Dear Parents and Carers,

I’m sure your children have been telling you about this term’s assembly series; it’s been a lot of fun introducing all the different facets of our weekly programme. At the juniors, the week starts with a hilarious episode of the One Show, and a highlight at the infants is a Friday puppet show which recaps what we’ve been learning. At both sites, there’s a house challenge involving peas – all linked into the theme, each week beginning with a P! Amongst the laughter, there are really poignant moments of reflection, opportunities for prayer and joyful singing. It’s a great way to bring the school together as a community. The term’s series is called “Face to Face” and it revolves around a weekly encounter with a character from the New Testament who met Jesus; each person’s life was transformed. We will be reflecting on how compassionately Jesus treated people from diverse backgrounds and circumstances, as well as looking at Bible promises of God’s love. Do take a look at the slide shows linked into the website for more details.

As well as beginning a new assembly series, all the year groups have been excitedly finding out about their term’s new topic. This is always a fascinating time in school – I’ve loved seeing displays appearing with new knowledge being acquired, and it’s great when children come and chat to me about what they’re most looking forward to finding out. The topic webs that year teams have put on the website might come in handy so that you can prompt some good conversations at home and remember to check the JTLYK pages each week for important information.

Before I sign off, can I just remind everyone of the benefits of reading at home. As well as hearing your child read and talking to them about their books, do make sure you carry on reading to your child at bedtime for as long as you can. Even our oldest pupils in Year 6 love to hear a story – we try and fit it in every day at school. At home, as well as being a really relaxing way to end the day and unwind before sleep, bedtime story-reading will help boost vocabulary and inspire creative, imaginative thinking. Have a chat with Geraldine, our librarian, if you’d like some ideas about what to read.

With all this rainy weather, what better way to spend a weekend than being curled up together with a book! Happy reading!

I might see some of you at Holy Trinity Church on Sunday morning (10am) where I’m speaking about the school’s ethos and living life to the full.

With best wishes, Clare

Thought of the week: “Wait on the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desire,” Psalm 37, v4. How can you be more patient?

WHOLE SCHOOL

Vacancy
Harrison Catering is looking for a Catering Assistant to work on the HT site. This is a 20 hour per week role, term time only. Please email Lisa on holy.trinity@harrisoncatering.co.uk if you are interested or see the school website for more information.

Part-time Vacancy
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated After Schools Club Deputy to assist with leading our thriving extended school provision on 2 afternoons (Thursdays and Fridays) between 3.00 and 6.00 pm (6 hours per week) at our Junior Site reporting to the Manager After Schools Club. Ideally we would like a teacher who is looking for a change or new challenge or an experienced Playworker (Level 3 qualified with at least a year’s experience) to plan interesting activities, provide a range of activities daily including outdoor play and opportunities to relax or do homework.

INFANT

Bedtime Story, Tuesday 12 February, 5.15 to 6.00pm
On 12 February children are invited to come back to school in their pyjamas for a bedtime story with their class teacher. While children are listening to their story parents are invited to come to the hall where refreshments will be provided.

House Baking Competition – Wed 22nd Jan Assembly
Calling all bakers! This terms first house competition has been launched. We have challenged the children to come up with a marvelous cup cake ! The children must bring in one cupcake only and points will be awarded for style and taste! No nuts please!

The finest bakers will have their photo put up on our house notice board along with images of their creation!

Lost
Esme (Chestnut) has lost her entire named PE kit – missing since the end of last term.
Kayla (Oak) has lost her pink, sparkly, unicorn PE bag and all the contents.

Menu: week 3 beginning 20 January

JUNIOR

January Dates for the Diary
Monday 20th - Year 5 Visit to Neasden Temple
Wednesday 22nd - Y3&4 Hockey cancelled

Cancelled/ Clubs
Wednesday 22nd January: No Hockey for all Y3 & Y4 Children
Thursday 23rd January - No Y5&Y6 football due to hockey fixtures at HT

Time changed for Lunchtime
Table Tennis Club on Tuesday for Years 3 & 4 – it will now run from 12:00 – 12:30

Payments
This is a general reminder to log in to your child’s www.parentpay.com account and settle any monies owing to the school. To help us with our ‘eco-school’ initiative, it would be great to have your support in reducing paper billing.

