Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere.
Mary Quattlebaum
Care, Courage & Co-operation
Next week is Children’s Mental Health Week! The theme this year is ‘Know Yourself, Grow Yourself’ and features some familiar characters from Disney’s Inside Out 2. Children will be taking part in a range of activities across the week, including some wellbeing workshops with Human Utopia and a wellbeing-themed Hero Buddies session.
Sip & Sketch for Adults – 25th February 7.00-8.30pm
Tickets have been selling well, so book up promptly to ensure that you don’t miss out!
Half Term Art Workshop
FREE Half Term workshops organised by Camden Schools Art Biennale team. Passing the Baton: From Simple Sticks to Spectacular Ideas Saturday 15th – Tuesday 18th Feb 2025 for 7- to 12-year-olds and their families.
Four workshops, one theme: come to one, or all four sessions!
Daily 10am – 4pm in timed slots Booking link:https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/half-term-workshops-camden-schools-art-biennale-tickets-1216521230749?aff=oddtdtcreator Where: Meet at the Crossing, Central Saint Martins, Granary Square, Kings Cross Free, BOOKING ESSENTIAL. Children to be accompanied at all times.
Information Simple materials – such as the humble stick – can spark incredible creativity. Inspired by techniques taught at Central Saint Martins, this series of workshops will explore how simple materials, like sticks, can be transformed through imaginative making. Each session, led by tutors from CSM, offers hands-on experience including: fashion, textiles, drawing and 3D design / architecture and digital media. Along the way, young people will gain a glimpse of what happens at Art School and why it might be an exciting path for their future. So, come along this half term, explore, experiment and see how big ideas can grow from something as small and simple as a stick!
ROYAL ACADEMY YOUNG ARTISTS’ SUMMER SHOW – ENTRY NOW OPEN!
The Royal Academy Young Artists’ Summer Show is is a free, open submission exhibition for young artists aged 4–18 years studying in the UK. Submitting artwork is done online. Each student can submit ONE artwork only. There is no theme. A panel of judges will select pieces for the online exhibition while some artworks will also be shown at the Royal Academy of Arts.
Ms Periton says:
“I have now registered HTSS for this competition! You have until March 5th to make work to submit. Parents can do this for children by following the link and searching for our school by name. Alternatively, bring your artworks to the art room, with your full name, age, title, size medium, and a sentence about why you made it/what it means to you.”
For more info: https://youngartists.royalacademy.org.uk/
Attendance and Punctuality
We understand that unexpected things happen, but consistent attendance and punctuality are vital for your child’s learning journey. While the percentage this week crept up slightly to 96%, we should still all aim to improve this further next week.
The attendance bears this week go to Reception with 99% and Year 4 with 97%.
The early birds went to Reception and Year 6.
Christian Vision
Strong in our faith in God, let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, by encouraging one another.
Hebrews 10:23-25
In the the Old Testament we learn about Joseph and his very special dreams. His life wasn’t always easy; he faced jealousy, betrayal and even imprisonment, but through it all, God was with him. His story reminds us about trusting in God, even when things seem difficult.
Joseph was his father’s favourite son, and his brothers were quite jealous, especially when they saw the beautiful coat of many colours their father gave him. In anger his brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt, where his life changed completely. Throughout this difficult situation, Joseph remained faithful to God. He worked hard and was honest, and eventually, he was put in charge of his master’s household. But even then, trouble found Joseph. He was falsely accused of something he didn’t do and was thrown into prison.
Even in prison, God was with Joseph. He had a special ability to understand and interpret dreams. One day, he interpreted the dreams of two fellow prisoners, the cupbearer and the baker. Just as Joseph had predicted, the cupbearer was released from prison and returned to his important job serving the Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt.
Later, Pharaoh himself had some very troubling dreams that no one could understand. The cupbearer remembered Joseph and told Pharaoh about his amazing ability to interpret dreams. Joseph was brought before Pharaoh, and with God’s help, he explained the meaning of Pharaoh’s dreams. Joseph’s wisdom impressed Pharaoh so much that he made Joseph a very powerful leader in Egypt, second only to himself!
Joseph used his new position to prepare Egypt for a great famine, just as his interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream had foretold. When the famine struck, people from all over the land, including Joseph’s own brothers, came to Egypt looking for food. Imagine the surprise when Joseph’s brothers stood before him, not realizing who he was! After a series of tests, Joseph revealed his true identity. His brothers were terrified, but Joseph, through his faith in God, forgave them. He understood that even though his brothers had done a terrible thing, God had used it for good.
Joseph’s story is a powerful reminder that God is always with us, even in the darkest times. Just like Joseph, we can trust that God has a plan for our lives, even when we don’t understand it. So, let’s remember Joseph and his amazing journey, and let’s trust in God’s love and care, always.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 40:10
Free Counselling Service for Parents
Place2Be is a children’s mental health charity with many years of experience working with UK schools to improve children’s wellbeing and behaviour. The charity also supports parents and families and has a wealth of practical tips and advice on many areas of parenting, all of which can be accessed online, including: dealing with changes and endings; building resilience; separation anxiety; de-escalation techniques; positive body image; friendship issues; perfectionism; sleep; gaming habits; and many more. Click on the link here to access and explore the support
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
The Young Magicians Club
Rob Earrey (Headteacher of Fitzjohn’s) is a Member of The Magic Circle is promoting ‘The Young Magicians Club’. It is open to 10 to 18 year olds for people who are really interested in magic. From January, Rob has taken over as editor of the club magazine Secrets. The magazine features interviews with magicians, new tricks, and tips on how to be a better performer.
Any children in our school that are REALLY into magic, please visit https://www.youngmagiciansclub.co.uk/ to find out more.
Community Initiatives
There is a tech camp happening during half term at St Chrisina’s in Camden. Book it by clicking here: They are offering a free day for children who are entitled to free school meals. If you are interested in this then please contact HTSS school office.
Forest School Half Term Club
Please click here to find out more.
Camden Library Activities
We highly recommend these. Click here for the catalogue.
Term dates for 2024 – 2025
| First day of autumn term 1 | Wednesday 4th September |
| Half term | Monday 28th – Friday 1st November 2025 |
| First day of autumn term 2 | Monday 4th November |
| Last day of autumn term 2 | Friday 20th December |
| INSET DAY | Monday 6th January 2025 |
| First day of spring term 1 | Tuesday 7th January |
| Half term | Monday 17th – Friday 21st February |
| First day of spring term 2 | Monday 24th February |
| Last day of spring term 2 | Friday 4th April |
| First day of summer term 1 | Tuesday 22nd April |
| Half term | Monday 26th May – Friday 30th May 2025 |
| First day of summer term 2 | Monday 2nd June |
| Last day of summer term 2 | Friday 18th July |