Weekly Update from Mr Burkinshaw

This morning started with the Spring Music Showcase at the juniors. The orchestra were in fine form, treating us to tunes from Vivaldi and Grieg. The handbells delighted us, both singing and playing. The Bronze, Silver and Gold recorders played a mix of old and new tunes, one of which was Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and the showcase truly was an “ode to joy”. Thank you to everyone who took part. 

This week children have been meeting their Christ Church Chum. These half-termly meetings, which link children in Y1 with Y4, Y2 with Y5 and Y3 with Y6 are a wonderful time of fostering friendships and are a wonderful time to come together to reflect this term’s iShare theme: Communion. 

We have some champions in the school! On Tuesday, seven Y6 children took part in the final of the borough netball competition, and won with an amazing 15-7 victory! A big thank you to our parent volunteers, Mrs Fardon and Mrs Brown, who have been volunteering their time with this sport for seven years. On the same day, four children from Y3 and Y4 played their best at the Times Table Championship, highlighting their agility and skill. On Wednesday, eight children from Y2 represented the school at the Kingston Dodgeball Championship - coming first and bringing home some very splendid medals. Congratulations to all! 

Yesterday, Y3 went to Butser Ancient Farm. It was a wonderfully sunny day for them to learn about the past. For many, the highlight was becoming archaeologists as they dug for treasure and then reburied it for their friends. The children also had a go at making jewellery.  

It was lovely to welcome so many parents to yesterday’s Learning Look. Every week, children bring their work to me and I love celebrating their progress with them. The children are always so excited to show you their work and talk to you about what they have learnt and how they have improved. I hope you enjoyed celebrating that with them. 

On Monday, the winning house on each site will celebrate their victory, being rewarded with 30 minutes ‘chill out time’, either doing sports and games outside or doing crafts and games in the hall. The winning houses are Poplar at the Infants and Elm at the Juniors and children in those houses should come to school in their PE kit on Monday.

This morning, John Trend from Oxygen, one of our charities this year, talked to all the children ahead of our first ‘charity Tuesday’ next Tuesday. On this day, children will be encouraged to give a contribution at the buckets on the gate, with Year 2 and Year 6 children standing by at the gate to receive our fundraising. As part of the fun of the day, each class is invited to appoint new ‘assistant teachers’ in the class for the day. Mr Meehan and I will be watching, spotting the teachers who will join us in the 2030s! John also mentioned this morning that the charity is running an Easter colouring competition that your child may wish to take part in and children can pop into the charity shop at any time during the holiday, and they could get their art work displayed in the shop.

All are invited to our Easter Service next Thursday at Christ Church at 9:30am. Y5 will be reminding us about the meaning of Easter and the Y3 & Y4 choir and the junior handbells will be taking part. It will be a lovely way to celebrate both Easter and the end of term and I look forward to seeing you there. 

MISS LAWRENCE RECOMMENDS

'Alone on a Wide Wide Sea' by Michael Morpurgo

I read this last year and it was a great read; it gave me twists and turns I was not expecting! Age range recommendation is 10 years and up, so probably best suited to UKS2. Here’s a summary of the book … Arthur Hobhouse's story is a remarkable one: Orphaned and shipped to Australia, he first works on a cruelly-run sheep station, escapes to the contrasting kindness of another farm, then begins a boat-building apprenticeship and a lasting love of the sea.

Parents - if you have a good book recommendation to offer, please email the school office, and we would be happy to include in our weekly updates!

Our School Updates for Parents

PTA Easter Egg Hunt

Remember that the PTA are hosting their annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Infants on Saturday 23rd March between 2pm-4pm! This year, fundraising for this will go towards the regeneration of the old pig pen area and will be an opportunity to find out about the exciting plans and designs for this space that all the infant children will enjoy! 

