25 Sep 2009 - 25th September 2009
Year 2 (Mrs Moon’s class) presented a wonderful assembly to the school on Friday morning about talents. They helped us all to reflect on how we should use and develop our talents; our talents should never be hidden away. They helped to illustrate this point by reminding us of the Parable of the Talents that Jesus told. In that tale, the servants who had been entrusted with their master’s talents (coins) and doubled their worth were rewarded; the servant who had buried the talent in the ground was severely punished. Thank you to Mrs Moon and Year 2 for such a meaningful assembly.
During Monday’s assembly I reflected on the importance of remembering—especially remembering that Jesus is always there for us. We also tried a technique for improving memory that I acquired at the recent Catholic Headteacher’s Conference. I’ll let you know if it works….if I remember!
Miss Walker was away from school for a couple of days attending a PSHE Conference. Holy Family already offers a wide range of PSHE opportunities to the children, but we are always striving to do more.
The school photographer paid her annual visit on Tuesday morning taking class, individual and family group photographs. Proofs will be sent out to all parents very shortly.
Fr William came into school on Wednesday morning to say “goodbye for now” to all the children. He will be taking some time away from parish work for the foreseeable future, but he has promised to keep in touch and visit as often as possible. We presented him with cards and gifts—thank you to all staff, parents and children who contributed to the collection for Fr William. If you forgot to make a donation you can still leave a contribution in an envelope marked “Fr William’s Retirement” at the school office.
Also on Wednesday, Mrs Moon and Mrs Impey attended a training course on intervention strategies that can be employed in school to help children make progress with their learning, taking account of up to date research and methods.
Mrs Hurley, Mr McLaughlin and I all attended the launch of a new initiative on Thursday known as Strategy Support. Through this scheme we will be able to access training and funds to help us in the delivery of the curriculum.
All the governors met last night to review and reflect upon the governing body’s performance in key areas of school governance. It was a long but very worthwhile session, and I am grateful to all governors for the amount of time that they give up on behalf of the school and its children.
As you can see, it has been a busy week in school, but we’re all still smiling which is a wonderful thing to be able to say at the end of a week.
Friends of Holy Family The Friends met last week to organise some events for the coming year. The first event will be a Fancy Dress Disco on Friday 6th November. There will be two discos—one for younger children; one for the older age group. The next Friends meeting will be on Thursday 15th October at 2.15pm. Please do try to attend—new faces are always welcome.
Lost Property Mrs Green does a wonderful job in trying to look out for us all and tidy up after us. She also has lots of other jobs and responsibilities to attend to each week. She has been fighting a losing battle with lost property at this early stage in the term. Please ensure that ALL your children’s items of clothing and other belongings are CLEARLY named. Please also check that the clothes your child comes home in are their own. I know that some parents are frustrated that their labeled items are not returned to school by other parents. Any parent can check through the Lost Property bin before or after school.
School Uniform At this time of year we can never be sure what the weather will be like from one minute to the next. Some children are wearing light-weight coats as it is not yet cold enough for their warmer winter jacket. However, the school uniform already makes provision for this—the school blazer. Coats with logos, characters, badges etc are not part of the school uniform. School coats should be plain navy or black. Thank you for your support in this matter.
Gate Congestion A number of parents have availed of the opportunity to stand on the playground in the mornings which has helped to ease congestion at the gate and on the footpath. However, the duty teachers tell me that there are still some parents who congregate at the entrance in the morning. Please move along the fence or come onto the playground to free up space for others. In the longer term, the governors and I hope to be able to install a gate further along a widened section of the footpath along with safety railings. Rob Lillis (Parent Governor) and I met with two members of the County’s “Safer Journeys Team” on Monday to discuss solutions and possible funding streams. In order to have a chance of accessing funding, the school will have to produce a detailed Travel Plan—this will involve staff, parental and pupil surveys that will take place very soon.
Reception Class of 2009 The Evening Echo will publish its special supplement next week on Tuesday 29th September. Please look at the poster in Miss Duckers’ room for more details about how to order a copy of the photograph.
Morning Prayer All are welcome—parents, children and grandparents for morning prayers in the
Special Friends is the name of the donation scheme run by the Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society (Childcare). All families received a leaflet about Special Friends today. If you can commit to being a Special Friend, please do so.
Year 6 Secondary Transfer Mrs Barron from St Bernard’s and Mr Travis from St Thomas More will be in school on Friday 2nd October at 3.30pm to talk about the admissions processes for their schools. A number of parents have been asking about applications to schools in the Southend Unitary Authority—you can still apply on your
ParentMail If you have not registered yet, please do so. You can be sent e mails and text messages from the school at short notice e.g if a club has to be cancelled because of bad weather.
Reception Admissions September 2010 Have you got a child due to start school in September 2010, or do you know a friend, neighbour or relative with a child of that age?
Parental Contact Evenings These will take place on Tuesday 17th November, 3.30—6.00pm and Thursday 19th November, 5.30—8.00pm.
Taste A Bite Of
St Bernard’s Centenary All past pupils are welcome to attend an event at the school on Saturday 3rd October from 2.00pm onwards. Please contact St Bernard’s School for more details.
Brentwood
Catholic Children’s Society (Childcare) BCCS will be holding a charity Race Night at Romford Dogs on Wednesday 14th October 2009. Tickets are priced at £22.00 per person and include a three course meal and race card. Please contact Julie on 01268 784544 or via e mail jabbott@childcareuk.org for more details or visit the BCCS link on the school website.
Benfleet
and District NCT Are you pregnant? Are you a new parent? Are you new to the area? Then come along to the Benfleet and District NCT baby and child fair on Saturday 26th September at Richmond Hall, Benfleet, 10.00am—12.00noon. Admission £1.00, all profits to NCT Charity. Contact Jenny on 01268 759642 for more details.
Castle Point Citizens Advice Bureau Free legal advice available as well as services for children and families. Contact the Essex Advice Line on 08444 775984, or look at the leaflet on the school website.
Mad Science Saturday Club Kidscience Ltd would like to invite you to a FREE taster session on Saturday 26th September at
Thought for the week “However many holy words you read; however many you may speak, what good will they do you if you do not act upon them?” Bhudda
Saint of the week We have all sang the Christmas carol: Good King Wenceslaus during Advent and over the Christmas period, but did you know that his feast day is on 28th September. He was indeed a ruler and during his reign he encouraged the spread of Christianity. He was trapped and killed by his enemies on his way to Mass in the year 929.
Diary Dates
Friday 2nd October 3.30pm Year 6 Secondary Heads meeting
Wednesday 7th October Open Morning for prospective parents Reception 2010
9.30 – 11.30 a.m.
Thursday 15th October Maths Morning for parents
Thursday 15th October Friends Meeting 2.15pm
Tuesday 20Th October Parents to view books 3.30—5.00
Wednesday 21st October Parents to view books 3.30—5.00
Thursday 22nd October Parents to view books 5.30-7.00
Friday 23rd October Non Pupil Day
Monday 26th – Friday 30th October Autumn Half Term
Friday 6th November Fancy Dress Discos
Wednesday 11th November Literacy Afternoon for Parents
Tuesday 17th November Parent Contact Evening 3.30 – 6.00 p.m.
Thursday 19th November Parent Contact Evening 5.30 – 8.00 p.m.
Monday 21st December—Friday 1st January Christmas Holidays
Peter O’Kane
(Headteacher)