Friday 14th March 2025
Headteacher's Update
Last week was a wonderful celebration of books and our love of reading in the Federation. Book week kicked off with a visit from renowned children's author Anna Kemp.
Anna led a series of engaging workshops for pupils across the Federation. Pupils from St Thomas' were treated to lively reading of her popular books Dogs Don't Do ballet and Moggie McFlea. Children in the Junior School explored the world of Fantasy literature by creating their own fairies, an activity inspired by Anna's book Goblyn Wood.
Last Friday children and adults alike delighted in dressing up as a character from their favourite book. We hope all the children were inspired to read more and maybe try a book or author they've never read before.
Red Nose Day
Friday 21st March is Red Nose Day and we will be supporting the great work of the Comic Relief charity through a number of fundraising activities which the School Council have decided on, with their classes input, and are organising. In assembly before the day, we will learn more about the work of Comic Relief and their special 40th anniversary!
On Friday 21st March we will be collecting donations (minimum of £1) to dress up for the day:
The infants have voted to wear their pyjamas to school.
The juniors have decided to wear red clothes to school for the day.
Both schools will be running a cake competition - children can enter if they wish and bring in to school (in the morning) some decorated cakes (max of 4 small cakes per child please) on a Red Nose Day theme. A winner and runner up will be chosen for each class and then the School Council will run a cake sale after school to raise extra money for the charity. Please bring cash at pick up for the cake sale!
At the Juniors the School Councillors are also organising a Joke Competition and some free lunchtimes games on a Red Nose Day theme. For the Joke Competition, the School Council invite children to write or remember a favourite funny joke to then share in class. The funniest ones from each class will then be heard and voted on in whole school assembly!
Well done to our superb School Councillors for organising these events for the Comic Relief and helping to support the charities aim of “a just world, free from poverty”.
Many thanks
Rohan, Archie, Jazmine, Autumn, Penny, Mollie and Miss Knapp (Infants)
Lily, Rosie, Sofia, Oscar, Harley, Noah, Teddy, Aria and Miss Knapp (Juniors)
A Request for Help
Our Diversity/EARA team of children in Year 5/6 (Nina, Noah, Alfie, Thea, Lydia and Alice) are keen to develop a better understanding of our links to other countries, languages spoken in the school and all of the religious festivals families celebrate. They want to create a display in both schools of our Global Links to help them feel more connected to our world and so they can learn from the life experiences of others.
Today your child will come home with a sheet for them to record (with your help) the global links they have in the family. Please don't worry if you don't have any global links you don't have to complete the sheet if that is the case. But if you do we really want to hear from you!
The children plan to put together a world map and display of all our global links. Thanks for your support!
Family Support
Come along to our Coffee afternoon at St Thomas' where our team of Family Support Workers will be available to offer support and advice for any concerns that you wish to bring along. This is available to parents from both schools. Let us know you're planning to pop along via this link:
Mobile Phones
I would like to invite all parents to a meeting with a member of the SMARTPHONE FREE CHILDHOOD campaign at 5pm on Monday 28th April at Woolton Hill Junior School. This will be an opportunity to find out more about the issues around mobile phone use as well as how to keep your children safe on the internet. Sign up using the link below:
Letting Our Light Shine
On Saturday 22 February 2025 George represented his pony club (Craven Hunt) in the South Berkshire Branch of The Pony Club Winter Triathlon Area 13 Qualifier 2025 at Brockhurst and Marlston House School.
George won the “Mixed Beanies Triathlon - 7 years and under” class which incorporated bean bag throwing to a target; 2 minute swim and a 500 metres cross country run, on the same day. Not only did he win the entire class, he had the fastest run time, had a personal best in the swim and had the highest beanbag score! Over 9 pony clubs were competing this was an impressive result. Well done George !
Water Bottles
I would like to remind parents that it is important that all pupils bring their own water bottle to school each day so they can stay hydrated. The school does not provide cups. Recently we have noticed these bottles have been filled with juice and flavoured water. Please ensure that bottles only contain normal water.
Star Awards
The following children received Star Awards this week! They should all be really proud, well done!
7th March: Leo A, Adalyn W, Della W, Louis S, Zac H, George M, Archie G and Arabella D.
14th March: Bethany R, Theo H, Charlie B, Noah G, Daniel R, Gabriela A and Hugo G.
Life Learning
Focus
7th March: Jack D, Elodie S, Oliver W and Kayden L
14th March: Seren H, Daisy B and Jack D
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