School News and Head's Blog
Posted on: 22/09/2023Why Art?
Many of you may not be aware that Mrs. Pruce, our subject co-ordinator for art across the school, is also the national lead for art for the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS), an association of which we are members.
IAPS has 663 schools in membership (of which 47 can be found outside of the UK). The schools must reach a very high standard to be eligible for membership of IAPS, with strict criteria on teaching a broad curriculum, maintaining excellent standards of pastoral care and keeping staff members’ professional development training up to date.
Mrs. Pruce supports art teachers in IAPS schools as part of her role and has run several professional development days for other teachers at St. Helen’s College, when she has invited inspiring artists into school to run workshops for the staff. These include Darrell Wakelam and Emma Collins.
Mrs. Pruce’s ‘Why Art?’ blog appears on the IAPS website and I would like to share it with you (below). We pride ourselves on nurturing all of the arts and our enriched curriculum is a testament to the expertise of our staff at St. Helen’s College.
If you do not already follow the St. Helen's College instagram page for art then please do - it may inspire you to be a budding artist with your children!
Why Art? by Mrs. Nadine Pruce
“Every child is an artist,” said Pablo Picasso, and he’s right.
This September begins my fourth year at St. Helens College, Hillingdon, and what a few years it has been! Yet throughout, and since, the turmoil of Covid, our art has held classes together, united us in our joy for the subject and had us chuckling during online lessons, especially when dressed as royalty in crowns and tiaras with Year 2.
Art is all around us, not just in galleries but on TV, packaging, book covers, graphic design, the restaurant industry and stage and film to name a few. The career options are numerous, and it is a subject to be taken seriously.
The subject of art dates back thousands of years from all around the world. It adds to what we now know about history, from cave paintings to Henry Moore’s chalk work on the shelters during the war and Banksy’s political graffiti. Without these we can only guess at what really happened.
In itself, art can be a way of communication to express ourselves, heal our souls when troubled, tell a story or be an experience to share our thoughts and feelings or just to while away time.
For me personally, art has been something that I have only had the courage to embrace in the last 17 years or so. I say courage as I was the child at school who was too tall, stuck out like a sore thumb, and went easily red-faced when the art teacher told me that it wasn’t my best subject. That crushed all creativity I had for many, many years.
I promised myself that no child I teach would be made to feel this way about their own talents. The introduction of new skills at St. Helens College has proven that Picasso was definitely right. The child who can draw superbly may not be the best painter; the painter may not be the best sculptor, who in turn may not be the best print maker. But they are all good at something and seeing that realisation dawn on pupils' faces is what drives me on.
As teachers we have a role to play in encouraging our students, focussing on the good and inspiring the confidence to try. FAIL is the 'First Attempt In Learning' and even as adults we are still always learning.
We adults have a lot to learn from our children, in school and at home. The artistic response to the pandemic blew my mind. The explanations given as to why pupils drew what they drew were clear, simplistic and openly honest. Arya in Year 2 with her “Rainbow Tree” and Riya, in Year 6, with “Breakout” were stunning examples that gave me goosebumps and tears in my eyes. Arya won her age group for the IAPS Online Art Competition in my first year here. Have you ever been reduced to tears by art in any form? Poetry, music or a piece of writing? My first glimpse of the Taj Mahal, from far away, actually made me cry, not an emotion I expected over the sight of a building.
The use of sketch pads at St. Helen's College has been changing and is changing further this school year. The desire to scribble out something not liked is natural but also pointless; we need to see our failures to perfect our abilities. In the book "The Dot" Peter H Reynolds shows us the power of one single adult's actions to change a child's life. “The book shows the importance of teacher-student relationships, and our connections as human beings. It shows how creative thinking on the part of a teacher can unlock a child's own creativity, confidence, and growth.”
So, however old you are, I encourage you all to go and enjoy whatever art form you would love to explore the most, and remember… in art you are never wrong.
Posted on: 15/09/2023Head's Blog - Words From Pupils Present And Past
Rather than write a blog this week, I would like to share two things with you.
The first is the speech given by our new Head Boy and Head Girl, Aiden and Samara, at our St. Helen's Day assembly this afternoon. They wrote the speech themselves and delivered it beautifully, with enormous confidence.
The second is a poem, written by two of our Old Helenians and performed last night at our alumni centenary party and again today at our St. Helen's Day assembly.
I hope that you will enjoy these as much as we all did, and I hope you will agree that they show that the St. Helen' s College school values remain as strong as ever!
Head Boy And Head Girl Speech
Ladies and gentlemen, teachers, students and esteemed guests.
Today, as the Head Boy and Head Girl of St. Helen's College, we stand before you with great pride and gratitude as we celebrate a momentous occasion – the centenary of our beloved school. Over the past century, St. Helen's has been a beacon of light, shaping countless lives and instilling values that continue to guide us today.
First, let's say thank you to our wonderful guests for sharing their amazing stories with us all.
Let's start with a fun fact about the school. St. Helen’s College was founded in 1924, even before TV’s made their first appearance! Imagine a class with no smart board!
At the heart of St. Helen's College lie three core values that have remained unwavering throughout our journey: to strive for excellence, help others achieve, and care for one another.
Firstly, we are a school that strives for excellence. We set high standards for ourselves and constantly push the boundaries of our abilities. Whether it's in academics, sports, the arts, or any endeavour we pursue, excellence is not an option; it's our way of life. Let us continue to embrace the spirit of excellence, always aiming higher and achieving more than we thought possible.
The second fact of the day is this. During the Second World War, the school's first building got bombed. But guess what? Mrs. Hempstead, who was in charge at that time, didn't give up. She moved the school to a new place at 223 Long Lane, and they kept having classes even during the war. That's some serious dedication!
Secondly, St. Helen's is a community that believes in helping others achieve. We understand that our individual success is linked to the success of those around us. Whether it's lending a helping hand to a struggling classmate or volunteering in our local community, our commitment to lifting others up is what makes our school truly special.
Lastly, caring for others is a value that defines us. We are a family that looks out for one another, offering support and compassion when it's needed most. Let us carry this spirit of care beyond these walls and into the world, making a positive impact on the lives of those we encounter.
And for the third and final fact. In January 2017 Ducklings opened, just for little children who are 2-3 years old. That's where the youngest St. Helenians go to have fun and learn. That was before I joined the school!
As we celebrate this centenary milestone, let us reflect on the incredible legacy of St. Helen's College. Let us honour the generations of students, teachers, and staff who have contributed to its growth and success. And let us, the current attendants of this legacy, pledge to carry these core values forward into the next century, ensuring that St. Helen's continues to be a place of excellence, help, and care for all who pass through its gates.
Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this remarkable journey. Here's to the next hundred years of excellence, achievement, and compassion at St. Helen's College. Thank you.
