Nursery

This week in Nursery has been so much fun. This week we invited in our families to join their children to make some Christmas crafts. The children went to watch year R/s Nativity in the school which was enjoyed by all. The children had an amazing Christmas dinner cooked by the school kitchen. Also we had our Nursery Christmas party with lots of fun, games and dancing. The children were very  surprised when Father Christmas joined us at our party bringing presents for everyone. The Nursery staff would like to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a  Happy New Year. 

Christmas Crafts

It was so lovely to see so many parents attend the Christmas craft morning this week. The children loved making all their crafts such as  Christmas hats, Christmas cards, baubles, gingerbread houses, stained glass windows and so many more...

Each classroom was bursting with children, siblings and parents, making the occasion a very merry morning!

Christmas Lunch

On Wednesday the whole school joyfully gathered to celebrate Christmas lunch, wearing Christmas jumpers and novelty hats.

Songs were sung, cracker's pulled, laughs were heard and staff served the children their lunch before joining them.

A huge thank you to our Kitchen staff, especially Tom for all the extra effort to make this time so special.

Year R Nativity

Our Reception children delighted everyone with their joyful Nativity performance this week. They sang beautifully, spoke their lines with confidence, and filled the hall with festive cheer. 

We are incredibly proud of how hard they worked and how brave they were on stage. 

hank you to all the families for your wonderful support and for helping to make this such a special occasion.

Year 1/2 Nativity

Our year 1 2 children performed beautifully in their Nativity this week, showing us all the events of the Christmas story. Over the last few weeks, they have worked amazingly hard to learn their words, their stage directions, the songs and we are beyond proud of them. It was a joy to watch them during their two performances with such excitement, confidence and charisma! 

Portsmouth Schools’ Carol Service

On Monday evening, our wonderful choir took to the Guildhall stage as part of the Portsmouth Schools’ Christmas Carol Service. They sang with confidence and led the singing beautifully, representing our school superbly.

We were also delighted to be joined by special guests, including the Lord Mayor and Father Christmas! 

Well done to all choir members for such a fantastic performance, and thank you to all parents and families for your continued support.

Book Donation

This week, St Paul's were lucky enough to receive a generous donation of books for some of our children.  Bell Integration, kindly wrapped them as gifts, so they would have the gift of reading this Christmas. We would like to thank Melissa and her team for their generosity and hope that any child lucky enough to receive a book enjoys it! 

School Uniform

We ask that all children return to school in January with the correct school uniform. Ties can be purchased from the school office (card payments only). We also have some preloved uniform in the school office which is free to all pupils.  

If you are struggling to source uniform please contact us on school_admin@st-pauls.portsmouth.sch.uk. 

Click here for details on our expectations along with our school uniform policy.

Happy Retirement 

This week we have celebrated and thanked Mary Horsted for the 37 years that she has served our school community,  supporting generations of families and thousands and thousands of children.  

We thank God today for the many years of dedicated service and the examples of stewardship you’ve shown us all.   

May your days be filled with the peace of Christ, plenty of time for prayer (and hobbies!), and the joy of a job well done. 

We love you and you will be sorely missed

Nursery

This week in Nursery has been very exciting with lots of Christmas fun. The role play was turned into Santa’s work shop, with the children busy helping Santa wrap presents for Christmas. On Wednesday afternoon we had our Christmas sing a long in the school hall. The children worked very hard practicing songs and were amazing throughout the performance. We would like to thank all our parents and families for their support and attending our show. 

St. Lucy

On Wednesday, Father Andrew led a reflective mass with the school where the children learnt about St Lucy. Long before electric lights or flashlights were invented, Lucy showed the people around her how to be a wonderful light in the world, even when things were dark and difficult. Her special day is celebrated on December 13th and often called St. Lucy's Day or Lucia's Day. Many people around the world, especially in cold, snowy places, light candles and wear wreaths of light to remember her kindness and courage. Today we are going to hear how Lucy stood up for what was right and shared the light of God's love with everyone she met.

St. Lucy used her light to help people who needed it most. Why not share a prayer with your family together..

Loving God, Open our eyes to see people who are lonely or sad. Help us to be a friend to those who need one. Let our words be kind and our hands be helpful, so we can share your light with everyone we meet.  

