Dear Parents and Carers,

Half-term Holiday

The half-term holiday is here and the children have a well-deserved week off after their hard work this half-term. Please note that school will return on Tuesday 31st October. The holiday club with NSSport will be running every day of the holiday with a range of indoor and outdoor fun activities for all ages. Please visit NSSport website for booking information.

Winter Uniform

When the children return after the holiday they will need to be wearing their winter uniform. This means that everyone must wear a white shirt with a tie – no more open neck shirts or yellow dresses until Easter. We encourage the children to take pride in their uniform, with top buttons fastened and ties tied neatly. Shoes should be black school shoes, not trainers. PE tracksuits are still available to buy from the school office. Reception children, as before, can continue to choose between wearing PE kit or winter school uniform.

Rugby World Cup Quiz

On Tuesday this week, our Pupil Chaplains hosted the staff Rugby World Cup Countries Quiz. Mrs Knowles, Mr Sagar, Mrs Staveley and Mr Askin all took part and were challenged to name the countries and capital cities from their flags or emblems. They were able to ‘phone a pupil friend’ in the audience for help. It was a very close competition and after a tie-break finish, Mrs Knowles was announced the winner!

Monsignor Bill Talk to Y6

Thank you to Mgr Bill for visiting our Y6 children today to talk about his vocation and his life as a priest. The children thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity to welcome Mgr Bill to their class and ask him questions. Inigo said “I found it really interesting to find out about Mgr Bill’s journey to becoming a priest. I liked listening to my class ask questions and hearing Mgr Bill’s answers. I especially liked hearing about the day that Mgr Bill got ordained”.

Parents’ Meetings Appointment Booking

Parents’ Meetings will take place this term on Tuesday 7th November and Thursday 9th November from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for children in Y1 to Y6. For Reception only, Parents’ Meetings will take place this term on Tuesday 7th November and Wednesday 8th November from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Parents’ meeting appointments are available via ParentMail to book from today at 4:00 p.m. Please read the ParentMail sent yesterday with information how to book.

Y6 Secondary Transfer

For parents of children in Y6, please make sure you have submitted your secondary school application before Tuesday 31st October and also provided schools with supplementary information and Certificates of Catholic Practice, if applicable.

Nominations for Parent Governors

Our Governing Body is seeking two Parent Governors. As a parent or guardian of a pupil currently at St Elizabeth’s Catholic Primary School, you have the right to propose candidates for election or to stand as a candidate yourself. Please refer to the ParentMail that was sent on 12th October for more information. If you wish to stand for the position of Parent Governor please submit your details in writing to the Clerk to the Governors by no later than 12 noon on 31st October 2023.

Black History Month – half-term activity

October is Black History Month in the UK, an event that has been celebrated nationwide for more than 30 years. It was originally founded to recognise the contributions that people of African and Caribbean backgrounds have made to the UK over many generations. Now, Black History Month has expanded to include the history of not just African and Caribbean people but all black people.

We would like Black History to continue to be a focus in school beyond the month of October and therefore we are asking children to research the life of an inspirational black person over half-term.

Children can share their research with their class or in assembly. The person can be someone famous or someone they know. The research can take the form of a poster, a speech, artwork or a PowerPoint presentation. Children should upload their work to Google Classroom or hand it in to their class teacher by Friday 3rd November.

Black History Month – Free Poetry Workshops

To mark Black History Month, Ham and East Sheen libraries are holding Children’s writing, rhythm and creativity workshops during the half-term break. Join performance poet and storyteller, Jane Grell, as she brings to life the African-Caribbean Oral Tradition. Jane will help children create their own stories and poems and learn how to perform them with confidence. Event details: Tuesday 24th October at 2 to 3.15pm and 4 to 5.15pm, at Ham and East Sheen Library. Please book tickets online or visit your local library.

Update from Sports Committee from Thomas, Alex S and Dara

In our lessons, children in KS1 have been learning throwing and passing skills. KS2 have been doing rugby and football skills, and played inter-house games. So far this year there have been 4 sports events; Ibstock football friendly, a league football match, Rugby festival and a Rugby Tournament. There are many sports clubs to join, such as Football, Rugby, Dodgeball, Netball, Basketball and Hockey.

Sports Highlights from Mr Sagar

On Tuesday, our Boys Football team played a match against Meadlands School. St Elizabeth’s were winning 3-1 at half time, and after such a close match, Meadlands just beat us 4-3. We played some great football and are looking forward to a re-match! On Wednesday, we took part in the Borough Rugby Tournament against 30 other schools. St Elizabeth’s played six games and scored some fantastic tries!

Update from our PTA Committee - Thank you for all your support from the PTA Committee

What a great start to the school fundraising this year! So far we have raised a fantastic £3,682.29.

This has been raised from the Y6 ice lolly sale £266.56; Pre-loved uniform sale £1,191.68; New PE uniform sale £383.22; Bingo Night £1,537.04 and Y5 fundraising £303.79. Yesterday, our charity fundraising for Breast Cancer Now raised a truly amazing £442.25. Thank you to all our brilliant bakers and to the parents and carers who came to support this sale.

Message from the 2024 cycling ride organisers - Richmond to Paris Sponsored Cycle Ride 2024

We are very excited to announce that the destination for our next sponsored cycle ride is PARIS! If you are interested in taking part, we ask that you please register for the ride using this link:

https://forms.gle/vDwAG9zs13e5Gkpu7

Whether you are a beginner, seasonal or experienced cyclist, we invite you to join us and take part in this incredible adventure to support our school. The deadline for registration is Tuesday 31st October. We look forward to hearing from you!

Upcoming Dates

Tuesday 31st October Reception to Y6: Nasal Flu inoculation

Wednesday 1st November All Saints Day Mass at Our Lady Queen of Peace

Thursday 2nd November Y4 Educational Visit: Orchestra Unwrapped

Thursday 2nd November 11:00 a.m. Swimming lessons begin for Y5 and Y3

Tuesday 7th November 3:30 - 6:30 p.m. Parent / teacher meetings Reception – Y6

Wednesday 8th November 3:30-6:30pm Parent / teacher meetings Reception

Wednesday 8th November Vocal Concert 6:00pm. All welcome.

Thursday 9th November 3:30-6:30pm Parent / teacher meetings Y1 – Y6

Friday 10th November 9:10 – 9:30 a.m. Y6 Assembly: Remembrance Day – parents invited

Values Awards

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

Y1 – Venetia

Y2 – Alba and George

Y3 – Albert

Y4 – Kit

Y5 – Alexa

Y6 – Nicola

Million Word Readers

Congratulations to Emily and Tristan in Y5 who have read an amazing 1 million words, and to Maximus in Y4 who has read an incredible 5 million words!

Reading Cup Winners

Congratulations to Y6 and Mrs van den Driessche who are the winners of the Reading Cup for this half-term! Well done everyone!

Wishing you a lovely weekend and half-term.

Kind regards,

Jane Hines