No. 280 - 25 November
Dear Parents and Carers,
Our assembly theme this week seemed particularly appropriate as we approach the busiest time of the school calendar. We talked about what we all find stressful, and shared ways that we each unwind. It was so good to hear how many of the children already have positive habits in place to support their physical, emotional, mental and spiritual wellbeing; lots of them love the outdoors, they enjoy calming music, they take time to pray and meditate – and they value each other! It was also lovely to hear that they really value conversations at home, and that playing with their treasured toys helps them to relax. Such delightful childhood innocence! Many of us adults learnt a lot from them this week. I’m doing my best to take a proper break this weekend!
Please don’t feel that your child has to do everything as the Christmas season begins. There are so many lovely activities on in school, but those in the younger years especially might need some support in cutting back. At the juniors, they don’t all have to attend all the evening performances of the Christmas show. An early night and fewer after school activities might be a good idea if they’re looking a bit worn out!
I hope you don’t mind if I mention a couple of disappointing incidents from this week. I was contacted by one of our neighbours who was unable to leave their property because parents had parked across their drive, and another who noticed that a disabled bay was blocked. Please can I encourage everyone to park up further away from school, making sure that the pavements and driveways around school are kept clear. Let’s demonstrate kindness to others and be role models to the children so that they learn how to be courteous drivers of the future. I still see people stopping on the zigzags – this is so dangerous! Please, please, please be respectful to our local community, and prioritise safety for the children. Especially with the darker evenings, let’s look after pedestrians - as we say to the children, “let’s imagine the journey in another’s footsteps”.
I’m sure I’ll see many of you at the HT fair later today – huge thanks to HTSC for all the behind the scenes preparation. Please try to walk if you can; I’m afraid there won’t be parking in the playground on this occasion. We’re excited to be able to run events like this again and can’t wait to hear how many laptops we’ll be able to fund. Thank you so much in advance for your generosity! Do remember though, for those families that are struggling in these tricky times, we completely understand if you’re unable to support us financially. Please do get in touch with me if you need any practical support – our community hopes to be able to look after each other.
With love,
Clare
Thought of the week: Helping us relax – Moses keeping the Sabbath holy. How do you like to relax?
WHOLE SCHOOL
Parenting courses
Please see the links below, at the end of the Newsletter, for a variety of parenting workshops and family advice (mostly online).
Infant
Building work in Semaphore Road
We heard this week that one of the houses on Semaphore Road that is undergoing re-development (16A) is likely to result in more lorries, construction vehicles, and deliveries just nearby to the school. Hopefully this won’t happen during drop off and pick up times, but please do be aware of this potential hazard and keep a watchful eye on vehicles reversing etc.
Ballet Club Show
Next Thursday 1 December is the last ballet class of term. Parents are invited to come and watch the ballet show at 3.30 pm.
Teacher-led clubs
Please complete the choice form for teacher-led clubs (via ParentMail) by next Friday 2 December. There are two separate forms - one for children in Years 1 and 2, and another for children in Year R.
School Christmas Lunch, Thursday 8 December
Children may wear a Christmas jumper (or any other kind of jumper) to school on Thursday 8 December. In return we are requesting a £1 donation which we will use to buy toys for the Salvation Army Toy Appeal.
Also, if your child usually has a packed lunch but would like to have a school Christmas lunch on the 8th, please let the office know.
Spare clothes
With all the wet weather (and puddles) we are running short of spare joggers in the office. Please could you return any joggers or trousers your child may have borrowed. Also, if you have any outgrown joggers at home we could make good use of them. Many thanks.
Lost
Brooke (in Oak Class) has lost her purple Smiggle lunch box.
Menu
FOPS News
Hi Everyone
Pewley Christmas Fair
It is now just one week until the Pewley Christmas Fair and all steam ahead! Due to covid restrictions, this will probably be the first Christmas Fair your children will experience at Pewley and we need your help to make sure it’s amazing.
Volunteers
Thank you to everyone who has so far signed up to help set up, run a stall and clear up – but we need more volunteers. If you have some time to spare, please sign up, contact your year rep or get in touch with us.
Donations
We’ve received some wonderful donations so far and now need:
- full and empty bottles of wine
- small toys for the lucky dip
Pewley Polar Experience
We are excited to announce that we now have a limited number of tickets for siblings/friends who do not attend Pewley. Please buy tickets from reception for £5 each. Tickets are only available in advance.
Christmas Art Competition
Well done to all the children who entered the competition. The winners and runners up will be announced on Monday.
Have a great weekend.
Eleanor and Sally
Junior
School Dinners Cost Update
Following spiralling food inflation in food, it is with regret that we need to increase the cost of school dinners with effect from 1 January 2023 from £2.65 to £2.75.
HT Christmas Show Tickets
We have noticed that many families have booked tickets for more than 1 show, making spaces unavailable to other families.
We apologise if it was not clear from the communication sent that we were requesting families to book tickets for only 1 show (2 tickets).
If you have booked more than 1 show, please could we request you to email the office at juniors@htpd.surrey.sch.uk, to confirm which show you would like to attend (2 tickets), to enable us to make tickets/spaces available to families who have been unable to book. We would like all HT parents to be able to attend the show and see their child perform.
Dates for the Diary
- Monday 28 November – Last swimming lesson for 3A
- Wednesday 30 November – Last swimming lesson for 4EL
- Wednesday 30 November – Y3 Production 2:00pm
Cancelled Clubs
- Monday 28 November – Y5 and Y6 Hockey is cancelled
- Tuesday 29 December – Y5 Football is cancelled
Holy Trinity fixtures and Clubs w/c 28/11/22
Sports Kit and Trainers: If your child has borrowed any sports kit or trainers (for cross country), please could we request you to return them to school/Laura Sutton asap.
Monday 28 November - Hockey Tournament - Charterhouse School
The teams have been sent out via ParentMail. Please collect from Charterhouse School at 5.15pm. Y5 and Y6 Hockey Club is cancelled.
Tuesday 29 November - Y5 Football Match v Boxgrove - HOME – Tom
The teams have been sent out via Parent Mail. Please collect from school at 4.30pm.
Y5 Football club is cancelled.