The smallest act of caring can turn a life around.

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As we reach the end of a busy and full half term, it is important to reflect on everything our wonderful children have achieved.

Our children were deeply engaged in Black History Month throughout October, exploring inspiring histories through classroom learning, interactive workshops, and a wonderful celebration event that brought so many of our families together. Children across the school have also enjoyed inspiring educational visits, including the Bayeux Tapestry, Willesden Sports Centre, Royal Veterinary College, London Transport Museum, Camden Market, and Hampstead Heath, to name a few—these opportunities brought learning to life beyond the classroom. Children in Key Stage 2 have been enthused in their writing workshops in preparation for their upcoming Christmas musical. On the sports field, our pupils have demonstrated fantastic determination, leading to several notable sporting successes. In all these moments, it has been a joy to watch our school community truly flourish as our pupils embody our core values of care, courage, and co-operation each and every day.

We wish you all a restful and enjoyable break and look forward to welcoming you back on Monday 2nd October from 8:40am.

Whole school ceramics project

Many of you may know that last term we invited local ceramic artist Pedro Kalache into school to work with us on a very exciting commission for our school playground! Pedro was already known to some of our children, as he runs the therapeutic ceramics programme at Kentish Town City Farm.

The theme of the commission was ‘PLAY.’ We chose this theme because we have very successfully introduced OPAL (Outdoor Play And Learning) values during school playtimes, and our school playground space is constantly evolving in response to the children’s ideas. We wanted to install a beautiful, tactile artwork to enhance the space and reflect our creative approach to art and play.

Pedro came into school for nine weeks and during that time he ran multiple sessions in the art room, involving every pupil in school. Children began by exploring clay as a material, creating forms, textures and marks, and discussing how the process made them feel. Next, they learned to roll the clay and cut it into tiles, before embellishing the surface with their own unique designs. The tiles were then given a ‘bisque’ firing, and when the tiles came back to school, children learned how to use glazes to add colour – a very fun and surprising part of the process, as some of the glazes did not look at all like the colour they turned out to be! After one more firing, the gorgeous tiles were ready to be installed.

You can now see the finished artwork on the wall just behind the monkey bars – please do go and admire it! It was designed to be touched and viewed by children as they play. We think it is absolutely beautiful and perfectly reflects the curious, creative young artists of HTSS. A big thank you goes out to Pedro and to all the parents and carers who so kindly supported this project with generous donations. We really value your help in bringing such wonderful creative opportunities to our children, who will look back on their experience with pride!

Attendance & Punctuality

In spite of continued illness flying around, our attendance picked up to 97% this week. We hope that the half term brings rest and recovery so that we have continued strong attendance next half term.

In terms of individual classes, well done to Y2 with 95% and Y5 with 97%!

Y2 & Y3 were awarded the early birds for being at school on time.

A reminder that research consistently shows that attendance dropping below 90% significantly reduces a child’s academic success. Primary school provides the vital foundation for all future learning—the core developmental milestones missed through occasional days off simply cannot be replaced. We appreciate your continued support in helping your children arrive on time and ready to learn every day.

Dates for this half term

  • Secondary Transfer deadline -Saturday 31st October. Parents are encouraged to arrange to speak to Mrs Goll to talk through options – please contact the school office to arrange a time.
  • Parent/teacher meetings – Tuesday 10th, Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th November (information about sign-up will be sent out by the school office before the October half-term. Meetings will be after school).
  • Parent/teacher/SENDCO review meetings (for children with EHCPs/ENGs) – w.c. 16th and 23rd November (information about sign-up will be sent out by the school office before the October half-term. Meetings will be after school).
  • Primary School Assembly Bangers at Holy Trinity – Thursday 19th November – Come along for a fun evening singing all your assembly favourites from ‘Give me oil in my lamp’ to ‘If I were a butterfly!’
  • HTSS Christmas Fair – Friday 4th December
  • Christmas Nativity and Musical – w.c. 7th December (exact days and times for shows to be shared soon).
  • Christmas Cabaret with Fr Philip – Friday 11th December an evening of song with our parish priest in aid of the organ appeal.

PiP Fundraising

We continue to have another big target of at least £13,000 for the 2026/27 year ahead so planning has already started!
•⁠  ⁠We’d love new members to the PiP organising committee and the wider PiP group who help with events. It’s fun and a great way to support the community. Get in touch with your year group PiP rep.
•⁠  Regular Giving is the easiest way to support the school and creates really valuable reliable income. £5 per month adds up to a big impact so please consider setting up a monthly donation via this link.

Christian Vision
At the heart of our school are high expectations and depth in faith that inspire us to grow, flourish and work together to achieve our full potential. It is our intention that we all develop our fullest sense of self, both individually and collectively.

Toward love and good deeds
Hebrews 10: 24

Our school vision leads us to regularly reflect on what it means to flourish: growing academically as well as in character, resilience, and heart as we live out our school values every day. A wonderful biblical story that captures this vision is that of Nehemiah, who set out to rebuild the broken walls of Jerusalem. Faced with an overwhelming task, Nehemiah demonstrated the transformative power of courage, care, and co-operation when combined with high expectations.

