Dear Parents and Carers,

We have completed our first full week of the new school year and the term is already in full swing! 

Welcome to Reception Class 2025!

Welcome to our new Reception pupils who have been coming into school this week. It has been lovely to see the children playing with their new friends in the Reception classroom and outdoor area.  They have also settled well into lunchtime routines, chatting happily with staff and peers.  The Reception staff team are very impressed with the great start that they have made and we hope this is the start of a very happy time for them at St Elizabeth’s!

Summer Reading Challenge

Congratulations to the children who took part in the Summer Reading Challenge over the holidays.  Ninety-seven children completed the challenge – an amazing achievement!  Y4 had the greatest number of children taking part and were awarded with the Reading Challenge Cup.  Well done everyone and keep up the reading!

Next week in school

Mass for the New School Year – Monday 15^th September at 9:30am

On Monday morning at 9:30am we will be holding our Mass for the New School Year, celebrated by Monsignor Bill.  Our Y6 pupils will be leading the readings and prayers and our liturgy band and Schola Choir will be providing the musical accompaniment. Our new Y6 Pupil Chaplains will also be commissioned during the Mass.

All parents and carers are welcome to attend our school Masses which last around an hour.  As they have only just started school, our Reception children will not be attending Mass on this occasion but Reception parents are still most welcome to join us.

Can you help us?

Parent Volunteers needed!

Do you have time that you could give to school on a regular weekly basis to help in school?  If so, please complete the following questionnaire to let us know your availability. https://forms.gle/EhrhT3GKo3HFrtw58

Mrs Diver will be leading an induction session on Thursday 18^th September at 9am.  We look forward to hearing from you. 

Graphic Designer needed for the School Calendar

The PTA are looking for a parent with graphic design skills and knowledge of Adobe Illustrator to help with the layout of the annual school calendar.  We know that we have many talented parents and so if you think you could help with the calendar, we would be extremely grateful to hear from you.

PTA AGM – Friday 19^th September at 9:00am

The PTA will be holding their Annual General Meeting on Friday 19^th September at 9:00am.  This will be an opportunity to thank outgoing PTA committee members, share news of funds raised and welcome the new PTA reps and committee.  We would like to thank Mrs Solange Ronfini, parent of children in Y3 and Y4, for taking on the role of PTA Chair for this year and Mrs Liza Maxwell, the outgoing chair, for all her hard work and commitment while in the role.

If you are interested in being part of the PTA committee, or can help our fundraising activities, please do come along to the meeting in the Food Technology room.  Everyone is welcome and refreshments will be provided.

Class Information Sessions

We will be holding Class Information Sessions for each class on the dates below.  These sessions are led by your child’s class teacher and are an opportunity to hear what your child will learn this year and how you can help them at home. They begin at 9:00am and last approximately 45 minutes. The sessions for Y5 and Y6 will include information about the secondary school application process. The slides used in the presentations will be shared after the sessions have taken place.

Monday 22nd September – Y6
Tuesday 23rd September – Y1
Thursday 25th September – Reception
Monday 29th September - Y3
Tuesday 30th September – Y2
Wednesday 1st October - Y4
Thursday 2nd October – Y5

Movie Night – 6pm to 8pm Thursday 25^th September

On Thursday 25^th September our Y6 parents are organising a Movie Night.  Children in all classes are invited to come into school at 6pm in their own clothes to watch the Minecraft movie with their classmates.  The cost of the ticket is £6 and includes a drink, pizza and popcorn.  

You can buy your tickets at the following link: https://st-elizabeth-s-school-richmond-pta.sumupstore.com

Upcoming Dates

September

Mon 15^th   9.30 a.m.   Mass for beginning of School Year –all welcome

Thu 18^th   9.00 a.m.   Parent Volunteer meeting – see above

Fri 19^th   9:00 a.m.   PTA AGM

Mon 22^nd   9:00 – 9:45 a.m.   Y6 Class Information for Parents Session in school            

Tue 23^rd   9:00 – 9:45 a.m.   Y1 Class Information for Parents Session in school

Thu 25^th   9:00 –  9:45 a.m.   Reception Class Information for Parents Session in school             

Thu 25^th   6:00 – 8:00 p.m.   PTA Movie Night

Fri 26^th   a.m.   PTA Calendar class photographs being taken

Fri 26^th   afternoon   Whole class clarinet lessons start for Y4 pupils – details to follow

Mon 29^th   9:00 – 9:45 a.m.   Y3 Class Information for Parents Session in school

Tue 30^th   9:00 – 9:45 a.m.   Y2 Class Information for Parents Session in school

Tue 30^th   11 – 12 noon   Reception 2026 Parents’ tour

OCTOBER

Wed 1^st   9:00 – 9:45 a.m.   Y4 Class Information for Parents Session in school

Wed 1^st   3:30 – 5:00 p.m.   Piano Concert – details to follow

Thurs 2^nd   9:00 –   9:45 a.m.   Y5 Class Information for Parents Session in school

Awards this week

Values Awards

Congratulations to the following children for receiving a Values Award.

Y1 – Harvey

Y2 – Elliot

Y3 – Valentina and Zachary

Y4 – Emanuel

Y5 – Freya

Y6 - Simon

Wishing you a lovely weekend,

Jane Hines and the staff of St Elizabeth’s

Information for Parents

NHS Flu webinars for parents

All primary age children will be offered the nasal flu vaccine this term.  Parents are invited to an NHS webinar on Monday 15^th September at 6pm to inform parents about the flu vaccine.  Further details about the flu vaccinations in school will be sent out this term.

‘Helping children with…’ webinars for parents 2025/26

Achieving for Children’s Mental Health Support Teams are delivering a series of webinars for parents of primary-aged children. The  ‘Helping Children with …’ series of webinars will cover a range of common difficulties experienced by children and will aim to share evidence-based strategies to help parents and carers support their children with these difficulties: 
Continue reading about ‘Helping children with…’ Webinars for parents 2025/26 for webinar information.