Weekly Update from Mr Meehan

Welcome to the final parent update of this academic year! It has been a fantastic year and we can reflect on all the children have achieved over the year. A massive thank you to our parent community for all your support, commitment and prayer for the school over this year; it is great to work in partnership with you to make sure we get the best for all of the children in the school.

These final few days of term have still included a flurry of activity, not least of all, our Year 6 children enjoying a final full week together on the Isle of Wight. My thanks to all staff who accompanied them on this trip. Back here, our Year 2s have impressed with putting on their production to delighted audiences and rapturous applause. A big well done to all the cast, and the staff who made it happen.

To finish this week, I know our Reception cohort are looking forward to an end of year celebration this afternoon with their parents. We’ve also announced today in collective worship our house winners for this final term of the year, which this term is Elm at both the infants and the juniors.

This week, our focus has also been on looking forward and getting ready for change and new challenges ahead. Our iShare Learning theme from this half term, ‘The Lord is My Shepherd’ has been a reminder to us that, through all times and seasons, we can know guidance, comfort and strength. I pray this over all our children, whether moving to a new class, or moving up to the junior site, or, indeed, moving on to a new school.

Next week, after enjoying on Monday our Excellence Worship and the winning houses of the term celebrating with their ‘ice pop playtime’, we shall all join together on Tuesday morning to finish off the year in church with our end of year service. Do join us if you can as we give thanks to God for our year together.

If I do not see you before the end of term, may I wish you a happy summer holiday ahead, with lots of making memories and time to cherish in these weeks.

Our School Updates for Parents

Uniform

Next year, one of our ‘norms’ will be uniform and presentation, as presenting ourselves well is part of being our best, both individually and as a school. As part of this we want to remind parents of some of our uniform expectations (you can read all the details here):  

1. Trainers can be worn, but they must be completely black (including the sole) with no colour logos, this includes for PE. 

2. For PE: Navy blue (not black) football shorts or tracksuit trousers. No tight (cycling) shorts or leggings. 

3. Hair that is shoulder length or longer must be tied back. If a child does not have their hair tied they will be asked to tie it back, with an elastic band if nothing else.

Second Hand Uniform

If you'd like to order second hand uniform for collection before the end of term, please place your order on www.uniformerly.co.uk before midday on Monday 22nd July. It will then be available to collect on Tuesday. For orders placed over the summer holidays, items can be collected at the end of the first week of term (Friday 6th September).

Nourish Roald Dahl Theme Day

Please see the attached menu for a special themed lunch on Thursday 12th September.

Wider Community Updates

Tech Summer Camp

Next Thing Education will be running their STEM Camps at our junior site from the 29th July - 9th August and Coombe Hill Junior School KT2 7DD from the 12th August - 23rd August. Each camp runs from 9am-4pm Monday - Friday. There is only 1 week left until they begin and spaces are filling fast! Make sure you book now to avoid disappointment.

• Week 1 - Robotics, VR and Tech Fun 

• Week 2 - Minecraft Coding and Lego Engineering

Their camps are for ages 5-12. Please see attached flyer for more details or to book now simply visit: https://www.nextthing.education/summer-camps/

Camp Beaumont

Camp Beaumont is a multi-activity camp provider, offering flexible, affordable, and reliable childcare over the school holidays. But more than childcare, every day children get to experience an adventure, a chance to learn something new, meet new friends and grow in confidence.  With over 50 activities to suit every interest, children will have a blast and make memories that'll last a lifetime. To celebrate the upcoming start of their Camp Beaumont Holiday camps, they are offering Parents and Guardians a discount code LOCALSCHOOL24 to save 10% when booking online via: www.campbeaumont.co.uk. Offer valid until 16-Aug-2024. Your closest Camp Beaumont camp will be operating at: Tiffin School (postcode: KT2 6RL). Please see the attached for more information.

Our Camps Summer Holiday Camps

Our Camps are providing a range of low cost holiday camps at venues across Kingston. Please see their website for details of all their camps. Spaces are limited so reserve early to avoid disappointment.

Kingston Summer Events

Kingston Council have a number of amazing events and activities taking place for FREE or low cost across the borough over the coming weeks.  Please see their website for more details. 

