Dear Parents and Carers,

Today’s Christmas Morning was a great success! Thank you very much to the fantastic team of Y2 parents for organising this event and to all of our parents who contributed in so many ways: cooking, baking, making hampers, donating prizes and running stalls on the day.  Thank you too, to all the classes who brought a little early Christmas cheer with their carol singing this morning and to Mrs FitzGerald for preparing the children. 

The money raised in our PTA events helps to provide essential resources in school at a time when school budgets do not cover costs.  We will also be using the money raised to complete our Chapel which will be ready in the Spring Term.

I’m sure you will agree that our Christmas tree this year looks absolutely beautiful.  Thank you once again to the PTA for providing this for us and to our team of parents and children for decorating it.

This week in school

Y5 Local Area Walk

On a frosty morning this week, as part of their fieldwork project, the Y5 class conducted a detailed local area walk through Richmond. They focused on observing the environment and collecting specific data on transport links, leisure facilities, and key features available in our community.

Y4 Pilgrimage to St Elizabeth’s Church

On Monday this week, Y4 made a Jubilee Year pilgrimage to St Elizabeth’s Church.  The children explored the church, learning about the meaning of the signs and symbols.  They then held a Celebration of the Word on the sanctuary.  The children would like to thank Georgia from the Parish Youth Ministry for welcoming them so warmly and giving such a unique prayer experience.

Sports Update from Mr Sagar and Mrs Knowles

The Y5 and Y6 boys have had a busy football schedule this week. On Monday, we hosted Deer Park School in a closely contested league game that showcased some great passing football, strong shooting and brave defending. On Thursday, the Borough Tournament saw the boys play eight short, intense matches through the day. In the morning the boys played well, only losing to the school who were the eventual tournament winners. In the afternoon, the team continued to play exciting football against some larger schools. Well done for being excellent sporting ambassadors!

Finally, having received the official results of last week's Borough Cross Country competition, we can reveal that St Elizabeth's came 9th overall and were the top placed Small School. This is a fantastic result for our athletes and we are very proud of their achievements as a team!

Clarinet Concert

Y4 treated their parents to a mini clarinet concert today.  The children have been learning the clarinet this term in whole class weekly lessons.  We hope that many of them have been inspired to carry on taking lessons next term.  Thank you to Gary from Richmond Music Trust for giving them this experience.

Next week in school

The Season of Advent in school

Service of Reconciliation

The season of Advent begins this Sunday.  This is the four week period of preparation before we celebrate Jesus’s birth at Christmas.  In school the children learn that Advent is a solemn time of prayer and reflection that comes before the excitement of the Christmas season. We encourage them to pray and carry out acts of kindness during this time.  On Wednesday 3^rd December our Y2 class will be leading a Service of Reconciliation for KS1 children.  On Thursday our Y3 children will be leading a Service of Reconciliation for KS2. This will be followed by an opportunity for the children in Y5 and Y6 to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession).  If you have a prayer packet at home, don’t forget that the liturgical colour to use during Advent is purple.

PTA Christmas Disco

Our Christmas discos are taking place on Friday 5^th December.  The KS1 disco is held in the afternoon with staff as DJs, and the KS2 disco is from 6-8pm with DJ Stuart.  These are always fun events for the children, made extra special by a visit from Santa himself!  

You can buy your tickets for the disco here https://st-elizabeth-s-school-richmond-pta.sumupstore.com/products

PTA Calendar

You can order your copy of the PTA Calendar here:  https://st-elizabeth-s-school-richmond-pta.sumupstore.com/product/2026-calendar

The calendars are a lovely reminder of your child’s time at St Elizabeth’s to keep well beyond the next year – don’t miss out!  Thank you to Mrs Judycki for organising these and to Mr Minem for the photographs.

Information for Parents

KS2 Carol Service

The KS2 Carol Service takes place on Thursday 11^th December at 7pm.  All children in KS2 are expected to attend the Carol Service.  Each family will be allocated two tickets to the service and there will be an opportunity to request more tickets.  Details of how to request additional tickets will be sent home next week.

KS1 Nativity and Reception Carols around the Tree

Entry to the KS1 Nativity and Reception Carols is unrestricted and we do not give out tickets.  Please look out for the email with further information next week.

Upcoming dates

December

Mon 1st  Last full week of clubs

Tue 2^nd  11 – 12 noon  Reception 2026 Parents tour

Wed 3rd  p.m.  KS1 Reconciliation Service led by Y2– children only

Wed 3^rd  3:15 p.m.  Eco-warriors Cake Sale

Thu 4^th  a.m.  KS2 Advent Reconciliation Service led by Y3 – children only

Fri 5^th  2:00 p.m.  KS1 Christmas disco for all children in Rec, Y1 and Y2

                                6:00 – 8:00 p.m.  PTA Christmas Disco

Tues 9^th  pm  Y6 Pilgrimage to St George’s Cathedral Advent Service

Wed 10^th  2:00 p.m.  Christmas panto in school for all classes

Thu 11^th  10:30 a.m.  Last swimming lesson for Y5 & Y3

Thu 11^th  7:00 p.m.  KS2 Advent Carol Service

Fri 12^th  10:00 a.m.  KS1 Nativity Performance

Tue 16^th  12 noon  Christmas Lunch

Wed 17^th  9:30 a.m.  Reception: Carols around the tree

Thu 18^th  2:00 p.m.  Anticipating Christmas Mass prepared by Y5 – All parents and carers welcome

Fri 19^th  2:00 p.m.  End of Autumn Term Children to be collected at 2 p.m. 

January

Tues 6^th  8:45 a.m.  Children return to school

Tues 6^th  10 a.m.  Mass for the Feast of the Epiphany at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church

Attendance and punctuality this week

Congratulations to Y2 and Y3 for having the highest attendance rate at 100% this week.

The number of lates was high this week.  Please keep trying your best to get your child into school for 8:45 a.m. as this will give them the optimum start to the school day.  Well done to Y6 for having the best punctuality this week!

Wishing you a lovely weekend and happy St Andrew’s Day to our Scottish families!

Jane Hines and the staff of St Elizabeth’s