St Charles Newsletter

Dear Parent/Carer,

As we approach the second Sunday of Advent, it is clear that rehearsals for the up and coming carol concerts and Nativity plays are in full swing. The Faith Ambassadors from St Mary’s and the Chaplaincy from St Charles attended Wednesday’s Advent Carol Service at Westminster Cathedral alongside children from other schools across the Diocese. As always, it was a joyful event with a real life donkey and goat in attendance!!!

The PTA/PFA groups are organising the Christmas fayre. St Charles’ fayre takes place this afternoon from 3.20pm– 5.20pm and St Mary’s is scheduled for 3.45pm – 5.30pm on Wednesday 18th December. I would like to extend my thanks to everyone involved in organising these and other fun events for our pupils, outside of the school day. Each event requires a lot of planning and preparation to ensure all runs smoothly. I would also like thank parent/carers for donating food for the Christmas events and for their contributions to the local Food Bank. It is wonderful when the community comes together to help those in need.

The dates and times of all Carol Services and Christmas plays are listed in this newsletter. Please take the time to check them and we look forward to seeing you all very soon.

Wishing you a lovely weekend,

Best Wishes,

Ms Hampton

Executive Headteacher

Gospel: John the Baptist (Luke 3:1-6)

Using the Wednesday Word link below, read this Sunday’s Gospel

You will have an opportunity to discuss them again next week in School during the Gospel/Well done Assembly.

https://www.paperturn-view.com/uk/wednesday-word/messenger?pid=MTA101634&v=5.5

KS1

• Why did John want to baptise people?

• What was John’s message?

• Why is it good to think about John the Baptist during Advent?

KS2

• What was John’s mission?

• Where in the Bible do we first hear about John the Baptist?

• What was Jesus’ relationship with John? How do you know this?

Our whole school attendance is currently at 94.8%

We are working towards achieving 96% attendance this academic year. Please help us to achieve this by ensuring that your child attends school each day and by not booking any holiday during term time. Please be aware that holiday leave in term time cannot be authorised.

In line with the Department for Education guidelines, where pupils miss school without a good reason (including a holiday), the Local Authority and schools can intervene, and you may be issued a fine.

There is strong correlation between good attendance and good progress. So together, let’s give our children the best possible chance of reaching their potential.

Please may we remind you that we are a nut free school.

We have several children who have very serious nut allergies that can develop into a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.

For this reason all nut-based products are not allowed on the school grounds.

Please remember to check the labels of all food and even if it says may contain nuts, then please do not send that food product into school in packed lunches or after school club snacks.

Some examples of foods:

● Spreads, e.g. chocolate spreads like Nutella

● Peanut butter or products that contain it

● Cakes containing nuts

● Condiments e.g. sauces

Please note, if a member of staff notices a pupil eating a nut product, the product will be removed politely and an explanation why this has been done will be offered.

We thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation regarding this matter.

It’s time for the Christmas raffle!

This year the proceeds from the Christmas raffle will be shared among local charities. The staff have kindly donated the prizes so we need your help to sell the raffle tickets! It would be great if each family would sell two books of tickets, £5 per book (£1 per ticket). The raffle tickets were distributed this week!

Please return your stubs and correct money to the school office by Wednesday 13th December. If you are unable to sell them, please return them to the school office. There are many prizes besides the main ones and the raffle will take place on the 16th December.

We are aware of the demands on you at this time of the year, but the less fortunate will have a better Christmas if you can help out.

Thank you in anticipation and may the Lord reward you.

Next term we are excited to be offering in KS2:

📸 Photography Club 📸

Guided by our team of professionals, students will capture and edit photographs using specialised photography equipment by themselves, in pairs and in groups. Students often come away with greater creative confidence, improved team work (especially communication) and leadership skills.

Students will develop technical skills including composition, framing and perspective and most importantly, will explore their creativity in our fun and playful lessons. Join us to dress up, role play, adventure into the playground and transform everyday objects into fantastical treasures! Some of the lessons we offer in the Photography Club include:

· Portrait 🙋

· Landscape 🖼️

· Food photography 🍿

· Black and white 🖤

· Selective colour 🌈

· Perspective 👁️

· Mirror 🪞

We understand how invested you are in your child’s development, so we have created a secure Google drive to allow you to be a part of the experience. Each week, the students’ work will be uploaded to Google drive. We encourage parents and teachers to contact us to discuss student’s progress, engagement and behaviour.

To learn more about the course and activities we do, please click the link to watch a short 1 minute video: Link to Video

The whole school enjoyed a wonderful assembly on Friday 29th November where representatives from The Japan Society UK, Japan House and visiting musicians from Otsu shared festival music and cultural insights with the children.

Three classes also had a workshop where they learnt more about Japan and its traditions, as well as experiencing playing the Japanese instruments and creating mini origami masterpieces - with a bit of help!

Class 3/4H recently visited the cinema for the Into Film Festival. We had a great time and really enjoyed watching Kensuke’s Kingdom. When we returned to school we carried out some research to help us write our own fact files on orangutans.

Congratulations to the following children who were recognised for making good choices during the week beginning 2nd December.

DECEMBER

• 9th December- First Reconciliation for Year 3 at 5pm
• 10th December- Year 5&6 Choir to the Tri-Borough Christmas Festival
• 11th December- Nursery and Reception Christmas Production for Parents- 10am
• 11th December- Year 1 and Year 2 Christmas Production for Parents- 11am
• 11th December- UKS2 Advent Mass
• 12th December- Save The Children Christmas Jumper Day £1 Donation
• 12th December- Christmas Lunch for Children
• 12th December- Visit from Santa
• 16th December- Year 3 and Year 4 Christmas Production for Parents- 6pm
• 16th December- Christmas Raffle
• 17th December- Carol Service in St Pius X
• 18th December- KS1 Advent Mass
• 20th December- Last day of school- School closes at 1.45pm

First Half Term

Staff Training –Mon. 2nd & Tues. 3rd September - School Closed

First Day of School – Wednesday 4th September

Last Day of School – Friday 25th October

Half Term – Monday 28th October– Friday 1st November

Second Half Term

First Day of School – Monday 4th November

Last Day of School – Friday 20th December - School Closes at 1.45pm

Christmas Holiday – Monday 23rd December – Friday 3rd January 2025

Spring Term - 2025

First Half Term

Staff Training – Monday 6th January – School Closed

First Day of School – Tuesday 7th January

Last Day of School – Friday 14th February

Half Term – Monday 17th – Friday 21st February

Second Half Term

First Day of School – Monday 24th February

Last Day of School – Friday 4th April - School Closes at 1.45pm

Easter Holiday – Monday 7th April – Monday 21st April

Summer Term – 2025

First Half Term

Staff Training – Tuesday 22nd April ­– School Closed

First Day of School – Wednesday 23rd April

Bank Holiday – Monday 5th May

Last Day of School – Friday 23rd May

Half Term – Monday 26th – Friday 30th May

Second Half Term

First Day of School – Monday 2nd June

Staff Training – Monday 30th June – School Closed

Last Day of School – Tuesday 22nd July - School Closes at 1.45pm

Email: info@st-charles.rbkc.sch.uk
Website: www.st-charles.rbkc.sch.uk
Location: St Charles Square, London W10 6EB, UK
Phone: 020 8969 5566