9 November 2018

Dear Parents

I hope everyone enjoyed a lovely half term break as we come back refreshed and ready for a busy and exciting build up to Christmas. Please check the school website for updated dates, events and timings for this term. Thank you to everyone for ensuring your children returned to school after half term in full winter uniform. The children look so smart and this does have such a positive impact on their attitude in every aspect of their school life. So many visitors to our school comment on our children’s appearance, good manners and their happy disposition. They are a such a credit to themselves, their families and their school.

Thank you to all parents and carers who attended Parents Evening this week. We appreciate the time taken to complete feedback questionnaires and your extremely positive and constructive comments are very much appreciated. Thank you.

This last week as a whole school we have focused our work and prayers on Remembrance, as we commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the end of World War 1. The children have shown great reverence and compassion in their learning. Today, we came together for a whole school Assembly , sharing our poetry, prayers and reflections in front of a beautiful memorial created by the children’s poppies and observing a one minute silence. It was very humbling to witness. I have included some photographs of the children’s memorial and readers at the end of the newsletter.

Preparation will soon begin for our Year 3 pupils who will receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion this year. If your child is a baptized Catholic and you wish them to be prepared to receive the Sacraments please ensure you have contacted Fr Richard. A letter will be sent out shortly outlining the programme of parent meetings and dates. If you have any queries please contact Mrs James or myself who are leading the First Holy Communion preparation. Thank you.

Our next school Mass at church will be at 10.00am on Sunday 18 November when our Year 3 children present their commitment certificates. It would be lovely to see as many children as possible at this Mass as our children lead the singing. Many parishioners approached me after the last Mass speaking so highly and warmly of our children. They are the future of our church and they bring so much to our faith. We look forward to seeing many families, Catholic and non Catholic, as we celebrate our faith together.

For Year 6 parents whose children are to receive the Sacraments of Confirmation on 4 December, there will be a meeting at school on Tuesday 20 November at 6.00pm. This will be led by Fr Richard , Miss Hill and myself. It is essential that at least one parent attends this meeting as part of our preparation as well as being an opportunity to ask questions.

We always enjoy hearing of our children’s hobbies and events outside of school so please always let us know of any exciting or successful adventures.

Over half term Libby in Year 6 travelled to Bangkok to join her mum singing with her choir with Early years and Key stage 1 and 2 children at Shrewsbury International School. Libby joined them for an afternoon and sang with the school Chamber choir during an informal performance on the Friday afternoon. Further to this Libby won an Excathedra competition earlier this year to write a singing game - this has now been played by children in the West Midlands, Bangkok and Hong Kong and was featured during an event at Symphony Hall for BBC World music day a few weeks ago which was live-streamed around the world! Well done Libby, we are extremely proud of you.

Preparations for the Christmas Fayre (29 November) are now well in hand. Next Friday (16 November) we will be holding a non uniform day in return for donations of filled jars and a chocolate bar. The jars can be filled with child friendly items(wrapped sweets, crayons, hair ties, small toys) and the chocolate bar is for the tombola These are two very popular stalls which are particularly enjoyed by the children so we appreciate the generosity you always show. The PTA have already started to put a considerable amount of work into the Christmas Fayre to ensure that it is a lovely family evening. If you feel you could offer help, before or during the night please contact a member of the committee or any member of staff. All help is gratefully received.

We hope you have a lovely weekend.

KE Savage

Libby in Bangkok