Newsletter 9 -w/c 8th November

REMINDERS

Monday 15th - Friday 19th November - Anti-Bullying Week

Thursday 18th November - New Parent Tour

Monday 15th November - Odd Socks Day

Tuesday 16th November - 5DN National Archives

Thursday 18th November - New Parent Tour

Friday 19th November - Mufti Day - Children in Need

Tuesday 23rd November - New Parent Tour

Thursday 25th November - 5MT class assembly

Monday 29th November - Friday 3rd December - Maths Week

Thursday 2nd December - 6JM class assembly

Tuesday 7th December - Reception Nativity - 2.30pm

Wednesday 8th December - Reception Nativity - 9.30am

Thursday 9th December - 5DN class assembly

Thursday 9th December - 5MT National Archives

Wednesday 15th December - Christmas lunch and Carol Service at St Stephen's Church

Friday 17th - December - End of term

WHEN BISHOP GRAHAM CAME TO ST STEPHEN'S

Our RE day is a real treat and this year we were thrilled to receive a visit from the Bishop of Kensington, Bishop Graham. Our theme was forgiveness and reconciliation. Here's Year Three teacher and RE Co-ordinator, Tanya Blomley's report ...

We were honoured to play host to Bishop Graham. RE Day is a wonderful opportunity for both the school and our friends at St Stephen's Church to reunite and share our love of Religious Education. We have been truly blessed to welcome Bishop Graham, Rachel Bedford and the rest of the lovely staff from St Stephen's Church to our school. We started the day with an inspiring assembly, led by Bishop Graham. Well done to the volunteers from Year Six who offered their acting skills to retell the story of the Prodigal Son. Pupils were thoroughly engaged and this was a memorable starting point for the theme of our day; forgiveness. We then showcased our beautiful singing skill with a rendition of one of the children's favourite hymns, 'Be bold.' I am sure all the staff at St Stephen's would join me in praising the pupils for their glorious singing.
Afterwards, pupils were able to ask their 'Questions for God' to a representative from the Church. I was lucky enough to sit in with Year Three and listen to their well thought out questions to Rachel Bedford. We then all took part in inspiring activities, all prepared by the Church, centred around forgiveness which they can later use in their everyday lives. We are so incredibly lucky to have experienced such a special and memorable day. On behalf of St Stephen's School I want to express my gratitude to Bishop Graham and St Stephen's Church for preparing a wonderful day for us. Here's what we thought of the day:

Fred 3BC - RE day has been fun because I have been able to show the act of forgiveness through Art.

Mrs Adams - Today has been such an informative day. It has made me think, ask questions and enabled me to reflect upon the bigger picture.

Lizzie 3BC - It was a fun day, I learnt a lot about God and was able to ask questions I may have not thought to ask.

Miss MacKenzie - Incredible to see the depth of thinking in response to the inspiring concept of 'forgiveness,' as it is our Year Three value.

Mrs Bachour - Staff and children alike were inspired by Bishop Graham, in both his answers to our 'Questions for God' and his reflections on our themes of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Mrs Easton - It was wonderful to see the passion and enthusiasm of the Year One children and what a treat to have Bishop Graham and his team in the school today!

Mrs Chahil - It was such a lovely day and we were able to think of some wonderful techniques of how to forgive.

Lauren from St Stephen's Church - It was so lovely to read through all the questions from year One to Year Six and witness the depth of their thinking.


LEST WE FORGET

Remembrance Day is always an important date in our calendar. This year we marked the two minutes silence and learned about the meaning of the day in our assemblies. Some classes also completed some beautiful artwork. These stunning poppies made by Reception from plastic bottle bases made for a stunning display on the classroom door. We were treated to two wonderful assemblies on the day. 6M's class assembly was a fantastic, whistlestop tour of their learning, so far, this year. Followed by a special Remembrance service, where we marked a two minutes silence and listened to a wonderful recitation of 'On Flanders Field,' by John McCrae from 4M. For a glimpse inside the Year Six Poppy Factory, turn to page three.