Sacred Heart News

Dear Parents and Carers,

We have reached the end of a very busy term at school so it will be good for everyone to have a pause to allow for some quality family time and recharging of batteries for the new term.

Thank yous at the end of term

Firstly, thank you to all the children at school for working so hard and behaving well which makes school a happy place to learn and work.

Thank you to all the parents for supporting your children with their welfare, studies and organisation for school. Your support of staff is also greatly appreciated. Thank you for making Sacred Heart a welcoming community by looking out for each other.

Thank you to the staff at school who give their all each term and our governors who help shape the direction of the school on your behalf.

Thank you to everyone who has volunteered at school in so many ways and to our amazing PTA who have raised funds to enhance experiences for the pupils at our school.

Thank you to Father Stephen for his help and guidance with liturgies, supporting the Catholic Life of the school and to our parishioners who are supportive of school and its families behind the scenes.

On behalf of all the staff we would like to that the parents and carers for their Christmas wishes and gifts. Your generosity and kindness is most gratefully received.

A letter from the Chair of Governors

Please take a moment to read the attached letter from our Chair of Governors.

A message from Father Stephen

Dear Parishioners, family and friends of The Sons of Divine Providence,

Albeit a very impersonal greeting, I extend my best wishes and prayers, asking God’s blessing upon each one of you and assuring you of the gift of a remembrance and prayers during my Christmas Masses.

The Magi followed the star to Bethlehem. That star is the same ‘morning star’ sung of in the Exultet at Easter. May the light of Christ, reflecting his goodness, peace, love, joy and hope, be with us all and the world around us.

Thank you for your love, friendship and support during 2024. Please pray that the building work at The Sacred Heart Church Teddington (& Hampton Wick) may in 2025 be successfully completed, that families may return to the bigger space and that Providence may send more generous benefactors to help pay for the building work and to enable us to focus on pastoral ministry in various forms.

Please pray for our religious communities at Hampton Wick, Ashford, Stanwell and Lancashire as we seek guidance from God to lead us into the future with faithfulness, courage and enthusiasm, developing parish ministry with openness to new beginnings.

Fr. Stephen Beale fdp

Miss Prain finishes up at school

Miss Prain will be finishing up at school today. She is going to enjoy travelling the world and this is the most opportune moment in her life to do so. We wish her safe travels. We thank her for very hard work, care of the children and contribution to school life. We will all miss her greatly and hope that she will return to us in the future. Mr Kennedy will now take over Year 3 for the rest of the academic year.

Have a Happy and Holy Christmas. We look forward to everyone’s safe return in the new year.

Mrs Brenda Green
Headteacher

AUTUMN TERM 2024

Friday 20th December - TERM ENDS (1.30pm finish)

SPRING TERM 2025

Monday 6th January - Inset Day

Tuesday 7th January - Start of term

Reception The Whole Class for their amazing performance and enthusiasm during the EYFS Nativity show.

Year 1 The Whole Class for their amazing nativity performance, and brought the spirit of the season to life in every song and scene. We are so proud of each and every one of you.

Year 2 The Whole Class for their incredible nativity performance, they truly shone and we could not be prouder of their hard work and teamwork. Well done to all our wonderful stars!

Year 3 The Whole Class for their excellent behaviour on their school trip and for representing Sacred Heart beautifully.

Year 4 Millie for always being so helpful in and around school and for sharing her opinions on our book so sensibly, considering others' points of view.

Year 5 Matthew for his excellent work on fractions this week. Brilliant effort - well done!

Year 6 Emilio for enthusiasm and excellent participation in our learning about a Christmas Carol.

Stars of the Term

Nursery Iasonas

Reception Sofia

Year 1 Ashton

Year 2 Owen

Year 3 Isabella

Year 4 Gloriana

Year 5 Thea

Year 6 Hannah

On Monday 9th December, we went to SMSP for a football match. Disappointingly, we lost 7-0 to them. Even though we lost, we felt that we had improved from our last tournament. Overall, we had fun and enjoyed it.

On Tuesday, we had a tough league game against St Mary's and St Peter's. When we arrived, we got ready for the match and started a bit of training before kick off. After the match we were told by Mr Wardell and Ms Flowers that we played well but sadly we lost the game. We were disappointed that we lost but happy that we had the opportunity.

Sacred Heart took part in a competition designing artwork and naming the new Pain Clinic at Teddington Memorial Hospital.