School Poem
Mrs. Green and Mrs. Ruffle are sisters, who attended St. Helen’s College as children. More recently, they have been parents of pupils at the school, with Mrs. Green's daughter Charlee completing Year 6 in our centenary year. They wrote the following poem.
When we were asked to speak today,
We thought long and hard about what to say;
We discussed our memories for such a long time;
In the end we put them in a rhyme.
In the seventies the school was so much smaller.
For one thing the building is now so much taller.
A one storey building was all that we had,
But back then it didn’t seem all that bad.
In the morning we would start promptly at nine,
Mrs. Stockwell in charge of the bell that would chime.
We’d line up in height order and make our way
To get ready for morning assembly each day.
Classes 1, 2, 3 and 4
Lined up patiently at their class door.
It was only when we heard the head call
That we’d make our way into the hall.
Assembly took the same format each day:
Three hymns we would sing, a verse from Psalms we would say.
It was the one time of day the whole school was there
And we would always finish with the Lord’s prayer.
If you had something exciting to share,
The head would invite you to stand on a chair
To tell everyone your piece of ‘news’;
We were always encouraged to share our views.
Lessons were taught all morning long,
Reciting our tables or singing a song,
Reading our work that was written in chalk,
Full of concentration – no one dared talk.
Every year each class did a play.
In the lead up to performance we would rehearse every day,
Learning our lines off by heart,
To make sure we did justice to our given part.
The costumes were a sight to behold:
Goblins, fairies, baubles made of gold;
Proud parents forced to watch one and all,
As we performed our shows at the Winston Churchill Hall.
We didn’t do much in the way of sport.
Now there so much extra curricular taught.
However, Sports Day was still a big deal
And the excitement we felt was definitely real.
The events were …. creative, let’s say!
The ‘slow bicycle’ race a highlight of the day.
The aim of the game was to cross the line LAST.
It was never about who could ride fast.
Honestly, the memories are too many to share;
Things you cannot explain, you just had to be there.
But one thing is certain, at the heart of all …
Was Mrs. Evans, the Headmistress of the school.
She was the one who ran the show,
Ensuring every pupil had the chance to grow,
She ran the school with a firm and fair hand:
Every lesson, show and Open Day meticulously planned.
Open Day was always an exciting event,
With hours and hours often spent
Painting our ‘Big Pictures’ to grace the walls,
All the way round the main school hall.
We would work all term long with enthusiasm and glee,
Mrs. Evans’ frustration not always easy to see,
But the pictures we left before the weekend
Were often doctored by her black felt tip pen!
‘My daughter, the teacher’ was a regular comment;
Her pride in her family was always apparent;
An inspirational woman who shaped many young minds,
Imparting her wisdom and dishing out lines.
So much is so different now, so much is the same,
But at the heart of the school core values remain.
Mr. & Mrs. Crehan then took on the challenge
To grow and expand the whole of St. Helen’s.
All we can say is they must have done okay,
As both of our daughters have thrived here in their own way.
All pupils leave confident and articulate children,
Blessed with a strong foundation of knowledge to build on.
So let's raise our glasses and give a loud cheer,
Talk to the back of the room – so everyone can hear.
To St. Helen’s the school and the memories it holds,
As we celebrate her being 100 years old!
Posted on: 15/09/2023Weekly News - Friday 15th September 2023
St. Helen's College Centenary
This academic year is the St. Helen's College Centenary year! We launched our centenary celebrations this week with two special events.
On Thursday evening, we hosted a reception for staff, former staff and alumni. The event was very well attended, with over 75 alumni and ex-staff returning to join the current staff body. We were treated to beautiful music from Mrs. Nash's string quartet and some super event catering from Soula and her Accent team. We all enjoyed hearing alumni share memories of their time with us, as well as speeches from Mr. Crehan and Ms Drummond and a vocal performance from Mrs. Crehan!
Staff and visitors browsed through a display of history boards, photographs and other memorabilia from as far back as the 1920s. So much has changed since then, but everyone agreed that much has stayed the same. St. Helen's College has, for 100 years, remained true to a set of aims and values which define our school culture and shape the lives of so many.
On Friday, we used St. Helen's Day to launch the centenary to the pupils. At Upper School, our pupils heard from two Old Helenians, Tito Oshewa and Georgia Emanuel, who are about to embark on new adventures at California's Stanford University and Cambridge University respectively. The pupils were also treated to a poem performed by Mrs. Green and Mrs. Ruffle, who are also ex-pupils. Mrs. Green is also the mum of Charlee! The displays of history and memorabilia were brought out into the Evans Garden so that pupils could find out about life at St. Helen's College in days gone by. We distributed our SHC values cards to our new Year 2 pupils and, for the first time, we all sang the school song with its new centenary verse.
We had other musical performances, too. Shayna C, Millie B and Alicia Z did a fantastic job as the string trio and Hana H, Zarifa D and Grace O'H gave a vocal performance. Mrs. Crehan also performed a song for the children.
Every child in the school has received a '100 Things To Do In Our Centenary Year' booklet and we very much hope that you will enjoy sharing these experiences as a family.
Next summer, as the academic year draws to a close, we will be hosting a centenary celebration event to which current parents will be invited. We hope that many of you will wish to join us - it is likely to be on the final evening of the year (Friday 12th July), with a centenary concert and art exhibition the evening before (Thursday 11th July). Please pop these dates in your diaries now and look out for further information as the year moves on.
Staff News
Many congratulations to Ms Drummond, who graduated last weekend and is now the proud holder of the MEd in Educational Leadership and Management (University of Buckingham), alongside a Level 7 Senior Leader (Degree) with the Chartered Managers Institute.
Ms Drummond is living proof that a lifelong love of learning is a wonderful thing!
This week, Ms Porteous celebrated twenty years of working for St. Helen's College. During this time, she has cared for so many children at our After School and Holiday Clubs. She has made (and continues to make) a real difference to many young lives, and we thank her for her commitment to the school so far.
After a year's sabbatical, we are delighted to welcome Mrs. Bool back to the Finance Office. She has been joined by Mrs. Sonigra, who had most recently worked at St. Helen's School in Northwood. Thank you for bearing with us during the changes in staffing in the Finance department. Normal service has now resumed!
Co-Curriculum Clubs
Co-curriculum activities will begin next week, from Monday 18th September.
Please note, however, that Karate Club will not begin until the following week (and will instead run a session in the final week of term). This is because Mr. Kumedzina, our Karate Coach, will be joining the Higashi national squad for the Banzai International Cup in Berlin next Friday. We wish the squad much luck!