These payments are due:
Pupil lunches – All Years
Clubs – All Years
Swimming – Classes 3A & 4N – autumn 2019
Swimming – Classes 3C &4E – spring 2020
Marwell Zoo – Year 3 – autumn 2019
Butser Farm – Year 4 – autumn 2019
Tower of London – Year 5 – autumn 2019
Hindu Temple & Winchester – Year 5 – spring 2020
Wisley – Year 6 – autumn 2019
Bikeability – Year 6 – spring 2020
Brenscombe Farm – Year 5 - Residential
Preston Montford – Year 6 - Residential

We appreciate your assistance in managing your school accounts.

Menu - Week 1 Commencing 20/1/20

HT Sports

We have had a wild and windy start to year, with the weather yet again managing to spoil some of our plans for after school fixtures and clubs.

All year groups have been involved in indoor Sportshall competitions this week and have jumped, thrown and sprinted in this exciting competition. We have taken over 80 children out and although we have more than enough competition t-shirts for everyone, we find that our kit is simply not being returned and some children are having to take part wearing their own PE kit. Please do not hold on to any kit after your child has borrowed it. If in doubt hand it in to the office, or leave it in the large white box labelled 'SCHOOL KIT' by the staff pigeon holes in the staff room.

Y6 Badminton 'Rackets' Festival
Date: Tuesday 21st January
Time: 12.45pm - 2.30pm (we will leave school at 12.20pm) Parents to help with lifts
Venue: Spectrum
Teacher: Paul

Y5 & Y6 Hockey v Barrow Hills
Date: Wednesday 22nd January
Time: 3.00pm - 4.15pm
Venue: Holy Trinity
Teacher: Mary

Y3 & Y4 Hockey v Barrow Hills
Date: Thursday 23rd January
Time: 3.00pm - 4.15pm
Venue: Holy Trinity
Teacher: Mary

On the 22nd and 23rd Jan all children who regularly go to Mary's Wednesday hockey after school club are invited to play in the matches against Barrow Hills at HT. Invitations will not be sent out, Mary has spoken to the children about the matches and they just need to get changed and be ready to play as usual. The matches will finish between 4.15pm and 4.30pm. Please make sure your child brings in with them their mouth guard and shin pads.

FOPS News

It’s only two weeks till the disco (Feb 1st) and tickets will be available from the reception from Monday. When you purchase your ticket you get a chance to request your favourite song. Please don’t forget to bring your ticket on the day.

We will have a bar, some light snacks (crisps, sausage rolls and doughnuts) and UV face and body painting! Please feel free to wear bright clothes, and if you can remember to bring your kids drinking bottle then it will help reduce spills and washing up.

We can’t put on these events without volunteers and your class reps have details of the help we need in order to actually hold this event. If you get match funding from work and volunteer for a bar slot then you may even be able to double the proceeds!

Please note we need at least 8 people to help clear up afterwards.

Also, a quick reminder to use easyfundraising every time you shop online! Over 4,000 shops and sites will donate, so you can raise FREE donations for us no matter what you’re buying. These donations really help us out, so please sign up if you haven’t yet. It’s easy and FREE! You can get started at https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/fopd/?utm_campaign=raise-more&utm_medium=email&utm_content=en-n2

Dates for the diary:
1st Feb – School Glow Disco 5-7pm
12th Feb – Bedtime stories 5-7pm
29th Mar - Bake and stroll

Next cake sales:
25th Feb - Chestnut pancake sale
28th Feb - Walnut cake sale

Next coffee morning:
Yr 1 Friday 31st Jan, hosted by Gini at 30 Pewley Way time tbc
Yr 2 Tuesday 21st Jan at Cafe Nero on North Street (after drop off)

Dear Parents and Carers,

Happy New Year! I hope that you and your families had a relaxing Christmas break. The children have returned full of energy and enthusiasm for the term ahead, keen to make the most of every opportunity that they’re given. With a whole range of new clubs on offer, we’ve been excited to see lots of children fully embracing school life. Do encourage your child to try something new this term. Take a look at the updated clubs list. Remember though, with such dark evenings, to come into school to pick children up if they’re finishing late.

