Weekly News - Friday 24th November
Posted on: 24/11/2017Many congratulations to Abigail Y in Year 6, who represented the London Borough of Hillingdon last weekend at the London Youth Games cross country competition. The event took place around Parliament Hill, with teams from all 32 London Boroughs taking part. Abigail did very well in the event, running against over 200 girls, some from secondary schools. The event has over the years produced many future champions, including Sir Mo Farah! So who knows where this could lead for Abigail if she continues to pursue her athletic ambitions?
Huge congratulations also to the team who represented St. Helen's College at the Packham Cup Football tournament last week. They reached the final and finished as runners up to Oak Farm in an enthralling final. After a slow start, the team scraped two wins in their first two matches and then started to improve with a 1-1 draw against Hermitage to progress to the quarter finals. The quarter final match was one of the best performances Mr. Dyson has seen from a St. Helen's College team, ending in a 6-0 win over Colham Manor. In the semi-final, a superb flicked header from Amrit gave St, Helen's College a 1-0 win which saw the team through to the final. After going 1-0 down in the final, Eli produced a moment of magic with an overhead kick to level the match, but unfortunately St. Helen's College ended up on the wrong side of the result. Well done to the team and a big thank you to the parents who came and braved the weather!
Team members were: Max E, Lincoln B, Jed H, Amrit R, Ryeesa S, Ethan V-B, Eli V-B and Timi O.
Last Friday, eight of our hockey squad took part in the annual Kwik Sticks tournament at Eastcote Hockey Club. Thirty-six teams took part in the tournament, divided into six groups of six. Our A and B teams produced some good hockey, scoring goals and defending well while putting in a lot of effort on the night. Unfortunately neither team progressed through to the knockout stages, but a very enjoyable evening was had by all.
Team members were: Abhi R, Jed H, Hebe E, Sena A, Rajdeep B, Luke J, Mya S, Tamara A.
On Wednesday, nine boys and nine girls took part in the Sports Hall Athletics Borough competition, at Barnhill Community Centre. Each child participated in two track and two field events, earning points collectively for the team. There were some great performances over the evening, but a special mention must go to Abigail Y and Zoe K, who came first in the 2+2 lap relay. Throughout the competition, the St. Helen's College team was very vocal in their support and encouragement for their team members, which was great to see. We came fourth so did not qualify for the next round, but our Year 4 and 5 pupils gained some valuable experience which they can take forward to next year's tournament.
Team: Timi O, Lincoln B, Ethan V-B, Max E, Veer B, Daniel G-J, Alex C, Feranmi G, Abigail Y, Ryeesa S, Grace R, Lily F, Hebe E, Jada P, Rhea A-V, Zoe K, Chloe W.
There are photos of this week's sports on our Galleries page.
End of Month Music Recital
We were treated to another super Month End Music Recital this afternoon, during which many children had the opportunity to perform to peers, parents and staff. It really is super to see the children making the most of their chance to enhance their performance skills, and growing in confidence each time they step in front of an audience. Congratulations to all who took part and many thanks to the music staff involved.
Assemblies This Week
Middle School and Upper School pupils welcomed three Metropolitan Police officers to assemblies this week. Figo (father of Paniz in Year 2), Jason and Peter all took time out of their busy schedules to share with the pupils what they do in their jobs. The children had the opportunity to try on some items of police uniform and to understand how the police help us in our lives, including the importance of e-safety for the older pupils. Yogi, the German Shepherd police dog, was a highlight but sadly he was called away on an urgent call with his handler Pete midway through the Upper School assembly! Mrs. Drummond and Mr. Tovell had their first and hopefully last experience of being handcuffed, much to the amusement of the children! I am sure that the children have enjoyed the activity books provided and hopefully they will all greet the police with a friendly hello next time they meet.
What a superb assembly this week from 2H as they took us on a journey to the west coast of Scotland and to the Isle of Coll to re-enact the story of 'Katie Morag and Tiresome Ted'. The children have learnt so much about island life and the patron saints of the United Kingdom. Mrs. Drummond, who was unable to attend on Friday, had a private sitting with 2H on Wednesday and was so moved at the children's rendition of 'The Dark Island', which reminded her of her favourite song to sing when she was in her school choir. Congratulations 2H.
Christmas Events - Arrangements - Please Read Carefully!
As Christmas approaches, there are many events planned. Please read through the following carefully and make a note of anything that is relevant for your child/ren!
