Dear Parents and Carers,
What a stunning week to come back for the start of the summer term. It’s been wonderful to see the children enjoying the arrival of summer with Year R digging moon craters in the sandpit, Year 2 discovering dinosaur bones at the wild place, gardening club planting the vegetable garden up with summer vegetables, children playing in the woods, and stories being read outside in the sunshine. There have also been some inspiring introductions to our topic-based learning with, for example, Year 5 finding out what Howard Carter’s discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb must have been like. The children all seem well rested and enthusiastic about a new term of learning so thank you for giving them a super Easter break!
With the lovely weather, it’s tempting to stay on after school and let the children play, especially at the juniors. Please though can I explain our concerns. We use the outdoors for Clubs+ and for lots of sporty clubs so to keep those children safe, we would ask all other families please to leave promptly at the end of the day. We will be shutting the gates at 3.30 and need to know that everyone has left by then. Thank you for your support in this matter – you could always go and play on the downs.
This term we are using the parables of Jesus to help think about living life to the full. We started off with the story of the wise man building his house on the rock and considered what Jesus meant by building these firm foundations. Retelling Aesop’s fables each week will also help us to understand and puzzle out Jesus’ meaning. We’re calling the series “It’s a puzzle” and hoping that at the same time as thinking about life’s challenges, the children will enjoy lots of maths puzzles, anagrams and cryptic clues!
Do keep a close eye on the JTLYK pages this term – there are so many events in the diary already and we are keen that you can take part in some of them too. We always love to have parents help out on Fluffy Friday which this term is on May 25th. Do let your child’s class teacher know if you can join us for some or all of the day; if you’d like to lead an activity with a small group get in touch with Helen (helenp@htpd.surrey.sch.uk). It’s always great to have a wide range of different activities on offer.
Have a great weekend!
With best wishes
Clare
INFANT & JUNIOR
Beautiful Weather
We have had beautiful weather this week and hope you have all enjoyed the sunshine. May we remind parents, with summer approaching, to apply sun-screen lotion to your children, on any exposed skin, before school, and please make sure they have a hat and water bottle. Thank you.
Road works
You have probably already seen the yellow signs, but gas works along Pewley Way are due to start on Monday 23 April for approximately 3 weeks.
INFANT
‘Run to Rio’
This year we are running to PyeongChang, South Korea (venue of the Winter Olympics), a distance of 5,570 miles. We had a great start this week with the lovely weather. We will keep you updated on progress, but please look out for your child’s achievements as well. For parents new to the school, children will be spending some time each week running laps of the field to collectively reach our target.
PE kits
Please ensure that your child has their full PE kit in school at all times. Well-fitting trainers are particularly important as well as shorts and joggers.
Class photographs
Order forms for class photographs went home earlier this week. Orders should be returned to the school office by Friday 27 April.
Lost Property
We now have a large pile of lost property at the lower entrance. If your child has lost any uniform items please have a look through as soon as possible. The remainder will then be sent off to ‘Phil the Bag’ next Friday 27 April.
Lost
Please check: Alex Eskov (Oak Class) is missing one Start Rite black velcro school shoe with spider motif. He currently has one shoe size 11 ½H (the correct size) and one size 13G. Someone else must be wearing odd shoes.
Marcus Spicer’s (Beech Class) new, named trainers (grey with green soles) have been missing since before the Easter holidays - possibly taken home in error after Football Club.
Menu: Week 1 beginning 23 April
Available under the Weekly News Tab - coming soon
JUNIOR
Dates for your diary:
Wednesday, 25th April -3S and 4S begin swimming lessons at the Spectrum
Thursday, 26th Aprll - Year 3’s Evacuee Day
Monday, 7th May - School closed for the Bank Holiday
After School Clubs
All teacher-led clubs began this week but Ballet begins next week (Thursday, 26th April and Friday, 27th April) – see details below.
Computer Explorers also starts next week (Monday, 23rd April for Years 3 and 4, and Friday 27th April for Years 5 and 6). The cost for 9 sessions is £59 per child.
