Newsletter 08 25/10/24

What an exciting and different week we've had! With many thanks to Mrs Crabb for her coordination and organisation, we have enjoyed visits - both virtual and in-person - from a range of adults this week. Helped by an actor, architect, engineer, graphic designer, private jet pilot, the police and army, the children have had an introduction to a range of possible careers. We've also met a prison officer, our new local MP, a FA data analyst and someone from the European Space Agency. Hopefully, the children have been inspired by those they have met and had their eyes opened to a world of possibilities.

Thank you for supporting today's dress-up day when it has been lovely to see both children and staff wearing outfits reflecting potential ambitions and goals for the future. Anything in life is possible when you are at the age of our children! Among our contributors this week have been friends and relatives of staff, as well as parents. We would like to thank them all for giving up their time and providing the children with so much inspiration.

On a separate note, I'd like to say a big 'well done' to both boys and girls teams who have competed strongly in football tournaments this week. 

I hope that you have enjoyed the peace around drop-off time brought about by the beginning of the School Street Scheme. Thank you for supporting our quest to make our children safer and, in particular, to the adults who have volunteered to man the barriers this week. With even more support, hopefully we can spread the safer streets to the hour around collection time in the afternoons.

As we reach the end of a long half term, I would like to thank the children and staff for all of their hard work and commitment in the last eight weeks. I hope that everyone has a chance to recharge their batteries and enjoys a peaceful, restful week next week.

God bless, keep well, stay safe and have good times together.

Mr Beazeley

• 28/10/24 to 01/11/24 – HALF TERM WEEK – School Closed

• 04/11/24 – Children return to school

• 05/11/24 – New Reception Parent/Carer Tour 9.30am

• 05/11/24 - Snakes Alive visit Year 1

• 06/11/24 - Netball and Football ACT  Tournament

• 06/11/24 – New Reception Parent/Carer Tour 2.00pm

• 07/11/24 – Year 5 St Maximilian Kolbe class assembly

There is our new menu that begins the first week after half-term.

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.

Aspirations Week - pupils and staff have dressed up as their aspirational careers today and it has been wonderful to see such variety of ideas.

Some of our visitors for Aspiration week included a Detective, a Firearms Officer, 2 Army LBdr, an Opera Singer and a Pianist (Do you recognise the Opera Singer?) The children have really asked great questions and learnt so much from these visitors.

Year 5 have been looking at how the earth orbits the sun and the weather was perfect for this experiment today

Year 3 drew pictures using charcoal, based on the book - The Stoneage boy.  We are focusing on chiaroscuro (creating light and dark) .

Year 4 learnt how to use microbits today with a teacher from Southend High School for Boys. They all enjoyed the activities and are looking forward to furthering their knowledge after half term in their computing lessons.

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. 

Application forms are now available in the porch of both churches to apply for your child’s place on the First Holy Communion Course 2025. Your child should be in Year 3. It is best if your child joins the course while in year 3 as they will be amongst likeminded children of a similar age and with their friends. However, if your child is a little older they may also join the course. The forms must be returned to Sacred Heart Presbytery by Sunday 3rd November. You will be informed if your application has been successful before the Parent’s Meeting on Wednesday 13th November. We will ask to see your child’s Baptism certificate.

LOST PROPERTY

Please can all parents check their child’s clothes -  All items should be clearly labelled and your child needs to ensure they can identify their own property.  Staff are wasting too much time searching for children’s clothing and dealing with frustrated parents.

Thank you for your co-operation.

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.

Breakfast club bookings also includes the tea club (£9 per session) - again all bookings must be booked and paid for in advance.  Failure to pay will result in the child not being able to attend future sessions.

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.

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 show the successes in their new year groups. 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: 

Thank you 

Mrs White - SENCO 

Parentkind – the charity that supports school PTAs - have teamed up with Asda, who are making millions of pounds available to donate to primary schools across the UK through their ‘Cashpot for Schools’ initiative –  all you have to do is, opt in through the Asda Rewards app, choose our primary school and shop and scan in store or shop online at Asda.com, between 2nd September and 30th November 2024

Asda will donate 0.5% of the value of your shop to our Primary school. Also, every time somebody opts in, Asda will give an additional £1 to the school Cashpot. Plus, it doesn’t stop there – Asda are also giving £50 to every school to get them started.

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