Dear Parents and Carers,

It was lovely to see so many parents at the PTA meeting this morning where the full calendar of fundraising events for the year was shared.   Last year’s fundraising helped to fund a large screen for Y4, iPads for each class, replacement playground equipment, and essential teaching resources for the classrooms – all of which would have been impossible to fund from our school budget.

Thank you to Solange Ronfini PTA Chair, the PTA Committee and all our class reps for their hard work and to all our families for supporting our events!

This week in school

MacMillan Cake Sale

On 24 September, Mini Vinnies organised a cake sale for Macmillan. They spoke in assembly to the whole school, made posters to advertise the sale and helped to sell cakes on the day. Y5 and Y6 also generously baked cakes at home for the sale. The whole school participated in the fundraising by buying lots of cakes and goodies. The money raised will help Macmillan, which supports those affected by cancer, and an amazing £278 was raised!

Alex said, “It was wonderful to see how many people donated cakes and it was fun selling them!”

 Georgia said, “I felt so joyful selling the cakes because we were supporting an important charity and all the children looked so happy eating the yummy cakes!”

Poetry Week

This week, we have been celebrating Poetry Week and on Tuesday, Y3, Y4, Y5, and Y6 attended a Remembrance Day Poetry Workshop with poet Alan "Kurly" McGeachie. They listened as he shared the very first reading of his new poem and also explored and reflected on different poetry techniques and the theme of Remembrance. Children then crafted their own Remembrance poetry.

The children also brought in poems on the theme 'Wonder' to share with their classmates. Our budding poets read their poems out in class and then a few of these were read out in Assembly on National Poetry Day. It was wonderful to hear their thoughtful words about our world and how to protect it. Thank you to everyone who brought in a poem to share!

Choral Poetry Concert

We are pleased to announce our very first Choral Poetry morning! Each class will be learning a piece of choral poetry and at 9.30am on 21st October, they will be performing to the whole school. By bringing poetry to life, children will learn to develop their oracy skills and build confidence in speaking and listening. Parents and carers are warmly invited to attend.

The Reception children loved sharing books with their Y6 Buddies this week.

Movie Night

Thank you to the Y6 parents for organising the Movie Night yesterday as a Y6 fundraiser.  A lot of fun was had by all!

Next Week in school

Wear Yellow to support Mental Health

On Friday 9^th October, our school is taking part in the Hello Yellow campaign to raise awareness for mental health. We encourage all children and staff to wear something yellow to show their support.  This can be a yellow scarf, ribbon, socks, a top etc along with their school uniform.

In school, we teach children that everyone experiences a wide range of feelings and that it is completely normal for our emotions to change. In assembly we will be talking about simple things we can do to help ourselves and our friends feel happy and supported. We will also be reminding the children about the trusted adults they can talk to, both at school and at home, whenever they need help or a friendly ear.

Please note that this is for raising awareness and is not a fundraiser on this occasion.

Information for Parents

The Wednesday Word                  

Please follow the link to this week’s Wednesday Word for information and activities about this Sunday’s Gospel. https://www.paperturn-view.com/wednesday-word/good-news?pid=MTA101634&v=163.4

October – Month of the Rosary

During October, parents are invited to use the school chapel to say the Rosary each morning from 9 to 9:30 am. There may be a group of you or you may come on your own.  Please just sign in at the school office before you make your way to the ‘Upper Room’ Chapel'.

Road Safety Message

We have received a couple of reports from concerned parents who have spotted some of our Y6 children crossing Queen’s Road without using the crossing.  Please can we remind our Y6 parents to stress the importance of using the crossing to your child if they are walking independently.  Thank you.

Children’s Commissioner’s National Children’s Survey: The Big Future

The Children’s Commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, is inviting all children throughout the country to complete a survey, called ‘The Big Future’.  The ‘Big Future’ asks children about their lives, their experiences and their hopes for the future. The information gathered will be used to build a national picture of what matters to children today and to ensure their views are heard by Government.  Please do consider completing the survey with your child at home.  As well as being an interesting talking point for you as a family, it shows your child how they can contribute to democracy and have their voice heard.  https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/thebigfuture

Easyfundraising

Have you downloaded the easyfundraising app yet?  If not, please do consider doing this as this is a completely free way for the school to raise money while you spend. The range of online shops is huge and includes travel companies and supermarkets who will all give a percentage of your spend to the school. Encourage your friends and family to download the app too! Fundraising App | Easyfundraising

Upcoming Dates

OCTOBER

Tue 6^th   11:00   Missio Mass in Hampton for Pupil Chaplains

Fri 9^th   All day   ‘Children’s Mental Health Wear Yellow Day’

Thu 15^th   9:30 a.m.   Harvest Mass led by Y5 – Parents & Carers welcome

Thu 15^th   pm   PTA Bingo night – parents and children invited

Fri 16^th   9:00 – 9:45 a.m.   Parents’ Coffee Morning – all parents invited

Tue 20^th   10:30 a.m.   Joint Schools Y5 Mass at St Mary’s University

Wed 21^st   9:30 – 10 a.m.   Choral Poetry Concert with all classes – all parents invited            

Wed 21^st   2:30 p.m.   Infant Choir singing at Greville House

Thurs 22^nd   10:30 a.m.   Last swimming lesson for Y6 & Y4

Thu 22^nd   a.m.   Y3 Visit to Holly Lodge

Fri 23^rd   a.m.   Class photos being taken for the school calendar

Half-Term: Monday 26^th to Friday 30^th October

Awards this week

Values Awards

Congratulations to the following children who were spotted living our School Values:

Jesse, Evelyn, Tiana, Matteo, Kelly and Lara.

Attendance this week

The average attendance of the whole school this week was 98% which is higher than our 97% target.  Well done everyone!

And congratulations to Y6 for having the best punctuality this week with 0 lates!

Wishing you a lovely weekend,

Mrs Hines and the school staff

Safeguarding concern?

If you are concerned about the safety or welfare of a child at St Elizabeth’s please contact the Safeguarding team, Mrs Hines and Mrs Compton, by email at safeguarding@st-elizabeths.richmond.sch.uk or by telephone on 02089403015.

If you think a child is in immediate danger you should call 999.