We still have a few vacancies for the following clubs. Please contact Mr. Harrington at lharrington@sthelenscollege.com if your child would like to join one of these:
Y2/3 Taekwondo - Tuesday 12.20 - 1.00 p.m.
Y2/3 Taekwondo - Thursday 12.20 - 1.00 p.m.
Y4/5/6 Taekwondo - Thursday 1.00 - 1.45 p.m.
Y5/6 Tennis - Thursday 1.00 - 1.45 p.m.
Next Week
Monday 18th September - Individual pupil photographs at Ducklings
Tuesday 19th September - Individual pupil photographs at Lower School (siblings from 7.40 a.m.)
Wednesday 20th September - Maths and Phonics evening for Year 1 (1C at 6.00 p.m., 1R at 6.45 p.m.)
Thursday 21st September - Individual pupil photographs at Upper School (siblings from 7.40 a.m.)
Friday 22nd September - STEAM Day
Open Morning - Tuesday 3rd October
Our next 'School at Work' Open Morning for prospective parents will take place on Tuesday 3rd October. If you know of anyone with a 0-3 year old who might be interested in finding out more about St. Helen's College, please ask them to reserve an appointment via our website or to contact Mrs. Smith at susmith@sthelenscollege.com. There are just a few slots left now!
2024 Entry - Ducklings and Nursery
If your St. Helen's College child has a sibling born between 01.09.20 and 31.08.22, and you have not yet registered them for entry to the school, please do so as soon as possible. The entry processes for Ducklings 2024 and Nursery 2024 will begin shortly. You can access the online registration form here.
Old Helenian To Run The London Marathon!
Mrs. Lawrence's son James, who is a former St. Helen's College pupil, will be running the London Marathon 2024 for his father and the thousands of other men affected by prostate cancer every year.
The Lawrence family have been valued members of the St. Helen's College community for many, many years and we wish James all the very best for his training and for the Marathon run itself.
You can find out more information about why James has chosen to run, and sponsor him by donating to support prostate cancer research, at the link below. Many thanks indeed, from the whole Lawrence family, for your generosity and support.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/london-marathon-2024-44630
Homestart Volunteering
Homestart Hillingdon are a charity based at All Saints Church Hall. They do very valuable work, recruiting, training and co-ordinating volunteers to help struggling families with at least one child under the age of 5, across Hillingdon borough.
All parents know how relentless and difficult (as well as joyful!) parenting small children can be,even without other challenges. Homestart help families with issues including post-natal depression, isolation, multiple birth, disability and managing difficult personal circumstances.
Homestart volunteers need to be parents (or grandparents) and have at least half a day a week (during normal working hours) to commit to the role, as well as attending Homestart's Volunteer Training Course (9 sessions during school hours). The next course will run on Mondays, starting on the 9th October.
Some of the team from Homestart Hillingdon will be at St. Helen's College on Friday 22nd September to introduce themselves and their work to parents, in the hope that some of our community might be interested in volunteering with them. You can find them next Friday at:
7:50 - 8:45 a.m. - at the Lower School Entrance (beside the Methodist Hall)
3:10 - 4:00 p.m. - at the Upper School Entrance (on Parkway)
You can find out more at www.homestart-hillingdon.org.uk.
Thames Valley Cavaliers Basketball Sessions For Girls
Thames Valley Cavaliers have launched an all-girls basketball session, which is now taking place every Saturday at Uxbridge College from 12 - 1.30 p.m. The session is open to girls aged 7-17 and all abilities are welcome.
TVC want to see girls' basketball within the Borough of Hillingdon grow and participation increase. They are also looking to develop a girls' basketball team to represent the Borough in the London Youth Games for the first time in several years.
There are coaches running the session who play on the Thames Valley Cavaliers WNBL women's team, and pupils will have an opportunity to watch them compete in a league fixture on the home court after the session.
Full details, including how to sign up, are available here.
Important Reminders
The safety of our children and the members of the local community is of paramount importance to us all. Please could we remind all drivers to observe speed limits around the school site and to adhere closely to the school parking regulations, which are published here.
As well as being crucial to protect the safety of other drivers, pedestrians and cyclists, following these regulations closely will ensure that the St. Helen's community remains mindful of our neighbours and helps to promote the school's reputation within the local community.
Posted on: 8/09/2023Weekly News - Friday 8th September 2023
It has been an exciting and busy first few days back at school, as the pupils have entered their new year groups and we have welcomed all of our brand new children.
Meet The Teacher Evenings
Following on from our Early Years and Key Stage 1 'Meet The Teacher' evenings last term, we held successful 'Meet The Teacher' evenings for all Key Stage 2 classes this week. It was lovely to see so many families and we hope that you found the meetings useful. Open, frequent communication between home and school is essential to support the pupils' education and well-being, so please do keep in touch with your class teacher as we move through the term and the year.
Year 2 Coffee Morning
The transition from Lower School to Upper School has gone well for our Year 2 pupils and we were delighted to welcome their parents into Upper School today for a coffee morning too.
PA Welcome Event
A reminder that the PA Welcome Event will take place in the Evans Hall at Upper School tomorrow from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. There will be refreshments and an opportunity to meet other parents and children. We hope that families who are new to the school will come along to meet others, and for the first time this year the event is open to all existing families too!
Co-Curricular Activities
Bookings for autumn term co-curricular activities open TODAY at 4 p.m. and close on Sunday at 11.59 p.m.
Please log in to your SchoolsBuddy account to submit your child's preferences.
It is essential that you discuss choices with your child before submitting them; once clubs are allocated they cannot be changed and it is important to everyone that your child takes part in clubs that they enjoy and want to attend.
Library News
We are delighted with the new building that was installed at Lower School over the summer to house the Lower School library and welfare room, by local company Blyss Garden Rooms. Here you can see the Blyss workers in front of the building! We know that our Lower School children are going to appreciate and make the most of their lovely new library.
At Upper School, it is super to have the library full of readers and inquisitive minds once more. We welcomed 2H and 2R to the Upper School Library for the first time this week. Many books were borrowed and many excellent questions were asked by the curious children. The library is open every lunchtime for the children, and in addition Year 2 will have a timetabled class visit.
The Chiswick Book Festival runs from the 6th to 13th September. There will be lots on offer for families and adults at various locations, with many well known faces taking part. Children's workshops are concentrated mainly on the Saturday and are still bookable at this link: Festival events.
Class List
The Parents' Association are now using Class List to communicate with parents. The app has a wealth of features - parents can communicate with each other in class and/or year groups, find other families for car shares, sell second hand uniform and more. If you have not yet signed up, please do so as soon as possible. Your PA Class Rep will be keen to help should you need them and you can always reach the Parents' Association committee at pa@sthelenscollege.com. As usual, the Parents' Association are busy planning some lovely social events and other initiatives for the forthcoming academic year and we urge all parents to support them in enhancing our wonderful parental community spirit!
