Dear Parents and Carers,
It has been a busy couple of weeks in and around school with lots of exciting events for the children. It has been a joy listening to everyone practising for their nativities and rehearsing songs and carols. The corridors are full of costumes and decorations and the Sacred Heart elves are getting up to mischief each day.
Thank you coming along to the Christmas Fair last weekend; there was a wonderful atmosphere at school. It all ran very efficiently and the children enjoyed it immensely. I am hoping the adults enjoyed it too! Thank you to the PTA for co-ordinating the event and to everyone who helped with providing produce or manning stalls. It was a real team effort. It was heartening to see everyone as a community lay on such an enjoyable event. The PTA will communicate in due course how much was raised but all proceeds will go towards the children’s learning and experiences.
We had the pleasure of singing twice in Teddington over the past two weeks, at Teddington Lights Up and yesterday outside Gail’s bakery. The children enjoyed a hot chocolate and a cinnamon bun for their efforts plus they raised £107 in half an hour for the Shoot Star Trust.
Nativities and Carol Service
Next week we have our Infant Nativities (EYFS and KS1) and on the 18th December at 2.30pm we have our KS2 Carol Service. All the children will attend the final dress rehearsals for the Nativities so they will not have to be accommodated in the hall at the same time as parents. For the Carol Service, we can look after the younger children whilst you attend if you let us know the day before.
Holy Communion
Fr Stephen mentioned to me that it is final sign-up time should you wish for your child to make their First Holy Communion next June. It does not matter if the children are in Years 3, 4, 5 or 6, they are all made to feel comfortable and included on the course. Please contact the parish office promptly if you are interested - see Sacred Heart Church newsletter for details.
Paying Bills
I know that Christmas is nearly upon us and it can be an expensive time. Please can I ask that you do your best to pay for various services used in the Autumn term to date. There are currently a lot of outstanding fees. This will allow us to pay the suppliers promptly. Moving forward could you please ensure that your payments are made monthly. Thank you.
Richmond Arts Writing Competition
Miss Flowers and I have today delivered a large number of entries for the Richmond Arts Writing Competition. Thank you for encouraging your child to write and submit a short story. The children are rightly proud of their efforts. There will only be a handful of winners but the children will all win in the long run, as they will see themselves as ‘Writers’.
Thank you from the Royal British Legion for supporting the Poppy Appeal at school. Together we raised £89.29.
Christmas lunch and Christmas jumper day on Thursday
Year 5, as part of their Caritas Ambassador's work, are co-ordinating the appeal of presents or a raffle item for the Elleray Hall Christmas Day Special. Every year, local churches organise a Christmas Day lunch and party for people who would otherwise be alone for Christmas. It is held at Elleray Hall and is supported financially by local churches, The Hampton Fund and this year Waitrose. It is Sacred Heart’s turn to organise the lunch and school have been helping with aspects of this.
We appreciate everyone has given a lot recently but if you were in a position to donate something small as a family, we will collect these next Thursday on Christmas Jumper Day. Suggested gifts are: chocolates, confectionery, biscuits and snack bars, nuts and dried fruit, toiletries, stationery e.g. pens, pencils, notelets, socks, scarves, ties and hankies, puzzle and crossword books, mince pies, individual Christmas puddings and gift tokens. Alternatively, items that would be fabulous as a raffle prize would also be appreciated.
There is no need to wrap anything as this will be done by the volunteers.
In relation to Christmas Jumper Day, children may wear a Christmas or decorated jumper instead their school jumper but if your child does not want to wear a Christmas jumper they do not have to, they may wear their uniform if they feel more comfortable.
We look forward to welcoming everyone over the next couple of weeks at the various events. Please see the dates below for further information.
