Weekly Update from Mr Burkinshaw

We do look forward to welcoming you to our Christmas Fair tomorrow at the juniors. It will be a wonderful occasion, full of festive cheer. Do come along (with lots of loose change) to enjoy some seasonal food and drink, win some tasty treats, play some games and enjoy listening to our choirs and orchestra. Every single penny raised helps the school to become even better!

They say ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ and we know that every single adult at school is committed to helping the children become the people God made them to be. However, we know that with even more people, we could do even more. If you, or someone you know, would be interested in volunteering, please contact Mrs Tagg in the school office (office@ccnm.uk). Whether you can volunteer regularly, or only occasionally, every moment you give makes a difference.  

It was lovely to welcome author Banji Alexander to the school on Wednesday. The children were enthralled as he talked about some of the wacky characters he had created and shared extracts from his new book. He talked about how he wrote his book and shared some top tips for children when writing stories. The children were able to ask lots of questions and Banji even read some of the stories written by the children. There were a number of children who were interested in purchasing his book but hadn’t brought in their money. He has kindly agreed to send more signed copies of the books to school for any children who would still like one. Therefore, if your child would like to purchase one, please bring £10 in an envelope marked with your child’s name and class, to either office, on Monday, 28th November. 

Congratulations to our Y5/6 girls’ football team who won 1-0 over Green Lane yesterday, especially as they persevered in the cold and heavy rain. Well done girls!  

Today, we have said goodbye to Miss Webb, who leaves up after 16 years. Today, the children presented her with cards, and it was lovely to hear what they remembered - one child saying how Miss Webb's smile always warmed their heart. 

Key Updates for Parents

Bells Ring Out - Whole School Junior Production - Wednesday 14th December

All children will be performing in this exciting whole school Christmas production at the Juniors. There will be one afternoon performance at 2:00 p.m. and an evening performance that begins at 6:00 p.m. The children will go home between performances. Further details and how to buy tickets will be sent out next week. Next week your child’s teacher will also provide you with costume details.

Competition Time!

Last year, the children (and teachers) in the juniors enjoyed a termly competition naming the countries of the world using online quiz, JetPunk. By popular demand, this Christmas time, we have opened up the competition to parents, siblings and family teams. While your child is having fun practising at home you can sit alongside them and name countries too! Details of how to enter has been sent via ParentMail. All entries must be submitted by Tuesday 13th December. Children on the Junior site will be doing the competition during school hours, in the last week of term. Winners and runners up of the parent, sibling, family, child and staff competitions will be announced in the final bulletin of term and the PTA have kindly agreed to donate prizes. Have fun doing geography!

Celebrating Birthdays 

It is lovely to celebrate children's birthdays at school, and we embrace this at school. Just a quick reminder to all parents that on their birthday your child is welcome to bring in a new book for the book corner in the class on their special day, and teachers have prepared a list of books to choose from. Please could children NOT bring in sweets on their birthdays due to food allergies within school. Thank you for your cooperation with this.

Reminder: Nasal Flu Vaccination for Reception to Year 6

All children in Reception to Year 6 are being offered a nasal flu vaccination, which will be taking place at school on Wednesday 7th December. If you haven’t already done so, please remember to complete the online consent form, which was sent via ParentMail on 1st November, by next Sunday, 4th December.

Clerk to the Governors Vacancy

We are looking for someone to provide administrative support to the governing board and its committees: 4 meetings per term in term time plus preparing and circulating documents, checking information for governors, maintaining records and attending Local Authority briefings. For more details see our website.

Lunch Club

Clearing out games in readiness for Christmas?  Lunch Club would love to receive games that are fun, quick to set up and play. We are particularly looking for games such as Marble Run, Buckaroo, Penguin pile up and Roll it. Making Pom Poms and tassels has been a popular activity this term and so donations of bright and colourful  wool would be fantastic. If you have anything that you think the Lunch Club children would like to use, please hand it in to either office. 

Reminder: Christmas Fair Music

Please take note of the following performance times for the Christmas Fair tomorrow.

• 2pm: Orchestra and recorders (gold and silver) performing in the hall.
• 2:45pm: Year 2 choir singing outside
• 3:15pm: Junior choir and hand bells performing outside

Children can wear their own clothes - the more festive the better! We encourage Santa hats, reindeer ears and any type of Christmas accessories.

St John's Christmas Fair

Please see the attached poster for details of the St John's Christmas Fair which is also taking place tomorrow.

Key Dates - Autumn 2022

• Saturday 26th November - PTA Christmas Fair @ Junior Site - 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Monday 28th November - Year 6 Choir (and Hand Bells Group) singing in John Lewis @ 11 a.m.
• Tuesday 29th November -  Nursery Tour for Prospective Parents @ 9:30 a.m.
• Wednesday 30th November - Y5 Trip to the Science Museum
• Thursday 1st December - Antelope class worship performance @2.45pm, Junior hall
• Monday 5th December - Y3 Greek Workshop (pm)
• Tuesday 6th December - Y6 Trip to Imperial War Museum
• Tuesday 6th December - Y4 & 5 Choir Members and Hand Bells - Singing for Widow's Group at Christ Church
• Thursday 8th December - Turtle Class Nativity @ 9:00 a.m.
• Thursday 8th December - Seahorse Class Nativity @ 9:45 a.m.
• Friday 9th December - Charity Christmas Jumper Day and Christmas dinner
• Tuesday 13th December - Y2 and 3 Choirs - Singing at the Methodist Church, New Malden at 10:30 a.m.
• Tuesday 13th December - Y4 Trip to Rose Theatre for "A Christmas Carol"
• Wednesday 14th December - Y2 to “The Christmas Journey” at Baptist Church, New Malden @ 9.30am
• Wednesday 14th December - Junior Christmas Production @ 2:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday 15th December - Christmas Party Day
• Friday 16th December - Christmas Service at the church led by Years 1 and 2 - 9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
• Friday 16th December - Last day of term - School closes 1 hour early:
  • Infants @ 2:15 p.m.
  • Nursery @ 2:20 p.m.
  • Juniors @ 2:30 p.m.
  • Connect will start at 2:15 p.m. and run until 5:15 p.m.