School News and Head's Blog
Posted on: 13/09/2024Weekly News - Friday 13th September 2024
Eco Team Litter Picking
Two eco conscious St. Helen's College pupils have been putting their green passion into action cleaning up their local area over the summer holidays. Siara and Shayla, Upper School members of the Eco Team, spent many days over the holidays picking up litter in Ickenham Village. Their hard work has not gone unnoticed as many local residents have taken the time to chat to the girls and thank them for their community spirit. Well done to the girls for being wonderful ambassadors for the school.
Celebrating British Farming Day
Pupils and staff celebrated the best of British produce yesterday for 'Back British Farming Day' on Wednesday, an initiative from the National Farmers Union. The national event aims to highlight the importance of agriculture to communities and the economy. It is also a wonderful opportunity to educate children about the 'farm to fork' process and how important it is to support sustainable farming for the future.
The Accent Catering team put together a terrific display of home grown goods and the children had fun colouring in posters to celebrate our farming heroes. Well done to Simar in 2C who won the colouring competition and to everyone who took part!
Co-Curriculum Clubs
The co-curricular clubs programme begins on Monday, so please double check your allocations and ensure you send children with any equipment required on the correct days! As a reminder, any query regarding the co-curricular programme should be addressed to Mr. Harrington at lharrington@sthelenscollege.com.
Parent Survey Feedback
Many thanks to all of you who completed the end of year Parent Survey earlier in the summer. We were grateful for the very many positive comments and thanks from parents for all that school staff do to keep the children safe, happy and making good progress in all areas of school life. Many of you commented on the supportive environment, strong sense of community, excellent leadership and expertise of staff.
We always want to make improvements and in response to points raised, we will be trialling some tweaks to routines and events this term, as follows.
Funtasia After School Care for Nursery children will be based in the Nursery classrooms from Monday 16th September. Breakfast Club will also be based at Lower School. We hope that these two changes will provide a more enjoyable and appropriate environment for our youngest children.
To ease with the transition to Upper School, Year 2 children are now having a 'soft start' to their day, as they did in Year 1.
We are exploring options for a regular second hand uniform sale to be run at school by the PA. This will be a huge benefit for parents so if you are interested in helping with this, please contact the PA at pa@sthelenscollege.com to offer your support.
We would also like to remind parents that if you have any questions or concerns regarding any aspect of your child’s schooling, it is important that you contact your child’s class teacher immediately so that we may take prompt action to ensure the best outcome for your child.
Once again, thank you for all of the feedback and kind words. We were particularly proud to hear the following from a parent with an older child at senior school, and wanted to share this anonymous comment with the whole community:
'With an older child in secondary school I can appreciate even more what SHC offers. SHC should be extremely proud of the range of performances, assemblies, concerts and competitions. This is a real selling point for the school as all children take part in some way and learn from this in terms of managing anxiety, teamwork and presentation/performance skills. SHC produces shows which other schools with older children are not capable of staging. Staff turnover is also low with everyone making a huge effort as part of the community which suggests a happy working environment. Diversity and sustainability is discussed with the children regularly and children seem very aware of different cultures and respecting each other. Subjects like science, geography, RE and history are also very well taught with techniques directly useful for secondary education which place the children far ahead on starting.'
Cycle To School Week
We hope that many families will bring fun to the school run by taking part in Bikeability's 'Cycle to School' campaign from Monday 23rd - Friday 27th September. Championed by our Junior Travel Ambassadors, a pedal powered commute is good for health, the school and the planet. And, of course, we have a lovely new bike shed to keep all of the bikes safe and dry! Please take this opportunity to check the safety of bikes and ensure pupils' helmets are well fitting. We look forward to seeing as many children as possible take part.
Money Day - 4th October
Financial literacy forms one of the threads in our Life Skills programme here at St. Helen's College. To support this we will be holding a 'Money Day' on Friday 4th October for pupils across the school. The day will include a range of interactive workshops, exciting events and fun activities to educate pupils on spending and saving, bills and budgeting, online and electronic payments, career choices and much more. Supporting our ethos of sustainability, the overarching theme for the day will be: Saving Money and Protecting our Planet. We would welcome parent input so if you work in finance and would like to get involved in running a session or contributing to an assembly please look out for an email from SchoolsBuddy with more information.
The Parent Practice Webinar - 25th September
Parents are warmly invited to join a special free webinar 'Bringing out the best in your child', by Elaine Halligan from The Parent Practice on Wednesday 25th September. Elaine is a trusted parenting coach, author and speaker well known to St. Helen's College. Her coaching sessions have proved to be invaluable, providing supportive, insightful and practical advice and guidance for parents and staff alike. Many, many parents have found her ‘Harmony at Home’ training course transformative. At St. Helen's College we truly value our parents and want to offer support in negotiating the joyful, yet often tricky, pathway that is parenting. Please do save the date and join the online webinar. Full details about how to join will be sent nearer the time.
Dining Room Etiquette
Lunchtime is always a highlight of the school day and we place a firm emphasis on encouraging the children to take pride in their table manners and dining room etiquette. Please support your child at home by teaching them how to use cutlery correctly and by modelling family meals eaten at a table without any distractions. This is a valuable time to converse and connect with your child and is a life skill that will stand them in good stead for years to come. We will be looking out for and rewarding children who make a big effort to demonstrate these skills.
St. Helen's College Open Morning
Our next 'School At Work' Open Morning for prospective new families is on Wednesday 9th October. If you know of anyone with a child aged three or below who might be interested in visiting the school, please do let them know. They can book their appointments via the school website here.
PA Welcome Event
The Parents' Association very much hope that all new families will come along to their Welcome Event on Saturday 14th September from 2 - 4 p.m. The event will take place in the Evans Hall at Upper School and is a lovely opportunity to meet the PA and other new families. The PA relies on parental support to run a busy programme of fundraising events for the children so please do get involved, everyone is welcome.
Legacy Football School
Places are available for boys and girls aged 5 -14 at Legacy Football School a local club that trains at Court Park on Saturdays. Sessions are run by FA qualified coaches and include fun games and drills based on developing skills in passing, dribbling, defending and shooting. There is also the opportunity for children to join a team squad to play league and cup matches. More information and booking details can be found here.
