22 Oct 2009 - 22nd October 2009
Mrs Mangham’s class presented a wonderful assembly on Judaism, with a focus on the festival of Hanukah. The children had made their own versions of Jewish games associated with the festival. They also retold the story of the miracle of the temple oil lasting 8 day—that’s why there are 8 candles on the Menorah. Later in the day PCSO Tracy Corrigan spoke to all KS2 children about keeping safe over the holidays, especially around Halloween and Fireworks Night.
On Monday, Karen from the library service came in and presented certificates to all the children who took part in the summer reading quest. As usual, a large number of Holy Family children had participated and Karen was most complimentary about our children’s behaviour and attitude. She encouraged all the children to make use of the library especially during half-term when there will be lots of exciting activities including comic drawing with a professional illustrator and “Spooky Stories.”
Our new winter team kits arrived in school this week and they were soon put to use by members of our rugby teams on Wednesday evening. A couple of squads went over to Rochford Rugby Club to participate in a tournament. Mr Watson told me that everyone enjoyed themselves immensely. Thanks to Mr Watson and Miss Walker for attending with the children; thanks too to the parents who provided lifts and stayed to support. The children looked great in the new gear—they modelled it at this morning’s assembly.
Some members of the Friends of Holy Family came into assembly this morning to present cheques for £40.00 to each class. The children, through their class and school council meetings, have decided to buy play items for each classroom. Thank you to the Friends of Holy Family for their generous financial support. Please try and support the Friends by attending events that they organise such as the children’s discos.
We also said farewell to a couple of children today. Guy from RD will be moving away from
We have been welcoming parents into school over the last few evenings to view books with their children. We hope that this opportunity will allow parents to browse through books at their leisure, rather than in the hurried manner normally associated with parents evening.
This morning, the
I hope you all have a great week with your children—some of you may be lucky enough to be off to warmer climes; I’ve got to take my wife’s car for a service!!!
Parking & Bad Driving A number of very concerned parents approached Miss Walker and I this morning to voice their concerns about some very inconsiderate and dangerous driving by parents dropping off Holy Family children. Please remember, that no matter how desperate you are to drop your child off, there are other people walking with their children too. They have a right to remain safe. Some of the bad driving is down to thoughtlessness or selfishness; other bad driving has been caused by drivers using a mobile while reversing out of the unmade road, whilst other parents and children have been trying to cross. Will it take an accident to cure this problem?
Rag Day Mr McLaughlin is holding another green bag day on 11th November. He would encourage all of you to have a good “sort out” during half-term. He will send the green bags out after half-term.
Family Mass Fr Jean-Laurent has agreed to the next Family Mass taking place on Sunday 8th November at 11.00am,
Top 20 Hymns Liz Pozsar (nee Keeble) hopes to organise a concert of the Parish’s Top 20 Hymns. There are boxes available at the back of Holy Family and St Thomas More churches for parishioners of all ages to deposit their ballot form! Liz is extending the deadline by two weeks—the closing date will now be Sunday 15 November.
Poppy Appeal Holy Family has a proud tradition of collecting on behalf of the RBL Poppy Appeal each November. Our collection box was delivered today and will be sent around classes after half-term.
Fireworks Special There will be a special menu for school dinners on Thursday 5th November as follows: Hot dogs or veggie burger & bun; chips; peas or baked beans; Bonfire Night cake (chocolate sponge; chocolate icing with coloured sprinkles). This replaces the published menu for that day.
Money Payments The ladies in the office have asked if monies sent in to the school office could be in clearly marked envelopes with the amount written on the outside along with your child’s name, class and the reason for the payment. A lot of valuable office time is wasted trying to sort out muddled payments. Thank you for your help with this.
Christmas Bazaar Every family should have received a yellow information sheet with details of this year’s Christmas Bazaar. Please make every effort to attend and support the Bazaar on Saturday 28th November. All offers of help would be most appreciated. Apologies for any confusion caused in the Bazaar Bulletin in the “Books” section—there is an incorrect reference to Friday 28th; it should read Friday 27th. Thanks to all those “eagle eyes” who spotted the error.
Parental Contact Evenings These will take place on Tuesday 17th November, 3.30—6.00pm and Thursday 19th November, 5.30—8.00pm.
Operation Christmas Child/Love In A Box The leaflets came into school on Monday and were distributed throughout the school. Boxes need to be in school by early November—Samaritan’s Purse have not yet given me a collection date. Please note that this year they are asking for a donation of £2.50 towards transport costs.
Friends of Holy Family Fancy Dress Discos 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 6th November. There will be two discos—one for RD, Y1, Y2 children at 3.30pm—5.00pm and one for Y3, Y4, Y5, Y6 at 5.30pm—7.00pm. Tickets can be ordered by filling in the slip at the bottom of this newsletter or by collecting an order form from the office. You can also order tickets by sending in the correct money in a clearly marked envelope. Tickets cost £2.50 per child with a maximum charge of £5.00 per family. The next Friends meeting will be on Thursday 7th January 2010 at 2.15pm. Please do try to attend—new faces are always welcome.
Parentlineplus “Less shouting, more cooperation.” Parentlineplus is running a free six week parenting group, from Wednesday 4th November to Wednesday 9th December at Endway House, The Endway,
Morning Prayer All are welcome—parents, children and grandparents in the
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.
Fundraising Curry Fest Julia Jacobs is organising a curry night at the Tandoori Parlour on Tuesday 24th November, 7.30pm. The evening is being run to raise much needed funds for Finlay Fairs, a small boy who has cerebral palsy. Finlay’s parents have to buy a special swivel car seat at great expense. Tickets are priced at £12.00 for a buffet meal, disco and karaoke. These evenings are always great fun, so please try and come along. Julia can be contacted on 07968 198002.
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.
BCCS Anniversary Dinner BCCS are delighted to announce that in celebration of their 25th Anniversary, the Rt Honorable Ann Widdecombe MP will be the guest speaker at a special Anniversary Dinner. The dinner will be held on Thursday 5th 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
Would you like to run in the 2010
Thought for the week “Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to Heaven.” Pope St. Pius X.
Saint of the week St Jude’s Feast Day is celebrated on 28th October each year. He was one of the original 12 apostles and was a brother to James. He was also a relative of Jesus. Jude is sometimes known as Thaddaeus. He is known to have written an epistle and it is believed he was martyred in
Diary Dates
Friday 23rd October Non Pupil Day
Monday 26th – Friday 30th October Autumn Half Term
Wednesday 4th November Full Governing Body Meeting 6.15pm
Thursday 5th November Firework Menu for School Lunch
Friday 6th November Fancy Dress Discos
Sunday 8th November Family Mass 11.00am
Wednesday 11th November Literacy Afternoon for Parents
Wednesday 11th November Governors’ Finance Meeting 7.30pm
Thursday 12th November Governors’ Curriculum Meeting 4.30pm
Tuesday 17th November Parent Contact Evening 3.30 – 6.00 p.m.
Thursday 19th November Parent Contact Evening 5.30 – 8.00 p.m.
Wednesday 25th November
Thursday 26th November Governors’ Personnel Meeting 3.30pm
Friday 27th November Children’s Cake Sale & Raffle
Saturday 28th November Parish/School Christmas Bazaar
Friday 4th December Christmas Concert Dress Rehearsal
Monday 7th December Christmas Concert—Parishioners
Tuesday 8th December Christmas Concert—Parents & Relatives
Wednesday 9th December Christmas Concert—Parents & Relatives
Thursday 10th December KS2 Concert—
Monday 14th December Children’s Party/Disco Afternoon