27 September 2024
Dear Parents and Carers,
Year 6 had a wonderful, albeit wet, trip to RHS Wisley Gardens today, where they explored how plants adapt to different biomes. The children had the opportunity to take cuttings from a plant, which they potted and brought home. They also studied succulents, learning how these plants have adapted to store water and examined various species from rainforest environments. Today some lucky Year 3 and 4 children had the chance to visit West Horsley Place to enjoy an interactive outdoor theatre performance, bringing messages about ecology and conservation to life through the words of Shakespeare. Despite the weather, the children had a fantastic time and we're looking forward to hearing some of them tell us all about it in next week's Friday assembly. Next week, Year 6 will be visiting Holy Trinity Church for the Judiciary Service. This is a fantastic opportunity for the children to take part in this important community event and learn about the structure of The Judiciary in our town.
Our assembly series is well underway for the term. Each week we will be introducing one of a collection of HTPD heroes. These famous people each demonstrate a particular characteristic and will hopefully inspire us all to make a difference in the world. We’ll also be looking at Bible heroes from the Old Testament and learning that God has always used people to build his kingdom on Earth. We’re sure to spend a lot of time thinking about one of our school values, “To imagine the journey in another’s footsteps; nurturing understanding, respecting all.” We have already considered how each of us is unique and treasured – we’ve challenged ourselves to be the very best that we can be. Florence Nightingale made an appearance at both sites to talk about how we treat others and to care as God cares for you; and this week, Emmeline Pankhurst showed her determination to stand up for the rights of others, as Moses stood up to Pharaoh. As the weeks go by, the children will have the opportunity to choose their favourite HTPD hero…I wonder who will come out on top in the vote at the end of term?
We are pleased to say that the parking situation at Holy Trinity has improved in the past couple of weeks. Thank you to everyone who is keeping the area immediately outside school clear of cars at drop off and pick up in line with the parking restrictions which apply at schools and the Highway Code. Residents on Semaphore Road have been in touch and sent photos of vehicles parked partially on the pavement. We ask that you keep pavements safe for families walking and the roads clear enough for passing traffic.
We are grateful to all who have made constructive suggestions about ways in which the overall situation could be improved. Unfortunately, parking has been a longstanding problem; a range of solutions were also explored under Clare's leadership. In practice, it is not possible for the school to implement many of the suggestions we've received either because we have no jurisdiction over the local roads or because we have no additional resources to staff initiatives such as walking buses.
However, we are committed to working collaboratively with parents to ensure we leave no stone unturned in finding workable solutions. We are working alongside other agencies to discuss parking and traffic options and are hoping to arrange a meeting with various agencies and a small group of parent representatives. Whilst we wait to confirm a date, it would be incredibly useful if there were one or two parents who could act as a representative for each year group and collate ideas to bring to this meeting. If you are happy to do this, please contact the school office infants@htpd.surrey.sch.uk or juniors@htpd.surrey.sch.uk
Thought of the week
Following this week’s assembly theme, ‘For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.’
E-Safety
Thanks to all those who replied to the form registering an interest in taking part in our first E-safety focus group this year. We've had a look at responses and the most convenient date is Tuesday 1st October at 7pm at Holy Trinity. We'll be using this session to set some objectives for the year ahead and work out how best to share these messages with the wider parent body. Please do let Tom know (tome@htpd.surrey.sch.uk) if you would like to attend this meeting, or if you have a specific area you would like the group to discuss and provide some guidance on. We'd love to see as many people there as possible to have your say on the future direction of how we help families navigate this hugely important element of modern parenting.
In other news, Smartphone Free Childhood is continuing to gain traction all over the country. You may have seen this article on the BBC News website this week, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg2r4rxjd9o
If you would like to sign the pact and help parents come together to create a better future for our children, please sign up using the link below. The form takes a minute to fill in and is anonymous. Could we see HTPD at the top of the leaderboard when it is published?parentpact.smartphonefreechildhood.co.uk
Infants
The beginning of the day is very busy around the door where Reception and Year 1 enter; some children are finding this a little overwhelming. We ask that you say goodbye to your child on the playground. There will always be an adult at the bottom of the small ramp to greet them with a smile, and a team of teachers and teaching assistants at the door to help your child put their belongings in the correct place. The message books are always outside to pass on messages to class teachers. One additional plea, the children can find it distracting and upsetting to have parents and grandparents peering into the windows in the mornings and afternoons before and after school. Could we please ask that you stand a bit further back and try not to look in at your child so that other children don’t feel left out and unsettled. Many thanks for your support.
Harvest Donations
We are asking children to bring in items for a collection to be sent to North Guildford Food Bank on the day of our Harvest assemblies, Tuesday 8th October at Pewley and Wednesday 9th October at Holy Trinity. Please send any donations in with your child on the morning of the assembly. At Pewley, a table will be set up in the main entrance for donations and children at Holy Trinity can take their donations straight to the chapel.
