Dear Parents and Carers,

It’s been an excellent week of sport at the juniors! Firstly, winning district sports, our team of athletes thoroughly enjoyed an event at the Spectrum competing against three other local schools. Of course, we missed the crowds of spectators, but it was fantastic event. And then our junior school sports day today provided plenty more fun. The children love supporting their house and the return to competition has been great. We’re looking forward to Pewley sports day taking place next Thursday!

With our whole school focus on daily activity and our love of sport, I wanted to let you know in advance of September, that we’ve decided to continue with trainers being an optional part of our school uniform, especially on days when the children have sport. I know that some of you plan ahead and like to buy kit in plenty of time – I didn’t want anyone to buy school shoes and then find out that they’re not needed. Of course, if you’d still like your child to wear smart school shoes, that’s fine too on non-PE days.

Following my clarification on our mobile phone policy last week, I wanted to add that smart watches which take photos and can send and receive messages are not allowed in school. Thank you for your understanding on this topic; it’s been a much better week.

Our staff team are looking forward to working together tomorrow – we’ll be getting to know the new teams for September, finding out how best to work with one another. We’re hoping for sunshine as we’ll be outside all day. Like the children, we know that some of the best learning seems to take place outside!

Remember that we’re closed tomorrow and Monday – have an excellent midsummer break!

With love,
Clare

Thought of the Week: Live simply! Are you trapped by materialism?

Whole School

Dates for the diary
Friday 25 June - Inset Day
Monday 28 June - Mid Summer Holiday
Thursday 1 July - PD Sports
Friday 2 July - Year 6 St Mary's Leaver's Service
Monday 19 July - End of Term Service at Holy Trinity Church at 9:30am (Years 2- 6 )
Tuesday 20 July - Last Day of Term
Wednesday 21 July - Inset Day - School Closed

Infant

Year 2 visits to Holy Trinity, Tuesday 29 & Wednesday 30 June
A reminder that Year 2 children should be dropped off at Holy Trinity at 9.30 am on Tuesday and Wednesday next week. They will be walked back to Pewley at 12.00 for lunch. Further details in the ParentMail sent out on 17 June.

Sports Day, Thursday 1 July
Children should come to school on Thursday in their PE kit and trainers and bring a water bottle and sun hat/raincoat depending on the weather.

Golden Boot Challenge
As tomorrow is an inset day we recorded how children travelled to school today instead. Next Friday 2 July will be the last week of the challenge to come to school by greener ways, and we will announce the winning class the week after that.

Menu: Week 2 beginning 28 June
Monday: School closed – mid-summer holiday
Tuesday: Beef Bolognese or Lentil Bolognese with Pasta; Lemon Sponge
Wednesday: Roast Chicken with Gravy or Loaded Jacket Skins; Fruit Jelly
Thursday: Pasta with Roasted Tomato and Cheese Sauce & Garlic Bread; Coconut & Oat Cookies
Friday: Crispy Fish Fingers & Chips or Cheese & Tomato Pizza; Rocky Road
Selection of seasonal vegetables available daily.

Junior

Clubs Cancelled next week
No Year 5 after school Clubs due to Year 5 Activity Week

Menu changes for week commencing Tuesday 29 June
Week 2 Menu - As Monday is a holiday the menu has changed as follows:
Tuesday , Thursday and Friday remain unchanged
Wednesday 30 June changed to Macaroni cheese or Chicken and Gravy Pie

Going For Gold! Christ Church Holiday Club.
Three days of amazing fun- games, drama, craft and Bible stories for anyone from Reception to Y6. It runs from 10am to 1.30pm, Wednesday 28th to Friday 30th July and is just £10 per child. To maintain a safe and happy space for everyone we are limiting numbers to 50 children initially so book soon to get a place! Go to www.christchurchguildford.com


 

