Weekly Update from Mr Meehan

It’s been a super World Week here at Christ Church. A big thank you to Mrs Burkinshaw, Mrs Roberts and Mrs Belcher for organising this special week in school, which has enabled us to celebrate the diversity in our school community and beyond. Every day has really felt quite action-packed, and we still have ‘Earthsong’ with us today at the infants, making a joyful noise and opening up a whole array of world music to the children. 

It was also lovely to welcome Nerys Pearce, paralympic athlete, to our school on Tuesday, who made sure it was an energetic day and brought lots of inspiration. Through this initiative, we have also raised lots of money for sports equipment in the school, which is great news. My thanks to Mrs Hedman for organising this special event.

In other news, our Year 1 children enjoyed their Zoolab workshops on Wednesday, Year 5 immersed themselves in the ‘Easter Experience’ on the same day, a series of dramatic encounters with some of the people who are in the Easter story - and all classes received their second Parrot Street book club delivery, with more new books for each class, courtesy of the on-going commitment from our PTA. 

Talking of the PTA, one current project is the planning that is underway for a new refreshed nurture garden area (where Dotty and Truffle used to live). Do come along to the Easter Egg hunt (details below) and hear how you can help and get involved!

Congratulations also to Owl class, for delighting us with their class worship yesterday and sharing some of their recent learning with their parents.

We are holding our spring term ‘Learning Look’ next Thursday 21st March between 4.30pm and 5.30pm, so we look forward to seeing you; come and see all that your children have been up to, by having a look at their books and in their classrooms. Let them show off and show you around!

We are also welcoming John Trend from New Malden charity Oxygen next week, to come and speak to the children about Oxygen’s work, ahead of our ‘charity Tuesday’ the following week ; this all follows our Pupil Leadership Team’s visit last week to see the work of their charity shop in the high street.

I hope you enjoy the weekend ahead!

MRS HONEYBONE RECOMMENDS

The Girl who Stole an Elephant by Nizrana Farook

I've really enjoyed reading this book. It’s suitable for readers 9 years old and above. It follows Chaya's adventure through the jungle as she flees the King's guards! Chaya is a spirited and determined girl: thief, rebel, bandit or hero - you will have to read on to find out!  There is some great description throughout, especially of the jungle.

Parents - if you have a good book recommendation to offer, please email the school office, and we would be happy to include in our weekly updates!

Our School Updates for Parents

PTA Easter Egg Hunt

Remember that the PTA are hosting their annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Infants on Saturday 23rd March between 2pm-4pm! This year, fundraising for this will go towards the regeneration of the old pig pen area and will be an opportunity to find out about the exciting plans and designs for this space that all the infant children will enjoy! 

As well as a fun scavenger hunt with egg prize, there will be a second hand book sale and a coffee stall. If anyone is able to bake and donate small individual treats such as cup cakes, biscuits, cornflake cakes and brownies etc, the PTA would be most grateful (nut free please!) Do let them know if you are able to at ccnm.pta@hotmail.com 

Paralympic Athlete Visit - Sponsorship Money Deadline

If your child still has sponsor money for this event that they have not yet handed in, please could they hand this in to the office together with the sponsorship form by Tuesday 19th March. After this date we will not be able to accept any more contributions. Alternatively, you can pay the money online via their website. 

Infant Staff Car Park

Please can we remind our infant parents 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.

Rose Theatre Cluster Concert

We have been informed that there are still some spare tickets available for this concert on Tuesday 26th March, which can be purchased from the Rose Theatre. Our Year 5 and 6 choir are performing in this concert.

Wider Community Updates

Bake sale tomorrow at Methodist Church, 10am-12pm for British Heart Foundation 

A group of pupils are running a bake sale tomorrow (Saturday 16th) for the British Heart Foundation. The fundraiser in memory of Alice's grandad is taking place from 10am -12pm at Methodist Church on New Malden High Street. They would be very grateful for customers (with cash and/or cake donations. The cafe will be serving tea, coffee and squash so option to eat in or takeaway. If you would like to support but are unable to attend, they would be delighted with any donations here https://www.justgiving.com/page/maldenbakesale24

Easter Hockey Camp

The Old Kingstonian hockey club is offering an Easter hockey camp on April 9th & 10th for players in school years 4-11. Please see the attached flyer for details.

Mother Nature Science Easter Camp 

Mother Nature Science are running an Easter Science Activity Holiday Camp 2024 - Science Blast!  There is an Early-Bird Discount which is expiring soon - use special Basket Discount Code ‘coolschool20’ for an extra £20-off list price for full-week places. Please see their website https://www.mnature.co.uk/holiday-science-activity-camps/#book  or see the attached flyer for details.

OurCamps Easter Camp

OurCamps are running an Easter holiday camp for children aged 5-11. They currently work in partnership with Kingston Council to deliver the holiday activity and food programme which allows any child eligible for benefit related free school meals to attend their camp for free with a hot meal included. Please see the attached flyer for details.

Kingston Easter Camps at Holy Cross Prep School

Ultimate Activity Camps are running an Easter holiday camp for children aged 4 - 12 years at Holy Cross Prep School. Please see the attached poster for details.

Mini Athletics Easter Camp

Mini Athletics are running their Easter Camp at Corpus Christi School this April and all children aged 4-8yrs are welcome. Please see the attached flyer for details.

Volunteering at Kingston Hospital

Kingston Hospital currently have around 300 volunteers at the hospital and in the community in a variety of roles from volunteer visitors, gardeners, welcomers, pets as therapy dog volunteers, community rehab volunteers to complimentary therapist for cancer patients. If you would be interested in being a volunteer, please see the attached poster.

Key School Dates 

Spring 2

• Monday 18th - Friday 22nd March - Chums Week
• Tuesday 19th March - Reception & Y6 - National Child Measurement Programme
• Thursday 21st March - Y3 Trip to Butser Farm
• Thursday 21st March - Hedgehog Class Worship @ 2:45pm
• Thursday 21st March - Learning Look @ 4:30-5:30pm
• Friday 22nd March - Spring showcase for orchestra, recorders and bells @ 9am
• Tuesday 26th March - Year 5/6 choir at Cluster Concert in the Rose Theatre (pm)
• Wednesday 27th March - Infant Easter Bonnet Parade
• Thursday 28th March - Church Service @ 9:30am
• Thursday 28th March - Term finishes early at 1.05pm (infants) and 1.20pm (juniors). Connect will finish at 5:15pm
• Monday 15th April - Summer term starts

Summer 1

• Wednesday 17th April - Reception Trip to the Polka Theatre (am)
• Monday 22nd April - 3rd May - Y5 Bikeability
• Thursday 25th April - Y1 Trip to Wisley
• Thursday 2nd May - Squirrel Class Worship @ 2:40pm
• Monday 6th May - Bank Holiday (School closed)
• Tuesday 7th May - Y4 Trip to BFI - Bonjour Les Amis
• Wednesday 8th May - Class Photographs
• Thursday 9th May - Macaw Class Worship @ 2:40pm
• Monday 20th - Friday 24th May - Chums Week
• Thursday 23rd May - Eagle Class Worship @ 2:40pm
• Thursday 23rd - Friday 24th May - Y3-6 Grey Goose Archery Sessions
• Monday 27th - Friday 31st May - Half Term