Home-Start Hillingdon Coffee Morning
Home-Start Hillingdon, 306 Lane Lane (next door to Ducklings) are hosting coffee mornings to meet their volunteers on Tueday 24th September and Wednesday 2nd October. Find out more about the vital work the charity do and how you could help change the lives of local families by joining their volunteer training programme. Coffee and drop in runs from 10.00 a.m. - 12 noon and the volunteer talks begin at 11.00 a.m. The next volunteer training course starts on 8th October and runs every Tuesday for eight weeks, during school hours in Hillingdon.
Next Week
Monday 16th September - Co-curriculum clubs begin
Wednesday 18th September - Year 1 Phonics Evening 6 - 7 p.m.
Posted on: 6/09/2024Weekly News - Friday 6th September 2024
It has been wonderful to welcome the children back to school this week, and to get to know our new joiners too. There is such a happy, purposeful feeling all across the school and we are all very much looking forward to the year ahead! It has also been super to see so many parents in school this week at individual Early Years parent meetings, the Meet the Teacher evening at Upper School and the Year 2 coffee morning.
As we begin a new year, we would like to remind all parents of the importance of regular communication and of the best routes for this. Your class teacher is always your first port of call for any queries concerning your child, and we encourage you to keep in touch with them. Prompt, clear communication between school and home is crucial to enable the best care for your child and to support their progress most effectively. Email is usually a good way to contact your class teacher; they are also available at the end of the school day if you need a quick chat, and they will be happy to arrange a longer appointment should that be needed. If your class teacher is unable to assist for some reason, please feel free to contact a member of the Senior Leadership Team directly on the email addresses below:
Ducklings and Lower School queries - Mrs. Hunt at lhunt@sthelenscollege.com.
Upper School pastoral queries - Mr. McLaughlin at amclaughlin@sthelenscollege.com.
Upper School teaching and learning queries - Mr. Lewis at mlewis@sthelenscollege.com.
Co-Curriculum/sports queries - Mr. Harrington at lharrington@sthelenscollege.com.
Administration/admissions/communications/any other query - Mrs. Smith at susmith@sthelenscollege.com.
PA Welcome Event
The Parents' Association very much hope that all new families will come along to their Welcome Event on Saturday 14th September from 2 - 4 p.m. The event will take place in the Evans Hall at Upper School and is a lovely opportunity to meet the PA and other new families.
Eco News
SHC Achieves Eco-Schools Green Flag Award - With Distinction!
We were delighted to learn, over the summer, that St. Helen's College has again achieved our Eco-Schools Green Flag Award. Not only have we retained our award, but this time we have been awarded a Distinction for our eco work!
SHC Achieves Plastic Free School Status!
We have also now completed Objective 5 of the Plastic Free Schools Campaign and have been awarded Plastic Free Schools Status!
Plastic Free Schools is a pupil-led, ground-breaking programme that equips young people with the tools to understand the problems of single-use plastic, speak to politicians and eliminate unnecessary single-use plastic from their schools, for good. The children focused on eliminating plastic food packaging in school for this final step; sandwiches for trips will now be packaged using cardboard not cling film or other plastic snack wrapping.
We are so delighted to have achieved these goals, and would like to thank everyone involved for their hard work, especially the diligent and passionate Eco Team.
New Upper School Bike Shed
Our hard working maintenance team have been very busy over the summer break, updating facilities and equipment across the school sites. At Upper School the children have been excited to see a beautiful new bike shed, an terrific addition to the school grounds.
The new shed has plenty of space to keep bikes, helmets and scooters tidy and dry. It also features eco 'living walls', areas dedicated to growing lavendar, strawberry plants and herbs for the school kitchen. Bikeability's Cycle To School week takes place from 23rd -27th September and is the perfect opportunity for pupils to get involved. Not only will the children benefit from fresh air and exercise before school, it also supports our important environmental work as an eco school.
Fundraising Success
Naiya (Year 5) has raised over £5000 for cancer support charity The Little Princess Trust! Through a sponsored haircut, Naiya donated over 14 inches of her long locks, which will be made into wigs for children who have lost hair through cancer treatment or other conditions. Her efforts for this valuable cause have placed her in the charity's top 5% of fundraisers for July, an amazing achievement. Well done, Naiya!
Autumn Co-curricular Clubs
Booking for autumn term co-curricular clubs will go live on SchoolsBuddy today at 4 p.m. There are plenty of fun and exciting clubs for the children to get involved with, from sports and games to art, music and languages. The timetable can be found here. Please log into SchoolsBuddy for more information and to make your selection by Sunday night, when bookings will close.
Music Lessons
A range of one-to-one music lessons are offered at school taught by our team of specialist music teachers, many of whom work professionally in the music industry. From Reception children can learn the violin or the cello, and from Year 2 children can learn a wider variety of instruments including flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, violin, cello, piano, singing and guitar (NB: guitar can be learnt from Year 3).
There are currently spaces available to begin this term for the following instruments: Flute, Trumpet, Trombone, 'Cello and Singing. The waiting list is open for all other instruments. Please complete this Google Form for further information and to register your child. For any further queries please contact Mrs Fawbert on cfawbert@sthelenscollege.com.
Upper School Swimming
As usual, each class in Years 2 to 6 will enjoy an intensive week of swimming lessons this year at Hillingdon Sports and Leisure Complex. Here are the dates for your diary:
w/c Monday 30th September 4C
w/c Monday 7th October 4T
w/c Monday 14th October 5R and 5G
w/c Monday 11th November 3B
w/c Monday 18th November 3M
w/c Monday Jan 27th 2C
w/c Monday February 3rd 6H and 6L
w/c Monday Feb 10th 2S
Baby Mindfulness Classes
Mrs. McLaughlin's next set of FREE Mother/Baby Mindfulness classes will begin on Wednesday 11th September. These classes are for mothers and babies aged from six weeks until crawling. They run on Wednesday mornings (9 a.m.) at St. Helen's College Upper School and provide a safe space for mums and babies to bond, taking part in breathing, gentle yoga and other mindfulness exercises. There is also the opportunity to meet other local mums and babies and to socialise with them.
