Weekly Update from Mr Meehan

A welcome back after half term, which I hope included some good times for your family. We have so much to look forward to over these next weeks as we journey towards Christmas, so do please always keep an eye on the school calendar, as there is so much going on! You can see some of what the children have been up to in the last month in our October newsletter.

We have just started our new iShare theme for this half term, ‘Everybody’s Got Gifts’, so far reflecting how we all have something to give to the world and everyone brings their own unique talents and qualities. Our Bible verse for this theme reminds us we are all a masterpiece!  ‘We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.’  Ephesians 2v10

Our particular focus for this week has also been ‘the gift of reading’. As part of this, Mrs Honeybone and Miss Brown led an assembly on ‘the gift of reading’ yesterday, to launch our new ‘push’ on reading. Our hope and expectation is that every child is a reader, reading every day (don’t beat yourself up too much if you miss the odd day with clubs, concerts and the like!). Our lovely PTA will also be supporting us with this reading focus - more details to come! We will also be launching new ‘reading star’ and ‘reading champion’ bookmarks to support the children keep track of their reading. Watch out for recommendations of books from staff in these updates and from children in the curriculum emails. You can read my own recommendation below from a book I devoured over half term.

Also, reading expert, Lindsay Pickton will be coming to Christ Church to lead an evening for parents later this term on Wednesday 6th December, centred on ways to ensure your child loves reading. More details on this exciting evening coming soon, which will include a chance to pick up an early book-ish Christmas present!

As well as all of this, we’re enjoying the first ‘Break the Rules’ day of the school year today and, once again, the children have been very creative. Big thanks to the PTA for organising these days. (If you didn’t have a chance to donate this morning, you can do so by following this link.) Our Year 6s enjoyed their Monday around the Imperial War Museum supporting their learning about World War 2. I know our Year 1s have also been enjoying their new outdoor area, which now has properly been demarcated with a surrounding fence. My thanks to Mr Allum for getting this sorted during the half term, and a big thank you for the offers of help from parents for this.

As we approach Fireworks Night, and Divali the following weekend, I hope we all have a lovely sparkling, fire crackling (but safe!) weekend ahead, however you might be celebrating in your families. 

MR MEEHAN RECOMMENDS …

I came across this amazing book over the half term, which was just published a few months ago. ‘Greenwild: the World Behind the Door’ by Pari Thomson. What a beautiful and magical read it is, just right for confident readers in Years 5 or 6. It is a similar genre to the Harry Potter series and the Chronicles of Narnia. It follows the story of Daisy, who discovers a whole new world and many new friends, and together they embark on a quest to find Daisy’s mother and other botanists who have mysteriously gone missing. The new world of Greenwild is an inspiration for anyone who loves the natural world, and you will love joining Daisy on her adventures! The book is also well written with beautiful and imaginative imagery, with the author painting some wonderful pictures with her words.

Our School Updates for Parents

Dotty and Truffle's New Home

I am sure our school community will be glad to know that Dotty and Truffle have settled in to their new place of residence, Curly Tails. As shared with our infant children today in collective worship, they have lots of space to roam around and are already getting to know their new friends, Little Bear and Big Humphrey.

Anti-Bullying Week  

For National Anti-Bullying Week, coming up between 13th - 17th November, we will be celebrating difference with Odd Socks Day on Monday 13th and special assemblies on that day. Children are encouraged to come in with odd socks on that day! We’ll also be doing activities in the week in class to focus on diversity and respect for difference.

Korean Day at the Juniors 

Please note that in the juniors on Wednesday 15th November, we are having a special Korean Day, in liaison with KOWIN (the Korean Women’s International Network), which will include arts and crafts, music, traditional games and language activities. More details on this next week in a separate email.

Reminder: Photograph Day - Wednesday 8th November

Pret-a-Portrait will be at the Junior site next Wednesday 8th November to take individual photographs of all the children in Reception to Year 6. (Nursery will not have their individual photographs taken as in the past they have found the event overwhelming). Infant classes will be walked up to the Junior site during the day for their photographs. 

Please ensure your child is wearing full school uniform. No P.E. kit should be worn; children will be able to do P.E. in their uniform on this day and can bring in trainers to change into.

Sibling group photographs are optional and are available before school (7.45am-8.45am) or after school (3.20pm-4.20pm) on the same day, with parents booking a slot and being responsible for bringing, or for arranging someone else to bring, their children to the Junior hall. If you haven’t already booked your appointment, there are a few spaces remaining so please complete this form as soon as possible and you will receive an email to confirm your appointment time.

Please remember there will be no clubs on Wednesday 8th November due to photograph day.

Christmas Service - Date Change

Please note the change of date for our Christmas Service at the Church. It is no longer on the last day of term this year but is now taking place a day earlier on Tuesday 19th December, as the church has another booking.

Wider Community Updates

Princess Alice Hospice - Fun Runs

Princess Alice Hospice in Esher are running two Santa Fun Runs in December. Please see the attached poster for details. 

Festive fun on offer in Kingston upon Thames this Christmas

A range of family activities and festive entertainment are on offer in Kingston town centre this Christmas, organised by Kingston First, the town centre’s Business Improvement District. Don’t miss the Kingston Christmas Market, selling unique homemade gifts and festive-inspired food, and the ski-themed Alpine Village, with four curling lanes perfect for friends and families. More information about the festive events on offer can be found on their website kingstonuponthames.info/christmas.

Key School Dates 

• Monday 6th November - Y6 Trip to the Buddhapadipa Temple
• Wednesday 8th November – Reception – Y6 Individual Photographs & Sibling Photographs - NO CLUBS TODAY
• Thursday 9th November - Reception Tour for Prospective Parents @ 9:30am
• Thursday 9th November – Leopard Class Worship @ 2:45pm
• Friday 10th November - PTA Non Uniform Day
• Friday 10th November – Soloists Concert @ 9am
• Friday 10th November - PTA Discos - Years 1- 3 @ 3.30 - 4:45pm. / Years 4-6 @ 5.00 - 6:15pm.
• Sunday 12th November - Remembrance Day Parade @ 8:45am
• Monday 13th – Friday 17th November – Anti-Bullying Week
• Monday 13th – Friday 17th November - Y4 Bikeability (am only)
• Monday 13th November – Y1 Pollock’s Toy Museum Workshop
• Wednesday 15th November - Korean Day at the Juniors
• Wednesday 22nd November - Reception Tour for Prospective Parents @ 9:30am
• Thursday 23rd November – Learning Look @ 4:30-5:30pm
• Saturday 25th November – PTA Christmas Fair @ 1:00 - 4:00pm
• Monday 27th November – Friday 1st December – Wellbeing Week
• Monday 27th November - Y6 Choir singing at John Lewis @ 10:30am
• Thursday 30th November – Antelope Class Worship @ 2:45pm
• Monday 4th December – Y3 Greek Workshop (pm)
• Monday 11th – Friday 15th December – Chums Week
• Tuesday 12th December - Junior Christmas Production @ 2pm and 6pm
• Thursday 14th December – Reception Nativity @ 9am
• Tuesday 19th December – Church Service @ 9:45am
• Wednesday 20th December – Term finishes @ 1:05p.m. (infants), 1:20 p.m. (juniors) and Connect 5:15 p.m.
• Thursday 21st December – INSET Day (School closed to pupils)
• Friday 22nd December – Friday 5th January – Christmas Holiday
• Monday 8th January – INSET Day (School closed to pupils)
• Tuesday 9th January – Pupils return to school