The Players Academy

The Players Academy is a performing arts school for children aged 4 to 18, offering them the chance to explore all aspects of musical theatre through its inspirational teaching of singing, drama, dance and movement. The sessions run on Saturday mornings at Martin Way Methodist Church halls, two minutes from David Lloyd Raynes Park. They also offer a two week free trial. Please see the attached flyer or their website for details if you would be interested in signing up your child from September.

Free Girls Football Sessions - U7s-U11s

AfC Kingston are offering free girls football sessions. Please see the attached flyer for details. 

Old Kingstonian Hockey Club Club Open Day & Free Trials September 2024

The Old Kingstonian HC will be kicking off the next season with their annual Open Day to welcome back members and newcomers alike at their Ditton Field home grounds on Sunday 8th September. They’ll have hockey happening throughout the day, with activities on and off the pitch for all ages including free trials, inflatable rides, vendor stalls and a BBQ for everyone to enjoy. Please see the attached flyer for details.

Support and Boost Children's Mental/Emotional Health through Movement

Please see attached for an online opportunity from Stormbreak and their superb resource for supporting and boosting children’s (U11) mental health, emotional and physical wellbeing.

Key School Dates 

Summer Term

• Friday 19th July - Year 5 Meet the Teacher Meeting at 3:20pm in Gazelle Class
• Monday 22nd July 
  • Y6 Leavers’ Celebration @ 2:00pm (Run by school)
  • Ice Pop playtime treat for winning house (on both sites)
  • Year 6 Meet the Teacher Meeting at 3:20pm in Lynx Class
• Tuesday 23rd July - Church Service @ 9:30am 
• Tuesday 23rd July - Term finishes early at 1.05pm (infants) and 1.20pm (juniors). Connect will finish at 5:15pm
• Wednesday 24th July - INSET day (School closed to pupils)

Autumn Term

• Monday 2nd September - INSET day (School closed to pupils)
• Tuesday 3rd September - Autumn Term starts
• Monday 23rd - Wednesday 25th September - Y5 Trip to Carroty Wood
• Friday 4th October - Harvest Service @ 9:30am
• Tuesday 8th October - Reception Tour for Prospective Parents @ 9:30am
• Monday 14th - Friday 18th October - Chums Week
• Tuesday 15th October - Nursery Tour for Prospective Parents @ 9:30am
• Thursday 17th - Friday 18th October - Y5 Junior Roadwatch
• Monday 21st - Friday 25th October - Art Week
• Wednesday 23rd October - Parents’ Evening @ 3:45-6:45pm
• Thursday 24th October - Parents’ Evening @ 2:45-5:45pm
• Monday 28th October - Friday 1st November - Half Term
• Thursday 7th November - Leopard Class Worship @ 2:40pm
• Monday 11th - Friday 15th November - Anti-Bullying Week
• Tuesday 12th November - Nursery Tour for Prospective Parents @ 9:30am
• Wednesday 13th November - Reception to Y6 Individual & Sibling Photographs
• Friday 15th November - Reception Tour for Prospective Parents @ 9:30am
• Monday 18th - Friday 22nd November - Y4 Learn to Ride Bikeability
• Monday 18th November - Nasal Flu Immunisations
• Wednesday 20th November - Reception Tour for Prospective Parents @ 9:30am
• Thursday 21st November - Learning Look @ 4:30-5:30pm
• Monday 25th - Friday 29th November - Wellbeing Week
• Thursday 28th November - Antelope Class Worship @ 2:40pm
• Saturday 30th November - Christmas Fair
• Monday 9th - Friday 13th December - Chums Week
• Tuesday 10th December - Junior Christmas Production @ 4:00pm
• Wednesday 11th December - Junior Christmas Production @ 6:00pm
• Thursday 12th December - Reception Nativity @ 9:00am
• Thursday 19th December - Church Service @ 9:30am
• Thursday 19th December - Term finishes early at 1.05pm (infants) and 1.20pm (juniors). Connect will finish at 5:15pm
• Friday 20th December - INSET Day (School closed to pupils)
• Monday 23rd December - Friday 3rd January - Christmas Holidays
• Monday 6th January - INSET Day (School closed to pupils)
• Tuesday 7th January - Spring Term starts