Dear Parents and Carers,

I have to say that I listened with a sense of relief to the Chancellor’s November statement yesterday. Whilst it’s far from a rosy picture and there are many challenges ahead for our country, at least the update around school funding was incredibly reassuring for all of us in school. We were starting to forecast a very difficult time ahead for HTPD, with no apparent financial support to cope with rising prices, staff pay adjustments and an energy crisis. However, with the newly announced increase in school funding that Jeremy Hunt has made, we are more confident again that we’ll be able to continue to deliver a great education! However, I know that the financial situation for many in our local community remains really difficult and we are so keen to do all that we can to look after each other. Our school fund supporting those in hardship is being effectively used, and I’ve been encouraged to see people contributing to this on Parentpay. Thank you so much.

It’s been good to show prospective parents around at both schools recently – there’s always such a happy buzz of learning in the classrooms, and outside too, and the children are our best adverts! They demonstrate such a tangible “zest for learning and love of life” and they’re really making the most of every opportunity. I’m glad that with a better financial forecast for schools we can continue to provide paper, pencils, books and exciting activities! It’s still going to be really important that we don’t waste precious resources, and any contribution either individually or via HTSC and FOPS will be so appreciated.

The upcoming Christmas fairs (HT Friday 25th November and PD Saturday 3rd December) will be a great way to support the school budget so please do think about ways you can help, either giving up time to help run the events, making donations so that all the stalls are full of things to buy, or just buying raffle tickets and coming along! Every single penny raised will make a real difference to the children. At HT we’ll be funding new laptops, and at PD we’re going to refurbish the Rainbow Room – none of that would be possible without your generosity. Thank you so much for working in partnership with us! And it’ll be fun to get together socially and start to celebrate this wonderful time of year. I’m looking forward to the mulled wine and mince pies already!

With love, Clare

Thought of the week: Giving us rules: Moses and the Ten Commandments. Which rules work best and why?

WHOLE SCHOOL

Admission to Year R and Year 3 – September 2023

The Surrey County Council on-line booking system is now open for September 2023 applications for Year R and Year 3 and closes on 15 January 2023. This applies if you have a child due to start school in September 2023 (children born between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2019) or a child in Year 2 transferring to Junior School. Please note that even though Pewley and Holy Trinity schools are federated you must still apply for entry to Year 3. https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/schools/admissions/primary-junior-and-infant

In addition to the Surrey application there is also a junior and an infant supplementary information form available on the website or from the relevant school office. Supplementary forms should be returned direct to the school.