St Charles Newsletter

Dear Parent/Carer,

I hope this newsletter finds you and your family well.

You will see as you read through the newsletter, just how much we are doing in preparation for Easter. One such activity is a Lenten Class Mass. Every Wednesday during Lent, every class will get an opportunity to attend a class mass in St Pius X at 10am. Please feel free to join us for any/all of these liturgies if you are able. This coming week, 5M and 1D will attend mass.

The PFA are also busy organising Easter events which they will be sharing with you next week. Remember, if you would like to be involved in any of the PFA events, leave your name and details with Sophie in the Office.

Finally, if you are a past pupil of the School you may remember Mrs De Maria who was a teacher at St Charles in the 1970’s and 80’s. Unfortunately, we have just learnt of her recent passing and we have been asked to prayer for her and her family. Her husband, Frank De Maria, was Head of the School between 1963-70.

Have a great weekend,

Tony Lynch
Head of school

The Jubilee Door for the Year of Mercy is now completed. It is decorated with pieces of Scripture referring to Hope which have been selected by every class in the school. Next time you are in the School Hall please stop and read some of them before you pass through. We are reminded that with God there is always Hope, even when things feel hopeless!

To prepare for Lent every child in the school has made a Lenten promise to God and written it down on to a paper leaf. These have been placed together in the Hall to create a Lenten Tree display. Every week, during prayer, we refer to the tree and reflect on how well we are keeping our promises. We know that if we forget or break a promise, God will forgive us, as long as we apologise and try again.

This year we are, once again, supporting the CCS Lenten Appeal. Your child has been given a box from the CCS and they have been asked to collect any loose change or money they have collected as a result of giving something up for Lent. For example, if your child has given up chocolate, they are asked to collect the money they would have spent on the chocolate and place it in the box. All money collected during Lent will go towards supporting the wonderful work the CCS do for the local community. We will also have an own clothes day later in the term to add to the Appeal.

Last Wednesday 6G and 2C attended a Lenten Mass at St Pius X. Afterwards, 6G received the Rite of Reconciliation in preparation for Easter. Next Wednesday 5M and 1D will attend mass at 10am. Please join us if you are able. Afterwards, 5M will receive the Rite of Reconciliation.

Gospel: The Beatitudes (Luke 9:28-36)

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

and reflect on the questions below with your family.

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

• How did Jesus change?

• Who did Jesus talk to?

• What did God say at the end?

KS2

• Why did Elijah and Moses appear to Jesus?

• Why did their appearance change in this way?

• What did the disciples want to do to remember this event?

Our whole school attendance is currently at 93.7%

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.

Look at the ducklings that have hatched in Nursery! They are so cute and growing so fast! Thank you to the PFA who helped to fund this wonderful initiative and to everyone who supported the cake sale.

The children in KS1 and KS2 had their second assembly from the Breck Foundation last week. The focus of this was developing healthy habits and looking after our wellbeing online. We learned to recognise how too much screen time can affect our mental health and our sleep. It really helped us to see the importance of checking in with ourselves after spending time on our devices.

We had a fantastic time celebrating World Book Day last week! There are even more great photos to see-can you guess which books inspired them?

3/4H had a visit to the Wallace Collection for a workshop on landscapes and seascapes. We had a great time noticing features of a number of paintings and making our own sketches of them. Why don’t you visit the Wallace Collection yourself-it’s great fun and free to enter too!

3/4H were learning about peacemakers in RE and created fact files on significant individuals.

4H had a wonderful morning at the cinema enjoying VIP seats and treats!!

Year 2 and Year 6 joined the parishioners at St Pius X this week for a Lenten mass. Following mass, Year 6 attended confession where Father Peter reminded us of the importance of saying sorry for our wrongdoings and how this strengthens our relationship with God, especially as we journey through Lent.

Congratulations to the following children who were recognised for making good choices during the week beginning 10th March.

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