Newsletter 17th March 2017

17^th March 2017

Dear Parents and Carers

I have written to you this week about parking, picking up your children on time and helping the school to ensure that when finishing clubs we can be as efficient and child-centred as possible. To this end, I am sure you will understand that the vigilant safeguarding of children is paramount. Thank you to those people who have spoken to me. We are here to listen to you, however, the safety of your children will always come first.

St Patrick’s Day and St Joseph’s Day

We had a fine celebration of both saints today. St Patrick’s Day celebrates the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. St Patrick is also a Patron Saint of Nigeria. The children looked lovely in their own clothes.

The Story of St Patrick

Patrick was a 5^th century Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. Much of what is known about Saint Patrick comes from the Declaration, which was allegedly written by Patrick himself. It is believed that he was born in Roman Britain in the fourth century, into a wealthy Romano-British family. According to the Declaration, at the age of sixteen, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Gaelic Ireland. It says that he spent six years there working as a shepherd and that during this time he found God. The Declaration says that God told Patrick to flee to the coast, where a ship would be waiting to take him home. After making his way home, Patrick went on to become a priest. According to tradition, Patrick returned to Ireland to convert the pagan Irish to Christianity.

St Joseph

St Joseph is the worldly father of Jesus.  He is one of the most venerated saints and the Patron Saint of workers. Pope Pius IX declared him to be both the patron and protector of the Catholic Church. He is a role model for all fathers. We are so lucky to have him as the Patron Saint of our school. 

First Holy Communion

The Sacrament of Reconciliation for our First Holy Communicants went well and we would like to say a big thank you to Father Victor and his team. The children were extremely reverent and it was a privilege to watch them. Thank you to all parents.

School trips

Year 4 went to the Natural History Museum this week and had a fabulous time. I asked a couple of pupils to tell me about their experience:

 "It was real fun and we looked at animal skulls and dinosaur bones as well as a large moth.  We saw a big sloth on a tree trunk and we saw lots of stuffed birds. Omoijade’s favourite was the owl. Tiago’s favourite animal was the whale because it was the biggest animal in the world and nearly took up the whole museum."

   Daffodils

Please come and look at our Daffodil display.  Thank you to the children and parents of the Infant School for growing them. Yesterday they were judged so we will wait and hear whether we have won the competition this year!  

Red Class Assembly

Thank you to Red class whose Goldilocks and the Three Bears assembly was a treat.  Some excellent singing I thought and the three bears and Goldilocks were a delight to watch!

Sporting Events

Our sports representation goes from strength to strength!  Yr 4 came second in their Benchball match. Our Yr 5&6 footballers beat Angel Oak 4-3. The school will be represent Southwark at the London Youth Games in Hockey and BMX (on the Olympic track no less!)  There’s a basketball match on Friday so I will let you know the score in the next newsletter.

Parkour Event  - Key Stage one children are going to the Chainstore Parkour Academy in East London to try some free-running.  Our Gym Club is very popular and going from strength to strength.  Multi-skills starts again for KS1 after Easter.

Number Wizard

Assemblies happen at least once every half term.  Number Wizard is a scheme that helps motivate children to learn mental number skills from Yr 1- Yr6.  Each year group has a set of targets.  See if you can help your child learn their maths and earn their badges! 

Attendance

Has any class made the 100%?

Dates for your diary

Friday March 24^th: Yr 2 to visit The Wigmore Hall for ‘Folk up North’ music concert

Monday 27^th March: Year 4 to visit Royal Festival to see LSO in concert.

Wednesday 29^th March: Year 5 Easter performance at Sacred Heart

Thursday 30^th March: Break up for Easter at 1pm

Friday 31^st March: INSET day – no children at school on this day

Monday 24^th April: Family FUNS for Reception children. Details to follow.

Reflection

Open our hearts to be influenced for good and inspire us to touch the hearts of others. Enable us to change things that contradict your love and may all your people work and grow together as brothers and sisters. Amen

Have a good week.

Anita Gallagher

Executive Headteacher