2 Oct 2009 - 2nd October 2009

Last Friday we had a wonderful “Thank You” assembly for the whole school.  Children were presented with “Thank You” awards from the staff, celebrating their achievements throughout the previous weeks.  I was also happy to present a number of children with medals, trophies and awards won outside school—in the fields of music, gymnastics, dance and sport.  All our children have talents that they should nurture and develop; we are extremely proud of all of them.

 

 

Mrs Hurley and I were out of school on Monday hearing about the latest OfSTED framework and statutory target setting for schools.  We also had to present to headteachers from around the county about our experiences of one-to-one tuition and APP assessment as Holy Family is seen as a leading school in the county’s “Progression Ready” programme.

 

 

On Tuesday a brave (?) group of parents met in the Art Room for another Maths session as part of our offer of Family Learning opportunities.  I know many parents often say to me, “It’s not the way we were taught!” when there is a discussion at home about homework.  If you would be interested in attending, please speak to Mrs Moon.

 

 

I had to attend another course on Wednesday afternoon about the role of headteachers and teachers in engaging with other agencies involved with families and children.  Increasingly, schools are in the frontline for provision of counselling and other services which in the past may have been viewed as the work of Social Services.

 

 

Thursday was a very intense day for all the staff as we were visited by not one, but two advisors from Essex County Council.  Bruce McMillen was in school for the day as part of an initiative that we will be part of, called Closing The Gap.  He observed teachers teaching, spoke to pupils and met with all members of the Senior Leadership Team.   At lunchtime, Keith Pullen arrived to assess the school’s progress since the OfSTED inspection in March.  He was very pleased with the work we have undertaken and the systems for assessing and tracking pupil progress that we have introduced.  Finally, on Thursday evening, all governors met to complete their evaluation process and to involve themselves with school development planning.  I would once again like to thank the governors for their commitment to the school and its children—they have given up a lot of their time in recent weeks and months to attend meetings and training sessions.

 

 

Friends of Holy Family The Friends met a few weeks ago to organise some events for the coming year.  The first event will be a Fancy Dress Disco on Friday 6^th November.  There will be two discos—one for younger children; one for the older age group.  The next Friends meeting will be on Thursday 15^th October at 2.15pm.  Please do try to attend—new faces are always welcome.

 

 

Gate Congestion Thank you to all those parents who have helped to alleviate congestion on the footpath by coming onto the playground.  Could I please remind you to wait in the area next to the picnic tables, behind the yellow netball line.  Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

 

 

Morning Prayer All are welcome—parents, children and grandparents for morning prayers in the Art Room each day—8.40am—8.55am.  Please do try and come along for 10—15 minutes each morning.  This month, October, is the month of the Rosary, so please do try and come along and say a decade or two with us.  Miss Walker has got a large supply of spare Rosary beads.

 

 

Morning Sports Club All children are welcome to attend the SUFC sports clubs on Monday and Wednesday mornings.  The clubs begin at 8.00am (7.55 drop off) and are a very reasonable £1.00 per

 

child.

 

 

Maths Morning All families will have received a letter today with details of the Maths morning to be held on Thursday 15^th October.  Do please try and come along.

 

 

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?  Holy Family School will hold its annual open morning for all prospective new parents on Wednesday 7^th October 2009.

 

 

Parental Contact Evenings These will take place on Tuesday 17^th November, 3.30—6.00pm and Thursday 19^th November, 5.30—8.00pm.

 

 

St Bernard’s Centenary All past pupils are welcome to attend an event at the school on Saturday 3^rd 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 14^th 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.

 

 

BCCS Anniversary Dinner  BCCS are delighted to announce that in celebration of their 25^th Anniversary, the Rt Honorable Ann Widdecombe MP will be the guest speaker at a special Anniversary Dinner.  The dinner will be held on Thursday 5^th November at Stockbrook  Golf & Country Club, Billericay.  Tickets are priced at £45 per person, which will include a drink on arrival and a three course meal.  To reserve your tickets or for further information please call Julie Abbott 01268 784544 or email jabbott@childcareuk.org

 

 

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 26^th 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.

 

 

Thought for the week “Give a silly answer to a silly question, and the one who asked it will realise that he’s not as clever as he thinks.” Proverbs 26:5

 

 

Saint of the week Yesterday, October 1^st was the feast day of St Therese of Lisieux.  She is also known as St Therese of the Child Jesus or St Therese the Little Flower.  She was born in Alencon, France in 1873 and entered a Carmelite convent at the age of 15.  She distinguished herself by her devotion and complete obedience to God, and her short life was one full of many, many “little” acts of goodness.  She died aged 24 on 30^th September 1897.  Her relics are currently in England and can be visited and venerated at Westminster Cathedral—more details from the parish office.

 

 

 

Diary Dates

 

 Wednesday 7^th October                                        Open Morning for prospective

                                                                                   parents Reception 2010

 

                                                                                   9.30 – 11.30 a.m.

 

Thursday 15^th October                                           Maths Morning for parents

 

Thursday 15^th October                                           Friends Meeting 2.15pm

 

 Tuesday 20^Th October                                           Parents to view books 3.30—5.00  

 

Wednesday 21^st October                                       Parents to view books 3.30—5.00

 

Thursday 22^nd October                                          Parents to view books 5.30-7.00

 

Friday 23^rd October                                               Non Pupil Day

 

Monday 26^th – Friday 30^th October                     Autumn Half Term

 

Friday 6^th November                                              Fancy Dress Discos

 

Wednesday 11^th November                                    Literacy Afternoon for Parents

 

Tuesday 17^th November                                         Parent Contact Evening 3.30–6.00 p.m.

 

Thursday 19^th November                                       Parent Contact Evening 5.30–8.00 p.m.

 

Monday 21^st December—Friday 1^st January       Christmas Holidays

 

 

Peter O’Kane

 

(Headteacher)