No. 317 - 17 November
Dear Parents and Carers,
It was delightful to see the joy and excitement on the Year 1 children’s faces as they explored their new cabins at HT yesterday. How fantastic to be so excited about a new place in which to learn! Within minutes, they were settled into their phonics lessons and then they enjoyed writing stories about Dave and his favourite toy dog (do ask them to retell you the story at home!). They all looked very relaxed and settled! There really isn’t very much space and this is only a temporary solution, but it has meant that everyone now has a proper place at HT. It was lovely to be able to welcome many of you to the juniors for the Pewley parents’ evenings; I hope that seeing the classrooms and having a look around has helped, and I’m sure you enjoyed hearing about your child’s progress and achievements! They’re all managing the unusual circumstances so well. If you didn’t make an appointment, it’s not too late. Just let us know via the office or by emailing your child’s class teacher. The arrival of the cabins and our hall not having to be a Year 3 classroom also means that we can start serving hot meals for our infants from Monday! Oya is looking forward to preparing their meals again – making 180 packed lunches each day was starting to take its toll! We’ve adjusted the timetable a little to fit everyone in, but it’s great to be finding creative solutions which provide a way forward. The hot meals will be served in the HT hall, which means the Pewley children will also enjoy a break from being in one room all day.
I’m so grateful to the whole staff team for their flexible approach – from organising excellent day trips around Guildford, to ferrying meals from Pewley to HT, to giving up their car park spaces, to relocating to new teaching spaces, everyone has been so determined to make this work. And I know that the encouraging words of kindness have meant so much to the wider team. Thank you for your supportive messages. Thank you as well to the many families living nearby who have offered their drives for staff parking. It has been so appreciated. What a wonderful community we live in!
I was very glad to be able to take time away from thinking about school buildings when I spent my usual Thursday afternoon teaching science in Year 6. As we investigated the properties of solids, liquids and gases, and pondered on the science of a burning candle, for a short while I forgot all about this crazy time. Just for a few minutes, any thoughts about RAAC disappeared; it was lovely! Watching the children inflate a balloon by adding bicarbonate of soda to vinegar, distracted me entirely from all the decisions and planning. I’m determined HTPD continues to be a place in which to find “a zest for learning and a love of life”, however that works out in the coming months and even if we’re all together on one site for a while.
With love,
Clare
Thought of the week: Mr Strong “If you are sensible, you will control your temper.” Proverbs 19 v11. Be strong inside.
Whole School Notices
If your child attends after-school clubs, do check the notices below by clicking on the junior or infant section.
Infant
PE kits
As we currently have reduced space for storage, the children are going to be sent home with their PE kits.
We would then like them to come to school in their PE kits on their PE days:
Reception - Thursday/Friday; Year 1 - Monday/Friday; Year 2 - Thursday
Year 1 trip to Guildford Museum
A reminder that children in Beech Class should bring a packed lunch to school on Monday (20th) for their trip to Guildford Museum. Oak Class should bring a packed lunch on Wednesday (22nd).
Year 2 swimming
Next Tuesday, 21 November, is the last swimming session for this term owing to refurbishment of the changing rooms at Spectrum. Swimming will resume on 9 January.
Christmas Play, “A bundle of joy”, Friday 1 December
This year the Christmas play will be performed at Holy Trinity Church, at 2.00pm on Friday 1 December. The children will walk down to the church in their school uniform with their costume in a bag (please look out for the costume letter from your child’s year group). Following the performance they can be taken home from the church.
As usual, tickets are limited to two per family. A ParentMail will be coming out next week for you to order tickets (either one or two for 1 December). If we have any further availability we will let you know.
Coats
We still have a couple of coats which were left at Pewley Down:
- Pale Pink Primark coat with white fleece lining, 6-7 years (un-named)
- Dark Pink quilted coat, 8-9 years (named Amelia Floyd, possibly pre-loved) Please contact Ruth/Jane (01483 539033 or infants@htpd.surrey.sch.uk)
Menu: Hot lunches are resuming next week beginning 20 November. Week 1 at HT.