As well as a fun scavenger hunt with egg prize, there will be a second hand book sale and a coffee stall. If anyone is able to bake and donate small individual treats such as cup cakes, biscuits, cornflake cakes and brownies etc, the PTA would be most grateful (nut free please!) Do let them know if you are able to at ccnm.pta@hotmail.com 

Clubs - Summer Term 2024

All clubs for next term, with the exception of Y1&2 football, still have spaces available. Please visit the clubs page of our website for booking details.

Connect Bookings

Connect bookings are now open for the summer term. There is availability across all sessions except Wednesday afternoon. If you would like to set something up or would like to book dates on an adhoc basis, please feel free to set up an account.

Second Hand Uniform Sale

There will be a second hand uniform sale at the Infants at pick up time on Friday 19th April. Uniform for both infant and junior children will be available.

Wider Community Updates

Christ Church Easter Praise and Costume Service - Sunday 24th March, 9:30am 

Join Christ Church for a special interactive Easter celebration service this Sunday! People of all ages are invited to dress up and take part, as they bring the Easter story to life through panto-style drama, music, and costumes. Please see the attached flyer.

Next Thing Education Easter Camp

Next Thing Education will be running an Easter technology camp at Christ Church Junior site on 2-5th April. Their aim is to inspire, engage and empower the next generation of creators, coders and inventors. All staff are DBS Checked and Qualified to run the best sessions in the safest environment. Their camps cater to ages 5-11.  Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out and book online today. 

Love the Ball Easter Camp 

Please see the attached flyer for details of the Love the Ball camp being run at our junior site over the Easter holiday.

Spring/Easter Activities - Kingston & Merton

The Spring edition of Raring2go! Kingston and Merton is full of family events and activities to keep the family busy over the periods to include both the Easter and May half term holidays. 

We're Going on a Bear Hunt comes to Kingston

In partnership with Wild in Art and Walker Books, Kingston First is thrilled to announce the Bear Trail, inspired by Michael Rosen's iconic children's book "We're Going on a Bear Hunt." This trail will feature ten unique bear sculptures, each hand-painted with stunning artwork by talented artists, and will take place from 29th March to 7th June, 2024. Please see their website for more information.

New Malden Little League Football Trials for 24/25 Season

New Malden Little League Football will be holding trials to give the opportunity for players, both boys and girls, to either join the League or move up from the Junior Section to the Senior Section. The trials will be held at Manor Park in New Malden at the following times and dates (trialists should arrive at least 15 minutes early):

• 09:30 to 11:00 – Saturday 4th May
• 09:30 to 11:00 – Saturday 11th May
• 09:30 to 11:00 - Saturday 18th May

Trialists must be born on or between 01/09/11 and 31/08/17 to be eligible to play in the 24/25 season. Please see their website for an application form and more information.

Key School Dates 

Spring 2

• Tuesday 26th March - Year 5/6 choir at Cluster Concert in the Rose Theatre (pm)
• Wednesday 27th March - Infant Easter Bonnet Parade
• Thursday 28th March - Church Service @ 9:30am
• Thursday 28th March - Term finishes early at 1.05pm (infants) and 1.20pm (juniors). Connect will finish at 5:15pm
• Monday 15th April - Summer term starts

Summer 1

• Wednesday 17th April - Reception Trip to the Polka Theatre (am)
• Monday 22nd April - 3rd May - Y5 Bikeability
• Thursday 25th April - Y1 Trip to Wisley
• Thursday 2nd May - Squirrel Class Worship @ 2:40pm
• Monday 6th May - Bank Holiday (School closed)
• Tuesday 7th May - Y4 Trip to BFI - Bonjour Les Amis
• Wednesday 8th May - Class Photographs
• Thursday 9th May - Macaw Class Worship @ 2:40pm
• Monday 20th - Friday 24th May - Chums Week
• Thursday 23rd May - Eagle Class Worship @ 2:40pm
• Thursday 23rd - Friday 24th May - Y3-6 Grey Goose Archery Sessions
• Monday 27th - Friday 31st May - Half Term