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News & Events

7 March 2025

Dear Parents and Carers 

Wow – what a week! Both the infant and junior sites were transformed into Fairy Tale Land by our hugely creative team. Our STEM week has been a real success; the children’s enthusiasm, engagement, perseverance and learning has been remarkable. The STEM week (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), which was themed around fairy tales, began with an author visit at both the infants and juniors on Monday that brought working scientifically to life – who knew that pink wafers would make the strongest biscuit house! The children followed the Big Bad Wolf's lead and asked plenty of scientific questions. Some of their investigations included exploring what would have happened to the Gingerbread Man if he had fallen into the river, discovering that wolves can't blow Maltesers across a room (let alone blow a house down), and collecting their own fingerprints to find ways to prove that it was Goldilocks in the Three Bears' house. Throughout the week, I’ve seen bridges being built for the Billy Goats Gruff, instructions created and followed for towering beanstalks, tessellating shapes designing the largest possible ‘Piggy Palace’, as well as plenty of reading and sharing of stories. Lots of the learning this week has been practical, investigative and problem solving in nature. This has allowed for plenty of collaboration and ‘struggle time’; there’s been times I could almost feel the children's brains thinking. All this has taken place in addition to the usual amount of PE, Art, Music, Phonics and in Year 6, even a trip to the Science Museum to enrich their understanding of the topic, 'It's a wonderful life!' A particular focus for them was the digital gallery of 'Who Am I?', where they were able to find out lots of information about their bodies and brains. There were lots of - hands on activities and a great time was had by all. What a timely visit to enhance our STEM week experience! 

World Book Day formed part of our week. Rather than just dedicating one day to this, our whole week has been focused on books. As you know, at HTPD, we are passionate about reading, not just the teaching of reading but reading for pleasure and developing a love of books. For us, the focus of World Book Day (or week for us) is on enjoying books rather than dressing up. This is so much more positive for some children (and parents!) who find costumes rather stressful! All the classes enjoyed reading the shortlisted titles for the Waterstones Illustrated Book of the Year, and voting for their favourite. Our incredible librarian, Geraldine, spends time each week with every class but her phenomenal children’s book knowledge came into its own this week; I don’t think there was a book I came across in the Eco Team run book swap that she wasn’t familiar with! I hope your child came home with a good new read, whilst giving a home to and re-cycling and old title! 

The beginning of Lent was marked this week with a Shrove Tuesday assembly at the infants, led by Curate Clare Marren and Ash Wednesday at the juniors, led by Rev. Simon Butler. On Tuesday, a small group of lucky Year 4 children were able to take part in the Guildford Pancake Race. In front of a busy crowd, the children dashed along the cobbles of the High Street, expertly flipping their pancakes as they went. They represented the school brilliantly and even got to visit the mayor's office in the Guildhall to collect the prizes.   

On the sporting front, all of Year 2 and a group of Year 3's & Year 4's were busy this week competing against other primary schools at the Sportshall Athletics competition at the Spectrum. Everyone had a fantastic time. Huge thanks to our very own sports coordinator, Laura Sutton for arranging this for all the Guildford primary schools. I was especially glad to hear that the children from HTPD were excellent ambassadors, behaving beautifully, supporting one another and taking part with huge determination.

Two Year 5 teams played netball against QE on Monday after school, winning both their matches.  On Thursday, two Year 4 teams played Tormead and just one Year 4 team are also taking part in a tournament at St Catherine's on Friday afternoon. It's lovely to finally play in the sunshine. 

I’ve enjoyed seeing many of you at parents’ evenings this week. Thank you for taking the time to come in, look at your child’s work and talk about their progress. 

It’s great to see our school values being lived out, with an enthusiastic “zest for learning and love of life” this week. After a very busy week, I hope you have a restful weekend, hopefully full of reading new books together! 

Best wishes 

Vicky 

Thought of the Week: Love is not selfish – are you someone who finds it easy to share?

 

  1. Surrey Hills Spring Fair
  2. Holiday Bible Club
  3. Wintershall
  4. Planet Soccer
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