Dear Parents and Carers,

We hope you and your families enjoyed a relaxing half-term break.  It has felt like spring is on the way at times this week in school!

This week in school

Richmond Schools’ Orchestra Day

Yesterday our school orchestra took part in a music workshop along with orchestras from other schools in the area at the Exchange in Twickenham.  They spent the morning in two groups, with the strings learning an Irish folk tune and the keyboards, percussion and wind instrumentalists learning a version of ‘Baby Shark’ and ‘Crazy Frog’.  The orchestra then came back together as one to perform the theme from Wallace and Gromit.  Altogether, a fantastic experience for the children to play with other young musicians in a professional venue!

Next week in school

Parents’ Meetings –Tuesday 3^rd March and Thursday 5^th March

Thank you for making your bookings for Parents’ Evenings next week.  The meetings will be held in just the same way as the Autumn Term, with Y1, Y2, Y3 and Y5 in the school hall and Reception, Y4 and Y6 in the classrooms.  Meetings are 10 minutes each and there will be an opportunity to look at your children’s work on the evening.

Reconciliation Services and Individual Confessions

Next week, we will have the first of our Lent Liturgies.  Both KS1 and KS2 will have their own Service of Reconciliation and on Thursday afternoon the Y4 children will have the opportunity for individual Confession.

Prayer Packets

The Pupil Chaplains and Mini Vinnies have been busy making Lenten Prayer Packets which your child will be bringing home in their reading packet.  The packets contain a copy of the Prayer of St Patrick, a palm cross and collection box for The Catholic Children’s Society.  The aim of the prayer packet is to help families to fulfil the three requirements of Lent: pray, act and give.  The Mini Vinnies and Pupil Chaplains have sent an email with more information about how you can use the prayer packets at home. 

Y1 visit to Holly Lodge, Friday 6^th March

On Friday the Y1 children will be visiting Holly Lodge to learn about the animals that can be found in Richmond Park.  Please make sure that your child is dressed for the weather with a hooded waterproof coat if wet, as the visit will take place whatever the weather.

Information for parents

Save the Date – Sponsored Walk

Our annual Sponsored Walk is taking place in two weeks time on Monday 16^th March when all the classes walk a set distance in Richmond Park.  The aim of the walk is to raise money for the PTA and details of how to sponsor your child will be sent home next week.  The Sponsored Walk is always a really fun morning and parents and carers of children in all classes are invited to join us for the walk. Siblings and well-behaved dogs on leads can come along too!  More information to follow.

School Gate

You may have noticed that we have been having trouble with our school gate this week. This is likely to continue for another week and until it is repaired the pedestrian gate has to be opened manually by a staff member from the inside.  There is no communication from the gate to the office and so please do telephone the school number 0208 940 3015 to let us know you are there. 

Upcoming dates

MARCH

2nd – 4th   p.m.   Y3 Safe Walking with London Borough of Richmond

3rd   3:30 – 6:30 p.m.   Parents’ Meetings

4th   a.m.   KS1 Reconciliation Service

5th   a.m.  KS2 Reconciliation Service

5th   p.m.   Y4 Individual Reconciliation / Confession

5th   3:30 – 6:30 p.m.   Parents’ Meetings

6th   a.m.   Y1 EV to Holly Lodge

9^th – 13^th   Book & Arts Week for all classes

10^th   Author visit

10^th   p.m.   Y6 Junior Citizen Safety Event at Holly Lodge All day        

16^th   Last full week of clubs

16^th   a.m.   Sponsored Walk

17^th   9:00 a.m.   Y6 Parents’ Meeting – PGL and SATs

18^th   All day   Y3 visit to Chiltern Open Air Museum

18^th – 20^th   Y5 School Journey to Sayers Croft

18^th   p.m.   Infant Choir to sing at Greville House Care Home                              

23^rd   p.m.   Y4 Orchestra Unwrapped

25^th   9:30 a.m.   Y4 Passion Play – parents invited

26^th   a.m.   Stations of the Cross – children only

26^th   10:30 a.m.   Y4 & Y3 last swimming session

27^th   2:00 p.m.   Term ends. Children to be collected at 2pm

Awards this week

Values Awards

Congratulations to the following children for earning a Values Award this week:

Rec – Isabella and Julia

Y1 – Ottilie and Rose

Y2 – Noah

Y3 – Brandon

Y4 – Oliver

Y5  - Keira

Y6 – Kai

Attendance and punctuality this week

Congratulations to Y6 for having the best attendance this week.

Well done to Y1 and Y6 for having the best punctuality this week with the least number of lates.

Wishing you a lovely weekend

Jane Hines and the staff of St Elizabeth’s