups are invited to a festive screening of the Christmas movie Elf in the Chapel. Christmas jumpers and festive accessories welcome! Booking details to follow next week. Ticket numbers will be limited and allocated on a first come first serve basis. All proceeds will go towards the Year 6 leavers activities. Save the date!

Christmas Play “A Christmas Carol” will be performed at HT Church 

  • Monday 9 December - A matinee (1.30pm) and an evening performance (7pm) for Keller and Mandela
  • Wednesday 11 December - A matinee (1.30pm) and an evening performance (7pm) for Shackleton and Nightingale

The Y6 main cast will be needed for all performances.

We will be sending out booking forms early next week so you can book tickets (2 tickets per family) for your preferred show.

Cancelled clubs - No cancelled clubs this week.

Lunch - week 2 beginning 18 November.

Christmas Lunch - The deadline to complete the Christmas Lunch form is Monday 18 November.  If your child would like to have Christmas Lunch and you have not completed the form, please could we request you to do so at the earliest.

Sports Fixtures

Friday 22 November - 3N & 3G to Guildford County 11-12.30pm

Friday 22 November - Girls Guildford Primary Schools Football Tournament at George Abbot. The team has been sent out on ParentMail.

Monday 25 November - Y5 & Y6 House Cross Country - during the school day.

Tuesday 26 November - Y3 House Cross Country - during the school day.

Wednesday 27 November - Y4 Netball v St Cats - After school. The teams will be sent out on ParentMail.

Thursday 28 November - Y4 House Cross Country - during the school day.

Friday 29 November - 3N & 3L to Guildford County 11-12.30pm.

PTA

FOPS 

Keep an eye out for more information on the Pewley Down Infants Christmas fair coming next week, and make sure you’ve saved the date: Saturday 14 December, 2-5pm.

In the meantime, if you would like to volunteer to help or have any donations for raffle prizes, please let your class reps know.

We’re also still collecting homemade arts & crafts donations for our Guildford market stall on 1st December, please contact Agnes Kotroczo (dragonyss@gmail.com, or text 07983965382) by 22 November if you have anything suitable.

As always, thanks for your support,

Your FOPS team

HTSC

Volunteers needed!

The HT Christmas Fair is taking place this year on Friday 29 November, 4:30-7pm at The Spike. This fair is a real joint effort and relies completely on the HT community to run, so we need your help please! If you're able to volunteer an hour or two of your time (or more to help set up/clear away) then please contact your class rep, or email htsc@htpd.surrey.sch.uk. Thank you so much in advance.

Design and Technology night

There are still tickets available for the DT night next Thursday (21 November). Please visit https://www.pta-events.co.uk/htsc/index.cfm?event=event&eventId=90155 to purchase tickets and order any pizza you would like. Tickets are £9.50 per child and £12.50 per adult, with pizzas available to purchase separately.

Christmas jumpers

Thank you to everyone who's sent their jumpers in for the sale! Please do consider donating if you haven't already - it's a great way to reduce clothing waste and grab yourself a bargain at the Christmas Fair.

Other Notices

Christmas Lights Switch-On Event, Saturday 16 November, 10am–6pm, Tunsgate Quarter, Guildford. A day of festive fun and entertainment for the whole family, featuring live bands, a choir, artisan gift market, children’s crafts, face painting, seasonal drinks and free mince pies, all culminating in a lights switch-on moment with Yvonne Arnaud Theatre’s Robin Hood pantomime stars Peter Gordon and Matt Pinche

Flyers below:

  • Christchurch Christmas Comedy Musical for children, Saturday 7 December
  • Christmas Holidays Tech Camp