Amen 

Advent Prayer Stations

Advent is a time of waiting and all the symbols that we use remind us of this. Advent wreaths, Advent Calendars, Mary and Joseph waiting for Jesus, Our Saviour being born but.... How are we waiting?

Pupils and adults at St Paul's had a great opportunity to stop and reflect on how they are waiting, visiting three prayer stations around the school. 

Waiting with HOPE - For nothing is impossible to God

Waiting in PEACE -  Receive the inner peace from the Prince of Peace

Waiting with JOY - Search for the true joy that lasts forever

Take a look at the Advent homework as a family and make your waiting a special time.  See photographs of how other families have been preparing for Christmas.

Happy Advent.

Posada

Mary and Joseph in this time of Advent are travelling with their donkey to search for a place to stay. 

This year the children have received a Prayer bag with the characters and prayers to take home for a night and welcome Mary and Joseph into their home. 

Don't miss the opportunity to provide for them a Posada in your home and pray as a family.

Play up Pompey

Fabian from St. Edith Class was selected to attend the Portsmouth FC v Bristol City match at Fratton Park. He had a great experience and thank you to Portsmouth in the Community for the tickets.

Head Lice

We have recently had some cases of head lice across the school and we wanted to make sure you were kept informed. Head lice and nits are very common in young children and their families. They are not caused by dirty hair and are picked up by head-to-head contact. Whilst lice are nothing more than a nuisance, it is important that children are checked on a weekly basis so that any head lice can be dealt with quickly and before they are allowed to spread. As there has been an outbreak, we suggest that you check your child’s head as soon as possible. 

Click here for advice on treating head lice and nits. 

Important Safeguarding Notice

If your child attends breakfast club please note that a parent or carer MUST accompany them to the door and wait with them until they have been registered by a member of staff. 

Please also note that children should NOT be dropped off and left unaccompanied outside of school before 8.20am unless they are Year 5/6 and you have already given consent for them to walk home on their own.  Thank you in advance

Nursery

This week in Nursery we have been preparing for Christmas. The children decorated our Christmas tree and wrote letters to Father Christmas. The children have been making Christmas crafts with their key workers too. We have been practicing our Christmas sing-a-long and can’t wait to share it with you next week. Our Christmas sing-a-long is Wednesday 10th at 2pm. A polite reminder each child can have 2 adults attend.

Please speak to a member of staff ability of extra tickets. Thank you.

Nursery

This week in Nursery we have taken part in Parliament week alongside the school.   The children watched a short film about the Houses of Parliament and took a virtual tour around it.   

We looked at the story book “Katie goes to London” and some of the children and staff spoke about when they went to London and what they did there. 

Some of the children made their own structures of the Houses of Parliament with duplo and building blocks. 

We also coloured in pictures of the Houses of Parliament. The children were given opportunities to vote using wooden hoops to vote for which story they would like read and what fruit and vegetables they wanted for snack. 

Fort Nelson - Year 5/6

The year 5/6 children enjoyed a memorable trip to Fort Nelson, where they took part in a fascinating World War II workshop all about Portsmouth’s important role during the war.  

The children also got to visit the inspiring Standing with Giants exhibition, where the towering silhouettes left a lasting impression on everyone. 

It was a fantastic day of learning, discovery, and reflection.  

Primary Council of Portsmouth Students

On Thursday, some of our school council attended a Primary Council of Portsmouth Students (PCoPS) summit where they reflected on pupil voice in our institutions and what they can do to make changes and improvements. We are excited to put our ideas into action throughout the year!  

Nursery

This week in Nursery we had a pop up role play vets in the book corner. The children were caring for the animals wrapping them in bandages and giving them lots of cuddles. Some of the children were having competition with each other to see who could build the biggest tower. Thomas said “my tower is so big but I’m bigger.” On Wednesday the children were very excited to it was snowing outside. The children watched through the window as it started to come down. For some of the children this was there first time seeing snow fall. Also this week we invited our children’s parents into Nursery for parents meetings to discuss their child’s progress. Thank you to all who attended. 

Year R

Portsmouth News came in to photograph our new starters for their First Class Souvenir Edition. 

