Newsletter April & May 2024

Dear Parents and Carers,

It has been a wonderful first half of the summer term at St Helen's. Although the weather took a while to cheer up, it didn't stop us keeping busy! We have had a few focus weeks this half term, we have studied Classic Poetry, we have had PE Focus Week and Mental Health Awareness Week too. The swimming pool was back on site for the whole term and all of the children have been able to have a swimming session, with the year 5s having daily lessons. Click here to see some Swimming Highlights!

The next half term is going to be even busier and fun too - we have lots of events coming up. Look on the website calendar for dates and also and the links below.

Miss Doherty

The Summer Term will be just as exciting - here are some key dates for your diaries

Website Calendar - Click here Make a note of all the exciting events taking place this term. Please join us for them!

Click here for Mass & Assembly Dates SUMMER DATES

Click here to see our planned Workshops for Parents

Click here for the School Events List

Click here to read the Religion Newsletter from Ten:Ten - May Issue

Click Blue buttons at the bottom of the page to see highlights from each year group.

Reminders

Timings - please remember that school starts at 8:50am each day. Gates will close at 8:55am. The school day finishes at 3:20pm each day. Session times for Pre-school and Nursery are 8:30-11:30am and 12:20-3:20pm.
Road Safety - Please do not park on the zig-zag lines at the zebra crossings, or on the double yellow lines around the entrances to the school. These parking restrictions are in place to keep everyone safe. Please also be mindful or parking on the curbs/pavements. The pavement is very narrow and these need to be kept clear for those who are walking.
Wrap Around Care - If you would like details of our Breakfast Club (7:45am until start of school day) or 6 O'clock Club (3:20-6pm) please contact the school office between 8:15am and 4pm for prices and information.
Hygiene advice - this is the time of year where there may be headlice. Please take time to check your child's hair from time to time and seek advice from your Pharmacy. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/head-lice-and-nits/

Newham Stories _ Poster_Newham Libraries.pdf

PRIMARY SUMMER TERM NEWSLETTER 2024.pdf

Chess Champ!

I am delighted to share the fantastic news about one of our students, Maxwell in year 5. He represented Essex in the EPSCA (English Primary Schools Chess Association) National Finals held in Northampton on May 11 2024. The U11 Essex Juniors delivered a tremendous effort, achieving 4th place in the EPSCA Association National Finals, missing out on a prize by just half a point. This is the highest result for an Essex U11 team since 2003, showcasing an excellent performance despite the narrow miss.

Maxwell's individual performance was also commendable, as he won 2 out of his 3 games. Notably, Maxwell was the only participant from Newham Borough and our very own St Helen's School. His dedication and success in chess are truly inspiring, and we believe this achievement deserves recognition.

We want to celebrate Maxwell's accomplishments and to encourage more students to take up chess, following in Maxwell's footsteps. Chess is not only a game of strategy and skill but also a great way to develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

We are all extremely proud of Maxwell and hope he continues in his success!

Classic Poetry Focus Weeks

The children have been delving deep into the world of poetry by studying classical poets who have written poems that have lasted and stood against the test of time.

The children learnt some of these poems off by heart and performed them to the rest of their school with their focus on voice. This is a very challenging task but the children rose to the occasion as always!

The performances were as follows:

Year 1: A Good Play by Robert Louis Stevenson

Year 2: In the Dark by A.A. Milne

Year 3: Talking Turkeys by Benjamin Zephaniah

Year 4: Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
Year 5: Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night by Dylan Thomas

IMG_0299.MOV

IMG_0298.MOV

7ce3a18d-80a4-4524-a40d-6a6b48f016e2.mp4

b200c741-9489-4d22-84e6-c7afd456ee9a.mp4

Music

This month has been a very busy one for the Music Department. Our school choir performed at the St John Bosco camp fundraiser where they helped to raise over £5,000 for the camp that will happen in the summer.

The string Orchestra, Flute ensemble and recorders have been very busy with the launch of the YES! Project with Newham Music. Some children attended the launch day at Lister school on Saturday where they were part oft eh music making there with other groups such as Newham Music Jazz Collective and Kinetico Bloco. They have taken this and are hard at work creating their own space themed pieces of music to be performed in Summer.

IMG_6900.MOV

IMG_6899.MOV

IMG_6896.MOV

EYFS

KS1

Years 3 & 4

Years 5 & 6

Our Parish - St Margaret's and All Saints

Here is a link to St Margaret's and All Saints Parish Website where you will find the latest copies of the Parish Newsletter and other information such as Mass times and events. There is a Live Stream for all Masses at the Main Church, and if you would like to watch School Masses at the Convent Chapel they are also Live Streamed. Here are the links -

St Margaret's Church Live Stream Convent Chapel Live Stream (School Masses - Friday am)