Whilst all donations will be gratefully received, we have been given the following list of items that the Food Bank has a real need for:
- Long Life Puddings
- Fruit squash
- Tea bags
- Tinned Fish
- Dried Flavoured Noodles
- Tinned Meat
- Deodorant
- Shower / bath gel
- Laundry Detergent
The school council have also voted to raise money for a local charity called Home Start Guildford. This organisation supports parents in our local area who have at least one child under 5 years and who are dealing with issues such as isolation, poor mental health, sickness, disability, domestic abuse and difficult relationships. If you would like to donate to this worthy cause, this can be done via Parentpay. Further details about the organisation can be found on their website: https://hsguildford.org.uk/
Thank you in advance!
Dates for the Diary
- Wednesday 23 October – Early Finish PD pick-up at 1.15pm, HT pick-up at 1.30pm
- Thursday 24 and Friday 25 October – INSET days
- Monday 28 October – Friday 1 November – Half term holidays
- Monday 4 November– Children back to school
Infant
School photos, Tuesday 1 October: A reminder that the Tempest photographer will be in school on 1 October to take individual photographs of the children.
Junior
Dates for the diary
- Monday 30 September – 3N Swimming
- Wednesday 2 October – 4SJ Swimming
- Thursday 3 October – Y4 Football Club is cancelled
- Friday 4 October - Y6 - Holy Trinity Church to take part in The Service For The Judiciary at Holy Trinity Church. Leaving school at around 9:45am and will be back in school before lunch.
Thursday 21 November - Influenza (flu) vaccinations via nasal spray: Please complete the e-consent form by 4pm Friday 15th November, by visiting: www.surreyimmunisations.co.uk and entering your school’s unique code SR125288 . If you do not want your child to receive a vaccine, then please fill in the ‘No’ box. Please see the Parentmail dated 11/09/2024 for details.
Lunch: week 2 beginning 30 September. If your child brings snacks or a packed lunch in school, please remember HTPD has a No Nuts Policy
Sports Fixtures
Monday 30 September
Y6 Boys Football v Send & Burpham at Holy Trinity. The team will be sent out on ParentMail
Thursday 3 October
Y5&Y6 XC at HT. The team will be sent out on ParentMail
Y3&4, DANCE, Y5&6 CARD GAMES AND NEW LIFE CLUB WILL BE RUNNING
Y4 Football Club is cancelled
Friday 4 October
Y6A&B Netball v QE - Rescheduled. The teams have been sent out on ParentMail
Wednesday 9 October
Y6 Sports Crew Training at Spectrum 9am -12pm
Thursday 10 October
Y5 & Y6 Tag Rugby Festival at Stoke Park. The teams have been sent out on ParentMail
Friday 11 October
Y6A,B&C Netball v St Cats - AWAY. The teams will be sent out on ParentMail
Notice for Y6 parents re Year 7 Secondary Applications
This is a reminder to the parents and carers of Year 6 children that applications for secondary schools close on Tuesday 31st October 2024. It is vital that you submit your application on or before this date. Please note that on-line applications are preferred by SCC, and e-Admissions forms together with further information are available on their website https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/schools/admissions
Should you require a hard copy, please e-mail schoolbooklets@surreycc.gov.uk or telephone 0300 200 1004. Paper copies should be returned directly to Surrey County Council
PTA
The new PTA needs your brains!
We’ll be holding a brainstorming session on Wednesday 9 October at 7pm (in the HT staff room) and would love to hear from you.
Have you been on a PTA at another school and have expertise you can share?
Do you love planning events and feeling part of the school community?
Perhaps you have older children and know from previous years of some amazing ideas which we could adopt for 2024/25?
This year, we’re keen to involve parents from the start and to work collaboratively to raise as much money for our children’s school that we can. So come and share all your ideas - from the simple yet effective to the ambitious and unheard of!! We can’t wait to meet you.
Other
World Space Week – Guildford High Street
Saturday 5th October: World Space Week - Guildford High Street & Tunsgate Shopping Centre www.surrey.ac.uk/events/20241005-world-space-week-high-street-takeover-2024
Join us for an out-of-this-world experience as the University of Surrey and the Institute of Physics team up for a spectacular day of space-themed activities! Whether you’re a budding astronaut, an aspiring space engineer, or simply curious about the cosmos, there’s something for everyone.
The World Space Week activities include a Space Art competition: We are seeking visual artwork in any medium related to space. You can enter one of two categories: KS1/2 or KS3/4. Submit your entry digitally by 3rd October to publicengagement@surrey.ac.uk or deliver your entry to Tunsgate Quarter Shopping Centre in Guildford any day between 2-4 PM. On arrival, contact Centre Management (01483 560800) who will collect entries. Remember to include your name, year group, email address, and a 100-word description of your entry.
Find the full list of upcoming physics events at the University of Surrey here: www.surrey.ac.uk/school-mathematics-and-physics/events
Stargazing Evening: 7pm, Wed. 23rd October: www.surrey.ac.uk/events/20241023-stargazing-evening-october-2024
There will be STEM tech camp at Longacre School from 28 October to 1 November this October half term. Camps are a fun and engaging environment to access impressive technology and learn the foundations of coding and engineering for 5–11-year-olds. Please see the attached flyer.
Inspire Camp – October Half Term Sports and Activities – see flyer attached