If you have a baby of the right age and are interested in joining these classes, please email Mrs. McLaughlin on pmclaughlin@sthelenscollege.com to reserve your spot. The classes are free of charge and are open to everyone, whether they have a child at St. Helen's College or not, so please do spread the word!
Ducklings, Nursery and Reception Entry - September 2025
If you have a child who will be eligible by age for entry into Ducklings, Nursery or Reception in September 2025, and have not yet registered him/her with St. Helen's College, please do so as soon as possible by completing the online registration form. Our entry processes now take place earlier than in the past; places for next year's Ducklings and Nursery entry points will be allocated during this term.
Siblings of children currently at the school receive priority when places are allocated, but must be registered now in order to be sure of a place.
St. Helen's College Open Morning
Our next 'School At Work' Open Morning for prospective new families is on Wednesday 9th October. If you know of anyone with a child aged three or below who might be interested in visiting the school, please do let them know. They can book their appointments via the school website here.
Methodist Church Service
St. Helen's College pupils and families are warmly invited to a community service at North Hillingdon Methodist Church on Long Lane on Sunday 8th September at 9.30 a.m. The service will include special prayers for the new academic year ahead and children are invited to bring along school book bags for blessing.
Chiswick Book Festival 13th - 15th September
The Chiswick Book Festival, which boasts its own Children's Book Festival, is running next weekend, 13th - 15th September. This is a fantastic opportunity for children to join events with a fun and diverse line-up of authors and illustrators. The exciting programme includes Rob Biddulph, Zanib Mian (a favourite visitor at St. Helen's College last year), Ken Wilson-Max and Zoe Antoniades. Fans of CBeebies Swashbuckle will be thrilled to see Joseph Elliott (Pirate ‘Cook’) with his new younger chapter book about a very exciting grandmother! Mariesa Dulak will be introducing her debut, 'There’s a Tiger on the Train', and fans of graphic novels and comics will love Kev F Sutherland’s workshop. You can book here for all children’s events, which take place in family friendly venues near public transport.
Mini Me October Half Term Camps
Mini-Me Camps are running a half term holiday camp at PACCAR Scout Camp from 28th - 31st October. Booking is now available and all friends and family are welcome! Full details, including booking details, are available here.
Next Week
Monday 9th September - Nursery individual new parent meetings (3.15 p.m. - 5.15 p.m.)
Saturday 14th September - PA Welcome Event in Evans Hall (2 - 4 p.m.)
Posted on: 6/09/2024Giving Blood
This week we have a guest blog from Mrs. Mann, one of our Nursery teachers. Reading this blog brought back memories for me from when I started to give blood as a student at university back in the day as an 18 year old when I really did not appreciate the full impact of what it meant to give blood. Unfortunately, I am now no longer able to give blood and am proud to hear of the efforts of so many members of our community. Thank you, Mrs. Mann, for your reflection and inspiration.
Giving Blood
During the summer break I attended a blood donation session. This is something I try to do every three months, although it is not always possible for a variety of reasons. From a very early age I remember my parents going into a room with lots of people and nurses (at this time children could wait in the waiting room quietly). After a while they would come out with a white plaster on their arm, a sticker and a chocolate bar. As I got older I began to ask more questions about what was happening. I remember being told that the nurses were taking some blood out to give to people who needed it.
Our bodies are incredible things - we can give our healthy blood (which is thoroughly tested) to others and our own bodies efficiently recover. This blew my mind as a child and was something I was keen to do when I was old enough. Having joined the St. John’s Ambulance from the age of 6 until 20, I had seen first hand how a simple accident could result in an emergency trip to the hospital and the potential need for that patient to require ‘someone else's blood’.
My attendance to give blood this summer was not just any, it was my 50th. I feel incredibly proud that by giving blood on 50 separate occasions I have potentially helped to save and improve the lives of 100 patients. Life is precious and we never know when we may need someone's donation.
The process has changed greatly over the years: now, you have to book your session in advance (which reduces your wait time) and no children are allowed. The sugary treats at the end are still very much available and appreciated!
Giving blood is not completely pain free but honestly it really does not hurt that much. The nurses are wonderful and they take good care of you from testing your iron levels (which I am generally more anxious about), making you comfortable during the donation and making sure you are ready to go on your way.
If you can, please, please ‘do something amazing and give blood’. Every single donation is a great achievement. We never know when family, friends or even ourselves may need it.
You can check if you are able to here: https://www.blood.co.uk/.
‘Let’s save lives together’.
Mrs. Mann
Posted on: 12/07/2024End of Term News
Centenary Concert and Art Exhibition
What an astonishing day of celebration it was yesterday, as we hosted the Upper School Centenary Art Exhibition and Centenary Concert. Both events took place at the Winston Churchill Hall in Ruislip, a super venue for celebrating the arts.
We transformed the theatre lounge into our own Art Exhibition space for the day, complete with tropical plants, soft music and refreshments. Parents, pupils and staff had plenty of time to peruse artwork created by every child in Years 2 to 6. The variety of techniques and artistic talents on display was truly wonderful; we clearly have many budding artists, designers and sculptors in our midst.
In the evening, the Centenary Concert showcased the extraordinary standards reached by our many, many vocalists, instrumentalists and public speakers. With around one hundred pupils involved, we were treated to performances from the Junior Choir, Senior Choir, Chamber Choir, Orchestra and Massed Choirs, as well as accomplished solo performances from vocalists and instrumentalists. In addition, four children performed individual spoken recitations of poetry or dramatic extracts. The guitar and string ensembles performed in the lobby as guests arrived too!
This really was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the arts at St. Helen's College. Thank you to all of the families and staff who supported the event, and congratulations to the children who created such incredible artwork and/or performed on the stage. It was an event we will never forget.
Centenary Fun Day
The rainy weather didn't dampen the children's spirits this week or deter them from enjoying a special Centenary Fun Day on Tuesday.
Lower School celebrated the 100th birthday of St. Helen's College by taking part in a range of House activities throughout the day. These included creating birthday posters, making delicious fruit kebabs, writing House acrostic poems, completing puzzles, playing games and throwing themselves into lots of singing and dancing!
Children across the school enjoyed a special picnic style lunch menu and at Upper School there was both a movie afternoon and fun and games in the park!
