Weekly Update from Mr Burkinshaw

It’s been another full week at Christ Church! The week started with our Year 6 worship leaders, leading us in collective worship on Monday. A big thank you to everyone who contributed to Charity Tuesday; the children had a brilliant time decorating their white socks and we’re delighted to say that we raised £439.39 for Tearfund – thank you for your generosity!

Year 5 brought a little piece of France to Christ Church this week by hosting a delightful French breakfast for their parents. With croissants, greetings en français and beautiful table settings, it was a lovely opportunity to share their learning in a meaningful and memorable way. The Y5 cricket team were also in action on Tuesday, reaching the quarter finals of the Kingston Primary Schools Dynamos Cricket competition. 

Meanwhile, Year 4 had a fantastic trip to Kingston Museum for their Saxon workshop, immersing themselves in the lives and artefacts of the Anglo-Saxons. Later that day, Eagle class took us back to the Romans, explained volcanoes and demonstrated their understanding of sound in their wonderful and confident class worship. 

This morning’s SEND Coffee Morning provided a great opportunity for parents to see our sensory circuit in action – thank you to all who came along. We’re also looking forward to seeing many of you this afternoon at our OPAL Stay and Play at the juniors – it’s always a joy to share how much fun children are having at playtimes.

Thanks to everyone who came to Wednesday’s prayer meeting. It was encouraging to see so many from the community come together to pray for the school.

Next half-term, we are excited about our first Poetry Recital and Story Telling competition. There is more information in the class emails, but if your child is looking for poems to recite, there are a good selection at The Children’s Poetry Archive and Poetry by Heart. 

Have a lovely half-term. 

Our School Updates for Parents

Online Safety reminders 

It has come up in a few conversations recently with some children and their parents regarding children accessing age-inappropriate video material at home or playing computer games that are aimed at older young people, for example Fortnite. You may want to ensure you have all the appropriate online safety protections at home and here is a helpful information sheet you can find on our website regarding the use of Fortnite.

PTA Summer Fair - Junior Choir Performing 

Please note that it will only be the Junior Choir performing at the PTA Summer Fair on Saturday 7th June at 2:00pm. They can wear their own clothes. Unfortunately, Year 2 will not now be performing but we will be arranging another opportunity for them to perform instead in Summer 2.

Message from Chair of Governors, Robert Shrimpton

We are pleased to announce that Mrs Sarah Geer has been elected as our new parent governor and will be joining our governing body. Thank you to all parents who put themselves forward for this position.

Wider Community Updates

Code Camp - May Half Term

Jam Coding are excited to introduce Code Camp Adventure - an unforgettable holiday experience designed to spark creativity, problem-solving, and hands-on coding in a fun outdoor setting! Code Camp takes place between 27th - 30th May, at 9.00 - 13.00, at St Catherine's School, Twickenham.Please see their website and the attached flyer for more information about camp and the amazing activities and learning opportunities awaiting them.

Young Scientists Event - 28th & 29th May

Developing Minds Lab at Kingston University have asked us to advertise their upcoming annual Young Scientists event this month. This free event, takes place at Kingston University (Penrhyn Road campus), and promises to be a fantastic day filled with fun, hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity and a love for science in young minds. Their Young Scientists event offers a unique chance for children to explore the wonders of the scientific world, particularly about psychology and what psychologists do. Please see the attached poster for details.

Love the Ball - May Half Term Camp

Love the Ball are running a holiday camp in May half term for children aged 4-12 yrs at Coombe Hill Juniors. Please see the attached poster for details.

Ultimate Activity Camps at Holy Cross Prep School

Ultimate Activity Camps provide activity day camps for children aged 4-14 during the school holidays. Running this half term and Summer at Holy Cross Prep School, children will enjoy a fantastic range of over 40 sports, games and art activities every week. Please see the attached flyer for more information.

Tennis Opportunities at Raynes Park High School

Limitless Tennis are providing lessons for the local community at Raynes Park High School, for all ages from 4 to adults. Lessons start at just £30 per month and the first session is FREE. Register via the QR code in the attached flyer. If you are interested in the Social Tennis (friendly mix-in) or attending Cardio Tennis, please register your interest by contacting Head Coach,Grant Fellows by email: grant@limitlesstennis.co.uk or call 07740194200. What to expect in their sessions:

• 6-8 years
• 8-10 years
• 10+ years

Go Wild in Kingston this May Half Term

Kingston is set to come alive this half term with Wild Kingston - a striking open-air exhibition from world-renowned artists Gillie & Marc, featuring ten eye-catching wildlife sculptures including their famous Dogman and Rabbitwoman sculptures.You can find out more here: Wild Kingston.