Sun 3rd Dec - PA Christmas Fair at The Winston Churchill Hall in Ruislip, from 11.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
The Y3/4 Christmas Play will be performed on Wednesday 6th December at 7.00 p.m. at the Winston Churchill Hall in Ruislip. Please note the change of date. Tickets are now on sale and you should book early to avoid disappointment by following this link. There is also a link to the booking system on the school diary entry for the event.
Wed 6th Dec - Rehearsal for Y3 & 4 all day at the Winston Churchill Hall. Children (Years 3 & 4 only) will travel to and from the theatre by coach, leaving after registration. Packed lunches will be provided by school.
Weds 6th Dec - 'When Sasha Got Swept Up The Chimney' performance at the Winston Churchill Hall at 7 p.m. Children who are performing should arrive by 6:45 p.m.
Thurs 7th Dec - All children (Nursery - Y6) will watch another performance of the play. We would like parents to drop children at the Winston Churchill Hall (Pinn Way, Ruislip) between 8:00 and 8:40 a.m. on this day, as there will not be time to ferry them by coach from school. Children in Years 3 & 4 will have costume photographs taken by Tempest after the show. All children will return to school by coach in time for lunch, and school will finish at the normal time.
Fri 8th Dec & Mon 11th Dec - Infant Choir singing carols in the playground (8.15 a.m.) All are welcome to hear our carols!
Fri 8th Dec - Carols Around The Tree (Upper School playground, 3.45 p.m.) All are warmly invited to join us in singing carols around the Christmas tree. Mulled wine will be served from 3.15 p.m. and the PA Christmas Hamper Raffle will be drawn.
Mon 11th Dec - Robins and Wrens Nativity Play at Lower School at 8.45 a.m. All Nursery parents welcome - no tickets needed.
Mon 11th Dec - Year 1 Christmas Assembly at Lower School at 9.15 a.m. All Year 1 parents welcome – no tickets needed.
Parents will be able to wait in the Methodist Hall for their child’s performance to start. Coffee and mince pies will be served from 8.30 a.m.
Tues 12th Dec - Kingfishers & Owls Nativity Play at Lower School at 8.45 a.m. All Reception parents welcome - no tickets needed.
Wed 13th Dec - Upper School Pantomime trip to 'Sleeping Beauty' at Theatre Royal, Windsor Children in Years 2 – 6 should come to school in their full school uniform, bringing a substantial drink/snack for the pantomime. Pupils will have a late lunch back at school after the show. Children should be collected at normal time and Funtasia will run as usual.
Thurs 14th Dec - Christmas Lunch (Nursery - Year 6)
Thurs 14th Dec - Lower School Children’s Party & Show Nursery, Reception and Year 1 children should come to school in their party clothes. It is hoped that all Nursery children will stay all day due to the show in the afternoon. All children should bring a morning snack as usual. No reading books or school bags. Normal school times.
Fri 15th Dec - Carol Service Children in Years 2 to 6 will take part in the Carol Service at All Saints Church at 11:00 a.m. Parents are warmly invited to attend the service.
Fri 15th Dec - End of term Term will end at 11:50 for Nursery; 12:00 for Reception; 12:10 for Years 1 & 2; 12:20 for Year 3 & 4; and 12:30 for Years 5 & 6. Older siblings may be collected at the same time as their younger brothers and sisters.
Mon 8th Jan - Spring Term commences.
PA Christmas Fair - Sunday 3rd December 2017
There’s just over one week to go until the PA Christmas Fair and around four weeks until Christmas. The Fair will take place at Winston Churchill Hall is Ruislip, and is an exciting mixture of entertainment, games, food and shopping. It will be an ideal opportunity to buy some Christmas gifts (anything from books to soap, candles to SHC Christmas baubles).
To help us make this the best Christmas event ever, we really need your help. If you can donate any Christmas decorations, cakes, cupcakes, bottled water (small), drinks cans or small juice cartons, please do let us know - non perishables can be dropped off at the school office by Thursday 30 November 2017 at the latest and perishables should be brought to Winston Churchill Hall from 9.30 a.m. on the day of the event. Likewise, if you are able to volunteer to help on the day (even if it’s just an hour), please email us at pa@sthelenscollege.com. Thank you so much for your support.
Parking Reminder
We would like to remind parents picking up from clubs or Funtasia that normal parking regulations remain in place. Please do park in Court Park car park, not in the staff car park or across from school blocking neighbours' driveways. Mrs. Drummond is working hard to continue to build relationships with the neighbours, but seems to be meeting them in increasingly difficult circumstances apologising for the small number of parents who are not upholding school parking regulations. Please help us to maintain positive relationships with the local community.