They have made a great start to their journey at St. Paul's.

Pilgrims of Hope

The 21 November is the Celebration Day for all schools to reflect on the steps in our journey as Pilgrims of Hope. Friday morning has been a great opportunity for the all St Paul's children and staff to celebrate our own steps in our journey and continue to embrace the great blessings as Pilgrims of Hope. 

Nurture Cinema Trip

Last Friday our nurture children went on an exciting trip to Gunwharf Quays to watch Garfield. The children thoroughly enjoyed the film and represented our school incredibly well. Well done! 

Nursery

This week in Nursery we learnt about Remembrance Day and look at some books together. Some of the children then made poppies with Kirsty which we displayed in the window. The toddler children had a really fun time mark making in shaving foam while moving around to high energy music. This is a excellent activity that supports the children gross motor skills. 

St Anne's Church Visit

This week St Anne's walked to visit the church for the first time. We lit our class candle as we placed down some decorated crosses that we had made earlier in the week. The children walked beautifully holding adults hands to and from school. Well done St Anne's.  

Remembrance Liturgy

On Wednesday, Father Andrew led us in a remembrance liturgy where we gave thanks for the many men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. We also prayed for those who still do sacrifice so much for our safety. Together, with the military children, we prayed for peace throughout the world and reflected on how we can be instrumental peace makers. The children were reverent and respectful as they remembered those who gave so  much for us. 

Remembrance Sunday

Children across the school had a lesson about remembrance. After this, they had time to reflect and write their own prayers. These prayers were used to create a whole school wreath which was placed by one of our families at Portsmouth's Remembrance Service on Sunday. 

Thank you to the Ramos family for representing our school at this time.

Nursery

This week in Nursery the children have been learning about Guy Fawkes and bonfire night. The children watched a short film about Guy Fawkes and how he tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament but was stopped just in time. The children then made their own firework pictures using a toilet roll tube and paint.   Some of the preschool children helped Steph write a poem and decorate a prayer poppy for Portsmouth's Remembrance Sunday service at the Guildhall. 

Fort Nelson Visit

This week, as part of our History hook,  that is leading into our learning of the work of Florence Nightingale, year 1 and 2 visited Fort Nelson for an immersive experience of what it would have been like to work alongside Florence as a nurse or be treated as a soldier, during the time of the Crimean War. We met a Gunner, who told us what it was like to live in horrific conditions, and we met Florence, who taught us the right way to look after our patients. We learnt of the poor conditions of Scutari Hospital, where wounded soldiers were treated, and learnt that Florence was a nurse that taught other nurses and doctors how to save lives by being clean and hygienic. Before this time, more soldiers died from infections than from wounds. 

Stories and Snuggles

It was so wonderful to see so many families taking part in our annual Stories before Snuggles evening. You all looked so cosy in your pyjamas ( even the adults!), cuddled up and sharing stories, with cookies and hot chocolate! Supporting children with their reading is so important for their future wellbeing and we appreciate all your efforts in helping to make reading an enjoyable fun experience.  

Remembrance Sunday

Every child in the school has had some teaching about remembrance. After reflecting, children have written a prayer and these have been put on to a wreath. This wreath will be laid at Portsmouth’s remembrance service this Sunday. 

Next week, children will take part in a two-minute silence to reflect on the sacrifices made . 

Special Diets

A reminder that children with special diets must ONLY choose meals from their assigned menu options that have been provided by caterlink. approved and returned to the school.  If your child has a special dietary requirement they are unable to choose the new baguette/bap option.

Parking

Please ensure you DO NOT park in the minibus area next to the main school entrance as access is required frequently throughout the day. It also increases the risk of accidents especially with young children at drop off and pick up times.  Can you also be mindful when using the church car park and areas around the school that you are not blocking pathways or exits for others.

Thank you for your continued support.  

Uniform

A reminder to all Parents and Carers that you are expected to ensure your child has the correct uniform and PE kit.  

NO Trainers black or white - Grey tights and cardigans ONLY - Ties must be worn at ALL TIMES 

Boots should only be worn with trousers and not with skirts.

Further information can be found on our website at https://st-pauls.portsmouth.sch.uk/uniform/ including links to our policies.