Year 6 Project Exhibition
It was an absolute pleasure to host the Year 6 Project Exhibition on Tuesday when our talented pupils showcased their individual project work. The pupils presented a research project of their choice to parents, peers and staff in a terrific display of hard work and creativity.
It was so inspiring to hear the children's passion and excitement for their chosen subject and the flair with which they produced their work. Everything from science and technology to history, geography, art, textiles, music and sport was represented. The quality of work was truly outstanding and offered, perhaps, a glimpse at where their future careers may take them!
Ducklings Sports Day
On Thursday Ducklings took part in their first St. Helen's College Sports Day. Parents were invited to cheer the children on as they participated in a variety of fun games and activities in the Ducklings grounds. This was a wonderful way for the Ducklings to round off their first year of development at St. Helen's College. We know that they have all laid super foundations for the future and look forward to seeing them at increasingly sophisticated Sports Days as the years progress!
Year 1 Trip to Mad Bess Wood
On Wednesday Year 1 enjoyed a trip to Mad Bess Wood in Ruislip. Despite a heavy downfall during lunch, rain did not stop play for the children! They had lots of fun playing on the lawn with a variety of toys before going on a mini trek in the woods. They used magnifying glasses to explore the minibeasts and had the opportunity to identify and name the different plants and trees they discovered.
After lunch they had a visit from Pino and his ice cream van which was a real hit with children and staff alike! Then, the children had a sneaky peek in Mrs. Hunt's garden and found some of the sunflowers they had planted in the spring. All agreed it was a wonderful way to celebrate a fantastic year.
Year 6 Teacher For A Day
Year 6 stepped into the shoes of teachers and staff across the school for 'Teacher For A Day' this week. The children began by leading a very organised and professional Upper School assembly and then took to the classrooms where they led and assisted in lessons across the year groups.
At Lower School the children led football training sessions, creative arts activities and joined in with fun phonics lessons. At Upper School the children shadowed staff in the classroom and beyond, experiencing a day in the life of a school chef, librarian, PE teacher and school secretary! They all did a terrific job and enjoyed the experience immensely.
Year 3 and 4 Tennis Finals
Our talented Year 3 and 4 tennis finalists hit the court this week in the hotly contested SHC Tennis Competition. The standard of play was outstanding. All the finalists played with terrific flair in thrilling, competitive matches. The atmosphere court side was electric as the final points were decided. In the end the winners were:
Isaac A and Emerald S in Year 3
Aadhya M and Rayhan R in Year 4
Well done to everyone who took part in the competition; it was fantastic to watch tennis of such a high standard.
ABRSM Examination Results
We are very proud of all of our musicians and vocalists who have achieved great results in their ABRSM exams this term.
Penelope A-C
6L
Piano
Initial
Merit
Viren C
6L
Cello
Grade 1
Distinction
Arjun S
6L
Piano
Initial
Distinction
Emily S
6L
Piano
Grade 3
Merit
Arjun C
6H
Guitar
Grade 3
Pass
Marco K
6H
Guitar
Grade 2
Pass
Grace O'H
6H
Cello
Grade 3
Pass
Aiden T
6H
Guitar
Grade 3
Merit
Alexander A
5G
Singing
Grade 2
Distinction
Alexander A
5G
Cello
Grade 1
Merit
Zinnia M
5G
Trumpet
Grade 2
Pass
Simrina N
5G
Singing MT
Grade 3
Merit
Simrina N
5G
Flute
Grade 2
Pass
Mikail O
5G
Piano
Initial
Distinction
Sayaan S
5G
Cello
Grade 2
Merit
Ashvika A
5R
Piano
Grade 5
Pending
Aaryav K
5R
Guitar
Grade 2
Merit
Dhani C
4B
Singing MT
Grade 1
Merit
Shayna C
4B
Cello
Grade 1
Merit
Shayna C
4B
Singing MT
Grade 2
Merit
Shayna C
4B
Piano
Grade 2
Pending
Ella K
4B
Piano
Grade 2
Pass
Naiya L
4T
Piano
Initial
Merit
Naiya L
4B
Singing MT
Grade 1
Distinction
Aaran T
4B
Piano
Grade 1
Pass
Leo A
4T
Piano
Grade 1
Pass
Leo A
4T
Singing
Grade 2
Distinction
Amara B
4T
Piano
Grade 2
Pass
Avleen P
4T
Singing
Grade 1
Distinction
Avleen P
4T
Piano
Grade 1
Merit
Aran P
4T
Cello
Grade 4
Pass
Parisa S
4T
Singing MT
Grade 2
Distinction
Anika C
3B
Piano
Grade 1
Merit
Zoe F
3B
Piano
Grade 3
Pass
Eleanor G
3B
Singing
Grade 1
Distinction
Eleanor G
3B
Piano
Grade 1
Distinction
Liberty Y
3B
Piano
Grade 1
Distinction
Alicia Z
3B
Singing MT
Grade 2
Distinction
Ajooni G
3M
Singing MT
Grade 1
Merit
Emily K
3M
Piano
Grade 1
Pass
Alba M
3M
Piano
Grade 1
Merit
Aayan B
2R
Singing
Prep
Pass
Siara R
2R
Piano
Prep
Pass
LAMDA Examination Results
What a wonderful set of examination results we have received for the pupils who recently took examinations here at SHC. Very well done to all of the children.
Riya S - Acting Grade 2 Distinction
Eva J - Acting Grade 2 Distinction
Anika C - Acting Grade 2 Distinction
Anna K - Acting Grade 1 Distinction
Zoe F - Acting Grade 2 Distinction
Mustafa F - Acting Grade 1 Distinction
Elisa K - Acting Entry Level Distinction
Hana H - Acting Grade 1 Distinction
Senna G - Acting Grade 1 Distinction
Amaya L - Acting Grade 1 Merit
Aryan S - Acting Entry Level Merit
Shanaiya K - Acting Grade 2 Distinction
Sienna K - Acting Entry Level Merit
Naiya L - Speaking in Public Grade 3 Merit
Music Lessons
We are proud to offer a range of music lessons here at St. Helen's College from Reception through to Year 6. Music lessons are taught on a one-to-one basis by our talented team of specialist music teachers, many of whom work professionally in the music industry. From Reception children can learn the violin or the 'cello, and from Year 2 children can learn a wider variety of instruments including flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, violin, cello, piano, singing and guitar (NB: guitar can be learnt from Year 3).
