Weekly Update from Mr Meehan

We have had lots going on this week, including some archery at the juniors over the last two days on our playing field, where the children have been practising their ‘inner Robin Hood’ with the Grey Goose Archery coaches! I saw for myself Macaw’s skills with a bow and arrow, and quite a few bullseye hits.

Our nursery and reception children have also been fascinated as our caterpillars have all turned into butterflies over the last week; seeing this cycle of life has fascinated many of the adults too, and has been beautiful to see it happening before our eyes.

My thanks to Mrs Robinson who organised two lovely French breakfasts for our Year 5 children and their parents this week. C’etait un bon debut de journee! The children made excellent waiters and waitresses, and practised their French as well while serving the parents. 

Some of our chums have also had time to get together over this week and reflect on our iShare theme from these recent weeks, ‘Windows Mirrors and Doors’; this has proven a great theme to prompt us to look outwards, look inwards and look ahead to see how we can all be ‘change-makers’. I have been inspired by some of the children’s responses and ideas.

As an example of how we can help bring positive change, may I say a big thank you for all your donations for our ‘Charity Tuesday’ in support of Momentum earlier in the week. It was fun to have another visit from the owl  ‘Mini Mo’, and to hold our ‘no coffee’ mornings! We raised an amazing £549.78 for Momentum in the process. 

It is now half term, so I hope you and your family have a good week, especially if you are doing anything nice during the  half term week. We look forward to gathering back together again on Monday 3rd June. See you then! In the meantime, take a look at everything that has been going on during May here at school in this month’s newsletter. 

MR BURKINSHAW RECOMMENDS

Porky Pies by Ross Montgomery, illustrated by Marisa Morea 

Squirrel Class and I enjoyed Porky Pies, about a pig called Porky who is always telling lies, trying to terrify his brothers and sisters into believing that the Big Bad Wolf is back. But when Porky, the biggest fibber in the litter, tries to plan his most daring prank yet...well, you'll have to read this chapter book yourself to find out what happens! 

Our School Updates for Parents

Charity Tuesdays 

The three charities we have been supporting over this year have been Oxygen, Momentum and Unicef. Having held two successful ‘Charity Tuesdays’ for Oxygen and Momentum, later in the term, we will have one more 'Charity Tuesday’ for Unicef.  It has been great to have in school representatives of Oxygen and Momentum to explain to the children more about the work they do. If you, or anyone you know, works for Unicef or has links with the charity, we’d love to ‘put a face’ to the charity and give the children a chance to hear more about their work. Let us know if you can help!

Summer Booknic - Wednesday 26th June

We are delighted to be holding our first Booknic, Wednesday 26th June.  This event will be held during our Wellbeing Week and offers everyone some quiet reflective time and provides a wonderful celebration of reading for pleasure.  Teachers will be promoting book gossip among our younger readers as well as taking some time to relax and read themselves! Weather permitting (!), we will enjoy an outdoor ‘booknic’ with our Chums.  Pupils are invited to bring in a favourite book (or read, if a comic, magazine or other) from home and a picnic blanket (if you have one).  More details on both the Booknic and the Wellbeing Week will follow after half term.

Infant Staff Car Park

Please can our infant parents be reminded NOT to park in the staff car park, especially at drop off and pick up times, as this involves cars driving over a very busy pavement at that time, as families walk to school and has prevented staff members being able to park.

No Spanish club 3rd and 4th June

Spanish Club will not be running on Monday 3rd June at Infants and Tuesday 4th June at Juniors.

Wider Community Updates

Next Thing Education Summer Tech Camp (Years 1-6) 

Next Thing Education are excited to announce that they have finalised their SUMMER TECH CAMP venues and are now released. A full timetable can be found here. Across the summer they will be at each venue for 2 weeks with their flagship themes with new activities, click here to see a few. Please see attached flyer for more details! Until June 14th they are offering 1 week bookings at only £175 or 2 week bookings at only £299 (saving £191). They also have a limited number of HAF spaces which will become available closer to the event on their website. Don’t miss out and book today, simply visit: www.nextthing.education

Polka Theatre May Half Term Workshops

This May the Polka Theatre are running 3 workshops for ages 0-12 that may be of interest to you.  Please see the attached flyer for details.