FOPS News
Pewley cake sale today - Please bring cash only!
Christmas Art Competition
Just a reminder that the art competition sponsored by Knight Frank closes on Thursday next week. Your child should have received a piece of A3 paper for them to draw their favourite Christmas House - lots of colour and imagination! Entries will be displayed in Knight Frank on the High Street and look fantastic. Please hand into the office at HT (do give us a shout if you are not sure about the best way to get to the office).
Christmas cards
You should have received in your child's bags an on-line form to order Christmas cards and other products with your child's design on - please do log on and order - profits come back to FOPS.
Christmas Fair and Raffle
We will be sending info home next week about the fair and raffle, please look out for this.
Thanks for all your support and do get in touch if you have any questions!
FOPS X
Junior
Dates for the diary
- Monday 20 November – 5S RGS Tudor visit
- Monday 20 November – last swimming lesson for 3AW
- Wednesday 22 November – last swimming lesson for 4SJ
Christmas Lunch – Please note a slight change in the Christmas Lunch dates for Y4.
- Thursday 7 December - Y3 will have Christmas lunch ( all of Y4, Y5 and Y6 to bring packed lunches)
- Friday 8 December - Y4, Y5 and Y6 will have Christmas lunch (all of Y3 bring a packed lunch)
If you have not completed the Christmas Lunch form for your child, please do so by 9am on Monday 20 November.
Christmas Play “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” will be performed at HT Church
- Monday 11 December - A matinée (1.30pm) and an evening performance (7pm) for Shackleton and Nightingale
- Wednesday 13 December - A matinée (1.30pm) and an evening performance (7pm) for Keller and Mandela
The Y6 main cast will be needed for all performances.
We will be sending out booking forms early next week, for you to book tickets (2 tickets per family) for your preferred show.
Tempest Photo Orders
Please note that the Tempest Portrait and Sibling Photographs are coming home today with your child. Do look for them in their bags.
Sports Update
Wednesday 22 November - after school
Y5 Netball v Tormead - AWAY. The teams have been sent out on ParentMail.
Friday 24 November - Afternoon
Y6 Netball Tournament at Surrey Sports Park. The team has been sent out on ParentMail.
Lunch – Week 1 menu commencing Monday 20 November.
HTSC News
HT Christmas Wreath making - still some tickets available!
- Thursday 30 November, 7-9.30pm
- St Mary’s Church (corner of Quarry Street and Mill Lane)
- £35pp
We are so excited to be able to host this wonderful festive evening which is always so special and Christmassy. You are welcome to bring a friend, your mum or your auntie etc! There will be mulled wine and mince pies served too. Please book your ticket here: https://www.pta-events.co.uk/htsc/index.cfm?event=event&eventId=71874
HTPD Christmas Tree evening: Friday 1 December, 4.30-6pm, Spike Community Centre (Warren Road)
Although we are unable to host an HT Winter Fair this year due to current capacity issues in the school building (understandably!), we can’t wait to see lots of families and friends at the joint HTPD Christmas Tree evening!
This HT community event is for everyone, even if you haven’t ordered a tree. There will be warm drinks, mince pies, Christmas bakes, carol singing from the brilliant HT Choir and Christmassy activities for the children. We will need a handful of volunteers to help run this afternoon, so watch out for a signup sheet.
Please see this as a great chance to get in the Christmas spirit with other HTPD families!
Christmas Raffle Tickets
Although we are unable to host an HT Winter Fair this year, we are still holding a Christmas raffle with some brilliant prizes from local businesses, which will be drawn at the Pewley Christmas Fair on Saturday 9 December. All money raised will be split proportionally between the two schools. If you win a prize, you will be contacted after the draw (if you are not at the fair). Raffle tickets will be sent home with your child soon. Watch out for tickets in their bags!
As ever, please contact your class rep if you want to get in touch, if you have any questions.
Thank you for all your support! HTSC team x
Other
Wintershall Nativity – Please see the PDF below for the Nativity Journey at Wintershall.