'Change' is probably the theme of the week, both in school and in the wider world. With the day dawning on a new Government and local MP, our current Year 6 children are taking their first steps in the secondary school world. Whilst most of them are visiting their new schools today, our other classes are meeting new teachers and visiting new classrooms. A feeling of change is, indeed, all around and I'm sure we all hope that these changes will be a good thing!

It has been lovely to welcome new members of staff this week and they will be taking on class teacher roles from Miss Jackson who will be leaving to have her baby and Mrs Elvidge. Neither teacher is leaving us and Mrs Elvidge will be extending her role with Music from September to teach each class during teachers' release time. This is a central element of our ambition to build upon our musical successes, providing our top musicians with the opportunity to extend their skills and experiences and all other children the chance to discover their musical talent. Our curriculum will allow all children to have a wide range of experience with instruments as well as the singing which is already a strength at Sacred Heart.

I have enjoyed another new experience this week, in the shape of the Prize-giving ceremonies we hold for our pupils. I am used to this being something that secondary schools do so it was lovely to see many of our pupils being rewarded - with new books - for upholding the values that run through the life and love of our school. Signalling the end of a school year and a change to the new, we recognised pupils in each class from Year 1 to Year 5 who have reflected compassion, equality, faith, responsibility, achievement and respect. 

For Year 6, in addition to the demonstration of Christian values, there were prizes awarded for a vast range of achievements across the whole curriculum and school life. Congratulations, in particular, to Michael and Benecia who have been nominated for the Diocesan Citizenship Award and who will receive their recognition at a ceremony with the Bishop in Brentwood next week. 

At our celebration assembly this morning, we also recognised the pupils who have recently undergone their First Holy Communion and we admire their commitment and faith. Next week in assembly, we will hear of how our children can demonstrate our values in action by supporting a new group of 'Mini Vinnies.'

Thank you, again, to Mr Jarvis and other staff for organising the Sports mornings over the last week, as well as parents for attending and, of course, the children for competing and supporting each other across a range of events. After the Reception classes take part next week, we will have the final totals for each House team, that every individual has contributed to, and the overall finishing positions.

At the start of the week, I had the pleasure of taking members of my after-school cricket club to watch Essex 2nd XI at Garon Park. If the weather is good, there is free entrance again this coming Tuesday.

Congratulations are also due to the Eco Council, supported by Mrs Brousse and Mr Smith, for achieving the Green Flag Award. The recent 'Beach Clean' was their second and an example of taking positive action to improve our community and, at the same time, set a good example to others. Their work has also included visiting Garon Park, developing our Garden (Quiet) Area, supplying plants to each classroom and office and making the school menu more eco-friendly. Keep up the good work!

God bless, keep well.

Mr Beazeley

All school reports have now been sent to parents and we hope you find them informative about your child's learning over the last year. If you can spare a moment to acknowledge receipt of the school report we would appreciate it, the link can be found on the report or follow the link here. Thank you for you ongoing support in working with us to educate your child.

Here are our stars of the week who have represented our core values well through their actions of responsibility, achievement, compassion, equality, faith and respect.

Our Amazon Wishlist is live!! The idea is that friends and family of the school can donate directly to the school library. We’ll still accept preloved copies from home that you may also wish to donate. The selection of books are chosen by the staff as texts that may benefit the pupil's reading comprehension, engagement with the curriculum and foster an interest in reading. The current list is reflective of this and will update as and when donations come through.  The link to our Wishlist is here.

A big thank you to those that have bought books for the school, we truly appreciate it.