Willson Academy Summer School

The Willson Academy of Performing Arts have sent us the attached flyer with details of their summer school that may be of interest to you.

Kingston Adult Education Courses

Kingston Adult Education has a number of courses starting after half term, most of which are government funded so are free to learners.  Take a look at their latest course guide for further details.

Courses include:

• How to be happy in your life
• Digital skills
• Job search support 
• Explore your business potential 
• Introduction to GCSE maths and English 
• Preparing to work in schools

Their classes take place throughout the week at various times, both online and at centres across the Royal Borough of Kingston.

If you are looking to start a course in September, Kingston Adult Education is hosting an Open Day at the Rose Theatre in Kingston on Thursday 20th June from 10am to 4pm.  Go along to find out about next year’s adult learning programme, which includes wellbeing, vocational, maths, English, digital as well as creative courses.  You will also be able to meet some of their tutors and see their learners in action.  Full details can be found on page 8 of their current course guide.

For further information, please contact Kingston Adult Education directly on 020 8547 6700 or at adult.education@kingston.gov.uk

Key School Dates 

• Monday 3rd June - Pupils return to school
• Monday 3rd June - Y6 Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court Visit
• Tuesday 4th June - Infant Orienteering Morning (New)
• Thursday 6th June - Turtle Class Worship @ 2:40pm
• Friday 7th June - Y5 & 6 Soloist Concert
• Friday 7th June - Soak the Staff Y6 Fundraiser (New)
• Saturday 8th June - Summer Fair at the Infant site @ 1:00pm-4:00pm
• Monday 10th June - Y6 Transition Event at New Malden Baptist Church @ 1:30pm
• Tuesday 11th June - Reception Visit to Wimbledon Fire Station (am)
• Wednesday 12th June - Y6 Trip to Houses of Parliament
• Friday 14th June - PTA Break the Rules Day (New)
• Monday 17th - Thursday 20th June - Science Week (more details to follow)
• Wednesday 19th June - Y3/4 Choir - KMS Singing Festival @ Rose Theatre
• Friday 21st June - INSET Day (School closed to pupils)
• Tuesday 25th June - Reception & Nursery Teddy Bear's Picnic Show (am)
• Tuesday 25th June - Y3 Country Dancing Festival (am)
• Thursday 27th June - Seahorse Class Worship @ 2:40pm
• Monday 1st July - Infants Circus Days Workshops
• Monday 1st July - Y3 Trip to the Gurdwara
• Tuesday 2nd July - Junior Summer Concert @ 6:00pm
• Wednesday 3rd July - Y6 New School Day
• Friday 5th July - Junior Sports Day
• Friday 5th July - Infants Only Mufti Day
• Friday 5th July - Y2 Celebration Disco @ 3:30pm-5:00pm
• Tuesday 9th July - Y6 Production @ 4:00pm
• Wednesday 10th July - Reception Visit to Magic Garden at Hampton Court
• Wednesday 10th July - Y6 Production @ 6:00pm
• Thursday 11th July - Learning Look @ 4:30pm-5:30pm
• Friday 12th July - Infant Sports Day
• Monday 15th - Friday 19th July - Y6 Isle of Wight Trip
• Monday 15th - Friday 19th July - Chums Week
• Tuesday 23rd July - Church Service @ 9:30am
• Tuesday 23rd July - Term finishes early at 1.05pm (infants) and 1.20pm (juniors). Connect will finish at 5:15pm
• Wednesday 24th July - INSET day (School closed to pupils)
• Monday 2nd September - INSET day (School closed to pupils)
• Tuesday 3rd September - Autumn Term starts