We do not learn from experience…we learn from reflecting on experience.
John Dewey
We hope all our families enjoyed the break. It has been lovely to see the children again this week as we begin another busy and fulfilling half term!
Sporting News
We are hugely proud of our Y5/6 boys’ football team, who this week were runners-up in the borough finals. To get as far as the Camden finals is a great achievement and is thanks to their efforts in the league matches and playoffs, but to finish as runners-up is particularly impressive! Their results of two wins and one loss were good enough to get through the group stages, and they then beat Rosary Primary School 1-0 in the semi-final before facing Eleanor Palmer in the final. With the score still drawn at full time, our boys narrowly lost the penalty shootout, but we are delighted that they were such superb ambassadors for our school. They showed care and cooperation by spurring each other on, as well as courage in the face of disappointment. Their well-deserved runners-up trophy is on display in the downstairs hall.
Parent Meetings
As you know, parent meetings are taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday next week. These meetings are vitally important as an invaluable time to discuss your child’s learning, so please note that all parents must attend. The appointment dates and times have very little flexibility so please attend at your chosen time; if any unforeseen circumstances affect your ability to attend, it is crucial that you ring the school office as soon as possible.
World Book Day
We will be celebrating World Book Day the week after next. Keep an eye out for more information to follow. There will be a book swap organised by our wonderful Parents in Partnership team. On the day itself (Thursday 7th March), children are invited to dress up if they would like to, or to bring their favourite book into school to recommend to others. Ideas and information on cost-effective and time-saving outfits will be shared next week.
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.
Lego Donations
Thank you to all families that donated Lego in recent weeks. This has enabled us to significantly improve the resources in the infant classes. The children have loved using it, especially during wet playtimes earlier this week!
PiP Quiz Night
A reminder that Quiz Night is back on Wednesday 20th March. It will be fantastic, so do come if you can! Click here for tickets.
Assemblies
| 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 in school we celebrated Ash Wednesday, because the day itself fell during the half-term break. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the six weeks of penitence before Easter. It is traditionally a day of fasting and prayer, and many Christians mark their forehead with the shape of the cross using ash, since ashes were a sign of repentance in biblical times, and a reminder of our mortality.
While this may at first seem a little morbid, it is in fact an important reminder of how precious and joyful life is. Repentance need not always just involve negative emotions like guilt; by taking time to reflect on how we can be better people, we can feel empowered to learn from the mistakes we have made. Without this moment in the year of coming together and ‘taking stock’ of our actions, it is hard to find time to consider how to encourage ourselves and others to make better choices, so that we may spend our precious time in this life doing what is truly important: spurring each other on towards love and good deeds.
There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
Luke 15:7
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 remained at 96%, due to a few instances of coughs, colds and bugs. Let’s aim for an improved percentage next week!
Attendance Bears
Infants: Y2 with 97% Juniors: Y5 with 98%
Early Birds
Infants: Year 2 Juniors: Year 6
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 |