Sticky Craft Club - brand new and starting from Monday, 30th April for an 8 week course at a cost of £8 per session. You are invited to attend a free trial lesson on Monday, 23rd April so book early! To reserve your place, please email: vickyw@htpd.surrey.sch.uk
Ballet classes for boys and girls resume next week - on Thursdays, Kate teaches the RAD exam classes from 4.20 till 5.20 and on Friday she teaches ballet technique and show work from 3.15 to 4.15. The terms run for 10 weeks and cost £7 per session. Please contact Kate Webster for more information on kateailsa@btinternet.com or 07825 368737. The girls who did the RAD ballet exams last term all received fabulous results which will count towards their UCAS points!
Menu - Week 2 - coming soon
This lunch menu is also available on the website under the ‘Weekly News’ tab
Sport
Year 6 Football Tournament
Date: Thursday, 26th April
Time: 3.30pm - 5.30pm - Parents to help with lifts
Venue: Weyfield Primary School, 8 School Close, Guildford, GU1 1QJ
Football boots and shin pads please as the matches will be played on grass pitches
Laura Sutton
HTPD Sports Co-ordinator
Follow us on Twitter: @HTPDSport
FOPS News
Welcome back to the final term of the year. It’s going to be a busy but fun one! Here are a few dates for your diary. Please come and join in when you can and help raise some money for the school!
Get rid of unwanted clothes and raise money with PHIL THE BAG – Friday 27th April
Now that summer is finally making an appearance why not have a sort-out. Simply bring your unwanted clothes and linen (in bin bags) to the area outside the staffroom at drop-off on Friday 27th. Full details of what you can and can’t put in your bags will be sent out in book bags.
HTPD Fun Run – 20 May, Shalford Park
Spring into your trainers and join us for this great afternoon of running, jogging, cheering or just relaxing on the grass! Complete your online applications soon to receive your exclusive T-shirt!!
Summer Fair!
This year’s SUMMER FAIR will take place on Saturday 16th June from 3pm. It’s one of our main fundraising and social events of the year and we really want as many people as possible to come along. Details to follow soon. In the meantime please, please keep the date free. It can only happen if we have enough people helping to run the stalls and games so please contact your class rep if you can spare any time at all to help on the day.
The SUMMER FAIR PLANNING meeting will be on Wednesday 25 April at 8pm in the staff room. We have some changes afoot and we’d love some fresh ideas. It would be great to see some new faces along with our committed class reps! Getting involved is a good way of meeting new people and doing something amazing for our school.
YEAR GROUP SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Reception
Wednesday 16 May: Coffee morning at Caffe Nero (House of Fraser):
Year 1
Tuesday 24 April - Coffee morning at Ana’s house (Zara’s Mum
Tuesday 10 July - Coffee morning at Eloise’s house (Oliver’s Mum)
Friday 11th May – Evening drinks, venue tbc
Friday 8th June – Evening drinks, venue tbc
Year 2
Look out for more dates next week.
WHY WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT
We are currently raising money to buy fantastic new interactive WHITEBOARDS for each of our classrooms. Thanks for helping us by supporting our playground sales, using Easy Fundraising when you shop and by coming along to our fairs and events. We now have a fantastic thermometer so you can see how much we have raised.
Don’t forget you can find out more about what’s happening by visiting us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FOPSFriendsofPewleyDownSchool/mp;
HTSC NEWS
Welcome back! It’s going to be a very busy summer term and thank you in advance for all your support at the many different HTSC events over the next few months.
THE HTSC EASTER SMARTIES CHALLENGE – FINAL COLLECTION DATE FRIDAY 27 APRIL
Many thanks to all those who have returned their filled Smarties tubes to the HT office. Please do keep them coming in. Final collection date - Friday 27 April.
If your child was absent at the end of last term and did not receive a tube of Smarties, there are some additional tubes available at the HT office.
HTSC MEETING – MONDAY 23 APRIL

The first HTSC meeting of the summer term is scheduled for Monday 23 April at Rogues from 8pm. We will be planning all the summer term’s activities. All welcome.
