It was with great joy and excitement that we opened our gates and doors to our amazing children on Thursday – the school is ringing with their young voices and it is wonderful!

While some of you were more than ready for this return, I am aware that there would have been many worries for some families so a huge well done for those of you that took that uneasy step to bringing your child back. We were delighted to have 90% of children back with us, with the knowledge that the number will increase on Monday.

It is still a great shame that we are having to keep parents outside the school building and gates but please remember we want to ensure that we maintain our communication links with you as much as possible. Please ring or email us if you need to speak to class teachers or the school office. If you need to speak to someone in the office at drop off or pick up, please ring the buzzer and wait outside for someone to come to you. I will be on the main school gate daily with Mr McIntyre, to both welcome the children and to be a vehicle of communication during this period. As I said to the children, this is all ‘for now’ and will come to an end – hopefully sooner rather than later! The quote below continues to be our mantra:

“You can encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.”

Maya Angelou

As the children are starting to settle back, from Monday morning, Y4, Y5 & Y6 will be able to come into school and go straight to class from 8:40am. The bell will go at 8:55am. To support their transition into the juniors, Y3 will continue to meet in the playground when they arrive. All classes will continue to be dismissed from the same places as this week.

Clubs – we are unable to offer after school clubs at the moment, including our infant and junior choirs. This is something we hope to be able to introduce at some point this term.

Secondary Transfer

For families of children in Y6, preparation for application to secondary school has begun. The Camden website will give you information on open day/evening events: https://www.camden.gov.uk/secondary-school-admissions. Please contact the school office if you would like to arrange a meeting with me to discuss secondary schools.

Holy Trinity and St Silas parents in all year groups are invited to a ‘hub’ school transition Meet the Parents event at Kentish Town primary school, on Monday September 21st from 6.30 to 7.30pm. Parents and children from all the local state secondaries will be on an informal panel to answer any questions about their school experience. You can also chat to the panelists privately afterwards. Appropriate social distancing will be in place.  There will also be an event at Hawley primary school in Camden the following night, Sept 22nd, from 6.30 to 7.30pm.

Uniform

We apologise for the delay in uniform for those of you that ordered in the summer holidays. The company had warned us of these delays which was why we had given a deadline for orders before the summer break. We anticipate any summer orders may not arrive until near the end of September.

Please can I remind you that the uniform policy states that footwear is plain black. I appreciate accessing shops for shoes may have been challenging please can you ensure children have the correct footwear at your soonest convenience.

Music

Camden Music are in the process of working out what music lessons will look like in schools this term. We are awaiting information on one to one music lessons but we can confirm that class bands for Y4, Y5 & Y6 will begin on Thursday 24th September.

Christian Value

Koinonia

It is fitting that, as we return to school after a period of such upheaval, we reflect on this half term’s Christian Value of koinonia. The power of community and fellowship has enabled us to face the challenges of this pandemic together. It has been this togetherness that has given us the strength to work our way through. We will strive on forward and use our unity to combat any challenges to come.

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Thessalonians 5:11

Donations via ParentPay

We would like to remind parents that they can still donate to our appeal for classroom iPads on ParentPay.

Term dates for 2020 – 2021

First day of autumn term Thursday 3rd September 2020
Half termMonday 26th – Friday 30th October
Last day of autumn term Friday 18th December
First day of spring termMonday 4th January 2021
Half term Monday 15th – Friday 19th February
Last day of spring termThursday 1st April
First day of summer termMonday 19th April
Half termMonday 31st May – Friday 4th June
Last day of summer termFriday 16th July