Karate News
Over the weekend, several St. Helen's College pupils and Old Helenians competed in the British Karate Federation International Championships at Sheffield Ponds Forge stadium and there were some impressive achievements.
Freya and Aleya won silver medals in pairs kata.
Freya, Aleya, Naiya, and Rania won bronze medals in team kumite (fighting).
Rania and Naiya won bronze medals in pairs kata.
Myla, Inaya, and Grace won bronze medals in team kumite.
This tournament was a fantastic opportunity and served as perfect preparation for the major international championships in Berlin in a couple of weeks. We send good luck wishes to the St. Helen's College pupils and Old Helenians who will proudly represent the Higashi Karate Kai national squad there!
Music Result
We have received news of an additional music examination result from the summer term. Congratulations to Hana H, who achieved a pass in her Grade 2 flute!
Individual Music Lessons
There are currently spaces available for Violin, Cello, Trumpet, Flute and Singing lessons. To register your interest please complete this Google Form.
Toddler Play Sessions
Mr. Harrington's wife runs 'Mini Me Town' play sessions for children up to the age of six, which encourage exploration through play. If you are interested in attending with your child to encourage their imaginative play and meet other parents and children, you can find details on the poster here and/or visit the Mini Me Town website for further details: www.minimetown.co.uk.
Posted on: 8/09/2023Exploring The Essence Of School Culture
Every term, our staff meet prior to the children returning to school for preparation and training days. Earlier this week, as well as rigorous Safeguarding, Cyber Security and Health And Safety training, we had a superb session on ‘Culture And Behaviour’ led by Mr. McLaughlin. The session was very thought provoking and inspiring. It also led me to ponder how much you, as our parent body, had deeply thought about our school culture and the behaviours and expectations we set for not only the children but also the adults supporting them (both staff and parents). This short blog below may give you food for thought. I would love to hear your reflections on our school culture and, as always, any feedback from our parent body is appreciated.
Schools are more than just bricks and mortar; they are dynamic ecosystems that foster the growth and development of our future generations. At the heart of any educational institution lies its "school culture." But what exactly is school culture, and why is it so essential?
In this blog, I will delve into the concept of school culture, exploring its components, significance, and the impact it has on the pupils, teachers, and the entire learning community.
School culture can be likened to the personality or character of a school. It encompasses the shared beliefs, values, traditions, and practices that shape the daily life and interactions within an educational institution. It's the intangible essence that defines what a school stands for and what it aspires to achieve.
Key Components Of School Culture
Shared Values and Beliefs:
A strong school culture is built on a foundation of shared values and beliefs. These could include a commitment to academic excellence, respect for diversity, a focus on character development, or a dedication to community service.
Our aims at St. Helen’s College are:
Love of Learning - We aim to inspire a lifelong thirst for creative, stimulating and rewarding learning, leading to the full development of every child’s academic potential.
Personal Growth - We aim to instil core moral values, inspiring virtue, responsibility, resilience, independence, mindful self-awareness and a desire for continuing self-development.
Involvement and Challenge - We aim to inspire an ongoing desire to develop talents, nurture the widest possible range of interests, and contribute to society as confident, compassionate and responsible citizens and leaders of the future.
St. Helen’s College inspires academic excellence, mindful self-awareness and creative self-development in pupils and staff alike. It is an inclusive, happy, vibrant community of pupils, staff and families, where love, respect, teamwork and teaching by example prevail. At its heart are our core values: love, harmony, spirituality and growth.
Norms and Expectations:
Every school has its own set of norms and expectations, which guide behavior and interactions. These could involve rules for conduct, academic standard or even dress codes.
We pride ourselves on our high expectations for how the children conduct themselves and it is important that, at the beginning of term, we remind them of our expectations. Children love routine and structure and over the course of this week we have introduced them and reminded them of our norms and expectations, including how they line up and move around school, playground etiquette, dining room etiquette and classroom routines. Ensuring that there is consistency in what we are all expecting from the children is key.
Traditions and Rituals:
Schools often have traditions and rituals that help to build a sense of belonging and identity. These might include assemblies, house events, plays, or annual events that bring the school community together such as our STEAM Day, Sports Days, Speech Competitions etc. This year we are very excited to be celebrating our centenary and over the course of this academic year there will be many events arranged for us all to celebrate ‘St. Helen’s College’.
Leadership and Role Models:
The leadership within a school plays a significant role in shaping its culture. Principals, Head, teachers and staff members serve as role models, influencing the attitudes and behaviours of children. I also include all parents as key to influencing the attitudes and behaviours of the pupils; this is why it is so important that you understand our expectations and fully support the school in its endeavours and all adults act as a team around the child, singing from the same hymn sheet so to speak.
Pupil Engagement:
The level of pupil engagement in school activities, clubs, and sports can also contribute to the overall culture. A vibrant extracurricular scene can foster a sense of enthusiasm and school spirit. We pride ourselves on our co-curricular provision at St. Helen’s College and your children are exposed to such a wide range of activities to enrich their opportunity and experiences.
So what is the significance of ‘School Culture’?
Academic Success:
A positive school culture can enhance academic achievement. When pupils feel connected to their school and believe in its values, they are more likely to be motivated to excel academically. This goes without saying here at St Helen’s College and our pupils achieve significant academic excellence during their time with us - all pupils make excellent progress and our Year 6 leavers’ destinations are testament to this.
Social and Emotional Well-Being:
School culture has a direct impact on the emotional well-being of students. A supportive and inclusive culture can help students feel safe, accepted, and valued. I am sure that one of the main reasons for you choosing St. Helen’s College is the strength of our pastoral care and strong well-being emphasis, which is a golden thread throughout the school.
Teacher Morale:
Teachers who work in schools with a positive culture tend to be more satisfied and motivated in their roles. This, in turn, can lead to better teaching practices and improved student outcomes. We have such an excellent staff team here at St. Helen’s College - there is superb collegiality and a recent staff well-being questionnaire affirmed this. Staff retention is very strong.
Community Engagement:
A strong school culture often extends beyond the school gates, involving parents and the wider community. This collaboration can lead to enhanced support and resources for the school. We have many links forged between parents and the wider community and it is an aspect of the school which we need to continue embracing and growing.
Preparation for Life:
School culture plays a vital role in preparing pupils for life beyond the classroom. It instils values, ethics and skills that are crucial for success in the real world. We are developing our ‘Life Skills’ programme over the course of the next couple of years but the children’s independence and acquisiton of life skills is dependent on school and home working together to enable their life skills to develop.
Creating and nurturing a positive school culture is an ongoing process that involves the entire school community.
