No. 233 - 28 March
A note from governors:
Dear parents and carers
Just to let you know that the recruitment and selection process for the new headteacher took place on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. All the candidates really enjoyed their day in school, meeting our staff team and wonderful children and taking part in a range of activities. We will let you know the outcome of the interviews early next term.
A very happy Easter to everyone
Deborah and Helen
Dear Parents and Carers,
Our end of term Easter service provided a wonderful, joyful celebration of hope and whole-school togetherness. It was great to have so many parents join us – I hope you enjoyed it all as much as I did and we’re really grateful for your help in walking to and from the church. Looking ahead, the end of year service in July will be very emotional for me - it’ll be the aspect of headship that I’ll miss the most. The children’s singing is always so moving.
The service followed our annual Pause Day; when we retell the Easter story and give time to the children to reflect on the hope of resurrection, as well as other aspects of Jesus’ life leading up to His crucifixion. This year, we were supported by so many different churches from across the town and we’re so grateful – huge thanks to Holy Trinity, Guildford Baptist Church, St Nicolas, Christchurch and St Saviours. We were so impressed by the creativity, care and commitment shown to us, that so many skilful people were willing to give up time to lead the school community so well.
Over the course of the week, many of the children enjoyed designing and making beautiful Easter gardens to represent parts of the Easter story, complete with the empty tomb and the stone that was rolled away. These wonderful creations were bedecked with spring flowers and were so lovingly created. Thank you for helping provide all the resources that made this such a success.
It was also great this week to welcome parents and carers from Year 4 and Year 2 for a “Crazy Invention Demonstration” and a Dinosaur Exhibition. It was a super way to round off a fantastic term of learning.
I hope that you all have a very Happy Easter holiday - remember that we return for the summer term on Monday 15th April. It’ll be exciting to start the summer term and look forward to all those light evenings!
With much love,
Clare
Promise of the week: “Because of Him, death is defeated and pain is no more,” Revelation 21 v4. Mary face to face with the risen Lord Jesus – how do you cope with pain?
Whole School
Monday 15 April – HTPD children back to school
Y6 Notice - If your child is transferring to Guildford County School in September 2024, please see the notice in the Juniors section.
If your child attends after-school clubs, do check the notices below by clicking on the junior or infant section.
Infant
Teacher led clubs will start week beginning 15 April.
Class photos
The Tempest photographer will be in school on Monday 22 April to take photos of the children in their class groups. Please send children to school in smart uniform: white polo shirts under their school jumpers, or girls may wear their summer dresses if they prefer.
Year 2
Swimming lessons will re-start on Tuesday 23 April.
Menu: week 2 beginning 15 April.
Junior
Dates For the Diary
- Monday 15 April – Children back to school
- Wednesday 17 April - 4B Swimming lessons Start
- Thursday 18 April – HT Class Photos
- Monday 22 April – 3G Swimming lessons start
Easter Fun Run Training: Hop into Shape for June's Big Race - We were excited a couple of weeks ago to announce our School Fun Run and the countdown is officially on! Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 8th, because this is a day you won't want to miss! But why wait until June to start preparing? The Easter break is the perfect time to kick off your training! Take advantage of the spring weather with family walks, bike rides, or even impromptu races in the backyard. Even small efforts can make a big difference in your endurance and enjoyment come race day. So, this Easter, jog around collecting your eggs or bunny hop around the park and get ready to conquer the Fun Run! Entering is easy – just click the link: Register now!
Notice for Y6 parents of children going to Guildford County School in September 2024 - Children at County should not have smartphones unless they require one to monitor a medical condition. If families feel a phone is necessary for communication and location tracking, they should purchase a "brick" phone and look into various smart tags that are available. Children should not have access to social media and families should regularly and thoroughly monitor and check any online activity. We also know from our experience that children who have too much access to devices in the evening are less likely to be healthy, happy and successful.
Lunch – Week 2 menu week commencing 15 April.
Please note that on the 15 April the kitchen will not get a fruit and veg delivery. Therefore, there will be a small change to the menu :
- Monday will be Chicken Noodles and Risotto and Tuesday will be sausage and mash.
There will also be no salad bar on the Monday.
Other
Kidical Mass Guildford - a group of parents and cyclists who campaign for safer wheeling and walking infrastructure in our town. Kidical Mass movement which envisions a future where children and young people can move safely and independently around the areas where they live on foot or by bike. You can find out more about Kidical Mass here - Kidical Mass - Home - Kids on Bike. They are organising our third slow-paced, marshalled bike ride around the town on April 27th. It’s great fun for everyone involved and allows children and less confident adult cyclists to experience cycling on the road safely. At the same time, it’s an important way to demonstrate the need and demand for better, safer infrastructure, and the fact that more people will use active travel to get around when they feel safe doing so. You can find more information about our ride on the 27th here - Events - GBUG Guildford Bike User Group (g-bug.org). See flyer below.
Andrew Lawrence basketball Easter camp at George Abbot School - running the first Thursday 4 April and Friday 5 April and then again on Friday 12 April. The last camp was amazing; the kids met all the Surrey Scorcher players throughout the 3 days. https://forms.pabbly.com/form/share/1oiK-722601861. Also, the link below is the sign-up for next term's Monday night basketball camp that runs from 5 to 6. Lots of children of all abilities attend. This is a club that runs for children from years 3 to 6. https://forms.pabbly.com/form/share/LRz7-722595556
The Lightbox Woking – Please see the flyer below for information about the Easter club.
HTSC & FOPS
Pewley Down Bunny Hop
What a cute fluffle of bunnies today! (A collective noun I’m very pleased to learn!)
There is still time to donate - https://app.collectionpot.com/pot/3212094. All money raised will go directly to Pewley Down school. You can sponsor however you wish - to simply say well done for taking part or by number of laps. No amount too small - every pound counts. Thank you wonderful Pewley parents!
HTPD Quiz & Curry nights
A huge thank you to everyone who came to the quiz and curry nights last weekend. Quizmaster Michael did a sterling job on both evenings. And particular thanks all the brilliant volunteers who organised the raffle, did lots of coordination and helped on the nights - without them the events wouldn’t happen!
Both evenings were well attended and so much fun. We’re still counting and will report back after Easter with the final amounts raised. Thank you parents and carers and friends!
Dates for your diary
Pewley Down Bake & Stroll
Sunday 12 May afternoon - A little walk with old friends and new, followed by some tea and cake - a perfect Sunday afternoon! More details to follow.
HTPD Fun Run
Saturday 8 June, 1-4pm - More details in the Junior section of the newsletter too!
Book your race entry here - https://www.pta-events.co.uk/htsc/index.cfm.
And for those who would rather cheer than run, there will be food and drink available to purchase and other activities too. This is our big summer fundraiser and will be in place of the summer fairs as we are unable to host on site this year. A fun afternoon for all the family - we can’t wait!
We wish you have a wonderful and restful Easter break with family and friends.
HTSC & FOPS teams x