Dear Parents and Carers,

This week in school

Ash Wednesday and the Season of Lent

The season of Lent began on Ash Wednesday and we marked this in school with a liturgy led by our Y6 pupils and distribution of the ashes.  The Y6 pupils encouraged us to focus during Lent on praying more, carrying out kind acts and giving to those in need. 

Our Lenten charity is the Catholic Children’s Society and all the children have been given a money box to fill with small change at home.  The money raised will help families in crisis in the London area.  For information about the Catholic Children’s Society please visit: https://www.cathchild.org.uk/

The children were also given palm crosses to use for prayer at home.  These were blessed by Mgr Bill during the Ash Wednesday Service. 

It was lovely to have so many parents and grandparents joining us for our Ash Wednesday Service and we look forward to sharing our Lenten activities with you over the next few weeks.

Y6 Cycling Proficiency

Well done to the Y6 children for taking part in cycling training this week.  They have learnt to cycle safely on the roads in our local area under the supervision of the Richmond Borough Cycling trainers.  This is an incredibly valuable life skill which also goes towards achieving the Governors’ Awards.

Please note that Y6 children who cycle to school must still be accompanied by an adult.

Sports Update from Mr Sagar and Mrs Knowles

Netball Tournament

This week, a team from Y5 took part in the borough Y5/6 netball tournament. The team played nine games against other schools in beautiful spring sunshine at Barn Elms Sports Centre. The children had a great day out showing fantastic teamwork and sportsmanship, and putting into practice skills they have learnt during netball club and PE lessons. We are very proud of the exemplary way they represented the school!

Whole School Pancake Race

The whole school celebrated Shrove Tuesday with our traditional inter house pancake race on the astro-pitch.

With frying pans in hand, St Josephine Bakhita House took an early lead, ably helped by Mrs Sheridan.  But Maximilian Kolbe came back strong and briefly took the lead at the halfway point, led by Mrs King. 

Over the last 2 legs, St Josephine Bakhita House retook the lead and went on to win!  Well done to all the teachers and children taking part and thank you to the Sports Committee for helping to organise the race.  

Next week in school

Book and Arts Week

Next week is Book and Arts Week when we have a whole week celebrating reading for pleasure and the creative arts.

There are a number of activities planned, including a visit from the author Zoe Antoniades on Tuesday 11^th March.  We will also have an artist in residence for the week who will be creating artworks with all classes. 

The highlight of the week is Book Character Day on Friday 14^th March.  All children are encouraged to come into school dressed as a favourite book character on this day.  Please do contact classteachers if you would like some help or inspiration sourcing a costume as we are happy to help.

Thank you for your contributions which help us to arrange such exciting Book and Arts Week events and to Mrs Mottram and Mrs Briggs for organising the week.  

Information for Parents

Parent / Teacher meetings are taking place on Tuesday 25^th March and Thursday 27^th March from 3:30pm to 6:30pm.

We will be sending details of how to book your appointments next week so please look out for the Arbor mail.

Upcoming Events

MARCH

10^th – 14^th  Book & Arts Week for all classes

11th  All day  Author visit: Zoe Antoniades

14^th  a.m.  Book Character Day

17th  Other Faiths - Judaism Week

18th  9:30 a.m.  Y6 Junior Citizen Safety Event at Holly Lodge

19th  All day  Y3 visit to Chiltern Open Air Museum

19th – 21st  Y5 School Journey to Sayers Croft

24th  Last full week of clubs

25th  3:30 – 6:30 p.m.  Parents’ Meetings

27^th  pm  Richmond Borough Orchestral Concert

27th  3:30 – 6:30 p.m.  Parents’ Meetings

28th  9:30 a.m.  Y4 Passion Play – parents invited

APRIL

2nd  p.m.  Richmond Music Trust Singing Festival

3rd  a.m.  Stations of the Cross

                  Individual Confessions for Y5 and Y6

3rd  10:30 a.m.  Y4 & Y3 last swimming session

4th  2:00 p.m.  Term ends. Children to be collected at 2pm

18th  a.m.  Y6 Junior Citizen

19th  All day  Y3 visit to Chiltern Open Air Museum

19th to 21st  All day  Y5 residential to Sayers Croft

Values Awards

Congratulations to the following children for being noticed living our School Values this week.

Reception – Poppy and Zahra

Y1 - Ines

Y2 - Alan

Y3 - Bernard

Y4 - Lucja

Y5 - Dearbhla

Y6 - Tristan

Attendance and Punctuality this week

Congratulations to Y1 for having the highest attendance this week with 99.3%. This is closely followed by Reception with 99%.

Another excellent week for punctuality.  Well done to Y2 and Y5 for having highest punctuality this week.

Wishing you a lovely sunny weekend,

Jane Hines and the staff of St Elizabeth’s