St Charles Newsletter

Dear Parent/Carer,

I hope this newsletter finds you and your family well.

I’m not sure how it happened, but all of a sudden November has drawn to a close. It does not seem that long ago since we began praying for the Holy Souls of our School community and set up our remembrance altar and Holy Souls Book in the Hall. But now it is time to turn our attention towards Advent and preparing for Christmas. We have lots going on over the next three weeks, including setting up the Advent Wreath and School Crib in the Hall. Also, every Wednesday at 10am in St Pius X Church, all children will take turns, in Key Phases, to attend an Advent mass in St Pius X Church. Please join us if you are able.

All children from Year 4 to Year 6 will have an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation from Fr Peter on Monday mornings during Advent. This will be done in year groups. This Rite will cleanse their soul and prepare them to receive the Blessed Sacrament of Holy Communion over the Christmas Season.

Please see below for times and dates of all the events we have planned, including Christmas productions.

Thank you for your continuing support,

Tony Lynch
Head of School

The Chaplaincy have begun an eleven week course to become Westminster Caritas Ambassadors. Once completed the Ambassadors can be used to support Catholic Social Teaching work in School and throughout the Westminster Diocese. At the end of the course they will decide on a suitable project to support a local need. More about this nearer the time.

Gospel: Prepare for when Jesus returns (Luke 21:25-28;34-36)

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

• Where did Jesus say there would be signs?
• Who will come in power and glory?
• What must we do?

KS2

• What is Jesus predicting? How will we know it is happening?
• Jesus said to be careful. How can we do this?
• How can we prepare for his?

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.

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.

This week Nursery have been learning about hedgehogs. We read the story "The Very Helpful Hedgehog", found out facts about where hedgehogs live and used clay and matchsticks to make our own prickly friends.

Our Reception class had a fantastic outing to the cinema as part of the Into Film Festival. We watched Despicable Me 4 and loved every minute with those hilarious Minions

Year 1 have been learning all about mechanisms in Design and Technology.

We had lots of fun using levers and pivots to create moving mechanisms.

Last Thursday, 2C visited Kensington Palace to attend a workshop called 'Victoria's Childhood Christmas'. During this experience the children learnt about the Christmas traditions of Princess Victoria and were even lucky to see the bedroom that belonged to her when she was a child herself.

It was lovely to welcome parents in to take a look at all of our wonderful Black History Month projects. Well done to everyone who entered.

5M thoroughly enjoyed their visit to the Houses of Parliament last week. We were lucky enough to have a tour around the House of Lords. We even got to go through the Sovereign’s Entrance. Our workshop taught us all about how laws are made and we had a special guest from our local MP’s office who spoke to us about some of the issues in our local area that our MP is tackling.

Year 6 have been enjoying learning about rhythm ensembles and developing their sight reading skills in their music lessons. They have been using drumsticks, their voices, and other instruments to explore different rhythms and melodies and are becoming more confident with each performance.

The inaugural Winter Disco was a blast! Everyone had so much fun dancing and singing! A huge THANK YOU to the PFA for organising this wonderful event! The hall was transformed into a true wonderland. Even Mr Lynch put on his special jacket for the disco! We can't wait for the next event!

Congratulations to the following children who were recognised for making good choices during the week beginning 25th November.

DECEMBER

• 1st December- Advent begins
• 4th December- LKS2 Advent Mass
• 6th December- Christmas Fair
• 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