7th  July - School Fayre 12:15pm - 3pm (entrance via the Southchurch entrance)
9th July - Tower of London Trip – Year 2

9th July - Taster Day at Senior Schools  (St Bernards /St Thomas More)– Year 5

10th July - Yr 3 Natwest Workshops
10th July - Year 6 Production of Matilda 7pm

11th July - Year 6 Production of Matilda 7pm

15th July - Leaver Mass - 2pm in church
18th July - Leavers Assembly at 2.00pm

18th July - Last Day of Term

19th July to 2nd September - SUMMER HOLIDAYS
3rd September - INSET Day – NO children in school

Wednesday 4th September - CHILDREN RETURN TO SCHOOL

SEND Summer term Update 

In the next coming weeks, the teachers will be sharing the summer Individual Support Plans (ISP) with all the families, who have children with special educational needs. I hope the plans devised will support the transition time into the new classes over the summer period, into the autumn term. Your input is greatly appreciated as we know that children with additional needs need a high level of support at home too. Your class teacher will be in contact with you for a meeting  and provide you with a new password. The ISPs will be online, please log onto https://edukeyapp.com/parent/login to communicate and share your views. Please speak to your class teacher if you need further support with this process. 

To find out further how we support children with special educational needs, at Sacred Heart Catholic school please click on this link: https://www.shcps.co.uk/ckfinder/userfiles/files/SEND%20Information%20report%20and%20policy%20Sacred%20Heart%20Feb%202024.pdf

To those children moving onto secondary school their SEN files will be shared electronically with their new school. The children with SEN, have all been invited to additional visits to their new school to explain the plans for September. If you want to find out further details please contact the school office. 

Here are our stars of the week who have represented our core values well through their actions of responsibility, achievement, compassion, equality, faith and respect.

Prize Giving - Selected pupils were awarded prizes for those that have reflected one of our core values over this academic year of responsibility, achievement, compassion, equality, faith and respect.

Sports Mornings - Well done to all the pupils who participated over these mornings, the parents that cheered them on and to Mr Jarvis for organising. The House Winner will be be announced after the Reception Sports morning.

As part of their work to investigate light and shadows, Year 3 have been making shadow puppet theatres.

Summer Reading Challenge 2024

The Summer Reading Challenge 2024 will be taking place in libraries once again this year.  This year’s theme is Marvellous  Maker’s and is based on developing children’s creativity.

Encouraging children to read throughout the long summer holiday has been proven to maintain children’s literacy skills and develop a life-long love of reading.

Your child should have bought home a card with some information on regarding the challenge.  The school with the most children taking part will receive a certificate.

For further details please visit www.southend.gov.uk/libraries

School Library/Reading Books

As we are drawing to the end of the summer term it is essential that all children return their reading/library books promptly.  There are lots of children not returning their books in a timely fashion.

Lost books are charged at £5 per book and can be paid online via School Money under Shop.

The school has recently invested a lot of money on new books for the children and we ask that our families ensure they are cared for and returned urgently.

Please speak to your class teacher if you have any problems locating a book your child has brought home.

We would like to remind all our families using breakfast club of the importance of booking in advance.  We have noticed an increase of children not booking in advance and this effects our staffing ratio.

All bookings must be made at the beginning of each week so we can ensure we have enough staff available.  Priority will be given to children who have booked in advance and those who have not booked may not be able to stay.

If you need assistance making a booking please email annemariedriscoll@sacredheart.southend.sch.uk

We would like to remind all our families that we are a nut free school to protect some of our pupils/staff and therefore request that no items of food containing nuts are brought in.  We have noticed an increasing number of children bringing in snacks and spreads containing nuts ie cereal bars, chocolate spread etc.  We hope you all understand the importance that some of our community have epi pens for their allergies and we need to ensure their safety at all times.  Thank you for your co-operation.

Due to the closure of Paul's School Uniform, we have made a new partnership with Brand Identity Schoolwear.  You can order online at
www.b-id.co.uk/schools/ or buy at their store - Unit 2, 555 Sutton Rd, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 5FB (the entrance is on Stock Road).

An alternative retailer is Crawlers, who can be found at 361 Hamstel Road, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 4LE

Here is a reminder of our SCHOOL UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS as parents may be considering purchasing uniform for the summer term. Please also pay special attention to the jewellery and hairstyles requirements as well, thank you. 

Please follow the link to the Ten Ten collective Worship Newsletter this month www.tentenresources.co.uk/prayers-for-home/parent-newsletter/