Dear Parents
First of all, another huge thank you! We have been really touched by the immense response we have already had, both to supporting the Giving Tree Project and the Wintershall Nativity workshops. We have also had donations this week towards Christmas lunches and towards specific items for families in need. We are blessed with a very community-spirited parent body and we are grateful for your continued support for each other and all in our local community. I’m sure we’re all acutely aware that in the present unpredictable times it could be any one of our families who finds themselves in need – if that is your family at this time, please do make the school aware (in complete confidence) so that we can support you and your children through this challenging period as best we can.
Advent Preparation
As you know, this weekend marks the first Sunday of Advent and we are moving into that period of preparation before Christmas. In wider society, this tends to be characterised by frantic gift buying, decorations, elves and wish lists. As a Catholic community, we do all of that too but also try to carve 
out a little period of time for spiritual preparation; waiting, reflecting, hoping for the joy that will come at Christmas.
In school, the children are preparing a daily Advent Reflection, based on The Jesse Tree book by Geraldine McCaughrean. It tells the story of Jesus’ ancestors from Adam and Eve through to Mary and Joseph. Although the international “Year of the Word” was somewhat interrupted by the pandemic, we felt the Jesse Tree Project was a fitting end to the calendar year (and start to the Church’s year!).
Y5 children will have a “Prepare the Way” Advent reflection with Fr Bill this coming week, in lieu of our usual Reconciliation Service which we are not able to do at this time. Y4 and Y5 will also have the opportunity for a short period of watching and waiting before the Blessed Sacrament in the coming weeks.
All of our classrooms have Advent Wreaths which will help the children see the build up towards Christmas and the lighting of the white Christmas Day candle. This is a lovely tradition to follow at home too – instructions for making your own Advent Wreath are here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k39q7shhQN0
What shall we do this weekend?
I’m sure you have lots of plans for the weekend, but if you were looking for something a bit different, don’t forget the various initiatives we are running:
- Festival of Cribs –
Why not put up your Nativity crib and upload a photo of it (maybe with your whole family together) onto the Festival of Cribs padlet here
- Christmas Story competition – “Have you heard the News?” Competition – We would love to see the children’s interpretations of the Christmas Story, as creatively as they can manage. These entries can also be uploaded onto padlet – the link for these are here KS1 and KS2
- Giving Tree Project – If you haven’t already had a look, go to the wish list here, where you can choose a gift (don’t forget to tick it off!), wrap and label the gift, then drop into school ready to be delivered to someone in need this Christmas.
- Balloon Race – The Parent Association Balloon Race fundraiser can be found on classlist. The Race starts on Tuesday, so be sure to get your balloons this weekend! Some of the children have already told me they’re planning to beat me in this Balloon Race! It should be fun!
Looking Further Ahead
Christmas Cheer – For both the class live performances via Zoom and the recording of the Nativity songs / Carol Concert, please contact Mrs Burnham directly if you DON’T want your child to take part. In the class assemblies so far, all children have taken part and we would like everyone to be able to be in the Christmas performances too. Most children have photo / video permission already but those who don’t should please let us know if their child should not take part in the Christmas activities.
Last day of term – Please note that we finish at lunchtime on the last day of term as usual. As logistics this year are extremely complicated, we will not be serving lunch on the last day and pick up times will be the same as usual but starting with a 12 (So Reception will be collected at 12; Y1 will be collected at 12:10; Y2 at 12:15; Y3 at 12:20; Y4 at 12:25 and Y5 and Y6 at 12:30). Children who are entitled to a free school meal will be able to order a take-away lunch for the last day – please order with the office by next Friday 11th December.
Christmas Carols – Although we can’t all be together in person, we are hoping to facilitate a virtual “Carols Round the Christmas Tree” for our school community with families gathered by their own Christmas Tree and singing along to a few favourite carols together with us and a Y6 choir. We will confirm a date – likely the last week of term – so please watch this space and join us if you can!
Wishing you a lovely weekend and a joyful Advent season.
Catherine Burnham
Headteacher
