First of all, huge thanks to everyone who has observed the request not to drive down Arch Road.  It has made a big difference during busy morning and evening sessions.  If those few who have not yet stopped driving down Arch Road were able to do so, it would make the road even safer – please consider using the alternatives at Coronation Rec and Hersham Station (free permits can be organised by emailing/dropping in to the office – it is very easy so please do it!). We discussed parking during the Coffee and Conversation meeting with parents yesterday  – the minutes of this meeting will come out with the mailing next week, so keep an eye out for them.  Many thanks to all who attended and submitted questions.  It was a very useful conversation.

This week began with Remembrance – during our whole school collective worship, the children enjoyed singing our old favourites: Let there be Peace on Earth and Keep the Home Fires Burning.  We focussed on defending the weak and those who need our help, thinking about the scripture reading, “Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for his friends.”  At 11am, the whole school community joined the nation in observing two minutes’ silence.

Opal Class followed up this theme with their Mission Week - thank you to everyone who “Dressed as a Hero” on Thursday to support the charity Help for Heroes.  There were lots of police officers and nurses around the school, as well as a few teachers (there were two Miss Nolans!) and even a stunning St John Henry Newman!  We will have photos from the day on the website next week. 

Fittingly, we have also celebrated Anti-Bullying Week this week – the children wore odd socks on Tuesday to mark the occasion and Miss Nolan (PSHE Lead) led assemblies for both key stages to remind the children that we are all uniquely created and loved by God and that we must respect and help each other.  It was helpful for the children to understand the definition of bullying that we use in school - repeated unkind words or actions towards the same person – and we focussed on strategies to use in school if you feel you need help: Say no; walk away; tell an adult.  There is more information in our Behaviour and Anti Bullying Policy on our website here.

Next week will be Road Safety Week (don’t worry, no dressing up required!) and we are looking forward to welcoming our local PCSO Philip Jebb to talk to the children about Road Safety.  While you are out and about during next week, it may be a good time to recap with children how to stay safe both as a pedestrian and when on their bikes and scooters.

Today we have welcomed visitors who are thinking about training to teach with Teach South East as well as our termly visitor from the Xavier Catholic Education Trust to review the quality of Teaching and Learning in school.  I am delighted to share that the learning walk was excellent with real excitement and enthusiasm about learning in every class.  The children have been using “Talk for Writing” to support their development of vocabulary – see whether they can retell their story/writing with actions to you at home!  We thoroughly enjoyed seeing these in class!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend with all the family.
Catherine Burnham

CORAL CLASS ASSEMBLY - FRIDAY 22 NOVEMBER
Coral Class parents are invited to their assembly next Friday at 9.00am.

FUNDRAISING FOR CORAL CLASS MISSION WEEK
Coral Class will be running a "Guess the number of sweets in the jar" competition next week, hoping to raise enough funds to sponsor a polar bear as part of their Mission Week.  Children in all year groups will be invited to purchase guessing tickets priced 50 pence each.  The lucky winner will win the jar to take home.

CLUB NEWS
Irish Dancing is not running on Monday 18 November.

HOUSE SPELLING BEE (YEARS 2 TO 6) - FRIDAY 22 NOVEMBER
A reminder that children in Years 2 to 6 will be taking part in the house spelling bee next Friday.  Please work on spellings with children at home.  Thank you.

PLANET SOCCER MULTISPORTS - MONDAY 2 DECEMBER
Mr Sebo's Planet Soccer will be running a Multisports day on Monday 2 December (our school closure day).  Please make your booking here.

ABSENCE AFTER SICKNESS/DIARRHOEA
A reminder that children who have been sick or had diarrhoea must be kept off school for 48 hours after the last bout of sickness/diarrhoea.  This is to prevent the spread of the illness to other children and members of the school community.  Thank you.

DOGS AT SCHOOL
This week a parent was bitten by a dog when picking up from an after school club.  Can we ask that dogs are not left unattended tied to the school fence at the main playground gate.  The pavement is narrow and dogs waiting at the gate can cause an obstruction.  A reminder that dogs are not allowed at all on the school grounds.  Thank you.

FOOTBALL THIS WEEK
Our boys' teams played Burhill on Tuesday.  Year 5 won 5-0, Year 6 lost a high scoring game 7-5.
Our Year 6 girls' team played at St Cuthbert's on Thursday and won 2-0 (2 goals for Lucy).

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOX COLLECTION
Thank you to everyone who has supported our collection this year.  We had over 50 boxes and Mrs Sharp, our RE Lead, delivered them to the collection centre on Wednesday.

PA CHRISTMAS FAIR
Year 4 will be holding a stall at the Christmas Fair selling Christmas tops and jumpers. If you have any that maybe your child has grown out of, or any adult Christmas jumpers that are no longer wanted, they would be grateful for your donations.  There will be a box outside the school office from Monday 25 November, last date for donations is Thursday 5 December. Any donations that are not purchased at the fair will be given to a local charity. Thank you.

SALESIAN SCHOOL CHRISTMAS SHOPPING EVENING - 28 NOVEMBER
Please find out more here.

Collective Worship Theme of the Week: Remembrance

Prayer Intentions:
Those who are sick in our school community, including parents of some of our children
Those who are anxious or stressed at this time
Those who feel unloved, that they know that they are loved by God
St John Henry Newman, pray for us

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