No. 314 - 13 October
Dear Parents and Carers,
Thank you so much for your wonderful generosity this week! It was great to celebrate Harvest at both sites, with such an astonishing gift for the food bank and an ever-growing contribution to the charity Real Change, Guildford who supports the homeless to “embrace the future with hope and confidence”. This fund will stay open on ParentPay over the weekend if you haven’t yet had time to log in. The children in Year 6 took part in a “sleepy flash mob” on Tuesday, lying down in the playground to imagine what being homeless might be like. It was excellent to see their courageous determination to make the world a better place!
The North Guildford Foodbank has already picked up all the food parcels and they wrote to us to pass on their gratitude: “Thank you so much for the absolutely amazing donations from Holy Trinity and Pewley Down schools. As always, your schools were so generous - and the donations will significantly boost our stocks in this, our busiest season in the run up to Christmas. Please do pass on our thanks to all the parents and children who donated…it makes an enormous difference and allows us to continue to be generous to those in most need.”
As we approach the half term holiday, I wanted to congratulate the school community on our excellent attendance so far this year. It’s great that children aren’t missing a moment of the opportunities given to them – please do make sure that they continue to be here every day in term time. I know it’s tempting to book term-time holidays, but missing out on school really holds children back. Unless the children are really unwell (with a high fever), they can still come in with coughs and colds. Let’s keep up our brilliant attendance record as the year unfolds!
Remember that next week we close on Wednesday 18th at 12.00 at Pewley, and 12.15 at HT. As a staff we will be working together over the two and a half INSET days on providing a really exciting geography curriculum, as well as working in year teams to ensure that all the individual children are really well supported. We’re looking forward to it! And then, it will be the half term break. I wish you and your families a lovely time together – and we’ll see you all again on Monday 30th October for a jam-packed second half of the Autumn term. Thank you for your partnership so far this year – it’s been a great start!
With love, Clare
Thought of the week: Mr Greedy: “People learn from each other just as iron sharpens iron,” Proverbs 27 v17. Give and receive!
Whole School Notices:
Dates
- 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
Car parking
Sadly, two of our neighbours have let us know that their cars have been damaged by parents at pick up. This is so upsetting – please be courteous and respectful. If you do have an accident, please do leave your contact details. In particular, please avoid driving into Cline Road. It’s a very tight, narrow road and lots of pedestrians need the pavements to be clear. Hopefully, the council will be repainting our double yellow lines and zigzags over the holidays – it is illegal to park on them.
Nut-free school
Please remember that we are a nut-free school. Children should not bring any food containing nuts (no peanut butter, no nutty snacks, no nuts as an ingredient in any packed lunch). We have a number of children that are allergic to nuts and so please help us to keep them safe. Thank you.
If your child attends after-school clubs, do check the notices below by clicking on the junior or infant section.
Infant
Tempest Photo orders
Photographs can either be ordered online by entering your image reference number and website access code (found on the original order form) at www.tempest-orders.co.uk. If you need assistance please contact Tempest - 01736 751555 (option 3). Alternatively, please return the order and payment envelope to the school office by Tuesday 17 October.
Lost
Luca (Oak class) has lost his navy v-neck jumper (M&S, age 6-7, not named). Please check that your child hasn’t taken it home in error.
Menu: week 1 beginning 16 October. Tuesday’s menu will be replaced by Friday (fish fingers / vegetarian nuggets).
FOPS News
Thanks to all those who have bought tickets and supported the Glow Disco tonight, we are looking forward to welcoming you later!
This is our first event of the year but we are planning a few more, including a wreathing evening and Christmas Fair. We would welcome ideas for new events and helpers to sign up in advance for ones already planned. Please get in touch with your class rep if you would like to be part of planning these (particularly the Christmas Fair as we need more hands!). We will be holding a meeting to discuss these on Wednesday 1st November at 8PM and would encourage you to join us.
Hopefully you know your class reps but if not they are listed below. We are still looking for two more Year 2 reps please.
- Willow class - Claire & Roz
- Hazel class - Jess & Weronika
- Oak class - Charlotte & Jen
- Beech - Claire & Tara
- Chestnut - Cat
- Walnut - Murali
Diary dates
- Event planning meeting - Wednesday 1st November - 8PM at Rogues
- Year 1 social - 3rd Nov from 7:30 pm at The Weyside
- Year R social - 10th Nov from 8 pm at Rogue's bar (barn area)
- Wreathing evening - 30th Nov
- Christmas Fair - 9th Dec 3 - 5 pm
Junior
Dates for the diary
- Monday 16 October – Y5 Tower of London visit
- Tuesday 17 October – Pre-loved and proud day at HT. Children are requested to come into school in something pre-loved or pre-owned, ie something that’s been passed on by family or friends, bought at a charity shop or repurposed. We will be talking to the children about the impact of recycling on our environment on Monday 16 October.
- Wednesday 18 October – Early finish 12:00 at PD, 12:15 at HT
- Thursday 19 October – Parents Evening booking will go live at 18:00
Thursday 16 November
Influenza (flu) vaccinations via nasal spray. Please complete the e-consent form by 4pm 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.
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 2023. It is vital that you submit your application on or before this date. Please note that online 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/secondary/apply.
Should you require a hard copy, please e-mail schoolbooklets@surreycc.gov.uk or telephone 0300 200 1015. Paper copies should be returned directly to Surrey County Council.
Cancelled Clubs week commencing 16/10
- Tuesday - Y5&6 Football
- Tuesday - Y6 Netball
Sports Update
Tuesday 17th October
Y5 & Y6 Football v Send & QE - HOME at HT
The teams have been sent out on Parent Mail
Y6 Netball v QE and Wonersh & Shamley Green - Home at HT
The teams have been sent out on Parentmail
Lunch
- Monday 16 October menu will be Beef Bolognaise or Sweet Potato Stir with Green Beans. There will be no salad bar or Jacket Potatoes but there will be a Chickpea, Chilli and Lime Soup.
- Tuesday 17 October menu will be Fish Fingers or Vegetarian Burger, Chips and Baked Beans (only for children who have school lunches on Tuesday).
Week 1 menu week beginning 30 October (new menus after half term).
Other
Holy Trinity Church Choristers: On Sunday 8 October (for boys, 6-11) and Sunday 15 October (girls, 6-13), children are invited to join the choristers of Holy Trinity Guildford, for a special afternoon of musical fun. (See flyer below). The youngsters will get the opportunity to:
- Sing with the current choir
- Play singing and theory games
- Try on robes and medals
- Learn about the organ
- Perform for their friends and family in a special service of evensong at 6pm The event is completely free to children, and places can be booked at HT-choristers-2023.eventbrite.co.uk. For more information, email music@holytrinityguildford.org.uk.
Surrey Hills Society - October Half Term wildlife workshops running on Monday 23 October. Local Surrey author Lucy Reynolds About — Doodles & Scribbles (doodlesandscribbles.co.uk) will be running 2 x workshops aimed at 3-9 year olds at Newlands Corner focused on Hedgehogs. She will read her book ‘Hedgehogs Don’t Live in the City!’ this will be followed by an interactive craft session and an opportunity to head outdoors and look at the work the Surrey Hills Society are doing to monitor and track this rare, distinctive, and endangered creature. The cost of the workshop is £9.50 and includes a signed copy of her book (RRP £7.99). Adults go FREE! Workshops can be booked online here: October Half Term Hedgehog 10am workshop | Surrey Hills Society