23rd February 2024
Dear Parents and Carers,
This Week in School
It has been another busy week at school and the children have settled in nicely after the half-term break.
The Year 5 children went to Kilve for their residential trip on Wednesday, and although the weather has been quite soggy, Mrs Earp and Mrs Chidgey report that they are all having a fantastic time. As I waved the children and staff off on Wednesday morning and watched the bus drive away, I reflected on the hard work and preparation that goes into organising a residential trip for a class of over 30 children. Having been the Year 5 teacher myself for almost 10 years, I made the trip to Kilve on many occasions. It is a wonderful, team-building experience for our pupils to undertake such a trip, and I always loved watching first hand the comradery and friendship developing and growing in the three days away. The activities at Kilve are exciting, and those who have been always comment on the food as being a real highlight too! I can confirm that this is the case, with the baked potatoes and salad bar being a personal favourite, especially after a long and rainy welly walk.
On behalf of the school, the pupils and the parents, I would like to give a heart-felt thank you to the staff who have undertaken a mammoth effort to prepare for the trip. Among other preparations, the paperwork and risk assessments have kept the teachers busy and most of the work is undertaken in their own time. After a tiring and fun three days away, I know the Year 5 staff will appreciate the inevitable smiles and thanks they receive from both pupils and parents alike, for giving up their time and leaving their families to take excellent care of our wonderful Year 5 children. Well done to all involved for making it a special trip, where adventure was found, and memories were made.
Next Friday, Mr Lake and Mr Chidgey will run an Aquathlon for the whole school. Please can all children wear PE kits on Friday 1st March, and Years 2- 6 bring their swimming kits. Thank you.
Cafod Lenten Campaign
As you know, at St. George’s School we support our friends at CAFOD in their mission to bring hope and the chance of a better life to the world’s poorest people. We do not believe poverty is a part of God’s plan, but rather that we should all work together to lessen its effects by sharing what we have with those who have so much less.
With this in mind, we would like you to help us in supporting their Lenten campaign. This year, we are setting children the challenge of filling up their class Cafod Box with spare change and pocket money.
In supporting Cafod, your money goes a long way.
- Just 1p and 2p can vaccinate 10 children against life-threatening diseases.
- Your 20p and 50p can buy a treated mosquito net that keeps children safe from malaria.
- £1 and £2 will be used to provide clean water for 3 families.
So please help us by encouraging members of your family, including children and grandparents/relatives, to reach into their pockets/piggy banks and donate their spare coins to our class Cafod boxes.
This Lent, when we put our small change together, we can make a BIG difference!
A St George’s Retirement
Next Thursday, we are waving farewell to a treasured staff member. The wonderful Mrs Spence, who is loved for her caring, positive nature and her warm smile, has decided to take the plunge and begin the next chapter in her journey, which is of course retirement. I know you will be surprised to hear this, as with her youthful essence and English rose complexion, she is the least likely candidate for retiring! Mrs Spence has been a valued and much-loved member of our team for 8 years now, and although we are excited for her to enjoy her next chapter, we are sad to lose such a hard-working, professional and experienced teaching assistant and she will be greatly missed. She is an excellent practitioner and has made an immeasurable impact on the students she has worked with. She has lots of exciting plans to fill her time in retirement and is looking forward to spending more time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Thankfully though, she has reassured us she will not be a stranger as she still feels very much a part of the St George’s family. She would even like to return to provide occasional cover where needed, and as such, we will hopefully see her bright smile in our classrooms again very soon. For now, we wish her all the best in her next chapter and look forward to seeing her when she visits. And remember, Mrs Spence – Once a St George’s girl, always a St George’s girl!
World Book Day
This year, World Book Day will take place on Thursday 7th March. Mrs Carpenter (our school Literacy Lead) sent further information home in book bags before half-term explaining the activities that will take place on the day, and how your child can get involved. Please take a note of the date and add it to your calendar so your child doesn’t miss out on the fun!
Red Nose Day
We are pleased to support the upcoming Red Nose Day. We will hold a mufti day on Friday 15th March, 2024. Please send your child to school wearing red with a suggested donation of £1. Click here for further information on how your money helps, how to get involved and for online access to the Red Nose Day shop.
Ordering Hot Lunches
The office staff would like to remind parents and carers that the cut off day for ordering hot lunches for the following week is Wednesday. On occasions when you have forgotten to order hot lunches, it is essential that you provide packed lunches for your child the following week.
Have You Paid Your Amenities/Swimming Contributions?
Please can I remind all parents and carers that each year, we ask for a voluntary contribution of
£10 per term per child for swimming, and £10 per term for each family for School Amenities.
The school has always traditionally asked parents and carers for an amenity contribution. The Amenities Fund allows the school to give children extra opportunities and experiences such as visiting artists, performers and sport companies. We feel it is crucial that the children continue to have these WOW moments and with the rising costs of funding school everts and maintaining and running the swimming pool, we would really appreciate your contribution to allow this to continue.
Payments for Swimming and Amenities can be paid online, details are as follows:
Bank Account Number: 02887152 Sort-Code: 30-98-45
Please quote reference S for Swimming and A for Amenities
Best wishes,
Edwina McDonnell
Upcoming Dates:
Wednesday 28th Feb – Year 3 Mass in Church, 9.30am – parents welcome
Friday, 1st March – Whole School Aquathlon – all wear PE kits and Y2-Y6 take swimming kits in!
Thursday 7th March – World Book Day
Friday 8th March – in school Penitential Service for KS2 children
Wednesday 13th March – Year 5 Mass in Church at 9.30am – parents welcome
Friday 15th March – Red Nose Day (Comic Relief)
Friday 22nd March – End of Term Mass in School – parents welcome
Wednesday 27th March – Stations of the Cross – 9.30am in the School Hall – parents welcome
Friday 29th March – Good Friday – SCHOOL CLOSED for EASTER BREAK
Monday 15th April – SCHOOL OPEN
Tuesday 23rd April – St George’s Day Mass in Church – parents welcome
Monday 6th May – Bank Holiday – SCHOOL CLOSED
Thursday 9th May – Ascension Day Mass in Church, 9.30am – parents welcome
Week beginning Monday 13th May – Key Stage Two SATS Week
