Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.
Christopher Robin from Winnie the Pooh
Wishing everyone a very Happy Chinese New Year – we hope that families enjoy the festivities to mark the beginning of the year of the dragon. We would also like to wish you all a lovely half term break and look forward to welcoming the children back on Monday 19th February.
Parent Governor Elections
We are hugely appreciative of all the parents that nominated themselves as potential school governors. It is a real sign of the investment all parents have in our school. Thank you also to the 51% of parents that voted, this too is an increase from previous elections.
We are delighted to welcome Will Butler to our governing body.
Thanks also to Yolanda William, Chloe Davies, Peter Graff and Ema Howling for offering themselves for election and their dedication to helping our school community continue to thrive.
Children’s Mental Health Week
The children enjoyed their ‘Hero Buddies’ meeting this week. They shared their thoughts and feelings about behaviour in our school and expressed themselves in drawings.
Internet Safety
Monitoring children’s online safety, particularly their use of smartphones, is a constantly evolving challenge, but is vital to protecting their wellbeing and keeping them safe. Please take the time to have a look at the guides linked here, which include the latest guidance on how to set parental controls on Apple devices, general guidance on online safety for children 6-10yrs old. We also recommend visiting www.internetmatter.org for more information.
Parent- Teacher Meetings Spring 2024
All parents/carers were sent links to children’s parent meetings today. We kindly urge all our parents to prioritise booking and attending this.
PiP Quiz Night
Quiz night is back on Wednesday 20th March. Click here for tickets.
Assemblies
| Friday 23rd February | Year 6 |
| Friday 1st March | Year 4 |
| Friday 8th March | Year 2 |
| Friday 15th March | Reception |
| Friday 22nd March | Awards assembly |
Christian Vision
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, by encouraging one another.
Hebrews 10:24-25
This week we reflected on the meaning and necessity of water, both in our lives today and in the life of Jesus. We all know how essential water is to our very existence, it makes up three quarters of our bodies it nourishes, cleans and heals us. As Christians believe, God is our creator and water is a great gift he gave to all of us and is one of the very special things about our planet. God is a bit like water: He gives life, refreshes us, cleans us up, fills us up. In the bible we read about when John the Baptist baptises Jesus. At this time, hundreds of people were going into the Jordan wilderness to be baptised in the river by Jesus’ cousin, John. Most of those seeking baptism were in need of forgiveness and a fresh start. By choosing to be baptised with them, Jesus was sending out the message that he wanted to stand alongside and be there for them. Jesus wouldn’t reject them.
John the Baptist knew that water itself doesn’t change people on the inside but it could be a sign that they had changed on the inside. We are reminded through this story that water changes things and God can change people.
The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Isaiah 58:11
Winter Reading Challenge
Arts Projects
RA YOUNG ARTISTS SUMMER SHOW
Ms Periton has registered our school to take part in the Royal Academy Young Artists Summer Show! The standard for this annual competition is VERY high, but pupils from HTSS have been selected before. If your child has made an artwork they are proud of, we can submit it on their behalf. ONE artwork per child only. The submission period runs from JAN – MARCH 2024, so we have plenty of time. Perhaps you can get creative over the holidays? From January, please bring the NAMED ARTWORK to school for Ms Periton to photograph, along with A SHORT PIECE OF WRITING explaining what you have made and why. To find out more and see examples of work from previous years: https://youngartists.royalacademy.org.uk/
Attendance and Punctuality
This week our attendance dropped to 96%, due to a few instances of coughs, colds and bugs. Let’s aim for an amazing percentage in the first week back!
Attendance Bears
Infants: Y1 with 98% Juniors: Y6 with 98%
Early Birds
Infants: Reception Juniors: Year 5
Age: Year 2 to Year 6
Coach Steve’s ‘Match Play Only’ football class.
Book a free taster via email – prorevolution.development@gmail.com
Free Counselling Service for Parents
We highly recommend the free counselling service for parents through Camden. You can find out more and register your interest via this leaflet.
New Emotional Wellbeing Website for Young People and Families
A new NHS website, packed with emotional wellbeing and mental health information and resources, has been launched to help young people and families, as well as professionals working with them, to navigate support options.
NCL Waiting Room was produced with the help and input of young people, families and professionals. It aims to be a ‘one-stop shop’ for information on specialist mental health services, community groups, emotional wellbeing and self-care resources.
It allows young people and their parents or carers to search for, filter and share resources based on their needs and preferences.
NCL Waiting Room will continue to grow and develop, so watch this space for more details. You can visit the website here and try out the Support Hub resource navigation feature here.
If you have any feedback on the website, you can do this on the relevant pages of the site, or email rtown@tavi-port.nhs.uk
Camden Music Service
From Y1 onwards, you can sign your child up to learn an instrument in school. For more information and to download the Camden Music Service application form, please click here.
Other Community Initiatives
Camden Library Activities
We highly recommend these. Click here for the catalogue.
Term dates for 2023 – 2024
| First day of autumn term | Wednesday 6th September |
| Half term | Monday 23rd – Friday 27th October |
| INSET DAY | Monday 30th October |
| Last day of autumn term | Friday 22nd December |
| INSET DAY | Monday 8th January 2024 |
| First day of spring term | Tuesday 9th January |
| Half term | Monday 12th – Friday 16th February |
| Last day of spring term | Thursday 28th March |
| First day of summer term | Monday 15th April |
| Half term | Monday 29th May – Friday 2nd June |
| INSET DAY | Monday 3rd June |
| Last day of summer term | Wednesday 24th July |