Nehemiah showed immense courage in stepping forward to lead a damaged community through difficult times, standing firm despite doubt and opposition. Yet, he knew he could not achieve this alone; it required true co-operation as families, craftspeople, and leaders worked side by side, each taking responsibility for their part of the project. Rooted in deep care and compassion for his people, Nehemiah listened to their concerns and sought to build a safe, nurturing environment where everyone could belong.

Crucially, Nehemiah maintained high expectations for the entire community, refusing to settle for half-hearted efforts because he knew what his people were capable of achieving. Through their shared commitment, courage, and care, the community did not simply rebuild a structure, they established a place where everyone could truly flourish once again.

As we reflect on our daily school lives, we see that very same spirit in action. Whether our children are showing courage by tackling a new challenge, demonstrating care by supporting one another, or practicing co-operation during group learning, they are building something remarkable together. By holding high expectations for ourselves and one another, we create the environment needed for every child to fulfil their God-given potential and flourish.

Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their life.

Psalm 22:6

NEWS FROM HOLY TRINITY CHURCH

We have a lot coming up in the next few weeks at Holy Trinity Church!

Sunday 18th October: Harvest Festival and Pet Blessing – 9.30am Mass. Bring along non-perishable items for the local foodbank, and all pets are welcome to come to be blessed and celebrated!

Holy Trinity Choir: We are looking to recruit new members for this fun group who sing once a month at Holy Trinity Church, as well as at the amazing Carol Service. No previous experience necessary.

Youth Alpha; For children in Year 5 and Year 6 (and above) – Tuesdays 6th at 4.30pm in the Hall. The sessions explore faith and include games and cooking, they last around 1 hour. For more information contact Fr Felix at frfelixtrimbos@gmail.com

Save the Holy Trinity Organ: The Holy Trinity pipe organ is in urgent need of restoration. This will cost around £45000. The church receives no outside funding and so we are looking to raise money to restore this instrument which has introduced generations of Holy Trinity Pupils to the wonders of organ music. You can ‘sponsor a pipe’ for £20  here:  https://givealittle.co/c/45Dru2yGkwbNywapN3IHu3   

OPAL update

It has been a wonderful half term of OPAL! Thank you for sending your children in with waterproof clothing, especially over the past few rainy days. We have spare waterproofs and wellies in school if children ever forget their wet weather gear, but urge parents to air on the side of caution and send coats etc in each day.

The children have loved continuing with their play despite the change of seasons, with children continuing to dance on the stage, beautiful Autumn leaf patterns being created, and worms and snails spotted and cared for in the planters. All children also have access to sheltered areas, including under the railway arch and canopied areas.

As we move through Autumn and into Winter next term, we will adapt our play offer to support the changing weather and temperature. Items such as cardboard boxes, arts and crafts, soft toys and dress up will be temporarily replaced with more robust, waterproof gear including den making materials, more sports equipment and plastic small world play. 

Why we play outside in most weathers at our OPAL school:

You might wonder why we often still head outside when it’s raining! A very common belief is that playing in the rain or cold causes children to catch a cold and get ill. However, medical science shows that colds are caused by viruses, not by rain or cool air.

In fact, spending time in fresh outdoor air helps protect children from germs that spread easily in enclosed, heated classrooms. Playing outdoors in the rain builds physical balance, releases pent up energy, boosts mood, supports sleep, and helps develop healthy immune systems.

As long as children have waterproof coats and suitable footwear, rainy days offer fantastic opportunities for play and learning. Please ensure your child brings a warm, waterproof jacket to school every day so they can comfortably join in. Children are also allowed to bring in wellies and spare pairs of socks. A reminder that we have spare waterproof jackets, wellies and dungarees in school in a range of sizes too.

Need further convincing? Read this article – https://ltl.org.uk/myth-busting-bad-weather-outdoor-learning/

Donations Drive:

We continue to welcome donations from families. If you are planning on a pre-holiday season clear out and have any of the following items spare, please pop them in sealed/tied bags in the blue OPAL donations bin outside the church hall. Thank you!

  • Plastic small world toys e.g. cars, trains, animals  
  • Nature resources e.g. magnifying glasses, plastic buckets 
  • Plastic or metal mud kitchen resources e.g. bowls, plates, cups 

If you are interested in reading more about our approach to play, you can access our play policy here.

If you are able to donate any amount to the fund, big or small, please click here. If you have any second hand bikes or scooters for older children (Y3-Y6) in good condition that you’d like to donate, please leave them by the blue OPAL donations bin outside the church hall. Many thanks for supporting our children’s wonderful play!

The Holy Trinity Way

In school, our strapline for positive behaviour is ‘strong on boundaries, big on heart.’ Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing some in-school strategies with you that might be helpful for at home too.