Allocations are currently being placed to children already on the waiting list for music lessons. If you would like to add you child to the waiting list for music lessons please complete the following Google Form: (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSejd_XZ8SXTClIyL4p4O8020hMoUVPbTVeu6vKzY4Z9crNZDA/viewform)
Please note: the waiting list for piano lessons is already quite long, however there are spaces for most other instruments to begin in September. The Google Form includes further information, however please contact Mrs. Fawbert on cfawbert@sthelenscollege.com if you have any further queries.
Final Assembly
At our final assembly this morning, we celebrated many of the children's achievements this year. Congratulations to our Year 3 to 5 form prize winners who received trophies and book tokens recognising their academic excellence, exceptional effort and application of school values.
Our outgoing Head Boy and Head Girl gave a super speech as they handed on the positions of responsibility to Year 5 children (see below), and the children listened with enjoyment and emotion to Ms Drummond's farewell speech to the Year 6 leavers, themed around Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
There was much anticipation over the award of the House Cup, of course. Once the House point totals had been tallied for the entire year, the winning House was Hibernia. The House Cup is now decked out in green ribbons and the Hibernia House Captains were extremely proud to accept it on behalf of all of the pupils in their House. The final counts and positions for the year were:
Hibernia - 6334
Windsor - 6307
Cambria - 5277
Caledonia - 4946
It is always emotional saying goodbye to the pupils and families leaving us. We would like to wish them all huge happiness and success in the future, and remind them once again to keep in touch with us here at St. Helen's College.
Pupil Leadership Team
We are delighted to announce our new Pupil Leadership Team for the academic year 2024 - 2025.
Head Girl: Ashvika A
Head Boy: Maicen M
Deputy Head Girl: Diya B
Deputy Head Boy: Alexander A
Caledonia House Captains: Arya A and Avar D
Cambria House Captains: Amelia L and Samuel H
Hibernia House Captains: Shanaiya K and Veer K
Windsor House Captains: Evie J and Aaryav K
We would like to thank our outgoing Pupil Leadership Team for all that they have done over the last year, and wish our new team luck as they take on these positions of responsibility.
Next Term
Please ensure, over the summer, that your child has all of the correct uniform and equipment for their new year group and that this is all clean, in good repair and named. The uniform and equipment list can be found on the School Documents page of the website.
Co-curricular clubs will begin in the third week of the autumn term; the programme will be published to parents at the start of term for your child to make their selections.
We would like to remind parents, ahead of the new year, that children must arrive at school punctually each morning. Late arrivals are disruptive. Please allow plenty of time for your journey to school to ensure punctuality.
PA Welcome Event
Please make a note in your diaries for the PA welcome event on Saturday 14th September 2.00 - 4.00 p.m. in the Evans Hall. This is an opportunity to meet the friendly PA team, share fundraising ideas and find out how you can be involved. Everyone is welcome.
Flu Vaccinations
Vaccination UK will be visiting the school on Tuesday 19th November to administer the seasonal flu vaccine for Reception through to Year 6. More information and a consent form will follow in the autumn term.
Posted on: 12/07/2024Year 6 Leavers' Speech by Ms Drummond
Ladies and Gentlemen, Parents, Teachers and Year 6 pupils,
A few years ago I thought that it would be a good idea to link my leaving speech for Year 6 to the play which they had just performed! Not an easy task on occasions - but here goes!!
What a marvellous journey we have had together this year, much like the adventures of the beloved Chitty Chitty Bang Bang! Today, we gather to celebrate not just the end of the school year, but also the wonderful achievements and growth of our Year 6 leavers. As we reflect on our time together, we can draw many parallels to the exciting tale of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a story of dreams, determination, innovation and discovery.
Much like Caractacus Potts, who saw potential in an old, run-down car and transformed it into the magical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, our dedicated teachers and staff have nurtured your talents and potential. They have worked tirelessly to inspire and guide you, turning each day into an opportunity for learning and growth. Together, we have built something remarkable – a community where dreams are encouraged and possibilities are endless.
To our Year 6 students, you have been the fearless adventurers, much like Jeremy and Jemima. You have faced challenges with courage, approached learning with curiosity, and supported each other through thick and thin. Remember the thrilling moments in the story when Chitty soared through the skies or sailed the seas? Those moments symbolise the heights you can reach and the uncharted waters you can explore with your knowledge, skills and experiences from St. Helen’s College.
Just as Truly Scrumptious became an important part of the Potts family's adventure, your friendships and bonds with classmates have added colour and joy to your journey. These relationships, built on trust and shared experiences, will remain with you as you move forward into the next exciting chapter of your lives.
And let us not forget the villains in our story – the outrageous (but most loveable) Baron and Baroness Bomburst. They represent the obstacles and fears you have faced and overcome. Whether it was a tricky maths problem, a challenging project, or learning from home during unprecedented times, you have shown resilience and resourcefulness, proving that you can tackle any obstacle in your path. The Baron and Baroness employed the enforcer ‘The Child Catcher’ as they had an intense dislike for children and children were forbidden by law in the fictional land of Vulgaria!
Vulgaria certainly is a far cry from our incredibly real land of ‘St. Helen’s College’ where children are very much loved and at the centre of all our decisions! And thankfully we have no child catchers lurking at each corner!!
In fact, quite the opposite. The community around you at St. Helen’s College has only ever wanted to keep you safe and happy, and help you in your endeavours. Your performances in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang were astonishingly accomplished. We saw this in rehearsals, at school and at the theatre. But the success of the final shows depended not only on the cast, but also on the audience. The parents and other family members, the staff and friends who watched on, willing you all to do well, ready to support you if it went wrong and eager to celebrate the joy of your successes. You are so fortunate to have such supportive, loving families who chose St. Helen’s College for you and have been such a bit part of your school journey too. When it comes to a school, it is crucial that parents and staff work together in the best interests of the pupils - team work really does make the dream work!
