Skip to content ↓

News & Events

No. 312 - 29 September

Dear Parents and Carers,

This week’s assembly theme made us all remember the importance of asking questions and being curious. We showed the children some hugely magnified images and asked them to ponder what each photograph was from – there were some impressive answers and some wonderfully creative guesses. I think the hardest one to guess was the snail’s tooth, especially as most people aren’t even aware that a snail has teeth! It’s great to marvel at the world around us.

It was a real joy working with the children in my Year 6 science lesson this week! They definitely showed a “zest for learning and a love of life”. We were investigating why penguins huddle in Antarctica and whether it actually helps them to keep warm. The children set up a way to test this theory, measuring the difference between water cooling in a single test-tube compared to a “huddle” of test tubes. I loved seeing the children’s amazement when they found that the “huddle” stayed really quite hot. And plotting the falling temperature on a graph involved some impressive data handling. It’s so encouraging that our children find learning so interesting. They are a credit to their families and to the school!

Now that the term is well underway, I wanted to write again about our Clubs+ and PUPs provision. If there are any parents who no longer need the spaces, or who could reduce the number of days that their children are using, please do let Sam know (pups@htpd.surrey.sch.uk). We have a number of people on a waiting list and that’s really tough for them.

I was disappointed this week to receive two emails from local residents about parking; they’ve asked me to remind you that it’s illegal to park on the double yellow lines or zigzags around school and to be careful not to block their driveways. It’s also really dangerous. Thank you for taking note and parking respectfully, safely and courteously in future. With so many families taking part in last weekend’s car-free day and enjoying the bike ride in car-free streets, I’d love to see the same around school. There are plenty of spaces in our bike racks and scooter parks, and why not walk instead if you can.

It was great to work with our parent volunteers this week, going over our safeguarding arrangements and thanking them for their kindness in offering their time to support children’s learning at HTPD. If you missed the sessions, there’ll be another opportunity later in the term (Friday 3rd November 2.30pm at HT). And please do remember that you can contact me at any time if ever you’re worried about a child. We place such a high priority on keeping the children safe and ensuring that they flourish – and we are so grateful to you all for sharing in this collective responsibility.

Have a great weekend!

With love,

Clare

Thought of the week: Little Miss Curious – “Intelligent people want to learn, but foolish people are satisfied with ignorance,” Proverbs 15, v14. Seek and you will find!

If your child attends after-school clubs, please check the notices below by clicking on the junior or infant section.

Whole School Notice

  • Wednesday 18 October – Early Finish PD pick-up at 12:00, HT pick-up at 12:15
  • Thursday 19 and Friday 20 October – INSET days
  • Monday 23 – Friday 27 October – Half term holidays
  • Monday 30 October – Children back to school

Infant

School photos, Monday 2 October

The Tempest photographer will be in school on Monday morning to take individual photographs of the children.

Lunch – Week 2 beginning 2 October.

Junior

Dates for the diary

  • Tuesday 3 October – Y3 Marwell Zoo visit
  • Friday 6 October – HTSC Family Bingo night
  • Monday 9 October – Tempest Portrait photos at HT for Y5, Y6 and HT + PD siblings. HT + PD Siblings should arrive at HT car park by 8:30am.   
  • Tuesday 10 October – Tempest Portrait photos at HT for Y3, Y4 and HT siblings.  HT siblings should arrive at HT car park by 8:30am.
  • Thursday 16 November - Influenza (flu) vaccinations via nasal spray. Please complete the e-consent form by 10am on Friday 10 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 18/09/2023 for details.

Clubs Update

Wednesday Girls Football Club – will now be open for Y4, along with Y5 and Y6  

Cancelled Clubs W/C 2 October

  • Thursday 5 October - Early Morning Run Club, Y3&4 Football Club, Y3&4 Dance Club

Sports Fixtures-  Monday 2 October - Friday 6 October

  • Wednesday 4 October - Y5&6 Netball v St Joseph's - HOME at HT
  • Thursday 5 October - Y5&6 XC Race on Pewley Downs 
  • The teams have been sent out on ParentMail

Lunch – Week 2 menu commencing 2 October.


HTSC News

Family Bingo Night
Only one week to go until the HTSC Family Bingo and Fish & Chips (+ veggie option) evening on Friday 6 October, from 5.30pm-8pm. Tickets are £15 for adults and £7 for children. There will be a bar with a good selection of drinks. Everyone is welcome, so should the event cost be out of your budget, please contact: htsc@htpd.surrey.sch.uk completely confidentially and the PTA team can support you. Please bring a small, wrapped gift for the prize table - everyone gets a prize - BINGO! Tickets can be purchased at: https://www.pta-events.co.uk/htsc/index.cfm?event=event&eventId=67364. There is also an option to donate and support fundraising even if you are unable to attend. We can’t wait to see lots of you there for what is always a fun evening for all ages!

Dates for your diary

  • Year 6 Social - Wednesday 4 October from 7pm, Coppa Club
  • Year 5/6 Bake Sale - Friday 13 October
  • Year 3 Social - Friday 13 October from 7.30pm, the Boathouse 
  • Year 3/4 Bake Sale - Friday 3 November
  • HT Winter Fayre - Friday 24 November
  • HTPD joint Christmas wreath making - Wednesday 6 December

Thank you for your support with volunteering and community building and fundraising!

HTSC Team x

P.S. If you would like to join the year group specific WhatsApp groups, please contact htsc@htpd.surrey.sch.uk and we can make sure you are included. These are run by HTSC; remember to check the school website for any official information coming from the school.