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Weekly Bulletin - Friday 4th February

Congratulations to our Y5&6 boys’ football team who celebrated a 3-1 victory against Corpus Christi on Tuesday.

Happy Lunar New Year! It has been lovely to see children performing dragon dances, and making dragon puppets. There has been a real buzz about it.  This has brought very welcome cheer to a rather challenging week with sickness for staff and children alike. I think we are all getting testing fatigue, but I would urge everyone to remain vigilant as some people are still really suffering when they contract COVID and it is also almost impossible to source supply staff. I am aware that our messaging has not been as full as I would have liked. This is partly because we have been having to focus on making the complex arrangements and partly because plans can change even at the start of the school day as supplies we expected do not turn up, and sometimes, to our great delight, others do. We are hoping for a quieter week next week and then a very welcome half term!

I am delighted that, despite it all, we are intending to go ahead with three trips. This afternoon the choir will have the privilege of performing at the Rose Theatre. Thank you so much to Lucy Bond who has persisted with ever disrupted rehearsals and complex risk assessments. Gazelle had a fantastic time visiting a Buddhist Temple today (we know that Antelope will really enjoy their visit when they go) and Year 1 will be going to the London Aquarium on Monday. They are certainly well prepared with amazing facts about penguins!

Appointment of a New Headteacher

The Governors will keep the parents informed of developments. Here is their latest update:

When Miss White leaves, she will be greatly missed for her excellent leadership and commitment to giving the children the best education.

We, as the Governors, are busy with the very difficult but exciting job of finding a new Headteacher for September. The job will be advertised in the next few days and we hope this will attract strong candidates for us to be able to make a shortlist and hold interviews before the Easter holidays.

The new Headteacher will not take up their position until September 2022 and we will have plenty of time to say farewell to Miss White.

Year 5&6 Football

Our footballers continue to impress us with a 3rd consecutive win against Corpus Christi this term. Congratulations to our Y5&6 boys’ football team who celebrated a 3-1 victory on Tuesday.

Gardening Lessons

Would you like to get involved in supporting the delivery of our gardening lessons at the infants and junior school?  We are currently looking for volunteers, who could support the class teacher.  Lessons are very practical and whilst an interest in gardening would be helpful, it is not essential.  It would be for up to four afternoons a half term and is a lovely way to get involved in school life.  If you are interested, please contact Mrs Honeybone at squirrel@ccnm.uk

Children’s Mental Health Week 

The theme of this year’s Children’s Mental Health Week is Growing Together. Growing Together is about growing emotionally and finding ways to help each other grow. Challenges and setbacks can help us to grow and adapt and trying new things can help us to move beyond our comfort zone into a new realm of possibility and potential. However, emotional growth is often a gradual process that happens over time, and sometimes we might feel a bit ‘stuck’. As parents and carers, you play an important role in your child’s mental health.  Please visit the parent and carer's resource page here.

Considerate Parking

Please can we remind parents/carers not to park in front of our neighbours driveways at drop off or pick up.

Closing date for Nursery Applications 2022

Please note that the closing date for Nursery applications is Friday, 4th March 2022.  We are offering a final tour at 9:30am on 21 February 2022. Please contact the office to book a place and let neighbours know if you think they would be interested.

Christ’s Hospital School - Open Morning Saturday 12th March

Christ’s Hospital School, near Horsham in West Sussex, is the UK’s leading charitable school and the largest bursary charity. The school was established in 1552 and provides free or substantially reduced cost places to over 630 of its 900 boarding pupils. They also welcome day pupils who are within a commutable distance from the School. If any parents would like to find out more about them, they are holding an Open Morning on Saturday 12th March for Year 7, Year 9 and Sixth Form entry in September 2023. To make a booking online, visit their website: www.christs-hospital.org.uk

Free Activity Trail in Half Term

In February half term, The Holly Lodge Centre and The Friends of Richmond Park Discoverers are running a free activity trail for families in Richmond Park. Please see the attached flyer for more details.

February Half Term Cooking Workshops

Please find a poster attached for two half-term cooking clubs based in Thames Ditton/Esher, suitable for ages 5-12. They have a fun baking and decorating class with piping and fondant modelling planned and also a cookies, cake and comfort class! The booking link can be found here.

With best wishes for a safe and relaxing weekend!

Tabitha White

Headteacher

 

Key Dates - Spring 2022

  • Monday 7th February - Y1 Trip to the London Aquarium
  • Wednesday 23rd March - Parents’ Evening from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
  • Thursday 24th March - Parents’ Evening from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00. p.m (school closes 1 hour early)