Nursery

This week in nursery the children have had fun making 'spider biscuits', to link with the nursery rhyme ‘Incy Wincy Spider’ and our book of the week 'Spinderella' by Julia Donaldson and

Sebastien Braun. 

They have also been using their senses to explore pumpkins! 

"It smells sweet" said Dolcie. 

"You can grow the seeds" commented Georgie.

"It feels sticky" said Guillermo. 

Reception Class

To end our half term of learning about 'God's Creation' we visited the Dog groomers, Muttkuts, in our local area. 

The children were fantastically behaved and really enjoyed seeing the dogs get washed, dried and trimmed.  

Advent Appeal

On Tuesday 22nd October we launched our Advent appeal with 'Mary's meals.' 

We had an assembly with Joanna from the charity Mary's meals who helps children receive one hot meal a day at school. Mary’s Meals serves nutritious school meals to children living in some of the world’s poorest countries. The promise of a good meal attracts these hungry children into the classroom, giving them the energy to learn and hope for a better future.

We then had a porridge reading breakfast on Wednesday 23rd October where all children received a cup of porridge with various toppings for a £1. Parents were invited to join their child for this and read with them in their classroom.

It was wonderful to see so many parents support our Advent Appeal. 

We have raised £175 so far and will have more fundraising for this amazing charity during the weeks of Advent! 

Popcorn Questions

Every Monday and Friday the children meet in circle groups across the school. The aim of this circle time is to improve relationships between all children and teaching staff. At the end of each session we ask a "popcorn question". 

We call it a "popcorn question" because the answers should 'pop' and any child can shout out at any time with their answer.  All questions for next term will be linked to our British values or to something that's currently going on in the world. This is to encourage the children to talk about and share their opinions, feelings and ideas. 

For next term we would like to share these questions with you in advance of our circle time to offer you the chance to discuss them at home with your child.   Look out on the newsletter for the first popcorn question after half term.

Staff Update

We say a big thank you and good luck to Miss Mooney as she moves on to a new role and congratulations to Miss Standley who will be joining the Nurture Team with Miss Podyma.

Welcome back to Miss Boyejo and welcome to our St. Paul's family to Miss White who starts with us as a Teaching Assistant after the half term.

School Uniform Offer

10% Discount on uniform up until 20 December 2024 PLUS free delivery on all school uniform orders at MyClothing this weekend between 6am Saturday 26 Oct until 11:59pm Sunday 27 Oct.  

Here is a link to the schools ordering page and the codes to access the discounts;

https://myclothing.com/collections/st-pauls-catholic-primary-school-7584?t=1586266110380

• 10% Discount Code - UNIFORM10

• Free Delivery Code - FREESHIP

Attendance

This week, 234 children had 100% attendance. Their names have been entered into the attendance raffle which will be drawn today in Celebration Assembly. 

The class with the highest attendance for the week is...St. Teresa Class with 99%. You can come to school in non-uniform on Friday 8 November!  Please note this does not include pyjamas, slippers, any nightwear or makeup.

Reflective Thought

"God calls us not to think according to the categories of ‘friend/enemy’, ‘us/them’, ‘those who are in/those who are out’, ‘mine/yours’, but rather to go beyond, to open our heart in order to be able to recognize God’s presence and action, even in unusual and unpredictable environments that are not part of our circle."

Pope Francis

Book Club

The Owl Babies by Martin Waddell and Patrick Benson 

A gentle tale of three baby owls reassures young children that Mummy will always come home. Three baby owls, Sarah, Percy and Bill, wake up one night in their hole in a tree to find that their mother has gone. So they sit on a branch and wait...Darkness gathers and the owls grow anxious, wondering when their mother will return. But, at last, she does and they bounce up and down with joy, welcoming her home.

War Horse by Michael Morpurgo

In the deadly chaos of the First World War, one horse witnesses the reality of battle from both sides of the trenches. Bombarded by artillery, with bullets knocking riders from his back, Joey tells a powerful story of the truest friendships surviving in terrible times. One horse has the seen the best and the worst of humanity. The power of war and the beauty of peace. This is his story.

Portsmouth School Library Service

Please click the link below for some exciting, low cost, local events for children and young people coming up during the holidays. 