Some key strategies include:
Effective Leadership: School leaders should lead by example, promoting the values and beliefs of the institution - we hope that you agree that our leadership at St. Helen’s College is as such.
Open Communication: Encourage open and transparent communication between all stakeholders - pupils, teachers, parents, and all other staff members. We are a large community and do our utmost to ensure good communication channels. Our recent ‘Meet the Teacher’ evenings are one aspect of this. We also hope that each year group will embrace the new communication app being set up for parental communication, ‘Class List’, and continue to maintain open and transparent communication in the parent body.
Inclusivity: Promote an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and respects individual differences. We have undertaken so much work over the past few years on Diversity/Equality/Inclusion and this continues but we also appreciate parental involvement to keep improving this aspect of school culture.
Celebrating Achievements: Recognise and celebrate the achievements and contributions of students and staff. This is one aspect of our school culture which I feel is embedded at St. Helen’s College and we appreciate that parents also inform us of the children’s achievements from outside of school and even when they have left us and moved on to senior schools and beyond.
Continuous Improvement: Regularly assess the school culture and make adjustments as needed to align with the school's mission and vision. We are constantly reflecting and evaluating what we do, why and how. It is through this approach and gaining feedback that we can continue to make improvements to what already is an incredible school!
In conclusion, school culture is the heartbeat of any educational institution. It sets the tone for learning, shapes character and prepares pupils for the challenges of the future. By understanding and actively nurturing a positive school culture, we can create an environment where students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, ensuring that they are well-prepared to become tomorrow's leaders and responsible citizens.
Thank you all for being part of this unique community. At the staff training day I spoke to the staff about how, after 34 years in education, I still feel the ‘wiggles’ the night before we return to school each term and especially at the beginning of a new academic year. Those wiggles are excitement, adrenaline, the anticipation of what lies ahead! I hope I never stop ‘wiggling!’. Wishing us all a superb new academic year.
Ms Drummond
Posted on: 14/07/2023Weekly News - Friday 14th July 2023
Wishing you all an enjoyable, peaceful summer holiday. We look forward to seeing all of the children return and welcoming all of our new families next term.
Video Of Memories 2022-2023
Ms Thomas has very kindly put together this video of some of the events and activities the children have enjoyed during this academic year at school. We hope you enjoy it!
End Of Term News
After a final tally of house points for the entire academic year, the House Cup was today awarded to Hibernia. Congratulations to all of the members of Hibernia who contributed to the win, and very well done to pupils from the other three houses who earned so many house points to make it a tight competition. The final house point totals for the year were:
Hibernia 5261
Windsor 5173
Cambria 5051
Caledonia 4965
We would like to congratulate our Year 3, 4 and 5 prizewinners who received trophies and book tokens today to recognise an excellent year of effort and achievement.
The Upper School tennis finals were held this week. The winners were:
Year 3: Mona C and Parth K
Year 4: Simar C and Avar D
Year 5: Tiya T and Aiden T
Year 6: Arshia S and Xavier B.
We are delighted to announce the names of our new pupil leadership team. From September, these Year 6 children will be taking on the major positions of responsibility:
Head Girl - Samara P
Head Boy - Aiden T
Deputy Head Girl - Tiya T
Deputy Head Boy - Raiden B
Caledonia House Captains - Dylan C and Nya O-A
Cambria House Captains - Anand V and Grace O'H
Hibernia House Captains - Luca H and Charlee G
Windsor House Captains - Ryley J and Verity S
It was an emotional morning for staff and pupils today as we said farewell to Mrs. Allery after so many years of service to St. Helen's College. We wish her all the best for her retirement and extend our deepest gratitude to her for the dedication, hard work and love she has shown throughout her time with the school.
We said goodbye also to Miss Flemming, who has been a much valued member of the Lower School TALA team and has also been our Holiday Club Manager of late. We wish her well on her forthcoming travels and thank her for all that she has done.
Mrs. Collier, one of our peripatetic music teachers, has been with us for some years now and we are very sorry to see her go as she expands her teaching at another school. Her pupils will miss her greatly, and so will we. Thank you, Mrs. Collier, for your service to the school and your commitment to the pupils.
Mrs. Hawkes will be much missed at St. Helen's College; she leaves us today to relocate with her family to the west country. Mrs. Hawkes was a pupil at St. Helen's College herself and, as well as working in our wraparound care provision over the years, has recently inspired so many vocalists at the school with her love of singing, her extremely high standards, and her first class care for the children.
Our final staff leaver is Ms Kharoti. She will be studying in Brighton but we hope we may see her back at St. Helen's College wraparound care in the future. Good luck Ms Kharoti!
Amazing Year 6 Show - Honk Jr!
The children of Year 6 certainly rounded off their time at St. Helen's College with a bang this week, as they performed their musical Honk Jr! at The Compass Theatre in Ickenham on Wednesday and Thursday.
This was a spectacular show. The singing, dancing, stagecraft and acting were all superb and the costumes were just something else! We are so grateful to everyone who was involved in the production and we are so proud of our Year 6 children for their amazing efforts, talents, confidence and dedication. It has been a privilege to watch their dramatic talents develop over the years and we wish them all well, and hope that they continue to find joy in performing, as they leave us.
You can see more photographs of the Year 6 children in their costumes on our Galleries page.
School Magazine 2022-2023
We have sent home a copy of the school magazine for each family. We hope that you will enjoy looking through this and reflecting on all that has gone on throughout the school during this academic year. You can also see many examples of the artwork produced by children this year in our Art Gallery online on the Galleries page.
ABRSM Exam Results
We are very proud of our musicians who have been working so hard all year, practising their instruments/singing and showing real commitment to rehearsal and performance. Since the last report, we have received these exam results. Well done everyone!
Emily S
5G
Piano
2
Merit
Tiya T
5G
Piano
1
Distinction
Shaylen P
3M
Piano
1
Distinction
Arshia S
6B
Piano
4
Pass
Sienna D
5G
Piano
1
Pass
Anand V
5G
Piano
1
Pass
Caitlin P
3M
Piano
Initial
Distinction
Armaan V
3B
Piano
Initial
Merit
Aaran T
3B
Piano
Initial
Pass
Verity S
5A
Violin
2
Distinction
Aria M
3M
Violin
2
Merit
Millie B
3B
Violin
Initial
Merit
Arjun P
4L
Cello
3
Merit
Aran P
3B
Cello
3
Merit
Lavanya B
6B
Cello
2
Pass
Karter P
4L
Cello
1
Pass
Alex A
4L
Cello
Initial
Merit
Dominic M
6B
Trumpet
3
Pass
Zinnia M
4L
Trumpet
1
Pass
Evie J
4L
French Horn
2
Distinction
Hana H
5A
Singing
2
Merit
Aiden T
5A
Guitar
2
Merit
Arjun C
5A
Guitar
2
Pass
Luca H
5A
Guitar
2
Pass
Marco K
5G
Guitar
1
Pass
FREE Baby Mindfulness Classes
Mrs. McLaughlin will have some spaces at her Baby Mindfulness sessions from September. These run on Wednesday mornings at 9 a.m. in six weekly blocks and are suitable for babies from birth until they begin to crawl. They provide a safe, supportive space for mums and babies to bond and take part in Mindfulness and some gentle yoga. The classes are available, free of charge, to anyone with a baby of the right age - parents do not need to have a child at St. Helen's College or be intending to send one here! If you would like to attend, or know anyone who might like to, please contact Mrs. McLaughlin at pmclaughlin@sthelenscollege.com.