Aspire Education Academy's School Support Course

We have been asked to raise awareness of Aspire Education Academy’s 6-week online school support courses, which are fully funded by ESFA (Education Skills Funding Agency). The next course starts on Monday 9th June. You’ll receive guided support from their friendly tutors throughout the course of your choice. 

They run within school hours and ONLY in term time and not during half term/ end of term periods. No previous experience required and all you need is access to the internet and a laptop or tablet. Places are limited and will be accepted on a first come first serve basis. Please see the attached poster for details.

Volunteer with Home-Start RKH
Local charity Home-Start Richmond, Kingston and Hounslow is offering a free training course to become a home-visiting volunteer, supporting families with under-fives facing challenges such as post-natal illness, bereavement, or disability. Whether you are looking to gain some skills or experience for work, give back to the community or meet new people, this is a rewarding, fulfilling and enjoyable community-based role. They are desperately seeking more volunteers with parenting or caring experience to help us to make a difference to families in our borough. All volunteers complete a free training course which equips them with the skills and information they need to be a Home Visiting Volunteer. The next free 6-week course runs on Thursdays from 9:45 am to 2:30 pm, starting 25th September and ending 6th November. Please see the attached poster for more details. 

Key School Dates

Summer 1

• Monday 26th - Friday 30th May - Half Term

Summer 2

• Thursday 5th June – Y3&4 Fitfence Fencing Day
• Friday 6th June – Y5&6 Fitfence Fencing Day
• Saturday 7th June – Summer Fair @ 1:00-4:00pm at the Junior site
• Monday 9th June – Y5 at Rose Theatre for Barnes Literary Festival (pm)
• Monday 9th June – Y6 Trip to Lavender Hill Magistrates Court
• Thursday 12th June – Turtle Class Worship @ 2:40pm
• Tuesday 17th June – Y3&4 Choir at KMS Primary Singing Festival @2:00pm
• Wednesday 18th June – Whole School Booknic
• Wednesday 18th June – Isle of Wight Parent Meeting @ 5:00-5:45pm
• Thursday 19th June – Macaw Class Worship @ 2:40pm
• Friday 20th June – Hedgehog Class Trip to Malden Hall Park
• Friday 20th June - Summer Solstice lunch menu
• Tuesday 24th June - Y5&6 Drone Workshops
• Tuesday 24th June – New Reception Parents Meeting @ 4:30-5:15pm
• Tuesday 24th June – Summer Concert @ 6:00pm in Junior Hall
• Wednesday 25th June – Fox Class Trip to Malden Hall Park
• Wednesday 25th June – Y6 Trip to LPO Brightsparks Concert @ Royal Festival Hall (pm)
• Wednesday 25th June – Y4 Celebration Evening @ 3:30 – 7:00pm
• Wednesday 25th June – New Nursery Parents Meeting @ 4:30-5:15pm
• Thursday 26th & Friday 27th June – INSET Days (School closed to pupils)
• Monday 30th June – Friday 4th July – Wellbeing Week
• Wednesday 2nd July – Y6 New School Day
• Thursday 3rd July - Y6 Trip to BFI (Shaun the Sheep)
• Friday 4th July – Junior Sports Day (am)
• Friday 4th July – Rainbow Nursery closed – New children visiting
• Tuesday 8th July – Y6 Production @ 4:00-5:30pm
• Wednesday 9th July – Y3 Country Dance Festival at Kingsmeadow (am)
• Wednesday 9th July – Y6 Production @ 4:00-5:30pm
• Thursday 10th July – Learning Look - from pick up - 4:30pm
• Friday 11th July – Infant Sports Day (am)
• Monday 14th – Friday 18th July – Y6 Isle of Wight Trip
• Monday 14th – Friday 18th July – Chums Week
• Monday 14th July – Y1 Meet the Teacher @ 3:45pm
• Tuesday 15th July – Y2 Meet the Teacher @ 3:45pm
• Wednesday 16th July – Y3 Meet the Teacher @ 3:45pm
• Thursday 17th July – Y4 Meet the Teacher @ 3:45pm
• Friday 18th July – Y5 Meet the Teacher @ 3:45pm
• Monday 21st July – Meet New Class Day
• Monday 21st July – Y6 Leavers’ Celebration @ 2:00-3:20pm
• Monday 21st July – Y6 Meet the Teacher @ 3:45pm
• Tuesday 22nd July – Church Service @ 9:30am
• Tuesday 22nd July - Term finishes early at 1.05pm (infants) and 1.20pm (juniors). Connect will finish at 5:15pm
• Wednesday 23rd July – Friday 29th August – Summer holiday
• Monday 1st September – INSET Day (School closed to pupils)
• Tuesday 2nd September – Autumn Term Starts