What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal and that every path may lead to peace.
Agnes M. Pharo
What an amazing week it has been! The children’s performances of The Nativity and The Box of Delights warmed our hearts and made us stop and reflect on this wonderful time of the year. A huge thank you to families for their generous donations to our arts curriculum and supporting our belief that access to the arts and specialists develops “the whole child”. It also teaches children never to give up, that they can achieve their own goals and, as we have seen this week, flourish.
Christmas Fair – Friday 15th December
Thank you to PiP for a superb Christmas Fair – another example of great teamwork!
Key dates for next week
- Monday 18th December at 9am – Piano concert Y4-Y6
- Tuesday 19th December – Y3 & Y4 at the Unicorn Theatre
- Wednesday 20th December – Y5 & Y6 at the Unicorn Theatre
- Thursday 21st December – Y2 at the Unicorn
- End of term is on Friday 22nd December at 1:30pm
Winter Reading Challenge
Parking at drop off/pick up
I would like to ask parents who drop off or pick up by car to be mindful of the following:
- The place they stop – please ensure this is not outside the school on Hartland Road (as indicated by the yellow zig-zags);
- Showing care to our local residents – please do not block the other side of Hartland Road;
- Switching of engines – I’m afraid that it is actually illegal to leave your engine running and of course pollutes the air right outside the school.
We teach our children that care, courage and co-operation is something that is not only learnt in school. We very much hope and appreciate that parents support us in developing these essential life character traits outside school in their actions and words.
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
In the Old Testament we hear how Nehemiah was leading the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem, but the enemies of the Israelites kept trying to attack them while they worked! Determined to finish the job, half of the Israelites worked on the wall while the other half stood guard. Everyone worked together to rebuild the wall – great co-operation helped to get the job done.
Just as the Israelites spurred one another on in the rebuilding of the wall, it was incredible to see how our children spurred each other on at every stage in the process of preparing for their fantastic performances. We saw this too in the actual performances, with a gentle guiding hand or a smile of encouragement – such powerful acts of care from children of all ages. We are sure you share our pride and admiration for our wonderful pupils, who are not just talented and accomplished actors, singers and dancers, but also profoundly caring and encouraging towards each other. Without this impressive mix, performances of the quality we enjoyed this week would not be possible.
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!
Psalm 133:1
RA YOUNG ARTISTS SUMMER SHOW – Advance notice!
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/
Class Assemblies – Fridays at 2.55pm in the Church Hall
Attendance and Punctuality
Our attendance this week dropped a bit and just scraped 96%. Let’s all dig deep to keep ourselves going for the last week of term!
Attendance Bears
Infants: Reception with 95% Juniors: Y4 with 99%
Early Birds
Infants: Year 1 Juniors: Year 5
Coach Steve’s ‘Match Play Only’ football class.
Age: Year 2 to Year 6
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 |