Dear Parents and Carers,

I’m sure that so many of you felt a sense of disappointment hearing my news earlier in the week about all of our end of term events having to take place without parents and carers. I felt it too. Whilst the children will still enjoy all of the different activities, it’s such a shame that you can’t all join in. We’ll do our best to communicate well, to take lots of photos and to make sure that we encourage the children to talk about the different events at home. Thank you for being so supportive and understanding; I suppose all of us are acutely aware of the need to remain vigilant against covid infection with numbers of cases rising so quickly locally. Do remember to keep children at home if they, or anyone in your household (especially teenage siblings) have symptoms or are awaiting covid test results, and also that anyone with symptoms needs a proper PCR test and not one of the home lateral flow tests. Keep vigilant about following the lockdown rules outside of school and remember not to gather in the playground. We are really keen to keep children in school for as much of this term as we can.

Thank you as well for your responses to our survey about the website. I’m so glad to hear that, whilst the feedback backs up our feeling that it’s time for a change and a fresh approach, you all appreciate our online communication. It’ll be really exciting over the coming months to take all of your comments into account as we develop a new website for the school.

It was so hopeful this week to welcome our new Year R children on their first visit to Pewley and next week we’re looking forward to meeting children from other infant schools as they explore HT for the first time. How strange for many of these families that it’s the first time that they’ve set foot into HTPD – choosing a school in lockdown must have been really challenging. Thank you to those of you who have shared your stories with others with younger children; incoming families nearly always say that the reason they chose the school is because current parents give it such a vote of confidence. We’re so grateful that the school is popular and want to thank you for being such great ambassadors.

We have noticed recently that sometimes children in Year 5 and Year 6 are bringing mobile phones into school. This is really unsafe. We work so hard to supervise the children’s use of the internet when they are on our premises, but if they bring in phones, this is impossible. Can I remind you of our mobile phone policy – no child should bring in a phone unless you have asked permission for this because of particular circumstances. Generally, children can wait until secondary school before they need to carry a phone with them. Please send me an email if you feel that your child really does need to bring a phone. Once I have given permission, children should hand their phones in to the office on arrival, and pick them up at the end of each day. Please do ask your child to leave their phone at home; check that they don’t have it in their bag. Thank you so much for helping us keep the whole school community safe.

Remember next Friday 25th is an INSET day; our whole staff will be working off site to strengthen our team spirit and reflect on our school values. And then we’re looking forward to our Monday midsummer holiday on Monday 28th. Let’s hope the sun shines!

With love,
Clare

Thought of the Week: Face your fears! When have you been really afraid?

WHOLE SCHOOL

Dates for your Diary
Thursday 24 June - HT Sports Day Year 3&4 am; Year 5&6pm
Friday 25 June - Inset Day
Monday 28 June - Mid Summer Holiday
Thursday 1 July - PD Sports
Friday 2 July - Year 6 St Mary's Leaver's Service
Monday 19 July - End of Term Service at Holy Trinity Church at 9:30am (Years 2- 6 )
Tuesday 20 July - Last Day of Term
Wednesday 21 July - Inset Day - School Closed

INFANT

Menu: Week 1 beginning 21 June.
Monday: Sweet & Sour Chicken or Sweet & Sour Char Vegetables, Steamed Rice; Homemade Flapjack
Tuesday: Pasta Carbonara or Tomato & Courgette Pasta, Garlic Bread; Chocolate Cake
Wednesday: Roasted Lemon Chicken with Gravy or Roasted Vegetable Frittata; Fresh Fruit Salad
Thursday: Crispy Fish Fingers & Chips or Freshly Made Cheese & Tomato Pizza; Homemade Shortbread
Friday: Inset day – school closed.
Selection of seasonal vegetables available daily.

JUNIOR

Dates for Diary
District Sports – Tuesday 22 June

Cancelled Clubs
Please note that there will be no Year 3 Football club on Tuesday 22 June. This has unfortunately had to be cancelled for one week only, due to District Sports taking place.

Menu – Week 3 commencing 21 June.
Please note the menu for Mon – Thurs remains unchanged, Friday 25 June is INSET day.