September 2024 Entry - Ducklings and Nursery
If you have a child who will be eligible to join St. Helen's College in September 2024 (either into Ducklings or into Nursery) and you have not yet registered him or her, please do so at your earliest convenience. The next admissions cycle begins in September when the new academic year begins. Thank you.
Next Term
The School Calendar has been updated for next term. Please do look through and make a note of dates relevant to your child.
The uniform/equipment list and menu for next term are available on the School Documents page of the website.
Aman Sidhu
11th November 1977 - 30th June 2023
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mr. Aman Sidhu, an alumnus of St. Helen’s College. Aman passed away peacefully on 30th June surrounded by his family.
Aman had been part of the St. Helen’s College community for over forty years and attended St. Helen’s College from 1982-1989 under the care of Mr. & Mrs. Crehan. The Sidhus have always had a deep connection with the school, unwavering loyalty and the pride that comes along with that. Aman’s children were also former students of St. Helen’s College, his youngest, Devan, having left the school just last year. Amongst the tributes pouring in for Aman were these from Mr. Crehan and Ms Drummond.
‘I remember Aman as a quiet but cheerful boy who had a twinkle in his eye and a mischievous sense of humour. In class, he was a hard-working student who took pride in his achievements. He enjoyed his football, and used to run rings around me when we played in Court Park! Latterly, it was a huge pleasure to welcome his children, Rhea and Devan, back to St. Helen’s College, and to meet Aman again. He still had that twinkle! His early passing is a huge loss to his family and to all who knew and loved him.’ - Dominic Crehan.
“Mr. Sidhu was a very caring dad to Rhea and Devan and a great supporter of St. Helen's College as one of our alumni. He always showed a great interest and pride in the children's achievements over the years and it is with great sadness that the community has lost such a loving and caring father and friend to many”. - Shirley Drummond.
A private funeral service took place yesterday (13th July), where family and friends were able to pay their respects and say their final goodbyes. We offer our heartfelt condolences to Aman's family at this difficult time.
The Sidhu family kindly wishes for memorial donations to be made to the Hillingdon Hospital Charity, a charity deeply close to Aman’s heart. The link for donations is below.
https://amansidhu.muchloved.com/
The Summer Games Free Family Fun Day
Presented by Hillingdon Libraries in support of their Summer Reading Challenge, The Summer Games will be at The Great Barn, Manor Farm, Bury Street, Ruislip HA4 8BD on Thursday 17 August from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. This is a fun, free, family day out and there is no need to book, families may simply turn up on the day.
There will be a story telling zone, a chance to try out games old and new with Past Times Pastimes and a craft zone where children can make their own Hero Arm, use recycled materials with STEM activity Pom Pom Propulsion and try out Bottle Bowling with the Recycling Team. There will also be sessions with Spectrum Drama. Jones the Bones is a medical exploration of the human body using a life size skeleton and his ‘minder’ who shows how the organs/muscles work together to enable humans to function, and Isaac Newton will demonstrate the laws of motion with a skateboard!
Dr. Bike will be there so you may also take your bike along for any basic bike repairs and Better Leisure will be running a mini circuits challenge. There will also be ice cream and coffee available.
Perform In The Park
Perform In The Park is London's first ever festival of children's theatre. You may wish to visit with your children to inspire and enhance their love of drama! You can find details here.
Summer Tennis Camps
Our tennis coach Mr. Stidder will once again be running tennis camps locally over the summer holidays. You can find full details here.
Basketball Sessions For Girls
Thames Valley Cavaliers are running basketball sessions for girls aged 7+ on Saturdays at Uxbridge College. You can find details here.
Posted on: 14/07/2023Honk!
At the end of this hugely successful year for the children of St. Helen’s College I would like to leave you with the short speech which I gave this morning at our final assembly at Upper School. The Year 6 pupils have been building up to their production of ‘Honk’ the musical based upon the story of the The Ugly Duckling and they performed this three times this week to a packed auditorium at The Compass Theatre.
The underpinning message which I have attempted to convey in this speech to Year 6 applies to us all….children and adults!
Have a wonderful summer everyone and thank you all for your unfaltering support this year.
Ladies and gentlemen, parents, teachers, and most importantly, our remarkable Year 6 leavers, today, we come together for our final assembly at St. Helen’s College of this academic year and to bid farewell to our Year 6 pupils as you prepare to embark on a new journey. And what better way to commemorate this moment than by drawing inspiration from the incredible musical 'Honk.'
'Honk' tells the heartwarming story of a little duckling named Ugly who finds himself on a journey of self-discovery, acceptance and embracing one's unique qualities. Just like Ugly, each one of you possesses extraordinary talents and capabilities that make you shine in your own way.
Throughout your time here, we have witnessed your growth, individually and as a group. You have showcased your talents on the stage, in the classroom, on the sports field, and in countless other endeavours. 'Honk' teaches us that our differences should be celebrated, for it is our unique qualities that make us truly special.
In the musical, Ugly encounters a myriad of characters who try to bring him down, questioning his worth and making him feel like an outsider. But Ugly never loses hope. He discovers a resilience within himself, a belief that he is destined for greatness. And our wonderful Year 6 leavers, that same resilience beats within your hearts as well.
As you prepare to take the next step in your educational journey, remember the lessons from 'Honk.' Embrace the challenges that come your way, for they will only make you stronger. Embrace your individuality, for it is what sets you apart from the rest. And most importantly, embrace the power of kindness and empathy, for those qualities have the ability to change the world.
Just as Ugly finds acceptance and love from unexpected sources, be open to the friendships and connections you will forge in the years ahead. Cherish the bonds you have formed here and treasure the memories that will forever remain etched in your hearts.
As you step into the unknown, know that we believe in you. Believe in your abilities, your dreams, and your potential to make a difference. Each one of you possesses a unique voice and it is through that voice that you can create a lasting impact on the world around you.
