Dear Parents and Carers,

Happy New Year to all of our school families!  It has been a chilly start to the new term but the children have returned to school in great spirits, working hard all week.

We have a busy term ahead of us.  Please take a look at the Termly Topic Information for Parents which was emailed to you today.  This contains details of what your child will be learning in all subjects this term. The Calendar of Events with dates for all our school activities will be emailed to you next week.

This week in school

Mass for the Feast of the Epiphany

On Tuesday we joined the parishioners of Our Lady Queen of Peace for Mass to celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord.

Mgr Bill explained to the children how the gifts of the three kings, gold, frankincense and myrrh, revealed Jesus as king, priest and sacrifice. 

We would like to thank Mgr Bill and the parishioners for welcoming us so warmly and to our Schola choir for leading the singing.

Sports Update from Mr Sagar and Mrs Knowles

This week, undeterred by snow flurries earlier in the day, St Elizabeth's hosted The Vineyard School for our first netball game of the school year. Despite going behind to an early goal, the team stuck to their fast-moving passing game and showed some fantastic movement off the ball, strong shooting and good interceptions. The final result was a 7-2 victory for St Elizabeth's with Jack voted player of the match by the opposition. Well done, Netball Squad!

Oracy skills

As part of our focus on Oracy, in today’s assembly, we looked at the polite forms of language we use everyday.  The children have been set the challenge to use these words in school and at home, and our staff will be especially looking out for children using them in their classes and on the playground.

Information for Parents

School Clubs start on Monday 12^th January – forms need returning urgently

If you would like your child to take part in a club before or after school, please return the form sent out before Christmas by Monday 12th January.  Full details of the clubs available are on the school website.  For clubs run by external providers you must contact them directly to arrange booking and payment.  If you would like assistance in booking or paying for clubs, please contact the school office.

Book and Arts Week

Our community is full of incredible talent, and we would love to showcase it during Books & Arts Week (9th–13th March)! If you have expertise in any area of the arts—whether you are a professional artist, a passionate hobbyist, or a skilled crafter—and would be open to sharing your skills with our students, we want to hear from you. Whether it's leading a small workshop, giving a brief talk, or assisting with a creative project, your contribution would make a world of difference.  Please email your interest to Mrs Mottram at admin@st-elizabeths.richmond.sch.uk  We look forward to hearing from you!

Safe Parking

At the beginning of a new year, we would like to remind all parents and carers to park safely and considerately on the streets around the school.  We have received reports this week of parents parking dangerously near to both entrances to school and on our local roads. 

For clarification:

• Yellow zig zag lines - no car should stop or park on these during drop off and collection times. 
• White zig zag lines  - no car should ever stop or wait on the white zig zag lines by the pedestrian crossing
• School gates on Queen’s Road and Lower Grove Road – no car should park, turn or wait in front of the gates during drop off or collection times.

The road markings have been painted by the council because vehicles in these zones pose a risk of harm to children’s lives.  Please therefore, think before you park and leave home earlier so that you have time to park safely. 

Million Word Readers

Congratulations to Benjamin in Y5 and Ola in Y6 for receiving their Million Word Reader Award this week.

Half-term Reading Challenge

Congratulations too, to our Y5 pupils for winning the Half-termly Reading Challenge for the second half of the Autumn Term.  Well done, Y5!

Values Awards this week

Congratulations to the following children for being noticed living our School Values this week:

Reception – Anastasia

Y1 – Grace

Y2 – Olimpia

Y3 – Arthur

Y4 – Ximena

Y5 – Benjamin

Y6 – Arietta

Wishing you a lovely weekend,

Jane Hines and the staff of St Elizabeth’s