No. 243 - 28 June
Dear Parents and Carers,
With this week’s assembly theme being about letting our light shine, it was a lot of fun to enjoy District Sports! Watching our team of seventy athletes compete at the Spectrum with such passion really made my week. It was wonderful to share in the joy of winning medals, and I was delighted to present the overall trophy to our school again too. The children were such great sports, exhibiting the HTPD values throughout. I was very proud of them all, and immensely grateful to Laura Sutton, our sports coordinator who is also responsible for running the whole event on behalf of Guildford Primary Schools’ Sports Association. I was reflecting on our success, and, as well as fantastic support from home, and, of course, the children’s skill and determination; I also wonder if another reason that we win is because of our amazing staff team. They all encourage the children to live life in all its fullness every day, inspiring them to make the most of every opportunity, and they really spur them on to give their very best on every occasion, letting their light shine. It’s a great recipe for success!
Another fantastic event this week was the culmination of Geraldine’s Brilliant Book Awards. The grand final was hosted by Guildford High School, after weeks of Y5 and Y6 book groups reading and selecting a favourite from Geraldine’s selection of new fiction; over a hundred children from across the town gathered to hear which book had won this year’s vote. They were joined by a couple of well-known authors – one of whom, Jack Meggitt-Phillips, then came back to HTPD to speak to the juniors. He wrote the series “The Beast and the Bethany” and was an inspiring and talented speaker, enabling all the children to write their own speedy short story in the Chapel despite boiling hot weather! That’s impressive!
It was great to welcome our new Reception children for a visit to the cabins after school this week – Vicky, our new headteacher, joined them and really enjoyed getting to know some of our staff ready for September. She’s also been able to spend time in school today as well, coming along to assembly and chatting with the children. I’m so glad that I can talk with her about all that’s really special at HTPD before I leave. She’s so keen to keep the things that matter.
This weekend, I’m beginning my annual marathon, reading all the reports that the teachers were busy writing on our midsummer Monday – I’ve managed to enjoy some already and they’re just great. It’s such a brilliant way to end the year, reading about all the children’s successes, their individual talents, and the wonderful personalities that make up the school community. I know I’ll miss them all! Hope you have a great weekend too.
With much love, Clare
Thought of the week: Bee creative and colourful - when are you most creative? “You are the salt of the earth; you are the light of the world – let your light shine!”
Whole School
If your child attends after-school clubs, do check the notices below by clicking on the junior or infant section.
Infant
Sports Day, Thursday 4 July
PD races will start at 9.00am until approximately 10.00am. Children should come to school in their PE kits with hats, water bottles and sun cream (applied before school). Please join us on the pitch at 9.00 and follow the signs to sit in the marked areas for each house.
Ballet Club Show, Thursday 4 July
Parents are invited to the Ballet show on 4 July at 3.30pm. Thursday 11 July will be the last ballet lesson this term.
Menu: Week 3 beginning 1 July.
Junior
Dates for the diary
- Thursday 4 July – Sports Day; Y3 and Y4 races at 10.30, and Y5 and Y6 races at 1.30, before the final tug-of-war and results at the end of the day.
- Friday 5 July – Y3 BBQ and Sleepover
- Y4 Dapdune Wharf Walk – 4SP on Monday 8 July, 4SJ on Wednesday 10 July and 4B on Thursday 11 July
- Y6 Entrepreneur Club Sale – Thursday 11 July
Secondary school transition days – please note that if your child is going to George Abbot for the 12.30 afternoon session they will miss lunch at school, so please pick them up from school in time to provide them with lunch out of school.
Lunch - Week 3 beginning 1 July.
PTA
WANTED: New PTA committee members for 24/25!
Some of our PTA committee are moving on and we are looking for lots of new members - including a new Chair or Co-Chairs.
With the school moving back to the infant site in September, the PTAs will be separating again. Joining one of the PTA committees is a brilliant opportunity to build a supportive and fun community at Pewley Down and Holy Trinity, while raising money for extra resources for our lovely infant and junior school pupils. With the school budget under continual pressure, it is so fulfilling to be able to “fill in the gaps” to make the school experience so exciting and diverse.
There are PTA roles for everyone - big and small: chairing, administration, copy writing, organising, marketing, finance, general bringer of fun, poster maker, website runner, school liaison. You can create your own role depending on your skills and how much time you have to dedicate.
Or perhaps you would like to be involved with just one event, like a Quiz night or the Fun Run. Groups of friends could come together to organise one thing if they are unable to commit to a full year on the PTA.
One of the committee who is moving house has asked us to share this: “I’m so sad to be leaving my role in the PTA. It’s challenging at times but honestly I have learned so much, it’s given me an amazing opportunity to be part of my children’s school and it’s really supported my confidence in my career.”
Please email friendsofpewley@gmail.com or htsc@htpd.surrey.sch.uk if you would like to be involved, or speak to one of the current committee members.
We know there are some very talented and dedicated parents at HTPD so please do reach out for a chat - as an individual or as a group. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Other
Vivace Chorus Children’s Concert on Saturday 6 July at 4pm in Holy Trinity Church. Tickets are £15 for adults and FREE for children! They will be singing two child friendly pieces: Captain Noah and his Floating Zoo, and a lovely arrangement of Edward Lear’s Nonsense Songs. The whole event is in aid of HomeStart. Please see the flyer for details.
Horticulture and Educational Charity, The Therapy Garden has released this summer’s ‘Garden Explorers’ Holiday Club dates. Please see the flyer below.
North Guildford Food Bank – Fundraising Concert, Saturday 13 July, 7.30pm at Holy Trinity Church. We are looking forward to our first big fundraising event. As loyal donors, you will know that demand for food banks is still on the increase. We know that the cost of living is affecting everyone and this is also having an impact on our donations. We are therefore increasing our fundraising efforts this year. We are delighted that Liz Simcock, one of the country’s leading singer-songwriters, has agreed to perform at Holy Trinity Church on the evening of 13th July, with all the proceeds going to North Guildford Food Bank. It should be a lovely evening as well as a great way to support an important cause. We are also thrilled that actor Jenny Seagrove will be joining us and will speak briefly on the food bank during the interval. The link to tickets is below. https://guildfordfringefestival.com/events/liz-simcock-in-concert-all-proceeds-to-north-guildford-food-bank/
Prior’s Field School Summer Camps, Godalming, 15 July – 23 August – more details and booking information below.
Barracudas Summer Camps, Guildford – see flyer below