In conclusion, Year 6 leavers, as you spread your wings and venture forth, remember the tale of Ugly from 'Honk.' Be proud of who you are, embrace your talents, and have the courage to stand tall in the face of adversity. With resilience, compassion and a dash of humour, you will conquer any obstacle that comes your way.
Congratulations, Class of 2023, and may the echoes of 'Honk' guide you to a future filled with joy, success, and the fulfilment of all your dreams.
Posted on: 7/07/2023Weekly News - Friday 7th July 2023
Cancer Research UK Charity Week
Thank you so much to every member of the St. Helen's Community who has been involved in raising money for Cancer Research UK this week.
Our Year 5 children held a cake sale on Tuesday morning at Upper School which was very popular!
The school was pink and blue all over on Thursday when the pupils and staff wore their own clothes in CRUK colours in return for making a donation. Ducklings and Lower School children took part in a Danceathon on this day and the Upper School children enjoyed a walk around Court Park.
Lower School children will also have the opportunity to 'Soak The Teacher' next Friday!
The total raised so far by the SHC community is well over £1000. It is not too late to donate if you would still like to do so. Our JustGiving page remains active and you can donate by following this link:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/st-helens-college-1688112386262
Sue Blackstone
We are devastated to share the news of the death of our former St. Helen's College colleague Sue Blackstone. Many families will remember Mrs. Blackstone who worked with the school for around thirty years, most recently as our Wraparound Care Manager. She dedicated so much time and love to the children of St. Helen's College before her retirement a few years ago and had been enjoying time with family and friends before her death. She will be very fondly remembered and very greatly missed by all.
Ducklings Sports Day
Today our youngest St. Helenians enjoyed their first ever St. Helen's College Sports Day in the Ducklings grounds, where they took part in several different activities designed to develop their future sporting prowess!
Wimbledon!
On Monday 8 of our Year 6 children were lucky enough to go to Wimbledon for the first day of the tennis championships. We saw some fantastic tennis and had a great day out. The children were a credit to the school and really relished the opportunity to be inspired by some of the best tennis players in the world!
Year 1 Trip To Mad Bess Woods
Despite the heavy showers, rain did not stop play for Year 1 at Mad Bess Woods on Wednesday! The children had lots of fun playing on the lawn before going on a mini trek in the woods. Due to the damp weather they were unfortunately able to find many different minibeasts.
After lunch they explored Mrs. Hunt's garden and found some of the sunflowers we had planted in the spring. One of them is now nearly six feet tall! They finished the trip with a visit from Pino and his ice cream van! All agreed it was a wonderful way to celebrate a great year.
Prizegiving
On Thursday evening we enjoyed a marvellous evening reception and Prizegiving ceremony in The Evans Garden at Upper School, at which our leaving Year 6 children were recognised for their hard work, talents, personal development and contribution to the school. Our Guest of Honour was Peter Cregg who inspired the pupils by speaking about self belief and how to make the make the most of one's potential. It was very special to celebrate our leavers' achievements and personal qualities with such a ceremony, which included beautiful performances from the Chamber Choir and a stunning vocal solo from Minaya W. Thank you to all of the parents who attended, to the Chamber Choir and Minaya for their musicality, and to all of the staff involved in organising the evening.
Year 6 Projects And Teacher For A Day
The Year 6 children have produced some wonderful independent projects this year and on Wednesday these were exhibited around the school for parents and the other Upper School children to see.
On Friday, Year 6 took control of the school as they became 'Teacher For A Day'. According to the teacher role they were assigned, they led assembly, taught lessons at both Upper and Lower School, assisted with supervision, experienced a morning of office work, cut grass or did other maintenance jobs, toured prospective parents, helped run the kitchen for a morning and much more. Everyone had a lot of fun and learnt a lot too! The Year 6 pupils also raised £447 for CRUK by buying raffle tickets in advance for the teacher they wanted to be!
Hillingdon Chess Tournament
On Sunday 2nd July, some of our keen chess players took part in the Hillingdon Chess Tournament. Mr. Foale reports that it was a fun, hard-fought tournament. St. Helen's College came third and individual successes were:
Kamran-Cyrus A came third in Year 6 and got a bronze medal.
Leonard S got first place in Year 2 and got a gold medal.
It was a Year 2 player from another school who won the tournament overall, beating much older players to take the title, which goes to show that it is always worth uncovering a new talent and working to develop it, no matter how young you are!
All the players behaved well and showed determination combined with sportsmanship. We are proud of all the participants.
Musical Success
Minaya W (Year 6) auditioned at the Guildhall Centre for Young Musicians (CYM) on Saturday, playing her viola, and was offered a place! Minaya is looking forward to playing with the CYM Symphony/Chamber Orchestra while exploring composing and music technology. The Guildhall Centre is super-selective and ranked number one in Arts, Drama and Music in the University Guide 2023 so this is a fantastic achievement. Well done, Minaya!
Pupil v Staff Rounders
On Friday afternoon, the staff took on the Year 6 pupils in our annual rounders match at Court Park, cheered on by the other classes from Upper School. As usual, it was a fiercely contested game and an enormously fun afternoon! The staff were victorious on the day.
Move Up Mornings
The teachers all very much enjoyed meeting the pupils they will be teaching next year during our annual 'Move Up Mornings' this week. We hope that the children also enjoyed seeing their new classrooms and meeting their new teachers.
Nursery and Ducklings Parents' Evenings
It was lovely to see many Ducklings and Nursery parents at the parents' evening on Thursday. We hope that you found the conversations useful.
Year 6 Musical - Honk! Jr.
Our Year 6 classes have been working very hard to prepare their grand summer musical production, Honk! Jr, which they will be performing at The Compass Theatre on Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th July. Tickets are now on sale and must be booked directly with The Compass Theatre's box office.
There is a matinee performance at 2 p.m. on Thursday 13th July and if you are able to do so, we encourage parents to take child(ren) to see this show. You will be permitted to collect them early from school on that day in order to do so. It will be particularly valuable for the children in Years 4 and 5 to see the production as it will be their turn to stage their own Year 6 musical soon!
There are also performances at 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th July.
The link for ordering tickets is here: Honk! | Hillingdon Theatres.
Calendar Reminders - Last Week Of Term
Wednesday 12th July - Reception class outings to Oak Farm Library
Wednesday 12th July - 7.30 p.m. Year 6 performance of Honk! Jr.
Thursday 13th July - 2.00 p.m. & 7.30 p.m. Year 6 performances of Honk! Jr.
Friday 14th July - End of Term (Half Day)
End of term pick up times are:
11.50 a.m. Ducklings and Nursery
12.00 p.m. Reception
12.10 p.m. Year 1 and Year 2
12.20 p.m. Year 3 and Year 4
12.30 p.m. Year 5 and Year 6
Funtasia will be running on the last day of term for Nursery to Year 6, located at Lower School - please ensure that you book a place for your child if you need it. Year 2 to Year 6 children will be escorted across to Lower School.
