When you go home, tell them of us and say, for their tomorrow we gave our today.
Rudyard Kipling
The Christmas buzz is already starting to filter into school with preparation for shows and our Christmas fair beginning. Please put Friday 9th December in your diaries for the fair (look out for communication from your class reps) and below are the dates for the shows:
KS1 – Thursday 8th December at 2pm & Friday 9th December at 10am
KS2 – Tuesday 6th December at 6pm & Wednesday 7th December at 10am & 2pm.
Next week we begin ‘Switch Off Fortnight.’ This will be an opportunity for our school to make small changes in our lives that save energy and help to protect the planet.
New Communication System – RM Parent Portal
Well done to those that have signed up for the new communication app. A reminder that the deadline for signing up to this portal is 17th November. Please click here for letter the letter on how to set this up.
Christian Value of Service in action – Mitzvah Day – Friday 18/11/22
‘And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, by encouraging one another.’ (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Mitzvah Day is a charity that encourages social action in communities, inspired by Jewish beliefs of charity (tzedakah) and acts of kindness (gemilut chasadim). A ‘mitzvah’ in Hebrew means a good deed, and encompasses acts of service, volunteering and looking after the world around us. Every year in November, the charity hosts a ‘Mitzvah Day’, where they encourage as many people as possible, of all ages, to give back to those around them. Mitzvah Day encourages us to think about what we can do by giving our time to others, instead of our money. The aim is to make a difference to the local community around us.
We feel that this is a shared belief that we, as a school, highly value. We wanted the children to be able to experience our Christian value of Service, by giving them the opportunity to give back, as well as take part in interfaith work. Holy Trinity and St Silas will be taking part in Mitzvah Day for the fourth time after the last few years of great success! In our school, this will mean group service projects in each class.
Working together – Castlehaven Food Bank
As a school, another focus is to do these projects as sustainably as possible. Therefore, to symbolise this, children can come to school wearing green to celebrate Mitzvah Day. If they are wearing green, children do not need to wear school uniform. Instead of bringing money in, we will be asking for donations (non-perishable) to a local food bank. Please can children bring in canned goods, pasta etc. to donate.
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
1 Peter 4:10
SEND Coffee Morning
Tuesday 22nd November at 9-9:45am – Art room
A chance to meet other parents and carers of children with SEND in our school. Our school SENDCO, Ms Arnison, will be available to answer questions and will be joined by Rachel Dixon from the Camden Special Parents Forum. Coffee and croissants will be provided!
Early Reading and Phonics Workshop for Reception Parents/Carers
A reminder about the Reception parent/carer workshop to support you in knowing how to help your child at home – Tuesday 15th November click here to sign up
The workshop will be 9.00-9.45am in the art room. Please sign up via the Doodle poll or via the school office to secure a place. We hope to see lots of you there!
Black History Month Art
A selection of the wonderful artwork the children produced as part of Black History Month is now on display in the downstairs hall! Please come and admire the exhibition at drop-off or pick-up time next week.
Attendance and Punctuality
We continued to improve our attendance this week with an excellent total of 98%! A particular well done to Reception class this week for 100% attendance and no lates!
Early Birds
Infants: Reception Juniors: Year 6
Attendance Bears
Infants: Reception – 100% Juniors: Year 5 – 99%
Community Activities/Events
Please see flyers below about support from Castlehaven. Click on links for further information.
Class Assemblies
Friday assemblies take place in the church hall, 2.55pm-3.25pm.
| Friday 18th November | Reception |
| Friday 25th November | Awards Assembly |
| Friday 2nd December | No assembly – rehearsals |
| Friday 9th December | Awards Assembly |
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.
CAMHS Open Minded Webinars
The school also recommends the “Open Minded” webinars. Find our more by clicking here.
“Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities” Courses
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.
Term dates for 2022 – 2023
| First day of autumn term | Monday 5th September |
| Half term | Monday 24th – Friday 28th October |
| Last day of autumn term | Friday 16th December |
| First day of spring term | Wednesday 4th January 2022 |
| Half term | Monday 13th – Friday 17th February |
| Last day of spring term | Friday 31st March |
| First day of summer term | Monday 17th April |
| Half term | Monday 29th May – Friday 2nd June |
| Last day of summer term | Friday 21st July |