FOPS News

Big PTA Summer Raffle
We are taking part in this year’s Big PTA Summer Raffle. While it is still too tricky with guidelines to organise a ‘normal’ raffle, this version allows us to raise money, while giving everyone the opportunity to win up to £5,000! Tickets cost £3, with 50% of each ticket sold going towards FOPS. The deadline for buying tickets is July 11th but there are only a limited number on sale, so once they’re gone, they’re gone! To buy tickets, visit https://www.bigptaraffle.co.uk/support/pewley-down-infant-school-gu1Good luck!

FOPS co-chair(s)
With the possibility of returning to a full activity schedule next school year we are looking for one or two people to join current chair Kate as co-chair(s) of FOPS. If you would like to have a chat (without commitment!) about what it involves please email katelloyd741@gmail.com.

Happy weekend!
Kate, Sophie and Debbie – The FOPS Committee

HTSC

Hi Everyone,

As the restrictions are in place until 19th July, unfortunately we are unable to run an all school event this summer. We’ll be looking ahead to the Autumn term to make Bonfire night extra special this year. There are a few things coming up at the next few weeks so please keep reading….

Children’s clothing Sale/Uniform Sale/Happy School Bag Clothing Collection
There is another opportunity for you to get rid of any unwanted clothing, bags, shoes (no bedding, textiles or damaged/stained items). We will be opening up the garage at 40 Harvey Road for you to drop off during week commencing 21st June-24th June and on 29th June. We will also be running a preloved children’s clothing sale and a 2nd hand uniform sale from the garage on 27th & 29th June to give you an opportunity to pick up items for the Winter term. For more information and the times, please refer to the Parentmail sent today.

Year Group Tea towels
The children are busy mastering their self-portraits for a 2021 tea towel! More details will follow on Parentmail of how to order your keepsake next week.

Dates for diaries - Socials
RESCHEDULED Friday 2nd July Year 5 – coffee morning on the Downs from 8.50am – a change in date due to the torrential rain this morning! Bring a picnic blanket and a coffee and meet by the monument on Pewley Down. Limited to 30 so please message Rebecca if you are planning to come (invite has been sent in the Year 5 WhatsApp group – if you are not on the group and would like to be, please email helen@thomasday.co.uk with your details to be added).

Thursday 8th July Year 5 end of term drink at Rogues from 8pm. An area has been reserved to celebrate the end of another school year – more details to follow depending on rules changing closer to the time.

Fundraising - Pitch 2020 Fund
Thank you to those who have donated and shared the link with other family members. We are using GoFundMe for direct donations to the Pitch 2020 Fund for families and friends of the school who are able, and would like to, contribute in lieu of donating at events which we have not been able to provide this year. The fund will remain open until the end of this school year.

Easyfundraising
If you are shopping online, one way to support the school is through www.easyfundraising.co.uk and selecting HTSC Holy Trinity School Community as your cause. Over 4000 retailers are affiliated, and every purchase makes a difference. As always, if you have any questions, please drop an email to helen@thomasday.co.uk

Kind regards
HTSC Committee

Other Notices

For the parents of children going to George Abbot in September - Please see the attached letter from the George Abbot PTA for additional information.

Please see the advert for a part time caretaker vacancy at Shalford Infant School https://www.eteach.com/careers/shalford-surrey/

Dear Parents and Carers,

Our first week back after last week’s half term holiday has been excellent! There’s been plenty of purposeful activity across the whole school. We’re really living out our values, with children demonstrating such a tangible “zest for learning and love of life.” I’ve had several opportunities to notice this during the week. Taking part with the staff and children from Year 2 in an imaginary flight to Brazil as Captain Brunet on board Pewley Airlines was absolutely great! It reminded me of the importance of going the extra mile, both literally and metaphorically, to inspire children into lifelong learning.

Similarly, hearing a child tell me that a book from our school library had inspired her to design and build a model windmill at home just for the joy of invention and discovery was wonderful; our well-equipped library has such an important impact. And listening to a group of children talk about what they remembered about our house heroes as we introduced this week’s assembly theme of standing up against injustice, was really heart-warming. I hope you’ve had similar opportunities this week to be encouraged by all that your child has been learning.

