Dear Parents and Carers,
My week has been so varied – one of the best reasons to be a headteacher; no day is ever the same! On Monday I travelled up to Shropshire to join our Year 6 children on their residential visit to Preston Montford. Whilst there, I was able see the culmination of our teaching and learning as the children come to the end of their HTPD journey. Seeing our school values lived out so well really encouraged me; I want to write and tell you about it. Whilst there, I took part in the annual trek across the Stiperstones – a stunning area of natural beauty, I taught the children about how the place where we were staying leads the way in thinking about sustainability and eco-issues, and I donned the costume of a Victorian school mistress before spending the morning in the Blists Hill school room. All of these different activities provided another reminder to me of how, at the end of their time at HTPD, the children truly are living life to the full. Here’s just a sample of what I saw:
Zest for learning and love of life: From finding out about the endangered habitat of the Emperor Moth in the Stiperstones’ heather, to learning what a weather station is, to measuring river speed, to improving on packed lunch making skills and how to put a duvet cover onto a duvet, all the children in Year 6 have learnt with determination, zest and enthusiasm.
Seeing heaven in the moment: Children noticed birdsong, had time to play without interruption, and soaked up the beautiful surroundings of the Shropshire countryside.
Embracing the future with hope and confidence: Even when at their most tired, feeling a bit anxious and a little homesick, children talked about the highlights of the day to cheer themselves up and settled into their beds for a good night’s sleep.
Imagining the journey in another’s footsteps: Stepping back in time to imagine the lot of children who lived their lives so differently – when children were “seen and not heard”, the Year 6 children reflected on how much they love the way that at HTPD, children today are valued, heard and given freedom to flourish. They are determined to ensure that these human rights are given to all children everywhere.
Treasured and loved as a unique child of God: Spending long days with the whole year group and seeing their fantastic characters and personalities thriving, I reflected on the excellent relationships that our staff work so hard to create with each individual child. No single child is ever the same as another, each one learns something different during the week away, each one notices something special and each one contributes to the whole community in a unique way.
It was certainly worth taking the time out of school to travel up to see them!
And then I re-joined those in Guildford on Thursday to meet and greet our new Year 3s. Spending all day, settling children in and showing them around our junior school, then having the chance to welcome their parents too at an evening meeting, it was great to be back to begin a new chapter in the school’s life! They all settled in so quickly – I’m looking forward to September already!
Do remember that Monday is our Midsummer Holiday. We will all return to school on Tuesday 25th, giving everyone a well-deserved mini-break before the exciting last few weeks of term. Enjoy a long, leisurely weekend.
With best wishes,
Clare
Thought of the week: It’s rubbish…arguing! What is the best way to solve an argument?
INFANT AND JUNIOR
SCHOOL IS CLOSED ON MONDAY 24 JUNE FOR THE MIDSUMMER HOLIDAY
Mobile phones
Parents are reminded that our school policy is that children should not bring mobile phones to school. If there are particular special circumstances, permission should be requested from Clare. Any mobiles that are in school should be looked after by the school office.
INFANT
Club cancellations
Cooking Club and Handwriting Club with Bridgit are cancelled on Tuesday 25 June.
Multi-sports with Andy is cancelled on Wednesday 26 June.
Mufti Day
A reminder that next Friday 28 June is the day for bringing in donations for the Summer Fair (see FOPS News below). Children should come to school in home clothes (not uniform) that day.
Golden Boot challenge
Next Friday 28th is the last day of the Golden Boot challenge. Please make an extra effort to travel to school by ‘greener’ ways such as walking, scooting or parking further away and then walking.
Lost
Maks Stranc (Beech Class) has lost a named school jumper (Nightingale, age 5-6). Please check that your child hasn’t taken the wrong jumper home by mistake.
Menu: (Week 2 beginning Monday 24 June)
Mon: School closed (mid-summer holiday)
Tues: Turkey Meatballs or Vegetarian Balls with Pasta; Flapjack
Wed: Roast Chicken with Roast Potatoes & Gravy or Cajun Vegetable Wraps; Fruit Jelly
Thu: Chicken or Vegetable Curry with Rice; Fresh Fruit Salad
Fri: Fish Fingers & Chips or Homemade Pizza; Ice Cream
Available daily: Selection of seasonal vegetables, salads, jacket potatoes and bread. Yoghurt, milk and fresh fruit.
