Weekly Update from Mr Meehan

Thanks to everyone who joined us for our Harvest Service at church this morning; in a half-term in which our iShare Learning theme is ‘Belonging Together’, it was a wonderful occasion to be together, and hear all the wonderful voices singing our harvest songs together. My thanks to all staff who made it happen, and rehearsed with the children, and congrats to the Years 3 and 4 children who led our celebrations.

As you know, we are also getting started on our OPAL journey, with a new vision for outdoor spaces and what our lunchtime provision looks like. This is a 12-24 month project, and won’t happen overnight, but this video of an OPAL school, Morningside Primary, which has been shared both in our staff training and with the children in collective worship last week, gives an idea of what we’re aiming towards. We have assembled an ‘OPAL team’, which includes staff, and a governor and parent reps.

Thank you also to those who joined the PTA AGM earlier in the week to hear about plans for the year ahead. It was great to see a good turn out for this, and the meeting included the election of new co-chairs, which is great news. My heart-felt thanks to the out-going PTA chairs, Catherine Beston and Rebecca Reid, who have worked tirelessly and with great determination in leading the troops. Please do get involved and support the PTA; they do amazing work for the school, and all the money raised goes to your children’s education at Christ Church! You will hear more I’m sure in the coming days about the plans ahead, and look out for the next ‘Break The Rules’ day next Friday! The children always enjoy breaking one or two rules …

In learning news this week, we also had a visit from an external phonics consultant yesterday, looking at how well the children are learning their phonics at the infants. We have introduced changes to this over this term, with a new phonics programme, and it was good to see, in touring around infant classes yesterday, how well the children are settling into this. Another favourite part of my week was when Hedgehog class returned from Pizza Express - with a spare pizza for lunch, which I couldn’t possibly refuse!

Have a lovely weekend, and let’s hope we see some Autumnal sunshine over the next couple of days.

Our School Updates for Parents

Prayer Meeting for the school 

At Christ Church, we have a termly opportunity to get together to pray for our school, and invite staff, parents, governors and members of Christ Church and St John’s congregations. Our next meeting is coming up on Wednesday 16th October at 6pm in the Creative Space on our junior site. Please come and join us if you can (you don’t have to pray out loud!)

Wool Donations

If anyone has any spare wool they no longer need we would be grateful to receive any donations for DT.

Secondary School Application Deadline

A reminder to Year 6 parents/carers that the deadline for secondary school applications is Thursday, 31st October.  Please complete the online application if you haven't already done so at eAdmissions.

Wider Community Updates

Request from Lime Grove Bowling Club for Monday 7th October

On Monday 7th October there will be a delivery of materials at the bowls club opposite the infant site on Lime Grove. They have requested that the area is kept clear during the morning school run to enable this to take place. They have also put up signage on their fence panels with this request.

Child Friendly Harvest Service at All Saints Kingston

All Saints Kingston offers an extra special invite to school families for their special short and child friendly Harvest Festival service at 9.30am Sunday 13th October, including songs from their Junior choir which is a free singing group for 6-10’s running on Friday’s at All Saints after School. Visitors may bring a small non-perishable food item for Kingston Food bank as a Harvest donation if they wish, but this is entirely up to you! All Saints Kingston is the big church opposite John Lewis which also runs after school craft sessions once a month, the next ones are Monday 7th October and Monday 11th November.

Malden Centre Swimming - Half Term Intensive Lessons 

The Malden Centre have scheduled some intensive swimming lessons over half term. Please see the attached poster for details.

Action Theatre Opportunities

Please see the attached posters for details of upcoming workshops and dance classes run by Action Theatre:

• October Half Term Workshop
• Dance Classes
• Mini Me’s Song & Dance Class

The Tween Tribe - October Half Term

The Tween Tribe is an award winning kids club exclusively for tweens & young teens. Their mission is to get tweens off screens & safely exploring the real world. They run adventure dates in London, departing from Kingston, Twickenham & London Waterloo station. Please see the attached flyer for details.

Key School Dates 

• Tuesday 8th October - Reception Tour for Prospective Parents @ 9:30am
• Tuesday 8th October - Y3 & 4 - Drumming Workshops (am) 
• Thursday 10th October - Y2 Trip to the Science Museum
• Friday 11th October - PTA Break the Rules Day 
• Monday 14th - Friday 18th October - Chums Week
• Tuesday 15th October - Nursery Tour for Prospective Parents @ 9:30am
• Tuesday 15th October - Y6 Trip to Tate Britain and Churchill War Rooms (new)
• Thursday 17th October - Y1 Trip to the Natural History Museum 
• Thursday 17th - Friday 18th October - Y5 Junior Roadwatch
• Friday 18th October - SEN Parents’ Evening @ 8:45 a.m. - 2:05 p.m. (new) 
• Monday 21st October - Nursery Parents’ Evening @ 3.45 p.m. - 6.45 p.m. (new)
• Wednesday 23rd October - Parents’ Evening (Reception - Y6) @ 3:45-6:45pm
• Thursday 24th October - Parents’ Evening (Reception - Y6) @ 2:45-5:45pm
• Thursday 24th October - Y6 Trip to the Buddhapadipa Temple (am) (new)
• 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 @ 3:30-4:30pm 
• 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 - Christma Lunch
• 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