We’ve had a really good start to 2020. With a focus this week on being purposeful, it’s been lovely to see how ready for learning the children have been. Thank you so much for making sure the children are in school on time, dressed in appropriate uniform and well-equipped with PE kits and stationery. As the term goes on we often see the juniors struggling to remember their PE kits and whilst we do have some spare kits in school, we are keen to improve this situation so that less time is wasted finding the right sized trainers or T-shirts. This term, we’ll let you know with a letter if your child has had to borrow kit. We’d really appreciate your support in making sure they don’t forget again. It is important that PE kit is in school every day.

We had great news earlier this week when we heard that we’ve been shortlisted for a Surrey award recognising our healthy school emphasis and our excellent sporting provision. The winning school, to be determined by a public vote, will win a prize of £500 for further PE training. This was the information from Active Surrey:

We are delighted to inform you that Holy Trinity Pewley Down School has been shortlisted in the Create Development ‘Active School Innovation of the Year’ category in the Active Surrey Awards, which recognise organisations or individuals who inspire others to improve their physical and mental wellbeing through sport or physical activity.

The Create Development’s ‘Active School Innovation of the Year’ award will recognise a school (Key Stage 1-2) that has shown exceptional commitment, creativity and innovation to PE, school sport and/or physical activity over the past academic year, enabling pupils, particularly those who need it most, to be more active, more often.

The winners will receive £500 worth of Real Play resources and training from Create Development.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE! and please click FINISH before closing.

Do share the link and let’s get voting!

One last piece of good news is to let you know that Tom Everard, our Year 6 teacher and maths lead has been promoted by the school governors to be assistant headteacher. He will be working across both schools, supporting both me, and our deputy headteachers, Debbie and Helen. We’re all really looking forward to 2020!

With best wishes, Clare

Thought of the week: “Seek and you will find!” Matthew 7 v7: What is your purpose in life?

WHOLE SCHOOL

CLOSING DATE FOR PRIMARY APPLICATIONS - 15 January 2020
A final reminder that the deadline for applications to Year R and Year 3 for September 2020 is Wednesday 15 January. Online applications can be made via Surrey County Council’s website: https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/schools/admissions

Nasal flu catch up clinics until the end of March 2020
If your child missed the flu immunisation session held in school last term, West Surrey Immunisation Team are offering catch up clinics at Goldsworth Park Health Centre, Woking until the end of March 2020. Please contact 01483 728201 ext. 273 to book an appointment.

INFANT

Lost
Louis (Chestnut) has lost his entire PE kit, including the bag.
Maks (Walnut) has lost his fleece which is named in black ink.
Heidi (Walnut) has lost her grey, yellow and pink trainers contained in a Sainsbury’s bag, missing since the last Kickstart football session in December.
Surabhi (Hazel) has lost her Keller cardigan (probably named).

Menu: week 2 commencing Monday 13 January

JUNIOR

January Dates for the Diary
Wednsday 15th - 3C & 4E Swimming starts
Monday 20th - Year 5 Visit to Neasden Temple
Wednesday 22nd - Y3&4 Hockey cancelled

Change of Date
27 February - Y4 Visit to Science Museum, was previously planned for January. 

Library Clubs
Wednesday afternoon book club for Y3&4 still has spaces, if you took part last term and would like to come again please let Geraldine know as she may be able to accommodate you.

All breakfast groups meet next week, except for the new Y4 group whose first meeting is 4/2/20.
Dad's group is on hold until there is more interest.

House Baking Competition
Calling all bakers! This terms first house competition has been launched. We have challenged the children to come up with a marvelous cup cake! The children must bring in one cupcake only and points will be awarded for style and taste! No nuts please!

The finest bakers will have their photo put up on our house notice board along with images of their creation!

HT Sport

It's great to see the children back after the Christmas break refreshed and full of energy. I was particularly impressed with Y3 this week as so many of the children were wearing their full PE kit and had removed watches, fitbits and all jewellery before coming out on to the pitch. Let's keep it up! We look forward to an exciting term of sport and keep our fingers crossed that the weather doesn't spoil our plans for our after school clubs and fixtures.