I’m excited to start the preparations for September and can now announce our teaching teams for the new academic year ahead. I’m delighted to be able to introduce you to two fabulous new class teachers, both of whom are already on staff. Kayleigh Ashraf and Jo Pillay are well known members of the HTPD community; Kayleigh is currently working as a PPA teacher in Year 3 and 4, inspiring the children with her calm and encouraging approach. She will be moving to Team 5 in September. Jo previously had two boys go through the school and is a multi-talented, creative soul – she will be joining the Year 2 teaching team. You will also spot a few other reshuffles, with the whole team excited about a fresh and invigorated new start:

We will also continue to have a number of part time staff working across the school and Clare Giles, who will start her maternity leave in October, will be teaching and supporting groups of children across a number of different year groups. We will now begin the important task of choosing a new teacher for each child. Please allow us to consider the best fit for each individual, taking into account the huge number of important factors in ensuring a smooth transition in September. If you do have serious concerns, any comments should be directed to me rather than to your child’s current teacher. Thank you for your understanding in giving us the opportunity to consider the whole picture rather than making decisions from a single perspective.

Remember that from next Monday at both sites, we will no longer be using the carparks as children’s entrances into school. We’ll be talking to the children about this in class, so they should be able to help you know where they need to be. With more parents using the playground at the start and end of the day, it’s really important that you don’t linger once you’ve dropped off or picked up your child so that it isn’t too crowded for subsequent families. For now, we will still be sticking to the staggered timetable arrangements so do try to keep to your time-slot. Hopefully these new pedestrian routes will be much safer and also help us all to instil sensible behaviours around parked cars again.

Finally, thank you so much for contributing to our website survey sent out by parentmail earlier in the week – we’ll leave the link open for a few more days to give you time to respond if you haven’t done so already. It’s been great to read your constructive and helpful feedback.

With love,
Clare

Thought of the Week: Stand firm! Do you fight against injustice?

WHOLE SCHOOL

Dates for Diary
Thursday 24 June - HT Sports Day Year 3&4 am; Year 5&6pm
Friday 25 June - Inset Day
Monday 28 June - Mid Summer Holiday
Thursday 1 July - PD Sports
Friday 2 July - Year 6 St Mary's Leaver's Service
Monday 19 July - End of Term Service at Holy Trinity Church at 9:30am (Years 2- 6)
Tuesday 20 July - Last Day of Term
Wednesday 21 July - Inset Day - School Closed

INFANT

Skip-Hop, Monday 14 June
A reminder that the children will all be taking part in skipping workshops on Monday and will need to bring trainers, a sun hat and water bottle to school.

Friendship Letters
Children in Year R and Year 1 have hopefully received the ‘friendship’ letter for their new year groups. Please return your form to the school office by Friday 18 June. If you prefer, you may email the form to info@htpd.surrey.sch.uk. Thank you.

Golden Boot Challenge
We are continuing with the Golden Boot Challenge today and over the next three Fridays (18 and 25 June, 2 July) and recording how children travel to school. Please try and come to school by ‘greener’ ways such as walking, scooting or parking further away and then walking.

Lost
Jasper in Willow Class has lost a snack bag (dark blue with a tropical print) – missing since Wednesday.
Ronnie in Walnut has lost a pair of new navy blue Next shorts (un-named) – missing since Football Club on the Friday before half term.

Menu: Week 4 commening 17 June
 

JUNIOR

Dates for the Diary
Tuesday 22 June – District Sports

Reminder to Year 6 Parents
Please remember to resign your place at Guildford County School if you are not intending to take up the offer in September. We have several children in Year 6 on the waiting list there, and it would be great if they could be reassured prior to the end of term. Thanks for your understanding.