As you leave Year 6 and head towards new adventures, we hope you will carry with you the spirit of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Embrace your creativity, trust in your abilities, and always be ready for an adventure. Keep dreaming big, and never be afraid to let your imagination take flight. Remember that every problem has a solution, and every challenge is an opportunity to grow.
In conclusion, I want to thank each and every one of you – students, parents, and staff – for being part of this incredible journey. Year 6, as you drive off into the future, much like our magical car, may your engines roar with excitement, and may you soar to new heights. Your adventure is just beginning, and we can't wait to see where it will take you.
Congratulations, Year 6! Remember, the sky's the limit and that it is teamwork that makes the dreamwork!
Thank you.
Ms Drummond
Posted on: 12/07/2024Anastasiia by Mrs. Smith
Many of you will remember the 2022 blog I wrote about Anastasiia, the Ukrainian refugee whom my husband and I were sponsoring through the Homes For Ukraine scheme in 2022. I can’t believe over two years have passed since then.
In the end, Anastasiia did not come to us in 2022. She reached Barcelona and, by the time her UK visa came through, she had already found a job and decided, understandably, to stay, even though she spoke no Spanish. She spent over two years there, but she finally arrived to live with us last week. We are really enjoying getting to know her: she is a resilient, courageous young woman who has suffered more uncertainty and trauma in her short life than we can imagine. It is unbelievable that, just as Covid was coming to an end, her country was invaded and life became completely unsafe and unbearable for her and other Ukrainians. The conversations we have had in just one week about the things she has seen and overcome, and her associated emotional and practical struggles, related in her trademark matter-of-fact tone, have been frankly heart-breaking.
My husband and I met almost 30 years ago at university in London. We have been married for 25 years, worked hard, raised a family and suffered serious illnesses and bereavements as well as some of the most joyous times. Last year I completed my MA and in October I begin my PHD. We have seen our sons make their way through prep school, grammar school, university and the world of work. But in seven days, Anastasiia has taught our family more than we might ever have learned without meeting her. Is there any lesson more important than how to find the courage and resilience to look adversity squarely in the face, discover fearlessly who you really are, and push yourself to work to become the best person you can be for yourself and the world?
Anastasiia was just 18 when she fled Ukraine, two weeks after the war started, and made her way across Europe alone with just a suitcase and backpack. Her mother had already left; her brother, father and grandmother remained behind in Kherson, which was under attack. I am glad to say that they are all now out of Ukraine and safe in different countries. While in Barcelona, alongside working full time in any job she could find to support herself, Anastasiia continued her passion of drawing and design and submitted a portfolio of work and an application (which she managed herself, in a foreign language!) to the University of Arts, London. Only around a quarter of applicants to this prestigious university are successful, and she was one of them. She is living with us now with a view to moving into university halls in London to complete her foundation year and then a three year Bachelor of Arts. It has been her dream for several years to do so and, because of the terrible circumstances of her life, she is starting her studies three years later than most UK students would. She arrived in London exhausted and under a lot of stress, still with just one suitcase of belongings, but enormously excited about the prospect of student life ahead of her.
However, there is already another sizeable bump in the road. Anastasiia is determined to keep working online for the website/graphic design company employing her, although - run by another displaced Ukrainian - it is not well-paid. She has applied for a loan for her university tuition fees, which she will have to re-pay. But it turns out that she cannot apply for a loan for maintenance costs, as UK students can, because her foundation year is not an integrated part of a four year degree. We have discovered that, once her tuition fee loan is approved, she can apply for a hardship bursary to help with living costs, but it would not cover all of her accommodation costs. And because of one of those frustrating bureaucratic glitches, she can’t apply for the bursary - which there is, anyway, no guarantee she will get - until she’s already enrolled at the college in September. Meanwhile, her accommodation have already sent an advance bill of almost £3000 which must be paid by mid-August.
Anastasiia is an incredible young woman and her journey is just beginning. She is extremely upset by this latest hurdle, and trying to be practical about the fact that she might not be able to take up the university place she has earned. Watching on, I am enormously proud of what she has achieved and coped with over the last three years and humbled by her attitude in the face of every obstacle. I feel so deeply that she deserves the chance to pursue her dream. Many of you asked how you could help and wanted to send money for Anastasiia when she was due to arrive in England in 2022 and news of the Ukraine war was shocking us all. The situation in Ukraine is still shocking; it is still completely unsafe for Anastasiia to return to her home country. Her family, all now refugees, have lost their homes and are scattered across Eastern and Western Europe each doing their best to survive and, hopefully, to keep physically and mentally strong. So if you would like to help Anastasiia take the next step of her extraordinary journey, please consider donating anything, however small, to a collection fund to help her on her way to her foundation year, and to the freedom, she’s so determined to achieve. The fund will remain open for donations until the end of July. I know that Anastasiia will do it alone, somehow, someday, if she has to. But I hope you’ll agree that she deserves a chance to do it now, with our love and support.
Anastasiia’s Fund
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Mrs. Smith
Posted on: 5/07/2024Weekly News - Friday 5th July 2024
Year 6 Prizegiving
On Thursday it was an evening of achievement and celebration at the St. Helen's College annual Prizegiving reception and ceremony. This special evening for Year 6, held in the Evans Garden, recognises the children's remarkable talents, hard work and personal development during their time at St. Helen's College. Our Principals, Mr. and Mrs. Crehan, delivered an inspiring speech and lovely song and offered words of encouragement for the children as they embark on new beginnings and many exciting adventures ahead. Thank you to Samara P for her wonderful solo performance and to the Chamber Choir for their beautiful renditions of 'Rhythm Of Life' and 'You'll Never Walk Alone', a fitting sentiment as we prepare to bid Year 6 a final farewell next week.
Lower School Art Exhibition
Lower School celebrated the many talents of our gifted pupils today at their Centenary Art Exhibition. Every child had a piece of art beautifully mounted, framed and displayed and enjoyed showing them off to their parents! The mini masterpieces were available for parents to buy, with extra copies and postcards also available to order. We hope that all of the families who visited enjoyed the exhibition as much as we did!
Ducklings parents were also able to view and buy framed artwork created by our youngest Helenians. What an artistic bunch they are!
