Dear Parents and Carers,

This week in school

Wear Yellow for Mental Health

The school hall looked a lot brighter today as we wore yellow for mental health awareness. ‘Hello Yellow’ day is organised by Young Minds, a charity that supports children’s mental health. 

In assembly, Mrs Compton, our Well-being Lead, explained that we need to look after our mental health just like we look after our physical health and that we all experience different feelings at times.  She explained that there are things we can do to look after our mental health. A few examples of this were talking to a parent, a friend or a staff member, getting some fresh air or having some quiet time.

The children were reminded that they can talk to any trusted adult in school if they have any worries.  We have a cosy ‘safe space’ in the Inclusion Room where children can go if they need some quiet time. Children can also leave a message for their teacher in the class Worry Box or they can send a message via the virtual Worry Box which can be found on the school website:

https://www.st-elizabeths.richmond.sch.uk/page/?title=Virtual+Worry+Box&pid=45

Information about starting conversations with your child can be found here: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/media/lb2ooimm/conversation-starters.pdf

Y6 Pupil Chaplains attend Missio Mass

On Tuesday, a group of Pupil Chaplains participated in the Mission Together Mass at St Theodore's in Hampton along with a number of local Catholic primary schools.

The Mass celebrated the life of St Therese of Lisieux and the Pupil Chaplains read the Prayers of Intercession.  They were delighted to meet the Archbishop of Westminster, Richard Moth.

Guinness World Record title event

On Thursday, Y1, Y2, Y3, Y5 and Y6 joined Take 10 to Read, the National Literacy Trust and the British Council's attempt to set a new Guinness World Record title for the most people reading online in 12 hours. 

Y1 and Y2 joined a reading of Super Uma by Rashmi Sirdeshpande and a draw-along activity by Nakul P.  Y3, Y5 and Y6 enjoyed hearing Frank Cottrell-Boyce read from The Blockbusters.

Finally, they all read a book of their choice for 10 minutes. It was amazing to see so many people reading together and we will update you when we are notified as to whether the record attempt was successful!

Next Week in school

PTA Bingo

We look forward to seeing you at the PTA Bingo Night on Thursday 15^th October from 6pm to 8pm.  Always a popular event, there is a separate Mini-Bingo for our youngest children who may prefer a quieter space to play.  There are also hotdogs, refreshments and an adult bar. Please note that the Bingo is just for children at St Elizabeth’s and older siblings and past pupils are not able to attend. Please see the separate Arbor mail for more details.

Harvest Mass

On Thursday 15^th October at 9:30am we will be holding our Harvest Mass.  Mgr Bill will be celebrating Mass for us and the readings and prayers are being prepared by Y5.  Our Reception children will process into Mass at the Offertory and will then return to their class.  At the end of Mass we will be commissioning our Y6 Pupil Chaplains and Mini Vinnies, and parents of children in all classes are welcome to join us for Mass.

Foodbank Donations – message from the Mini Vinnies 

Every day, there are people that go hungry because they don’t have enough money to buy food. The Mini Vinnies spoke in assembly today about a Foodbank collection, which will support families in our local community who are in need.

The collection will take place from Monday 12th – Thursday 15th October.  Donations can be dropped off between 8.45–9.00 a.m. on each of these days at the ping pong tables in the KS2 playground and the shelter in the KS1 playground.

Richmond Foodbank has let us know that the items they are most in need of are: tinned vegetables and meat, tinned fruit, fruit juice, pasta sauce, long-life milk, rice pudding and custard, disposable razors for women and men, shaving foam, deodorant for women and men, laundry pods, laundry products, cleaning products, toothbrushes, toothpaste, rice (500g bags), toilet rolls, washing powder/pods, washing-up liquid, jam and spreads, coffee and cereals.

Thank you for your support and donations.  

From the Mini Vinnies

Information for Parents

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 a.m. 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.

On each Tuesday during October, our Pupil Chaplains will be leading a Rosary group in the chapel at 9am.  All parents are warmly invited to attend.

Parent Governor Vacancy

We currently have a vacancy for a Parent Governor on the Governing Board at St Elizabeth’s School.

The Governing Board is a group of volunteers who lead the strategic vision for the school. The Governing Board is made up of Foundation Governors, a Staff Governor and two Parent Governors.  As the parent or guardian of a pupil currently at St Elizabeth’s School, you are eligible to stand as a candidate for the role of Parent Governor. 

If you wish to stand for the position of Parent Governor, please submit your nomination no later than 12 noon on Wednesday 14th October to the Clerk to the Governors.  If you would like more information about the role, Mrs Hines or Mrs McKenna, who is the clerk would be happy to speak to you.

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

Easyfundraising

Before you begin your Christmas shopping, please do consider downloading the easyfundraising app. 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.

Each quarter, we receive the income into the PTA bank account and over the past ten years easyfundraising has donated £8,400 to St Elizabeth’s.  Please help us to make this even more!  Your contribution remains anonymous but we would like to thank all of our online shoppers for your donations so far.

Please do encourage your friends and family to download the app too! Fundraising App | Easyfundraising

Upcoming Dates

OCTOBER

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

Wed 4th   All day   Y6 WW2 day, Museum of Richmond & Dance workshop

Thu 5th   a.m.   Swimming lessons begin for Y5 and Y3

Fri 6th   a.m.   Y1 Visit to Holly Lodge

Mon 9th   All day   Odd Socks Day for Anti-Bullying week

Tues 10th   3:30 - 6:30 p.m.   Parent / teacher meetings (details to follow)

Wed 11th   9:10 – 9:30 a.m.   Y6 Assembly: Remembrance Day – parents invited

Thurs 12th   3:30 - 6:30 p.m.   Parent / teacher meetings (details to follow)

Attendance this week

Well done to Y4 for having the highest attendance this week at 100%!  And congratulations to Y5 for having the best punctuality this week!

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.