Autmun Parent Newsletter

Nursery

To link with our book of the week 'A Squash and a Squeeze’ by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler; We talked about different farm animals, what noises they make and how we can get eggs from chickens and milk from cows. 

The children also had great fun using their senses to explore the ‘muddy farm animals’ tuff tray activity. We mixed cocoa and water together to make the 'mud' and when we had finished they took turns to wash the animals clean. 

“The mud smells like hot chocolate” said Dolcie (aged 4yrs 1mth.) 

"They're having a bath" said Aria (aged 3yrs 3mths.) 

Reception Class

The Portsmouth News is delighted to be bringing back our special ‘First Class’ souvenir edition on the 20th November, marking your son or daughter’s all-important first days at primary school.

This edition will feature full colour photographs of Reception classes sent in from schools across the area. This is a fantastic opportunity to commemorate your child’s early years in school, and a keepsake that you and your family can treasure for years to come.

To make this special moment even more memorable we are offering discounted copies of the newspaper for parents and guardians who would like to purchase it.

Discounted Price: £1.00 per copy (Regular price £1.30)

Order by Phone: Call 0330 403 3004, lines open 9.30am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday

Order Online: Visit thenews.eventbrite.co.uk. Please note that website orders are subject to additional fees which are set and charged by Eventbrite.

Order Deadline: 11th November 2024

Delivery: Copies will be delivered directly to the school on the day of publication for your child to bring home.

Photographs will be published in the newspaper and may also feature on our website. 

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us on 0330 403 3004 or via email at specialeditions@nationalworld.com.

Year 1 & 2

It would be wonderful to see as many parents from year 1 and 2 join your children this Tuesday for our Read Write Inc. workshop at 8.45am. It will be a chance to recap the sounds your child will learn this year and strategies for you to use at home with them. 

Catholic Social Teaching (CST) Ambassadors

On Monday, 5 children from St Paul’s, accompanied by Mrs Secci (Our Prayer and Liturgy Coordinator), were selected to attend a day at Oakland’s Catholic School to become Catholic Social Teaching (CST) Ambassadors. During the day the children worked with other children from our Catholic Primary School’s to learn about the strengths of CST and designed a poster to share with others. This was hung in Oakland’s school. All children were presented at the end of the day with a ‘Oscar Romero Ambassador’ Badge to wear with pride and that they will go forward energised to share with others.

‘I really enjoyed expanding on my knowledge of CST and loved sharing ideas with year 10 pupils from Oakland’s.’ 

Ruta from year 6.

‘I enjoyed my visit to Oakland’s. The year 10’s who guided us were very kind and respectful. I very much enjoyed secondary school food!’ Sharon from year 6.

I was so proud to have received an email from Oakland’s that evening about your children…….

‘Thank you for selecting and sending such wonderful students to the event today!  They have been a true credit to you and to your school. They were all really engaged and joined in all the tasks set with enthusiasm and energy. They led their own student worship, entirely created by themselves, and hopefully they can share this with their class and or the school. ‘

Harvest Mass

Our annual Harvest Mass took place on Wednesday with the whole school gathered together in the school hall.  Father Andrew talked about the parable of the sower and how we can be the soil to receive the seed, representing the word of the Lord.  Our school kitchen created a harvest loaf which was shared at the Offertory as well as a box of seasonal crops.  

Father also shared his wishes that every child could dress as an angel or saint for Halloween, to celebrate the Feast of All Saints and All Souls.

Flu Vaccination

Your child is eligible to have the annual nasal flu vaccination, this is offered to all children and young people in Reception to Year 6. The Flu vaccination is important as it helps protect children and other vulnerable family members against flu, which can be a serious or life-threatening illness.

The School Nursing Team will be in School on 22 November 2024 to administer the vaccination to all pupils.  Further information will be sent home today with your child and sent to you via the My Ed App.  Please ensure you read all the information and follow the relevant instructions to ensure your child is registered to receive their vaccination.  We have also linked all relevant information below. 