PHIL THE BAG – WEEK BEGINNING MONDAY 23 APRIL (COLLECTION FRIDAY 27 APRIL)
A great reason to have a clear out and raise money for the school! Phil the Bag are coming to HTPD next week!
All unwanted textiles welcome - adult and children’s clothing, shoes, handbags, belts, hats, curtains, school uniform and bedding. The school receives 35 pence for every kilo we manage to collect, that’s £350 per tonne - so every item of clothing counts.
SUMMERTIME QUIZ AND CURRY NIGHT – SATURDAY 12 MAY - TICKETS ON SALE NEXT WEEK!
Tickets go on sale on Monday for HTSC’s annual sell out Quiz Night. Come along to HT and enjoy a fun night of fantastic quizzing. As always, the questions have been set by the master of all things quizzical, Michael Tame (Geraldine's other half).
Tickets are £12.50 each to include a delicious curry from Rajdoot in Burpham. There will be a fully stocked bar and post curry chocolate, together with a fun raffle.
Get your team together or come along and make up a team on the night - maximum of 10 people per team, everyone welcome.
To order tickets, please send in cash or cheques made payable to HTSC in an envelope to the HT office. On the envelope please clearly specify how many tickets you require, if you have any specific dietary requirements, together with the name and class of your child.
THE 2018 HTPD FUN RUN – DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION TO GUARANTEE A T-SHIRT HAS BEEN EXTENDED!
A final reminder that the deadline for applying to guarantee a t-shirt is 9am on Monday 23 April. You can still apply up until the race day, although a t-shirt is not guaranteed.
Please apply here: https://goo.gl/forms/WmG2ZCT34rxU1PHq1
HTSC SPONSOR
A huge thank you to Cavender Sales & Lettings in Guildford who, for the fourth year running, have agreed to support HTSC. As well as sponsoring our major events, Cavender Sales & Lettings will donate £150 to the school if you decide to rent your property through them or if you sell a property through them, they will donate £500. So, if you are thinking about either, please get in contact with them www.cavenders.co.uk.
OTHER DATES FOR THE DIARY:
HT Summer Fair – Friday 29 June – 6pm – 8pm
Does your son enjoy singing? Would he like free lessons . . . and even be paid for singing? Holy Trinity Church’s famous boys’ choir is looking for new members. There is an open rehearsal on Thursday, 10th May from 6.30 – 7.30 p.m. If you are aged between 6 and 13, with a love of singing, please contact the Director of Music, Mr. Martin Holford, on 01483 576500 or mholford1966@gmail.com or visit the church website: www.htsmguildford.org
Guildford Borough Council will be running their popular FISH playscheme again this summer. The activities include paintballing, horse riding, theme parks, mechanics, dance, bushcraft, fencing, animation and lots more. For further information, please call Gill Paddington on 01483 444769 or visit www.guildford.gov.uk
Deputy Manager – Christ Church Pre-School Playgroup
Christ Church Pre-School Playgroup is a small and friendly pre-school located in central Guildford. We run five sessions per week (four mornings and one afternoon) for up to 26 children aged two and a half to four. We are recruiting for a Deputy Manager to join our experienced staff team, starting in September 2018. The job description and application form can be found here: www.christchurchpreschoolplaygroup.co.uk/vacancies/ For more information or an informal discussion about the role please speak to our Manager, Jo Smith, who can be reached on christchurchpreschoolenquiries@gmail.com Applications close on 18 May 2018 with interviews in early June.
Albury Cricket Club
Are you interested in trying cricket? Albury Cricket Club is a friendly, vibrant, local club and the new season starts on Friday 20 April. Girls and boys from year 2 up to year 9 are very welcome. Please either join up via our website or come along on a Friday evening for a trial session. The cricket starts at 6pm (years 2 to 6) and 7.15pm (years 7 to 9) at Sandy Lane, New Road, Albury Heath. We would love to see you there. More details are available on our website http://www.alburycc.co.uk/.
Cycling Instructors

The Cycle Training Team at Surrey County Council are currently recruiting for Cycling Instructors. If you might be interested in this role, please go to: https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/jobs and search for "Cycling Instructor"