Y5 & Y6 Sportshall
Date: Monday 13 January
Time: Coach leaving school at 8.45am and returning at 11.45am.
Venue: Spectrum
Teacher: Nick & Laura

Y5 Netball v QE
Date: Tuesday 14 January
Time: 3.30pm - 4.30pm
Venue: Queen Eleanor's, Queen Eleanors rd, GU2 7SD
Teacher: JJ

Y3 & Y4 Sportshall
Date: Thursday 16 January
Time: Coach leaving school at 12.00pm and returning at 3.00pm.
Venue: Spectrum
Teacher: Nick, Toby & Laura

On 22/23 January all children who regularly go to Mary's Wednesday hockey after school club are invited to play matches against Barrow Hills at HT. Invitations will not be sent out, Mary has spoken to the children about the matches and they just need to get changed and be ready to play as usual. The matches will finish between 4.15-4.30pm. Please make sure your child brings their mouth guard and shin pads.

On Wednesday 22 January Y5&6 will be playing their matches, therefore hockey club will not be running for Y3&4 on 22/1/20. Year 3 and Year 4 will be playing their matches on 23 January.

Menu - Week 3

FOPS

Hopefully you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year and are settling back into the new term well.

The first thing we have for this week is a congratulations to the winner of the bauble decorating competition. A huge well done to Jonah from Oak Class for this entry. A prize will be available at reception from next week.

Secondly a very big thank you again to everyone who helped out at the Christmas Fair - before, during and after. We raised a record-breaking £3,400, bringing the total for the first term to around £5,500!

Dates for the diary:
All school events
School Disco - 1st Feb, 5-7pm
Swap and shop - date tbc
Walk and stroll - Sunday 29th March, time tbc.

Coffee Mornings
Yr 1: Friday 31st Jan, hosted by Gini at 30 Pewley Way
Yr 2: Tuesday 21st Jan at Cafe Nero on North Street (after drop off)
Monday 24th Feb at Cafe Nero on North Street (after drop off)
Friday 27th March - venue tbc

Thanks, Jo and Sam

HTSC

Hope everyone is well and enjoyed your time off over the Christmas period. It is now officially 2020 so we are ‘all in’ for Pitch 2020!

Thank you for all the support you showed last term – it was very much appreciated.

There are still a few payments outstanding for the Tree of Wishes – if you know you pledged, please drop in your payment in cash or cheque (payable HTSC).

Our first meeting of the year will be on Monday 20th January at Rogues and we look forward to as many of you coming along to the meeting as possible to share your ideas with us for fundraising this term.

Easy Fundraising
Christmas may be over, please consider clicking through to your favourite retailers through the Easyfundraising site and select Holy Trinity School Community Guildford as your charity. We get a small amount per transaction, but it all adds up at the end of the year.

Sponsor
Thank you to Hill Clements for their support with our events last term.

Reminder - dates for your diary:
HTSC Meeting – Monday 20th January 8pm at Rogues Bar If you have any questions, please email helen@thomasday.co.uk and I’ll endeavour to get back to you as soon as I can.

Thank you again for all your support - have a happy weekend!

Surrey Arts ensembles open rehearsals
Surrey Arts would like to invite all young musicians to come along and try out some of the local ensembles at our open evening on Wednesday 15 January.

5.15- 6.30pm
South West Winds - Woodwind, brass and percussion players (beginner to grade 4)
Prima - String players (beginner to grade 2)
Opus - String players (grade 2- 4)

6.45 - 8.45pm
South West Surrey Youth Orchestra - Strings, Wind, brass and percussion (grade 5+)

All rehearsals take place at Tillingbourne school and the open rehearsal and first term is free. Expert tutors will be on hand to help, just bring along your instrument! For more information, please contact Alison Harding - Alison.harding@surreycc.gov.uk. Download flyer here.

Messy Church, Saturday 1 February, 4.00 – 6.00 pm
Our Messy Church runs on the 1st Saturday of every month and is in partnership with St Nicolas Church and Guildford United Reformed Church. Come and join us on Saturday 1st February at Guildford United Reformed Church for lots of crafts, a time to listen to the story of the Wise and Foolish builder and enjoy a yummy hot meal. Messy Church is totally free to attend (donations are welcome); no need to book, just turn up. It's great for the whole family. Children need to be accompanied by an adult. For more information, please e-mail childrenfamworker@gmail.com or visit the Guildford URC website.