Weekly Update from Mr Burkinshaw

It’s been ‘Science Week’ this week at Christ Church, with a real focus on the world around us. Many of the children have visited the infant pond, which is now full of newts and frog spawn. Year 1 met some more exotic animals when Zoolab visited yesterday, including snails, cockroaches, tarantulas, snakes and rats. It was lovely to see the children’s excitement as they got up close with the animals. 

On Wednesday night, we had the first joint school/church prayer group meeting at Christ Church. It was great to have so many from the community - parents, staff, governors, former pupils and church members - come together to pray for the school. Our next prayer meeting will be from 8-9 p.m. on Wednesday 17th May. 

Yesterday, Lion Class parents enjoyed their child’s class worship. We were taken back to the Stone Age as the children tried to persuade us to buy their stone houses. The children finished by playing their ukuleles and it was lovely to see how much they have improved since they started in the autumn. 

This morning the children who had won the “Writing to Change the World” competition were awarded their prizes. Thank you to the PTA who generously provided the prizes. Every time you support a PTA event it makes a difference to the school. Thank you, in advance to all the parents who will be attending tonight’s quiz night. And to the PTA for organising it.   

Thank you to those parents who are already giving monthly to support our school through our Governors’ Fund. If you have not yet done so, please consider setting up a regular monthly payment.  This fund has the power to transform our school further and, with the continued challenges to school budgets, is much needed. 

Our School Updates for Parents

Congratulations to our ‘Writing to Change the World’ winners

All the children who won were awarded by a governor today in worship a £10 book token, along with an ‘I am a writing to change the world winner’ certificate.

We also ran an adults ‘250 words to change the world’ competition as well, and there were three winners, all who will receive £20 Amazon vouchers. Thank you to all parents, staff and friends who took part!

Infant Easter Bonnet Parade: Wednesday 29th March 

On Wednesday 29th, we will be hosting our annual Easter bonnet parade. All the infant children are invited to bring decorated bonnets or hats to wear in a parade around the hall. You are welcome to decorate the bonnets/ hats in any way you wish to celebrate Easter and new life. It could be ribbons, chicks, eggs, or whatever creative ideas you come up with. (Nursery children will have their own parade and will not be joining the older children for the parade in the hall.) 

PTA Easter Egg Trail - Saturday 25th March (pm)
Join us next Saturday for an Easter scavenger hunt around The Grove roads. Just turn up on the day (at the Infant site) to take part. There will also be refreshments and craft activities. Please see the attached poster for further details.

Reminder: Learning Look 

Like last term we are providing an ‘in-person’ opportunity for the children to show off their learning, when you are invited into their classrooms and to look at work in their books. This will be on Thurs March 30th between 4.30pm - 5.30pm. Please note that this begins strictly at 4.30pm and we cannot accommodate entrance into classrooms before this time. We know the children will enjoy showing you their learning!

Class Mixing Protocol  

From this year, we are introducing to parents the expectation that class mixing during their child’s time at Christ Church is something we will be doing for each cohort during their time at Christ Church at least once. You can read our class mixing protocol to understand more about the rationale and the processes involved in this. There will be more about this shared early next term for specific cohorts in the summer term if they are mixing for September. At this stage, there is no need to discuss this with your children as it may not affect them this year.   

Wider Community Updates

Singing Opportunity and Easter Egg hunt at St James New Malden

The children in the Junior Choir have been invited to sing "Amazing Grace" at St James New Malden for the Easter Service and Annual Easter Egg Hunt. If they would like to participate, the children are requested to come at 9.10am for the 9.30am service on Easter Sunday, 9th April. They will also be invited to join in the chocolate Easter Egg Hunt. Please contact kristin.polman@gmail.com, one of our parents, to participate or ask any questions. Please note there will be no Christ Church staff members present and parents will be responsible for their own children. If you and your family are already celebrating elsewhere on Easter Sunday, then please do worship with your usual congregation and enjoy your usual Easter celebrations! 

Free Event for Children in Richmond Park

The friends of Richmond Park Discoverers volunteers put on events for children who want to come and explore Richmond Park.  They are aimed primarily at Primary School-aged children but they have no age limit. Their next event is on Saturday 25th March, 11-2pm, by Pen Ponds and it is all about fish. Children are invited to come and see what fish are made of, they can hear about eels from a local expert, go on an ecological trail around Lower Pen Pond and have a go at origami! Please see the attached for more details.

Easter Holiday - Girls Only Soccer Schools

Please see the attached flyer from Fulham FC regarding their girls only soccer schools in the Easter holiday. Please visit their website here to book a place.

Key School Dates - Spring 2023

• Friday 17th March - PTA Quiz Night @ 8:00pm (doors open @ 7:30pm)
• Tuesday 21st March - School Concert @ 7:00pm
• Thursday 23rd March - Fox Class Worship @ 2:45pm
• Saturday 25th March - Easter Egg Hunt
• Monday 27th March - Y5 Easter Experience @ Baptist Church (pm)
• Tuesday 28th March - Y3 Trip to Butser Ancient Farm
• Wednesday 29th March - Infant Easter Bonnet Parade
• Thursday 30th March - Learning Look - 4:30pm - 5:30pm
• Friday 31st March - Easter Service @ 9:45am
• Friday 31st March - Term finishes at 1.15pm (infants) and 1.30pm (juniors)