“None of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with great love, and together we can do something wonderful.”

Mother Teresa

The glorious weather this week reflects our joy at the knowledge that all our children will return to us on Monday 8th March – our arms will be open wide.

While we prepare to welcome all children back, we want to support parents and carers in doing this too. Children will have mixed emotions: the excitement at being reunited with their class mates but also the nerves of returning to the formality of school. Recognise that these emotions are real for children but focus on the positives, ensuring that any of your own anxieties are not shared with children. Maintaining the role of being a calm role model for your child will increase their confidence and ensure a smooth transition back to school.

Teachers have planned activities for next week to prepare the children for the return to school; we urge you to start moving back into school routines at the same time. These will include:

  • Re-establishing bedtime routines that enable children to be both rested and alert for learning;
  • Morning routines in order to arrive at school on time and ready to learn;
  • Behaviour expectations – returning to being part of a class of 30 may take a re-adjustment for some children so please talk to your child about this. Remind them that they can share their worries with us and that adults are here to support them.

We have some resources to share with parents on supporting the return to school – click here.

On a practical note, our return will see us re-establishing the routines of the autumn term for drop off and pick up. All the details are in the attached letter.

Whole School Assembly

We would like to invite our children and families to another whole school assembly on Wednesday 3rd March at 9am (teachers will put the link on that day’s instructions on Purple Mash). We will be disabling the chat function as children will soon be able to say hello in person.

Food Bank Requests

Thank you to those that have delivered donations to school. Please do keep dropping food off as the need is still great. All non-perishables are welcome but there is a particular need for toiletries, loo paper, baby formula, chocolate treats and adult nappies. Our thanks for your support.

BAME Helpline

Barnardos have set up a helpline for Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic children, young people and parents/carers, that are affected by Covid-19. They are available to hear about any worries, problems and stresses during this time, and can provide emotional support, practical advice and signposting to other organisations who can provide further help. 

Collective Worship

We would like to share Fr Graeme’s collective worship with the children and families at home. We will upload this weekly to the school website; please follow this link.

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Wellbeing Tip of the Week This is only temporary

 Sometimes it’s helpful to remind ourselves that the situation we’re in is only temporary. When faced with a challenging situation, such as the pandemic, or when experiencing a difficult feeling, which can feel intense and long-lasting, it can be hard to think about anything else. Instead of letting it consume us, if we focus on the fact that it’s temporary and will end at some point, this can help us to shake it off and feel a little less overwhelmed. Actively saying to ourselves: “This feeling/situation is temporary and it will pass!” can help re-frame our mindset and enable us to take a step back and see things from a different perspective.

Camden Mental Health Support Team

Our school Mental Health Support Team (MHST) are running a series of free webinars for parents and carers, covering the following topics: parent/carer self-care; understanding and supporting your child with worries; routines; and parent/carer and child interactions. Please click here for more information about when they are and how to book a place via Eventbrite.

Camden Healthy Eating Support Team

Dear Parents/Carers,

Camden Learning are offering FREE virtual healthy eating sessions for families. The sessions cover a range of healthy eating support, including: eating well at home; fun breakfast ideas and hidden sugars; understanding labels and portion sizes; and strategies to raise healthy eaters. ‘Fussy eating’ strategies are discussed in each topic. You are welcome to attend one or all of the sessions. Times and contact details are listed on the flier here.

Royal Academy Young Artist Competition 2021

We have registered our school for this competition. Children can enter up to 3 artworks for a chance to be selected for the RA Young Artists’ show in the summer. Adults can enter their children’s work online (make sure you link to our school), send your artwork to l.stenmark@holytrinitynw1.camden.sch.uk or contact Ms Periton if you need help. This information has also been posted on all the class blogs and on the art blogs.

The closing date is 26 April 2021. For more information go to: https://youngartists.royalacademy.org.uk

Fundraising

Easyfundraising – While shopping online during lockdown, don’t forget you can keep raising money for the school via many major retailers. Please click on the link and sign up if you have not already done so.

Christian Value – Forgiveness

In order for our children to be able to understand how and why to forgive, we must also talk about care and love being part of this process. We all make mistakes which can often hurt both physically and emotionally, but there are so many shades of forgiveness. In order to help children differentiate, we have to talk about what forgiveness means, how it feels, and what is easy and hard about it. We want our children to be part of communities in which peace is cultivated and treasured and in which inevitable conflict at any level is resolved.

 “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Colossians 3:13

Community News/Events

If you are looking for a change of activity for your children, here is a link to some alternative exercise workouts: https://app.sworkit.com/collections/kids-workouts

Castlehaven are continuing their online environmental workshops – see below for details.

Music

All music lessons will return to face to face at school from Monday 8th March including:

  • Individual and group lessons
  • Class bands
  • Class recorder

Term dates for 2020 – 2021

First day of autumn term Thursday 3rd September 2020
Half termMonday 26th – Friday 30th October
Last day of autumn term Friday 18th December
First day of spring termMonday 4th January 2021
Half term Monday 15th – Friday 19th February
Last day of spring termThursday 1st April
First day of summer termMonday 19th April
Half termMonday 31st May – Friday 4th June
Last day of summer termFriday 16th July