We are looking forward to the Upper School Art Exhibition next Thursday too. As a reminder, the exhibition will be open at the Winston Churchill Hall in Ruislip from 3 - 5 p.m. and from 6 - 8 p.m. on Thursday 11th July.
Year 2 Trip To Iver Environment Centre
On Tuesday Year 2 visited Iver Environment Centre for a full day of outdoor activities. The children relished a day in nature, taking part in a mini beast hunt, pond dipping and building bug houses as part of work on wildlife habitats. The day was rounded off in the fun adventure play area which proved to be very popular. The school were kindly gifted two bird boxes which will be decorated by the children and installed in the school grounds. We hope the boxes will make a cosy home for nesting birds and we look forward to monitoring them for life in the coming months!
Wimbledon Visit
A lucky group of pupils from Year 5 and 6 had an exciting day out at Wimbledon Tennis Championships on Tuesday. Arjun S, Tiya T, Amaya L, Rian M, Marco K, Simar C, Avar D and Shanaya P watched two thrilling matches on Court 1 featuring the world number 4 women's player (Elena Rybakina), followed by the world number 4 men's player (Alexander Zverev). Both players won convincingly and demonstrated incredible skill. The children also had the opportunity to tour the whole Wimbledon complex and watch world class tennis action on the smaller courts. It was a fantastic day and we hope the children will be inspired to excel in their own sporting endeavours.
Election Day
The children had the chance to experience democracy in action here at St. Helen's College on Thursday when the School Council ran its own ballot to tie in with the General Election. Year 6 representatives shared the key manifesto promises from four leading political parties; Conservative, Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Scottish National Party, in rousing speeches during morning assembly. The Upper School children then took to the ballot box at breaktime to cast their vote. All the candidates were very convincing. We may have one or two budding politicians in our midst!
In total, 173 votes were cast and counted overnight. The results were announced in assembly this morning, as follows:
Conservative Party - 79
Liberal Democrats - 41
Labour Party - 35
SNP - 18
Move Up Mornings
On Monday children from Years 1 - 5 participated in 'Move Up Morning'. This is always an eagerly anticipated event, offering children a glimpse into next year's classroom and some of the activities they will be doing. It is also a chance for them to meet and get to know their new teacher for the academic year ahead. On Tuesday it was the Nursery and Reception children's chance to do the same. We hope all the children feel reassured by the visit and excited for the new academic year in September!
NSPCC Workshop
On Thursday, representatives from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) visited Years 2 - 6 for a workshop on staying safe. The session educated pupils on recognising the signs of bullying and abuse and the importance of always speaking to a trusted adult about any concerns they may have. This was illustrated by the fun NSPCC mascot 'Buddy', a bright green inflatable in the shape of a speech bubble! All the children participated in the group discussions and found the workshop a valuable addition to their personal development education.
Maths Success
We strive for excellence in maths here at St. Helen's College and it is wonderful to see pupils go above and beyond to achieve success. Huge congratulations to Aryan (6L), Aaryav (5R) and Raiden (6L) who took part in the demanding UK Maths Trust Junior Challenge Kangaroo and Olympiad follow-on challenges. A special mention to Aryan who came in the top scoring 25% of participants in the Kangaroo, achieving a Certificate of Merit!
Well done to all the children from Reception - Y3 who took part in the First Maths Challenge over the past couple of weeks. The results are now in and certificates are being prepared for all participants. These will be handed out next week.
Library Summer Reading Challenge
On Friday the children were treated to a visit from Esha Chaman of Hillingdon Libraries who introduced the exciting Summer Reading Challenge. The theme this year is 'Marvellous Makers!' and it's all about celebrating children's creativity. Children aged 4 to 11-years-old are invited to fire up their imagination and unleash storytelling and creativity through the power of reading.
The Summer Reading Challenge is a free initiative whereby children are encouraged to read six books across the summer holidays and in return receive free gifts. You can watch a short video explaining more about the challenge here.
So, why not camp out at your local library this summer to make the most of all the wonderful books on offer! Our local library at Oak Farm, on Long Lane, is just a hop and a skip from the lovely Court Park where you could picnic and read the books you have borrowed. Also well worth a visit is the library in Hayes. This is found within Botwell Sports and Leisure Centre so families can spend the morning swimming and splashing and the afternoon relaxing in the library. We would love to hear in September how you have used your library!
Summer School 2024
There are now just a handful of spaces left for Summer School which will be running at PACCAR Scout camp from 5th - 9th August for Years 3 - 6. This will be a fun-packed week of thrilling outdoor activities including climbing, archery and a day of water sports at nearby Taplow lake. Full details have been sent directly to parents, if you would like to book a space for your child, you can do so through your SchoolsBuddy account. Please note the deadline to book is next Thursday 11th July. The St. Helen’s College Holiday Club will run at school for children in Nursery - Year 2 as usual during this week. There are also a few spaces left at the Mini Me Camps at PACCAR from 29th July - 2nd August for children in Years 2- 6.
Centenary Fun Day Menu
The team at Accent Catering have devised a special 'street party' lunch for our Centenary Fun Day next week. You can see the menu here.
Next Week
Tuesday 9th July - Centenary Fun Day (children to wear House colours)
Tuesday 9th July - Year 6 Coffee Morning and Project Exhibition
Wednesday 10th July - Year 1 Trip to Mad Bess Woods
Wednesday 10th July - Year 6 Teacher For A Day
Wednesday 10th July - New Year 1 (6 p.m.) and Year 2 (7 p.m.) Parent Meetings
Thursday 11th July - Ducklings Sports Day
Thursday 11th July - Centenary Concert & Art Exhibition
Friday 12th July - End of Term (Half Day) Pick up times: 11.50 (Ducklings & Nursery); 12.00 p.m. (Reception); 12.10 p.m. (Y1 and Y2); 12.20 p.m. (Y3 and Y4); 12.30 p.m. (Y5 and Y6)
Posted on: 5/07/2024Leaving St. Helen's College by Mrs. Briggs
I have ‘only’ been here for four years. For me, as someone whose husband is in the Army, this is a long time in one job as we have moved frequently during our married life. But by St. Helen’s College standards I am still quite new! I started as a maternity cover teacher for Mrs. McLaughlin, baby Remi having arrived in June. It was September 2020, between covid lockdowns. I arrived into a world of social distancing, of not meeting families properly for the first year I was here, of remote parents’ evenings and assemblies and lots of time on Google Meets. I struggled with the technology and am forever grateful to Mr. Bustard for always being on hand, socially distanced and wearing a face mask, to help.