Martina (Year 4) who entered Oak, Willow, Hazel, Ash, Holly and Maple as the names for the treatment rooms in the pain clinic was chosen as the winner. The runner-up is Miguel (Year 4), who entered - Oak, Ash, Hazel, Apple Orange, and Willow. In addition, Eloise and Jamie from Year 3 are joint winners of the artwork for the treatment rooms. Their art will be submitted for display at the clinic.

The winners received book tokens and a certificate. They were so impressed with Sacred Heart's efforts, that a further 38 children received a certificate of Merit and gift.

Well done, and congratulations to Martina, Miguel, Eloise and Jamie who have been invited to attend the opening ceremony.

EasyFundraising – many more retailers now donating to schools all year around

As we approach Christmas and we are shopping for groceries and gifts, why not let the retailers give a little something extra to Sacred Heart School in the way of funds. These donations from retailers to school soon mount up and proceeds are used for the benefit of the children. Perhaps grandparents, aunts and uncles could also sign up to Sacred Heart School as well. Once linked up on a device, you will be prompted, when shopping, if that particular retailer is part of the EasyFundraising scheme and a click of button means they make a donation to school. Thank you for your help with this.

Sign up here: https://join.easyfundraising.org.uk/sacredheartpsteddington/N799B1/c2s/cnZQq0VU/CE951/facebook/128

or scan QR code in poster

School Tours
Children starting school in September 2025: We would be delighted to welcome you for a tour of our school. Tours are running every Friday morning at 9.40am until early January 2024. Please ring or email school to book a place. Should a Friday not be convenient, please speak to the school office and they will arrange an alternative time. We look forward to welcoming you to Sacred Heart. In the meantime, please take a moment to watch a video about our school and to read about the benefits of choosing a smaller school for your child.

Sacred Heart also offers an EXTENDED NURSERY PROVISION to those eligible for 15/30 HOURS FREE CHILDCARE and to those who are SELF-FUNDED. We are happy to show you around so please do arrange a visit. Short video of our Nursery setting.

Year 2 visited St John’s Church in Hampton Wick to attend a theatrical re-telling of the Nativity story. The children enjoyed participating in the story as they visited Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and the wise men. They watched in wonder as they heard the story of the birth of Jesus. It was a truly magical and memorable experience.

“I enjoyed making the star decorations for my Christmas tree."

“We were all surprised when the Angel Gabriel suddenly appeared to Mary."

“I liked being chief shepherd because I got to knock on the door of the stable."

“We liked it when we actually saw real gold, frankincense and myrrh."

“I liked the part when we visited the king and he put the gold to the light."

Year 5, as part of their Caritas Ambassador's work, have finished their preparations for Elleray Hall Christmas lunch. Crackers, gift tags, names badges, gift and raffle items have been successfully delivered. Thank you to the whole school community your their kind contributions. Everyone looks set for a wonderful day at Elleray Hall. The Cook, the Head and the Finance Officer had fun this week making 100 mince pies too.

Dear Lord

Please bless our homes this Christmas.

May You bring happiness and health to each member of the family now and throughout the new year. Please watch over us and help us walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. May we receive His guidance and know His love.

Amen

Tel: 020 8977 6591

Email: info@sacredheart.richmond.sch.uk

Website: www.sacredheartteddington.co.uk

Address:

St Mark's Road,

Teddington,

Middlesex,

TW11 9DD

Sparks Film School at Sacred Heart School on Saturday morning during term time and also the school holidays. Details at

teddington - Sparks Film School (sparksarts.co.uk)

Changes to the Volunteer Police Cadets (VPC) programme

Ahead of the new school year starting, we are writing to inform you of changes to the Volunteer Police
Cadets (VPC) programme, run by the Metropolitan Police Service.

The Met is committed to continuing to support the Cadet scheme, recognising how it contributes to
building trust with young people, supports recruitment and diversion, as well as having a positive
impact in communities through crime prevention and other police initiatives. There are currently 32
cadet groups across London and the scheme currently supports 4,100 cadets from the age of 8 to 18.
Changes to the scheme will see us retain all 32 groups, but instead our revised scheme will now run
for 13 to 17 year olds.

Click here to read more.

Connect with Your Kingston - New Whatsapp Channel

There is a new convenient way to stay up-to-date with the latest news, exciting events, and activities and services in your local area directly on your smartphone. Your Kingston Whatsapp channel from Kingston Council is a secure, private way to follow what matters.

Click here for more information.

St Mark’s Church next door to school - Christmas Schedule. A highlight will be the Messy Nativity Server, Donkey’s included!

https://stmarksteddington.org/christmas