Headteacher’s News 22/12/23

I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old familiar carols play And wild and sweet, the words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The staff and governors of Holy Trinity & S. Silas Primary School wish all our families a joyous and restful Christmas break. We look forward to welcoming you back on 9th January 2024.

Christmas Fair

Huge thanks again to PiP for a superb Christmas Fair! Your hard work and boundless energy helped to raise £2,534 towards our exciting arts projects of next year.

Christmas Services at Holy Trinity & S. Silas Churches

Christmas Eve

• 4.00pm Children’s Carol Service (S. Silas) 
• 6.00pm Said Mass of the Vigil (S. Silas) 
• 12 midnight SOLEMN MASS and Blessing of the Crib (S. Silas)

Christmas Day

• 9.30am PARISH MASS (with Children’s Homily) (Holy Trinity) 
• 11.00am PARISH MASS (S. Silas) 

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

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

Jesus opened for us a new way, a living way, through the curtain: that is, through his own body. So let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith, with hearts that have been purified from a guilty conscience. Let us hold on firmly to the hope we profess because we can trust God to keep his promise.

Hebrews 10:20-23

This is the source of the love and joy and hope which we share with on another at Christmas and which never fails.

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.

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/

Attendance and Punctuality

Unfortunately sickness hit staff and pupils this week so considering that, an attendance level of 96% was not too bad! We look forward to everyone returning full of rest and good health for continued good attendance in the new year.

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

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