Despite all of this, I loved it immediately. On my second day of teaching Year 3, I asked if the children could give me a better descriptive word than nice. Jeena’s hand went up immediately; ‘phenomenal’ was her suggestion. She then spelt it accurately and I knew I had come to the right place! That class, now leaving as 6H, was the best class I had had in my many years of teaching. They were so pleased to be back at school following remote learning, so bright and engaged, so much fun and so hard working and empathetic towards each other.
I now know that this is how things are throughout the school here; a sharp contrast to some of my experiences in other schools. The pupils are mindful and polite, they are considerate and chat easily to adults and to each other. Due to the nature of my husband’s job, I have worked in fifteen different schools, including in Germany, Kenya and in the USA. St. Helen’s College is my favourite. It is a very special community of children, families and staff. Everyone really does work together for the good of the children and it is such a happy, committed and aspirational place.
I feel so lucky to have worked here and that my daughter got to experience being a pupil here for two years. I am very, very reluctant to leave. If you see me next week please don’t be too nice to me as I may well cry!
Mrs. Briggs
Posted on: 28/06/2024Weekly News - Friday 28th June 2024
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!
Wow, wow, wow! Anyone who has seen a performance of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at The Compass Theatre so far this week will have been blown away by the talent, confidence and commitment of our Year 6 pupils. Every single one of them has a part in the play and the performances on Thursday evening and Friday morning showcased their extraordinary vocal and dramatic skills. There were amazing whole cast ensemble pieces, small group numbers and astonishingly accomplished solo singing. The scenery and staging was superb and the choreography and dramatic performances of the children were truly awesome.
Once the final performance is over, we will be adding lots of photographs of the children in their Chitty Chitty Bang Bang costumes onto our Galleries page here, so do keep a look out.
Well done, Year 6, and best of luck for your sold-out final performance tonight!
PA Summer Fete
A huge thank you to everyone who was involved in organising the Centenary Summer Fete last Saturday, and to all those who attended. It was wonderful to see the whole community come together for fun and sunshine, and to welcome so many Old Helenians back to visit too. What a super day!
We were also thrilled to reveal a specially commissioned sculpture by Jessica Wetherly to mark the Centenary. This beautiful statue, representing two St. Helen's College children holding the globe, is the perfect symbol of our pupils' vital role in shaping the future of the world.
You can see more photographs of the Fete on the Galleries page here. There is also a gallery showing the creative process of the statue's development.
Farm Visit to Ducklings
Ducklings enjoyed a very exciting morning on Wednesday when Ark Farm paid them a visit. Animal pens were set up in the garden where the children had the opportunity to come into close contact with sheep, a donkey, goats, rabbits, chickens and ducks. The children had great fun petting the animals and learning some interesting facts about them too. The visit was a valuable experience, bringing to life their current topic work all about the farm.
Reception Visit Whipsnade Zoo
On Thursday, our Kingfishers and Owls Reception classes had a magnificent outing to Whipsnade Zoo. The day began with a fascinating workshop all about African and Asian animals, where the children were especially impressed to see the skull of a lion! They had a terrific time exploring the zoo and were lucky enough to see several very young animals, including a ten day old baby giraffe, a baby elephant, baby rhino and meerkats. The day was rounded off with a fun train ride in the sunshine.
The children thoroughly enjoyed the trip and it was a fantastic learning opportunity to support their classroom topic work. You can hear from some of the children here.
Nursery Visit To Campbell Dentist
Today it was the turn of our Robins and Wrens Nursery classes to enjoy a summer outing. They visited Campbell Dentist where they learnt how important it is to look after our teeth by brushing them thoroughly twice a day. The children had a chance to explore the dental surgery and find out all about the instruments, such as mirrors and special glasses, used in the clinic room. They left with an important message: don't eat too many sweets and brush your teeth carefully to keep them healthy.
Reminder - Centenary Concert/Art Exhibition
If you have not already done so, please don't forget to buy your tickets for the Centenary Concert and Art Exhibition at the Winston Churchill Hall in Ruislip on Thursday 11th July. This should be a super end to our centenary year, and is an opportunity for you to see the amazing standards the Year 2 - 6 children have reached in their art, music and public speaking this year. The art exhibition will be open and we will be serving refreshments from 3 - 5 p.m. and again from 6 p.m. The concert begins at 7 p.m.
Tickets should be booked through your SchoolsBuddy account.
Sports News
Our Year 2 classes have enjoyed their intensive week of swimming this week at Hillingdon Sports & Leisure Complex.
Library Books
As we near the end of term please note that all library books on loan should be returned on or by Monday 8th July. Please take this opportunity to search your shelves over the weekend for any overdue books. Any overdue books outstanding past Monday 1st July will be presumed lost and, as per our policy, may require a replacement at the parents' expense.
Holiday Club
Bookings for our summer Holiday Club open today at 4 p.m. Holiday Club will run from Monday 15th July - Friday 30th August (excluding Bank Holiday Monday 26th August). Parents must provide a packed lunch, water bottle, two snacks and a change of clothes for Nursery and Reception children.
Places for Holiday Club must be booked in advance as we need to arrange staffing rotas. Bookings will close on Wednesday 10th July at 4 p.m.
(Please note that, once booked, sessions cannot be cancelled or refunded for any reason, including illness. By booking and paying for sessions you confirm that you understand and will abide by these terms and conditions.)
Please log in to your SchoolsBuddy account to make your bookings.
Upcoming Events
Monday 1st July - Year 1 - 5 'Move Up Morning'
Tuesday 2nd July - Nursery and Reception 'Move Up Morning'
Tuesday 2nd July - Year 2 trip to Iver Environment Centre
Wednesday 3rd July - Ducklings parents' evening
Thursday 4th July - Year 6 Prizegiving (6.15 p.m.)
Friday 5th July - Lower School Art Exhibition (3.00 to 5.00 p.m.)
Saturday 6th July - ABRSM examinations at Upper School
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