Dear Parents and Carers,

The school hall has been filled with the sound of Christmas carols this week as the children practise for the KS1 Nativity, KS2 Carol Concert and Reception Carols. Families will be able to get a preview of these events at the Christmas Morning next Friday, 1st December, when each class will be performing. Thank you for all the donations of gifts for the hamper tombola today and we look forward to seeing you at the Christmas Morning.

Around the classes this week

Y2 Visit to Richmond Museum

On Tuesday, as part of their History topic of ‘Local Heroes’, Y2 visited Richmond Museum to find out about Richmond in the First World War. They learnt about the lives of soldiers from our local area who had served in the war and then found their names on the town war memorial.

Y6 Evacuee Day

On Wednesday Y6 held an Evacuee Day as part of their study of the Second World War. The children came into school dressed as evacuees and then walked through Richmond to the museum, much to the surprise and delight of passers-by. In their museum workshop they learnt about life on the home-front and made patchwork cushions while learning about ‘Make do and mend’. During the afternoon they had a dance workshop, where they learnt and performed a whole class Jitterbug.

Reception Dance Workshop

Reception class also had a dance workshop on Wednesday as part of their class theme of Traditional Tales. They performed fantastically, following and remembering the moves with Lee from ‘Boundless Dance’.

Sports Update from Mr Sagar

On Thursday, St Elizabeth's played a netball fixture against St Richard's Primary School. It was a very close game, with the scores level at the end of the penultimate quarter. Fortunately, our recent work practising shooting allowed the team to score 2 goals in the final quarter, giving St Elizabeth's the win. Congratulations to all those who played, especially those representing the school in a sport for the first time.

On Friday, a team from Y5 and Y6 braved the wind and chilly temperatures to take part in the borough cross-country competition. The children all ran very well and we are proud of the way they represented the school in race with a large number of competitors. Their hard work at Running Club on Friday mornings paid off!

Next week in school

Beginning of Advent

Next week, we will be marking the beginning of Advent, the time of preparation for Christmas. As well as our Carol Service and Nativity, we prepare the children in different ways in school:

• All the cloths on the class holy tables will be changed to purple, the Church’s colour of Advent, showing repentance.
• The Pupil Chaplains are putting together an Advent calendar of kind acts for the children to carry out each day as they head towards Christmas.
• Las Posadas – we send a special book telling the story of Christmas on a journey around each class. Each night a child takes the book home and shares it with their family along with accompanying prayers and reflections.
• Our Christmas Tree will be arriving next week – thank you, PTA!

And finally, on Thursday 30th November the Pupil Chaplains will be holding a ‘Day of Prayer for World Peace.’ They will be sending details of this out next week.

Information for Parents

Message from NSSport

Please find attached an important message from NSSport with regard to NSSport bookings, including last minute amendments, bookings or cancellations. Parents and carers are reminded to send all requests, including last minute requests, to the NSSport team directly, not school. Thank you.

Flu Vaccinations

If your child was absent and missed their flu vaccination, please see the attached poster regarding catch-up clinics on 25th November and 9th December.

Applications to Reception 2024

For parents with younger siblings who will be 4 years old by 1st September 2024, the closing date for applications for a place in Reception Class 2024 is January 15th 2024. If you know of families in the area who are interested in their child attending St Elizabeth’s, please do encourage them to contact the school office to arrange a tour of the school. Our Admissions Arrangements are available on the school website. Priority is given to baptised Catholic children living in our four parishes of Richmond, Kew, East Sheen and Ham but applications for children living in other parishes and those of other faiths and none, are very welcome.

Applications to St Elizabeth’s Nursery

St Elizabeth’s Nursery, which shares our school site, is currently receiving a large number of applications for places for September 2024. If you would like a place for your 3-year-old child in the nursery, we would encourage you to make your application before the application deadline of 30th January. Miss Delia is always very happy to talk to interested parents and show them the nursery environment.

Coats please!

It looks like it is going to turn colder next week. All children spend time outside every day and need to bring a warm coat in with them.

A reminder too about uniform. In Y1 to Y6, all children should wear a shirt and tie, school jumper / cardigan and proper school shoes, not trainers. Children in Reception have a choice to wear PE kit or uniform. If you have any difficulties regarding uniform, we can help. Please contact Mrs Diver in confidence.

Upcoming Dates

Friday 1st December 9am to 11am - Christmas Morning in the hall. A chance to buy Christmas gifts to raise funds for the school and hear children in every class singing a Christmas carol.

Tuesday 5th December - Schola Choir to St George’s Cathedral Advent Service.

Thursday 7th December 9:30am - Reception Class carols around the Christmas Tree.

Thursday 7th December all day - Y4 Roman Day (see separate email sent this week).

Friday 8th December 10am - KS1 Nativity.

Friday 8th December 2pm - KS1 Disco in school hall.

Friday 8th December 6pm - KS2 disco in school hall.

Wednesday 13th December pm - KS2 to Rose Theatre. KS1 Christmas Panto in hall.

Thursday 14th December 7pm - KS2 Carol Service.

Tuesday 19th December - Christmas Lunch.

Wednesday 20th December 9:30am - Advent Mass.

Wednesday 20th December 2pm - end of term.

Please note that the last week of clubs is the week beginning 27th November, with Monday clubs only running up until Monday 4th December. NSSport and Breakfast Club will continue as normal.

Good News!

Congratulations to the following children who have a received a Values Award this week:

Reception – Sebastian and Victoria

Y1 - Lia

Y2 - Mary

Y3 - Charles

Y4 - Millie

Y5 - Cameron

Y6 - Lily

Attendance

Whole school attendance this week is 97.38%. Congratulations to Y4 for having the highest attendance at 98.80%, closely followed by Y3 with 98.58% attendance and Y5 with 97.85% attendance.

Wishing you a lovely weekend,

Jane Hines