HT Before & After School Sept '21 - from September we hope that both Breakfast Club and Clubs+ will be running with unlimited numbers as was previously possible. We have made some small changes and whilst Breakfast Club will remain a drop in service at HT, we will be introducing a booking system at HT as this has worked very well during the pandemic. This will assist with staffing and also for providing a snack at 4.30pm. In an emergency, we are able to accommodate last minute bookings, but these will be at a slightly higher rate. Please see full details in the parentmail that was sent on earlier today.

Menu: Week 2 commencing 14 June

FOPS 

Big PTA Summer Raffle
We are taking part in this year’s Big PTA Summer Raffle. While it is still too tricky with guidelines to organise a ‘normal’ raffle, this version allows us to raise money, while giving everyone the opportunity to win up to £5,000! Tickets cost £3, with 50% of each ticket sold going towards FOPS. The deadline for buying tickets is July 11th but there are only a limited number on sale, so once they’re gone, they’re gone! To buy tickets, visit https://www.bigptaraffle.co.uk/support/pewley-down-infant-school-gu1 Good luck!

FOPS co-chair(s)
With the possibility of returning to a full activity schedule next school year we are looking for one or two people to join current chair Kate as co-chair(s) of FOPS. If you would like to have a chat (without commitment!) about what it involves please email katelloyd741@gmail.com.

Happy weekend!
Kate, Sophie and Debbie – The FOPS Committee

HTSC

Hi Everyone,

Hope you all had a good half term. Eagerly awaiting the next update from the government on 14th June….

A few things for you this week –

HT Film nights – supporting Year 6 fundraising for leavers book and ‘end of school’ party
We are screening TOM & JERRY: THE MOVIE (PG) which has just been released on DVD
Year 5/6 FRIDAY 18th JUNE after school until 5.15p.m. Please book using the form on Parentmail and make your £5 payment via PayPal 

Please include your child’s name and class on message section of your payment to match up the forms with the payments. Please book by Weds 16th June. For £5 each, this is a wonderful opportunity for the children to watch a fun film with their friends. A bag of popcorn and a drink are included in the price. This will take place in school in the Chapel and the Hall in year groups and sitting in their class bubbles (to remain suitably distanced).

Happy School Bag Clothing Collection – Wednesday 30th June
There is another opportunity for you to get rid of any unwanted clothing, bags, shoes (no bedding, textiles or damaged/stained items). We will be opening up the garage at 40 Harvey Road for you to drop off during week commencing 21st June and on 29th June – timings will be confirmed via Parentmail. We are also planning to run a 2nd hand uniform sale during the garage opening times to give you an opportunity to pick up items for the Winter term.

Dates for diaries - Socials

Friday 18th June Year 5 – coffee morning on the Downs from 8.50am – bring a picnic blanket and a coffee and meet by the monument on Pewley Down. Limited to 30 so please message Rebecca if you are planning to come (invite has been sent in the Year 5 WhatsApp group – if you are not on the group and would like to be, please email helen@thomasday.co.uk with your details to be added).

Thursday 8th July -  Year 5 end of term drink at Rogues from 8pm. An area has been reserved to celebrate the end of another school year – more details to follow depending on rules changing closer to the time.

Pitch 2020 Fund
Thank you to those who have donated and shared the link with other family members. We are using GoFundMe for direct donations to the Pitch 2020 Fund for families and friends of the school who are able, and would like to, contribute in lieu of donating at events which we have not been able to provide this year. The fund will remain open until the end of this school year.

Easyfundraising
If you are shopping online, one way to support the school is through www.easyfundraising.co.uk and selecting HTSC Holy Trinity School Community as your cause. Over 4000 retailers are affiliated, and every purchase makes a difference.

Second-hand uniform
If you have any uniform to donate, or need some uniform please contact Simone at simonechidlow@googlemail.com. To pay for your items, please use the link here to pay via PayPal. Due to restrictions we cannot handle any cash at the moment. As always, if you have any questions, please drop an email to helen@thomasday.co.uk

Kind regards
HTSC Committee

Other News

There is a vacancy at St Nics' for a School Business Manager. Please see the attachment for details of the advertised position.