JUNIOR
Cancelled Clubs
The following clubs are cancelled next week:
Tuesday - Y6 Newspaper club
Tuesday - Y5 Basketball club
Wednesday - Hockey
Sport
District Sports Athletics - Y3, Y4, Y5 & Y6
Date: Tuesday 25th June
Time: 12.30pm - 4.30pm - Parents to help with lifts to Spectrum
Venue: Spectrum
Teacher: Laura, Nick, Peio & James
Y4 Tri-Golf Tournament
Date: Thursday 27th June
Time: 3.15 - 5.45pm - Parents to help with lifts
Venue: Milford Golf Club, Station Ln, Milford, Godalming GU8 5HS
Teacher: Nick
Menu - Week 2
FOPS News
SUMMER FAIR 6th July
Please remember to keep selling your raffle tickets to family and friends (aged above 16 years old), more can be found in the school office if needed. There are some great prizes this year including the luxury hampers put together by each year group and the star prize this year is a Nintendo Switch kindly donated by our sponsors Cavender. Return sold and unsold tickets with any cash to the office by 5th July please.
Hamper requests have been sent out to year groups, so please do remember to sign up for those. This year we are hoping to raise funds for a class set of iPads and playground upgrades. So please do sign up and donate what you can, even one item/shift makes all the difference!
Mufti Donation Day - Friday 28th June
This year we will be having a mufti donation day to kick off the donations for the summer fair. On Friday 28th June your child is welcome to come to school (PD site ONLY) in mufti in exchange for summer fair donations. The labelled boxes will be downstairs on the ramp outside the entrance on Friday, but will remain outside for the following week for any other donations.
We need things like booty bags, bottles, hamper items etc, please see the letter that went home last week for further details.
Volunteering for the Summer Fair
To make the fair a success, we need your help. There are all kinds of ways to get involved and even a small amount of time either on the day or beforehand will make a huge difference. Signup is below to help your year group run one of its allotted stalls. Sign up for "Summer Fair Rota"! Click here now: https://signup.com/go/USCZiKL
Match Funding
Do you or your partner work at a company that offers match funding? This is a scheme where companies will match money raised at a certain event/stall that you volunteer at. Most large companies offer this and if you are planning on volunteering for events like the SUMMER FAIR (6th July) we would love to hear from you! Please contact Kayleigh.ashraf@gmail.com or anaxreithsmith@gmail.com.
New FOPS Committee needed for 2019/20
We are starting to think about the FOPS committee next year. If you are interested in being a committee member or class rep next year please contact your current class rep or Kayleigh (kayleigh.ashraf@gmail.com) and we would be happy to have a chat. This is a perfect time to join us and get a feel for what we do. You could even shadow a current committee member as we organise the upcoming Summer Fair.
The vacant committee positions for 2019/2020 academic year are; Chair (or co-chair), Treasurer, Secretary and Class Reps for each class. We have a short document outlining each of these roles which we can email to you if you would like.
Playground Sales for next term – ice lollies or cookies
Friday 28th June – Beech Class
Friday 5th July – Hazel Class
Friday 12th July – Willow Class
Open Air cinema equipment needed
Do you or someone you know have access to projection and sound equipment? FOPS are planning a new event for the Autumn term which will see the back field turned into an open-air cinema. If you are able to or know someone able to lend us some of the equipment needed please contact Kayleigh (Kayleigh.ashraf@gmail.com) and Ana (anaxreithsmith@gmail.com).
EASYFUNDRAISING
Thank-you to those signing up for this! Just remember to click through the website before you make a purchase and continue earning free money for the school. https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/
FOPS notice board
There are items for sale and notices on the board outside Oak class (next to the ramp downstairs) so do remember to have a look. If you would like to advertise something yourself, cards are in the office with Ruth and Jane (cards are £1 for a month or free if the item is free), so if you have something to sell let us know!
Social Dates for you Diaries
Reception: Friday 12th July - 8pm - End of School Year Drinks @ TBC
Year 1: Friday 19th July – End of term drinks @TBC
Year 2: Friday 19th July – End of an Era drinks – Tania & Adam are hosting the Year 2 Summer Social bring a bottle and nibbles
HTSC News
Coming soon...
Wild West Holiday Club Adventure
Don’t miss out! Come to Christ Church, Guildford this July for ‘Wild West Holiday Club Adventure’- a fabulous 5 day Holiday Club for children currently in school years Reception to year 6. The week includes great games, quizzes, a fabulous drama every day, craft activities, music, singing, a chance to find out more about the Christian faith and more! £15 for whole 5 days. Go to- https://www.christchurchguildford.com/holidayclub to sign up.