Summer Library Events
Oak Farm Library are running some events and schemes to help children continue with their reading over the summer and to inspire them to try new and different books. You can find full details on their summer newsletter here.
Summer Netball Camp
Blaze Netball Club will be running a summer camp for children from Reception to Year 9 at Douay Martyrs School from 21st to 24th August. You can find details here.
Hillingdon Leisure Complex Fun Weeks
There will be two fun weeks at Hillingdon Sports Centre this summer. You can find details here.
Posted on: 30/06/2023Weekly News - Friday 30th June 2023
PA Summer Fete
Wow! What a wonderful day it was last Saturday when the St. Helen's College community came together in the sunshine for the PA Summer Fete. The children clearly enjoyed showing off their talents on the stage and visiting all of the stalls, and there was a real buzz as parents and staff spent time together too. Many, many thanks to the PA Committee and all of the parents, staff and pupils who gave up their time and made generous donations to support the event.
The PA Committee have sent this message to be shared with the community:
We extend our sincerest thanks for your contributions to the success of the summer fete. Your support, efforts and participation made the event truly remarkable. From setting up stalls and organising activities to performances and creating a lively atmosphere, your dedication was instrumental in creating an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.
We are delighted to hear that you had a fantastic time at the summer fete. It was a pleasure to witness the strong sense of community as families, teachers, and children came together to celebrate and enjoy the festivities. Your enthusiasm and positive energy made the event truly memorable.
Furthermore, we would like to express our appreciation for the funds raised during the summer fete. Your generous contributions will have a significant impact on supporting the enhancement of the learning environment and providing valuable opportunities for our children. We are grateful for your continued support and the positive difference you are making in the lives of our students.
Once again, a heartfelt thank you to all the teachers, parents, and children who made the summer fete an exceptional success. Your dedication, hard work and support have left a lasting impression and we are excited about the future events and collaborations that await us. Together, we have created cherished memories and strengthened our community bonds.
Prep Sports Day
Thank you to all of the parents and other spectators who came along to Hillingdon Sports & Leisure Complex today to support the children in Years 3 - 6 at their Sports Day. As always, it was a wonderful occasion. We will share further details and pictures when we have them!
Chess Club News
This week the chess players in Year 4/5/6 participated in a fun chess tournament . The winner was Ayush. There were three runners up: Mustafa, Zak and Jacob.
On Sunday we wish the following students good luck as they will be participating in the Hillingdon chess tournament.
Avyuday
Kamran
Leonard
Parth
Rayhan
Verity
Reception Trip To Whipsnade
On Thursday our Reception classes enjoyed an outing to Whipsnade Zoo where they very excited to meet and learn about many different animals!
Ducklings And Nursery Parents' Evenings
Thank you to those parents who came into school on Tuesday for the Ducklings and Nursery parents' evenings. We hope that you found the conversations useful.
Charity Week - Cancer Research UK
Next week, the St. Helen's College community will be raising money for Cancer Research UK. There will be various activities going on around school to raise money for this most important cause, which is close to our hearts.
On Tuesday in Upper School, there will be a cake sale run by Year 5. Charlee and Sienna will also be selling handmade bracelets again this year. Upper School children may bring money into school in order to buy cakes and bracelets.
On Thursday the children at all three sites may wear their own clothes with the CRUK colours of pink and blue. On this day, Upper School children will be taking part in a walk around Court Park while the Lower School and Ducklings children will be involved in a Danceathon. There is a suggested minimum donation of £3 for the tog day and activities, but all contributions will be most be gratefully received for Cancer Research UK. You may donate online by following this link:
âhttps://www.justgiving.com/page/st-helens-college-1688112386262
Year 6 Musical - Honk! Jr.
Our Year 6 classes have been working very hard to prepare their grand summer musical production, Honk! Jr, which they will be performing at The Compass Theatre on Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th July. Tickets are now on sale and must be booked directly with The Compass Theatre's box office.
There is a matinee performance at 2 p.m. on Thursday 13th July and if you are able to do so, we encourage parents to take child(ren) to see this show. You will be permitted to collect them early from school on that day in order to do so. It will be particularly valuable for the children in Years 4 and 5 to see the production as it will be their turn to stage their own Year 6 musical soon!
There are also performances at 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th July.
The link for ordering tickets is here: Honk! | Hillingdon Theatres.
Summer Holiday Club
Holiday Club bookings for the summer holiday will go live at 6 p.m. today. Please log in to your SchoolsBuddy account to make your bookings. Bookings must be made by Wednesday 12th July to allow us to organise Holiday Club staffing.
Uniform & Equipment
The Uniform & Equipment list for the 2023-2024 academic year has been posted to the School Documents page of the website. There are a few changes to required uniform which have been made to reduce the costs for parents and to reduce the weight of school bags for the children at Upper School. The changes are summarised below. In all cases, existing uniform may be used during a transition period so that nothing has to be replaced unnecessarily.
At Upper School, the green 3-in-1 coat is no longer a compulsory item; the black SHC rain mac may be worn over school uniform from September. It is fine for Upper School children to continue wearing the green coat if they still have one. The green coat remains a compulsory item for Lower School children.
The senior tracksuit is being introduced from Year 2 so that all Upper School children wear the senior tracksuit. If your child has a green junior tracksuit in good condition they may continue to wear this until they have grown out of it.
A new portrait style book bag is being introduced for children in Years 2-6. If your child already has a rucksack that is in good condition they may continue to use this, but the rucksacks will no longer be sold by the uniform suppliers. We would like to urge parents to check your child's school bag and ensure that they are not carrying unnecessary items into school, as they should not be carrying unnecessary weight. In particular, please refer to the uniform & equipment list and ensure that pencil cases contain only the items listed.
Calendar Reminders
Here are some reminders of upcoming events next week:
Monday 3rd July - Year 1-5 'Move Up Morning'
Tuesday 4th July - Nursery and Reception 'Move Up Morning'
Tuesday 4th July - Upper School cake sale and bracelet sale for CRUK (please allow Upper School pupils to bring in some money if they would like to buy cakes or bracelets)
Wednesday 5th July - Year 1 trip to Mad Bess Woods
Wednesday 5th July - Year 6 coffee morning and project exhibition
Wednesday 5th July - Year 6 v. Staff rounders match at Court Park (p.m.)
Thursday 6th July - Ducklings and Nursery Parents' Evenings from 3.45 p.m.
Thursday 6th July - Year 6 Prizegiving Evening from 6.15 p.m.
Friday 7th July - Year 6 'Teacher For A Day'
Friday 7th July - Ducklings Sports Day from 2 p.m.
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