Weekly News - Friday 24th November 2023

Primary Maths Challenge

The results are now in for the Year 4 - 6 Primary Maths Challenge - a fun and exciting mathematical challenge which has taken place over the past few weeks. We had a number of children who secured gold, silver and bronze awards. 

Special mentions go to these Year 4 children who performed incredibly well for their age bracket:

4T - William B (silver award), Shaylen P, Mahi B, Aran P, Gurdaya J and Parth K (bronze awards)
4B - Aaran T, Yuvraj R, Ella K, Tiffany T and Armaan V (bronze awards)

Additionally, very well done to Tiya T (6L) and Aryan L (6L) for achieving the highest (joint) scores in the whole school. All of the Year 4 - 6 pupils should be very proud of themselves for showing such perseverance and enthusiasm during the challenge. 

4T Class Assembly

Class 4T presented a super assembly this morning all about 'Preparation'. By performing and narrating a short play about a squirrel who failed to prepare for winter, they taught us that preparation is a crucial part of life. They reminded us of the many things we all prepare for on a daily basis, and took a humorous look at preparations for the new school year, performing poems from a pupil, teacher and parent point of views. They also reminded us that advent is the season of preparation for Christmas, and of how we may prepare for this special time of year by performing acts of kindness and service, as well as by buying presents, writing cards and hanging decorations. The children had each made an advent calendar with doors which opened to show the acts of kindness which they intend to perform. Great work, 4T! This was a very meaningful and enjoyable assembly.

Month End Music Recital

Our November Month End Music Recital provided a wonderful opportunity for many of our instrumentalists and vocalists to perform to their parents, staff and peers. These occasions are always informal and allow the children to take to the 'stage' in a supportive and friendly environment, sometimes for their first ever public performance! Today, as well as vocal performances, children shared pieces on flute, piano and clarinet. Very well done to all of those children who stepped up to perform; it was a lovely way to start the weekend.

Chamber Choir Record For Barnado's National Choral Competition

On Tuesday, the Chamber Choir recorded the two songs which they have entered for this year's Barnado's National Choral Competition. St. Helen's College has a strong track record in this competition and we wish our elite singers the best of luck this year!

 

 

 

Library - Mystery Readers

Year 2 are loving their 'Mystery Reader' sessions in the library at the end of each week! The children never know who is going to turn up to read to them - it might be a parent, a member of staff or someone else!

Here is Mr. McLaughlin, who was last week's Mystery Reader, entertaining a Year 2 class.

The Mystery Reader season started in style with Mrs. Christodoulou sharing a family favourite read. We would love to hear from other parents or grandparents who would enjoy the opportunity to entertain Year 2 with a story! If you are interested please contact Mrs. Emanuel at semanuel@sthelenscollege.com. Story time is currently 3 p.m. on Friday afternoons. 

Chef Soula Nominated For Award!

We are so proud of our school chef, Soula, who has been nominated for a very special award by Accent! Soula was recognised as one of Accent's most valued employees, for her professionalism and achievements. She runs a wonderful team of staff here at St. Helen's College and we are delighted that her work has been recognised in this way.

 

Food Bank Donations

Thank you so much to those who have made donations to our new, ongoing Food Bank collection. Mrs. Bickle, a St. Helen's College parent, took the first donation to the Hillingdon Food Bank today where it was gratefully received. Donation boxes are now permanently available at Upper School, Lower School and Ducklings.

Sports News

3M have enjoyed a week of swimming this week. 

On Tuesday, Year 4 girls travelled to Alpha Prep to play two competitive netball matches. The girls have made some strong progress with their knowledge of the rules and positions so far this term and demonstrated this during the games. Well done to everyone involved!

The Year 6 netballers took part in a fixture against Alpha Prep at home on Thursday. It was a well matched competitive game, with the pupils displaying some fantastic shooting and making lots of interceptions which we worked on this week during their lesson time. They won 11-9. Well done to all of the pupils! 

 

All of the Year 3 and 4 footballers played against Alpha Prep on Tuesday. There were seven matches played. St. Helen's College won 5, drew 1 and lost 1. The children thoroughly enjoyed the friendly fixture and there was lots to celebrate.

 

 

 

 

On Thursday our Year 6 footballers took on Alpha Prep at Court Park. They put on a convincing display, losing only one of the six games played.

Goalscorers were: Jeevan P (2), Kal-el M (3), Aidan T (1), Joe T(1), Aaron B (3), Riya S (1), Marco K (1), Mylo D'O (2), Rian M (1), Zaki M (1), Anand V (2)

 

 

 

The Year 6 footballers also took part in a competition at Goals Hayes on Friday. A report and pictures will follow next week.

Thames Valley Cavaliers are playing again this weekend, against Hemel Storm. Details are available here.

Message From The PA

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday 26th November at the PA Christmas Party. The response has been great and we cannot wait to see you all there. Tickets are now sold out and will not be available at the door. Thank you for your enthusiasm, and let's make this Sunday a memorable one!

Centenary Christmas Card Competition

We would like pupils to have a go at designing the cover of a special Centenary Christmas Card for us this year. The card should include mention of the St. Helen's College Centenary. Pupils may draw, colour and paint the card but should not use glue or glitter.

The winning card, chosen by Ms Drummond, will be sent out digitally by the school to many recipients!

Pupils should hand their designs in to their class teacher (Ducklings/Lower School) or to the school office (Upper School). The deadline for submitting entries is next Friday, 1st December. 

Next Week

Monday 27th November - Nursery/Reception nativity photographs
Wednesday 29th November - Football v. St. Catherine's (A)
Thursday 30th November - Flu vaccinations (Reception to Year 6)
Thursday 30th November - Atom Prime Parent Webinar (Years 3 to 5) 6.00 pm.
Friday 1st December - 1C coffee morning/Christmas assembly 8.15 a.m.
Friday 1st December - 2R coffee morning/Christmas assembly 8.15 a.m.
Friday 1st December - Holiday Club bookings open 4 p.m.

Christmas Arrangements

Monday 4th December - 1R coffee morning/Christmas assembly 8.15 a.m.
Tuesday 5th December - Kingfishers coffee morning/Nativity 8.15 a.m.
Wednesday 6th December - Owls coffee morning/Nativity 8.15 a.m.
Wednesday 6th December - Year 5 & 6 trip to The Snowman
Thursday 7th December - Robins coffee morning/Nativity 8.15 a.m.
Thursday 7th December - Carols Around The Tree and PA Christmas Fair 3.00 p.m.
Thursday 7th December - Christmas lunch - menu available here
Thursday 7th December - Christmas jumper day (Christmas jumpers may be worn throughout the school on top of whichever uniform/kit your child would usually wear on this day)
Friday 8th December - Wrens coffee morning/Nativity 8.15 a.m.
Friday 8th December - Year 2 trip to Dick Whittington
Monday 11th December - Lower School party day
Monday 11th December - Upper School carol service rehearsal
Wednesday 13th December - Upper School carol service
Wednesday 13th December - End of term 11.50 a.m. (Ducklings & N); 12.00 p.m. (R); 12.10 p.m. (Y1,2); 12.20 p.m. (Y3, 4); 12.30 p.m. (Y5,6)

Holiday Club 

Holiday Club bookings will go live on Friday 1st December at 4 p.m. Please book your places promptly to enable us to staff the club appropriately.