Parent Letter 

Flu Leaflet 

Further Information 

If you have any questions or require help completing the consent form contact the School Immunnisation Team direct on

Email: Portsmouth.SAI@solent.nhs.uk Phone: 0300 123 5074

Book Club

The Hobbit by J R R Tolkein

The Hobbit is the unforgettable story of Bilbo, a peace-loving hobbit, who embarks on a strange and magical adventure. A timeless classic. Bilbo Baggins enjoys a quiet and contented life, with no desire to travel far from the comforts of home; then one day the wizard Gandalf and a band of dwarves arrive unexpectedly and enlist his services – as a burglar – on a dangerous expedition to raid the treasure-hoard of Smaug the dragon. Bilbo’s life is never to be the same again.  

Funny Bones by Janet and Allan Ahlberg

This children's classic centres on the adventures of a big skeleton, a little skeleton and a dog skeleton. They venture out from their dark, dark cellar in the hope of finding someone to scare. However, since everyone is asleep in bed, they have to make do with scaring themselves. The results of which are hilarious.

Attendance

This week, 252 children had 100% attendance. Their names have been entered into the attendance raffle.

The class with the highest attendance for the week is...St. Teresa Class with 99%. You can come to school in non-uniform on Friday 25 October! Please note this does not include pyjamas, slippers, any nightwear or makeup.

Reflective Thought

"Prayer is the medicine for faith, it is a tonic for the soul."

Pope Francis

Job Vacancy

We are looking to appoint reliable, hardworking and enthusiastic school cleaners to join our friendly team.  This post is for 10 hours per week (3:30 - 5:30pm) term time plus weeks in the school holidays.  An ability to maintain high standards of cleanliness and safety is essential.  Previous experience is desirable but not necessary as full training will be provided. 

For more information and to apply please visit Portsmouth City Council website at the below link.

Click here to apply 

World Mental Health Day

On Thursday 10th October we celebrated World mental health day. We connected with nature in our woodland walk and supported each other through our tea and talk. Children were mixed between year groups and had the opportunity to reflect on what they are grateful for. We had a whole school assembly where all children took part in happy breathing to help us feel calm, happy and relaxed. The children all took home a green ribbon to show everyone that we took part in world mental health day 2024! 

Nursery

For Mental Health Day On Thursday we talked about what makes us happy, healthy and helps our brains to grow. We listened to Berty and Betty’s Play Date by Laura Earnshaw and watched ‘Our Happy Healthy Brains’ music video. This is all part of the My Happy Mind - Meet Your Brain. 

“You eat health food to give you energy and to make your heart go boom boom” said Cloda aged 3yrs 9mths. 

We also encourage healthy eating in nursery and provide a choice of fruits, vegetables, etc and milk/oatmilk or water for snack times. 

Reception Class

Thank you to all the parents that attended the Reception phonics workshop this week. The links below will help you support your children at home.

How to say set 1 sounds

https://schools.ruthmiskin.com/training/view/SZ4HezHV/nkJAqjHs

How to help your children read green words

https://schools.ruthmiskin.com/training/units/56

How to help your child form the letters correctly 

https://schools.ruthmiskin.com/training/units/56

Year 1

On Monday, Year 1 had the opportunity to take part in a fantastic science 'Awe and Wonder' workshop. They absolutely loved watching the hands-on experiments to capture the magic of science and bring science to life!

"I really enjoyed it when we exploded a bottle of coke by putting Mentos in it! It was amazing!" - Luna (St John)

"I loved making the Mento volcano!" - Loki (St James)

A big thank you to UTC for this opportunity. 

Year 1 & 2

Our KS1 children recently enjoyed an exciting trip to the Active 60 Festival at the Mountbatten Centre Sports Hall. They had a fantastic time participating in a variety of physical activities that were both fun and energizing! It was a wonderful opportunity for them to explore new sports and stay active.   Thank you to our parent helper who made this possible.

Year 3 & 4

Year 3 and 4 visited Queen Elizabeth Country Park on Thursday.  It was wonderful for so many children to enjoy the open air: exploring the colours in nature, creating poetry, finding minibeasts, creating natural art work and den building.  It was lovely to see how well the children worked as a team and how much they enjoyed the experience.  Thank you to all the parents who were able to support us.   

Attendance

This week, 234 children had 100% attendance. Their names have been entered into the attendance raffle.

The class with the highest attendance for the week is...St. John Class with 100%. You can come to school in non-uniform on Friday 11 October! Please note this does not include pyjamas, slippers, any nightwear or makeup.