❄️ Newsletter 22.12.2023
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Reflections and Aspirations
Well here we are at the end of the first term of the school year. It is always the longest one, and with the start of Winter, everyone is certainly ready for a well-deserved break. It has been a term with many successes and also some challenges too.
Going right back to the end of August and the immediate action needed to close the hall because of RAAC was certainly an added pressure that wasn’t expected. I get a warm feeling going into the hall at the moment and seeing dance, P.E., assemblies, presentations, parents’ meetings, clubs, meals, nativity etc. We really missed having everyone together, and my virtual assemblies were a poor substitute to the real thing.
I would like to thank everyone again for the amazing teamwork, effort, flexibility, patience and hard work that has gone on to get back into the hall, and I think to only lose two months was really impressive. Sadly, some children in other schools are still out of their buildings and with more disruption to come.
As I have mentioned previously, the RAAC issue has delayed other projects and the Spring term is going to be very busy as we catch up on work needed on our building and grounds before the end of the financial year in April. I’m afraid I will need another great effort from everybody, but please be assured that by the end of this school year, we will have an even safer, healthier, more efficient and inviting school than before.
NEWS AND UPDATES
We all have times when we need some support. With My Family Coach, you get all the help you need. We’re with you through the tough times, inspiring you with new ideas, and sharing practical tips to make parenting that little bit easier.
Parent Portal
Use this for updating contact details, child medical information, permissions, payments and seeing your child’s reports.
Please be aware that our gates are locked a few minutes after 8.50am, which is the latest time one of our classes starts the school day. If your child arrives at 9am, then they are already between 10-15 minutes late.
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Please be aware that our gates are locked a few minutes after 8.50am, which is the latest time one of our classes starts the school day. If your child arrives at 9am, then they are already between 10-15 minutes late. 🚨 🚨 🚨 🚨 🚨
Good Attendance Draw!!
Don’t forget, for every week that your child has an attendance of 96%+, they are allocated a digital ticket for a draw that will take place every half term. The more weeks with an attendance of 96%+, the more chances to win!
Services and Events
Parish Sung Eucharist Sundays 10am - 11am
Sermon, music and Holy Communion
Place of Welcome Thursdays 10am - 12pm
Time for a brew and a chat
More information from Father Andrew can be found here
Messy Church
It typically includes a welcome, a long creative time to explore the biblical theme through getting messy; a short celebration time involving story, prayer, song, games and similar; and a sit-down meal together at tables.
Community News and Support
Scroll through the items below
Free behaviour support resources for schools and families
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World Festivals and Celebrations
Christmas Day 25th December - Christian (see also 6th January 2023 Orthodox and Rastafari)
Christmas Day Celebrates the birth of Jesus, whom Christians believe to be the son of God. The words of St John’s Gospel (Chapter 1:1-18) are read in many churches at this time; these speak of ‘the Word made flesh’, pointing to Christian belief in the Incarnation (God ‘made flesh’, or human).
Gifts are given as reminders of the offerings brought to the infant Jesus at Bethlehem, and Christmas carols, plays and evergreens are associated with this time, while nativity sets are displayed in many churches and in some homes.
Some of our festive celebrations this week:
Article 15: Setting up or joining groups
Article 15 of the UNCRC makes it clear that – like all people in the world – children and young people have the human right to freedom of association. This means that they should be free to:
- meet individual people and groups of friends,
- set up an organisation,
- join an organisation, and
- take part in peaceful protest.
The right to freedom of association is relevant when children and young people act as human rights defenders.
Nursery Trip to the Z-Arts Centre
I was absolutely delighted that the Nursery children had the opportunity to go out on a visit to the Z-Arts Centre this week. It can be daunting taking the youngest children out of school, but the staff have planned and managed the trip really well, and the children really enjoyed the show.
The children went to see Twinkle Twinkle, which is a heartwarming, adventure in melody and light, made especially for very young audiences for Christmas by an award-winning team of artists. The show features brilliant puppetry, magical interaction and a gorgeous original score.
Well done Nursery on your first trip of many to come!
Farewell to Mrs Beck
Sadly, we are saying goodbye to Mrs Beck today as she is moving to a new career.
Mrs Beck has worked with us in Early Years for 5 years, and made a huge contribution to the progress of many children. She will certainly be missed by the children, and definitely by the staff as well. She has always been very positive and supportive of us all in school, and I know our loss is someone else’s gain.
Thank you Mrs Beck, and we wish you all the best for the future.
When we return, there will only be 4 weeks before we reach the middle of the school year. When I look back at the newsletters since August, I am so proud to reflect on all the children’s (and staff’s) achievements, and excited about what is to come in 2024.
Some highlights for me this term:
The happy greetings I get from the children when walking around school
Being proud to show visitors around
The hard work and commitment of the staff
Improvements in punctuality
The heartwarming reasons for children receiving Merit Awards
Going through 2 boxes of Head Teacher Award gold stickers
The care children are taking with their learning and the standard of work
Going back into the hall
The many trips and visitors
Kickstarter workshops with parents in Early Years
The generosity shown in helping other people less fortunate than ourselves
Class assemblies
Children wearing the new P.E. uniform
The work of the Pupil Chaplains and Urban Crew
Links with other community organisations and events
Learning more about other beliefs and cultures
Welcoming new families to the area and our school with new housing opening
Welcoming new members of staff to the school
School building improvement work
There will obviously be more highs and lows in 2024, but so many reasons to be hopeful and positive.
Have a wonderful break whatever your plans, and for those celebrating Christmas, have a merry one with lots of happiness and cheer. For those people where this might be the first Christmas since losing a loved one, our thoughts and prayers are with you. I have been through it a few times, and it isn’t quite the same as before, but I hope you can have many moments of joy and know that things do get easier in time.
Thank you to everyone in the All Saints Family, it is so humbling to be the Head Teacher of this lovely school community and I am very much looking forward to seeing everyone on Monday 8th January 2024 at 8.45am.