Behaviour tips for the half term break

Half term can be a time to reconnect as a family, to spend time with friends, to rest and recover, and to experience new things. Whatever you have planned for the break, here are some top tips on how to support behaviour and wellbeing during this time:

Maintain sleep routines: as much as possible, try to stick to a regular bedtime routine, especially during the final few days of the break. Large shifts in sleep patterns can make those first few school mornings much harder for children.

Keep reading: encourage your child to read every day. Reading to them also has huge value, regardless of their age or what they like to read – whether that’s storybooks, non-fiction, comics, or magazines.

Get outdoors: wrap up warm and aim to spend time outside each day. Physical activity and connecting with nature are fantastic for regulating mood, burning off energy, and supporting sleep.

Have a lovely half term!

Occasional Places

On occasion we have spaces in which to welcome new children and families to our school. You are the ones that know us best, so if you know of any family looking for a school place, please do advise them to contact the school office to find out if we have any places. They are also very welcome to visit.

Class Pages

Class teachers have updated class pages with information about the new school year. Please click on the links below to visit your child’s class page. Keep an eye on the class blog for photos too.

Camden Scouts:

Whether you’re interested in signing up your child for Camden Scouts, or volunteering as an adult leader, we’d love to hear from you! Get in touch at this link.

– Where: Holy Trinity and St Silas Church Hall

– When: Mondays from 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM for Squirrels and Beavers (Reception, Y1, Y2, Y3) and 5:45 PM – 7:00 PM for Cubs and Scouts (Y4, Y5, Y6).

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.

Coach Steve’s Camps

Camden Sports Activities for Half Term

Church & Community Centre Calendar and Events

Half-term free and low-cost sports and physical activities (Deborah Bush, Deborah.Bush@camden.gov.uk)

Find free and low-cost sports and physical activities during half-term week (26 to 30 October) for children of all ages, including Kids Swim for a Quid, free Girls Get Moving Monday, free Active Wednesday, Arsenal in the Community free football sessions, Multi-Sports Camp and Mini-Gymnastics Camp. Find and more and book places, email sportsdevelopment@camden.gov.uk, or call 020 7974 8754.

Pirate Castle’s canoeing and kayaking – youth programme and school holiday scheme (Kal Webb, kal@thepiratecastle.org)

Term-time Pirate Club youth paddlesport sessions run weekly throughout the year, apart from during school holidays when their Holiday Schemes take place. All Pirate Club sessions are progressive and led by Paddle UK coaches and instructors. From absolute beginners to more experienced paddlers, there’s no better way for children aged 8 and above to have safe, adventurous fun, let off steam and learn new skills on the Regent’s Canal in the heart of Camden Town. Find out more.

With a focus on adventurous fun, discovery and learning, Pirate Castle’s School Holiday Schemes provide affordable opportunities for 8 to 17 year-olds to experience kayaking, canoeing and canal boating on the Regent’s Canal in a safe, supportive and stimulating environment that welcomes everyone. Gain skills, have lots of laughs, make friends and explore Camden’s waterways. Suitable for children with mild to moderate additional support needs. Find out more.

D/deaf accessible Family Festival at the British Library on 17 October (Lilu Dewan, Lilu.Dewan@camden.gov.uk)

Enjoy an exciting free, fun day inspired by books and stories at Family Festival: Stories, Sign and Shine on Saturday 17 October, from 12noon to 4pm at the British Library, 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB. Come and enjoy many wonderful and interactive family learning activities, performances and workshops based on the International Year of Reading. It will be a fun and creative day celebrating the joy of sharing stories and exploring together, with activities signed in British Sign Language. For more details, please visit the British Library’s website.

Family Kitchen at Home

For families with children aged between 2-11 years old. A four week healthy cooking programme for families providing opportunities for further cooking techniques and to cook and eat healthy meals together. Families who register will get £30 food e-vouchers towards ingredients for the recipes. To register your interest, please click here

Family support

We highly recommend the free counselling service for parents through Camden. You can find out more and register your interest via this leaflet.

Supporting your neuro diverse child

Emotional Wellbeing Website for Young People and Families

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.

You can visit the website here and try out the Support Hub resource navigation feature here.

Other Community Initiatives

Learn to cycle this term: https://www.bikeability.org.uk/

Camden Library

Camden Library Activities
We highly recommend these. Click here for the catalogue.

Term dates for 2026 – 2027

First day of autumn term 1Friday 4th September (INSET days Wednesday 2nd & Thursday 3rd)
Half termMonday 26th October to Friday 30th October
First day of autumn term 2Monday 2nd November
Last day of autumn term 2Friday 18th December
INSET DAYMonday 4th January 2027
First day of spring term 1Tuesday 5th January
Half termMonday 15th – Friday 19th February
First day of spring term 2Monday 22nd February
Last day of spring term 2Thursday 25th March
INSET DAYMonday 12th April
First day of summer term 1Tuesday 13th April
Half termMonday 31st May – Friday 4th June
INSET DAYMonday 7th June
First day of summer term 2Tuesday 8nd June
Last day of summer term 2Wednesday 21st July