Weekly Update from Mr Burkinshaw

What a joy it’s been to see the sunshine this week – it’s brought a real sense of spring to the school! The playgrounds have come alive, not just with the better weather, but thanks to the incredible transformation brought about by OPAL play. Our new junior sports pitch has also been a big hit, giving children even more opportunities to be active and enjoy their playtimes to the full. It is a reminder of how every penny raised by our wonderful PTA goes to improve the opportunities children have.  

This week saw another successful Charity Tuesday, raising money for our chosen national charity, the British Heart Foundation. Thanks to your generosity, we raised a fantastic £415.15 – thank you! The children got their hearts pumping too with some energetic races throughout the day.

Year 5 had a special trip to New Malden Baptist Church to take part in Insight’s Easter Experience, where they met some of the 'witnesses' to the death and resurrection of Jesus – a memorable way to explore the Easter story. They’ve also been continuing their Bikeability training this week and making great progress.

Early next week you will be able to access your child’s spring term report on Arbor. These reports will not include a teacher or headteacher comment and will give you information about your child’s attainment and attendance and include results of any standardised assessments they have taken this term.

Next week is the final week of term, and we’ll be rounding it off with our Easter service at Christ Church on Friday at 9:30am. We’d love to see you there if you’re able to join us.

Wishing you a peaceful weekend.

Our School Updates for Parents

Lockdown Procedure next Monday

As part of our annual safety practices and procedures, we are conducting a lockdown practice at both sites on Monday. This will be communicated to the children beforehand, and we explain in very simple ways as to the rationale of these drills (for example, there may be a dangerous animal that has wandered into the school site). This procedure is standard practice, along with our termly fire practice drills. 

 We are Hiring (see here for more details)

• A caring, organised supervisor to lead our After-School Club Connect
• Also, a playleader to help create a fun, safe and welcoming end to the day 
• An Early Years Teaching Assistant & Playleader at Connect Breakfast Club

Reminder: Year 5/6 Soloist Concert - Tuesday 6th May in the Junior Hall at 9am

If your child plays an instrument or sings and they would like to take part, they can send in an audition video to Mrs Bond by the end of term (but sooner if possible). This will then give the teachers time to look through all of the auditions to choose a variety of performances for the concert, and allow time for rehearsing at school with the piano if needed. Parents and the children's classmates will be invited to watch the concert. 

Please aim to keep the pieces short. If your child chooses a song, stick to one or two verses and a chorus. Also, please ensure the lyrics are appropriate and that the song can be sung easily by a child (some pop songs are unsuitable for young voices). The children may sing in a group with friends if they can arrange a video audition together. We will be available to accompany instrumental pieces and songs if we can find the music (or you can send in a backing track). Please note that this concert is only for children in Year 5 and 6. 

Reminder: PTA Easter Egg Hunt 

Join the PTA's Eggciting Easter Trail on Saturday 5th April starting from the Infant Site anytime between 11am-2pm. Please see the attached poster for details. Hop into the Easter spirit with our fun-filled Easter Egg Trail! Follow the clues around local roads and collect hidden letters to reveal a special Easter word! There’ll be prizes for participants, craft activities and refreshments. Please spread the word - the more the merrier! If you are able, we would really appreciate any donations of baked goods (cup cakes or similar). Look out for a message with further details about this nearer the time. Thank you! 

Year 5/6 Choir - Cluster Concert at the Rose Theatre - Tuesday, 1st April

The Year 5/6 Choir are performing in this concert at 2pm on Tuesday 1st April, which will be showcasing music, drama and dance activities in primary and secondary schools in this part of the borough. We have been informed that there are still tickets available for this concert which can be purchased via the Rose Theatre box office / website.

Clubs next week, w/c 31st March

Next week the only clubs running are:

• Year 1 Drama (catch up session for 20th Jan)
• Cooking club (catch up session for 18th March)

Wider Community Updates

Action Theatre Easter Camp

Please see the attached poster for details of an Easter Camp being run by Action Theatre Club for 5-16 year olds.

Junior Golf Academy London

We have been sent the attached poster with details of some local golf classes. The classes are taught in groups and focus on fun-based learning held at their practice facility at Coombe Wood Golf Club, with one weekend per month at Golf Groove studios in Wimbledon. They aim to give children from KS1 upwards the opportunity to develop their golf skills and learn all aspects of the game whilst being in a safe and fun environment, where they can make new friends and stay active. 

Free Parenting Clinic on Friendships

Is your child struggling with friendships? Do they find it hard to make or keep friends? Are you worried about peer pressure, fallouts, or social confidence? Would you like practical tips to help them navigate friendships with ease? This Clinic is designed to support parents and carers in guiding their children (ages 3-16) through the ups and downs of friendships.The 30-minute online session is open to all and completely free to attend.

Key School Dates

Spring 2

• Tuesday 1st April - Y5/6 Cluster Choir Concert at Rose Theatre (pm)
• Wednesday 2nd April - Easter Bonnet Parade at Infants
• Thursday 3rd April - Y3 Trip to Butser Farm
• Friday 4th April - Easter Church Service @ 9:30am
• Friday 4th April - Term finishes early at 1.05pm (infants) and 1.20pm (juniors). Connect will finish at 5:15pm
• Saturday 5th April - PTA Easter Egg Hunt @ 11am until 2pm at the infants
• Monday 7th - Monday 21st April - Easter Holiday

Summer 1

• Tuesday 22nd April - Summer Term Starts
• Thursday 24th April – Y1 Trip to Wisley Gardens
• Friday 25th April – Y2 Trip to the National Gallery
• Tuesday 29th April – Y5 Insight Visit – Worship & Liturgy
• Thursday 1st May – Squirrel Class Worship @ 2:40pm
• Monday 5th May – Bank Holiday (School closed)
• Wednesday 7th May – Class photographs
• Thursday 8th May – Space Day Lunch menu
• Friday 9th May – Y5 Trip to Richmond Theatre (Awful Egyptians)
• Tuesday 13th May – Reception Insight Visit – Why is Jesus so special?
• Tuesday 13th May – Y6 Insight Visit – Courageous Advocacy
• Friday 16th May – Reception Trip to Hampton Court
• Friday 16th May - Y2 Concert @ 2:35pm
• Monday 19th – Friday 23rd May – Chums Week 
• Tuesday 20th May – Charity Tuesday
• Wednesday 21st May – Parent, Church & Staff Prayer Meeting @6:00-7:00pm
• Thursday 22nd May – Y4 Saxons Workshops at Kingston Museum (am)
• Thursday 22nd May – Eagle Class Worship @ 2:40pm
• Monday 26th – Friday 30th May – Half Term