Newsletter 13th February 2015

13^th February 2015                                         

 
Dear Parents and Carers

Its half term!  The time has gone so quickly! I would like to thank all members of our school community for their support over the last 6 weeks.  As a school we continue to go from strength to strength thanks to the dedication of all staff and parents in an aim to maintain high standards for the children.

Lent
Please be aware that Lent begins during half term.  It is Shrove Tuesday on 17^th                  
February and Ash Wednesday on the 18^th.  We are sending home a Mission Lenten              
Calendar please look at this with your children.    
                                                                                                                              

Maths week

It has been a very exciting week and the children have been faced with fun challenges across the curriculum - all to do with maths.  Even the very youngest children from Rainbow class showed us how maths is part of our everyday lives in their sing-a-long assembly.  Everywhere we turn there are shapes, numbers and patterns. We know they know how to count backwards and forwards in 5s!

Every class across the school has been cooking and then selling their wares at the end of each day. Children know how to weigh and measure, they have realised the notion of time and how important it is to keep to it (no burnt cakes!).  They have made models, games and hats.

The infant Hat Parade was delightful and once again I thank all of you for making such a fantastic effort to provide your children with hats that were imaginative and fun.

The winners are:

We have also been selling maths equipment at the end of the school day.  I hope you have found this useful.  All of the items on sale will help the children learn at home.  My thanks especially to Year 6 and to everyone who has helped in ‘the shops’.

Parish Food bank

In last week’s Sunday Message Father Victor mentioned that there is going to be a Sacred Heart Food bank.  This is what he said:‘As our parish response to the ever increasing rate of poverty and inability of some families unable to afford proper feeding we are now set to open our first parish food bank.  This food bank will be open only to parishioners and other people around the SE who are extremely poor and finding it difficult to feed.  The bank will be open on Saturday 28^th February from 2pm-4pm in the parish hall and subsequently every Saturday of the month.

The Charismatic Renewal group of our parish will run this food bank in the name of our parish.

Donations of food items, only non-perishable items are welcomed.  Kindly see the bins clearly marked at the two entrances for donations.  I am grateful to the volunteers who have accepted the responsibility of joining the Charismatic to run this food bank, more volunteers are needed.’

Gospel Performance at the Royal Festival Hall  

Our school will be performing with other schools at the RFH.  Three of our children have been chosen as soloists.  The tickets cost £10 each and unfortunately there are no concessions.  This will be an amazing experience for the children and an honour for the school.  Please come along if you can to support our children.  Tickets from the Junior School office.  I can’t wait!

 Advance Notice

The next exciting event for the children is World Book Day on March 5^th!  A letter will be out soon with more information!

School dates:

We return to school on Monday 23^rd February 8.45am KS2 (Juniors) 8.55am Reception & KS1 (Infants)

Easter: We break up on Friday March 27^th and the children return to school on Tuesday 14^th April. There is an INSET day for staff on Monday 13^th April  

Reflection:

At this time as we approach the beginning of Lent we pray

‘God our Father, give us the power of your Spirit that we may see and love in others what you see and love in them.  We want to see the positive in people and bring out the best in each other.  Its easy to say that, but not always easy to live it out and so we ask you to help and inspire us to live as you would like us to live this day.  Amen 

 Children - have a good rest over the week and come back safe and sound.     

Anita Gallagher