Weekly News - Friday 10th March 2023

Year 3 Visit Kew Gardens

The Year 3 children went to Kew Gardens on Monday as part of their science topic 'Plants'. They had the opportunity to take part in a workshop which involved looking at plants under a microscope, sketching different types of leaves, sorting seeds according to the way they are dispersed and matching seeds to their plants. The pupils then took their learning outdoors and were able to identify and collect different parts of a flower.

The children thoroughly enjoyed these activities before having a well earned lunch break and play in the Children's Garden. They then took a trip to the Beehive where they were able to hear what it would be like to be a bee busy at work, followed by a walk around the Palm Glasshouse where they saw many plants from around the world including the 'Smelly Foot Plant'. All of the children thoroughly enjoyed themselves and were able to bring their learning back to school on Tuesday for the Year 3 Science Day. Thank you to the parent helpers who supported us on the day.  

Speech Competition Semi-Finals Complete

All of the finalists have now been chosen for this year's Speech Competitions which are to take place on Thursday 23rd March at the following times:

9.00 a.m.  Years 1-3
2.00 p.m.  Years 4-6

Parents of the selected finalists will be contacted directly to be invited to attend the finals. Our guest judge for this year's competition is the actress Genevieve Allenbury.

Parents of children in Nursery and Reception will also be invited to watch our Early Years children perform their poems at their Speech Recitation on the morning of Monday 20th March. Further details will be sent by class teachers.

House Talent Show

The first round of our House Talent Show took place on Monday, with children from Caledonia, Cambria, Hibernia and Windsor performing their talents to the other children in their house. We enjoyed gymastic displays, singing, artwork, magic tricks and more!

The next round will take place on 16th March and the final is on 20th March, so do encourage your children to keep practising their talents!

1R Class Assembly

We were so proud of the children of 1R on Thursday morning when they presented their class assembly all about the St. Helen's College values. They talked to us about friendliness, patience, perseverance and kindness and explained how we can all show these qualities in our everyday lives. They also told us all about Walt Disney and how he had to persevere in order to get his animated films to the screen and make such a difference to so many lives. Every child spoke clearly, with understanding, great projection and expression and the three upbeat songs were meaningful and fun and beautifully performed by all. This was a super assembly which left the audience smiling and warm inside despite the cold, rainy weather outdoors! Well done, 1R. 

5G Class Assembly

5G presented an informative and lively assembly today in which they told us all about the history of dance. They performed several dances for us and there was even a 'Strictly Come Dancing' style dance off. We were all encouraged to think about how dance can be good for our well-being. 

Ballet Opportunity

Mrs. Nash, our peripatetic violin teacher, will be playing in the orchestra for Cinderella at The Royal Albert Hall. This is wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy dance. Tickets are available on the link below

https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/events/2023/cinderella/

Comic Relief Day and Exhibition Day

On Friday 17th March the school will be taking part in Comic Relief Day.

The children should come to school on Friday 17th wearing something red. They may wear a red nose if they have one (although please note that these are NOT being sold at school). Pupils can either bring in a suggested £2 donation or contribute through the St. Helen's College Comic Relief JustGiving Page. 

During the day there will be a general knowledge quiz for children in Reception to Year 6, designed by pupil Charity Reps, and children will be invited to share funny jokes with their class.

Friday 17th March is a half day to allow the school to prepare for Exhibition Day which takes place on Saturday 18th March. On Friday 17th, there is no Funtasia and children should be collected at the following times:

Ducklings and Nursery 11.50 a.m.
Reception 12.00 p.m.
Year 1 and Year 2 12.10 p.m.
Year 3 and Year 4 12.20 p.m.
Year 5 and Year 6 12.30 p.m.

Children (in full, smart school uniform) and parents should attend Exhibition Day between 10.00 a.m. and 12.00 p.m. on Saturday 18th March. Additional family members are welcome to join us to see the school and the children's work.

Sports News

Last Friday the Year 5 girls took part in a netball fixture v Highgate at home. All of the pupils displayed excellent character skills from start to finish and it was great to see them play some excellent netball and display a fantastic sporting attitude towards the opposing team. Most importantly it was lovely to see the smiles on their faces and witness them making significant progress. 

Sadly the fixtures on Wednesday and Thursday this week were cancelled due to the inclement weather.

Today St. Helen's College took part in a seven-a-side football tournament at John Lyon School in Harrow. This was a very enjoyable event which gave our pupils the chance to test themselves against some very good opposition and enhance their skills and team play.

Co-Curricular Bookings Reminder

The co-curricular programme for the summer term was published last week and the deadline for submitting your child's selections is midnight on Sunday 12th March.  If you have not already done so, please discuss the programme with your child and then login to your SchoolsBuddy account to state their preferences. Please only select clubs in which your child has a genuine interest.

PA Quiz Night

The Parents' Association are hosting a quiz night on Tuesday 14th March at The White Bear in Ruislip. Doors will open at 7 p.m. with the quizzing starting at 7.45 p.m.

There will be a prize for each person in the winning team. Raffle tickets will also be available to buy on the night so even if you don't win the quiz, you might still be able to win a prize.

Parents, school staff, friends and relatives are all welcome to put a team together (as long as they're over 18). 

End of Term Arrangements

All parents of children in Year 2 to Year 6 are invited to join us for our Easter Service on Friday 24th March at All Saints Church at 11.00 a.m. 

Please note the dismissal times on the last day of term:

Ducklings and Nursery 11.50 a.m.
Reception 12.00 p.m.
Year 1 and Year 2 12.10 p.m.
Year 3 and Year 4 12.20 p.m.
Year 5 and Year 6 12.30 p.m.

Funtasia will be running on the last day of term and can be booked through SchoolsBuddy as usual if required. 

Easter Holiday Club

Our Easter Holiday Club will run from Monday 27th March until Friday 14th April, excluding Good Friday (7th April) and Easter Monday (10th April). Bookings are now open. Please login to your SchoolsBuddy account to make your bookings.

Thames Valley Cavaliers - Free Tickets

Once again, Thames Valley Cavaliers are offering free tickets to St. Helen's College pupils for their double header game this weekend at Uxbridge College. You can find full details here. 

TVC are also offering a basketball holiday camp at Uxbridge College over the Easter holidays, from 3rd to 6th April. Details are here.

Rainbow Recipe Cards - March

For those parents who enjoy cooking with your children, you can find our red-themed 'Eat The Rainbow' recipe cards for March here.

Easter Holiday Swimming Courses

Hillingdon Leisure Complex are running swimming courses over the Easter holidays. If you are interested in these for your child you can find details here.