No 20 for week ending Friday 12 February 2016 Page 1 of 6
No 20 for week ending 12 February 2016
As the proud Deputy Headteacher, I have
the pleasure of writing to you all this week
as Mrs O’Hara has been on an intensive
training course for four days! I know that
she will certainly be ready for a break next
week.
Once again it has been a week filled with a variety of
activities.
Pupil Premium Award 2016
On Monday, we were thrilled to receive a letter of
congratulations from the Parliamentary Under
Secretary of State for Childcare and Education, Sam
Gyimah MP, for our achievement with Pupil Premium.
Here is an extract from the letter.
‘The reason you have been selected is that you are one
of the high achieving schools in the country in terms of
the attainment and progress of your disadvantaged
pupils since 2011. It is clear that you and your staff
have provided your disadvantaged pupils with a good
start in life and prepared them well for secondary
school. I would like to congratulate your governors,
parents and pupils for their hard work and success,
and thank you for your leadership in making such a
difference to the future success of your pupils.’
It is an excellent reminder of all the important
learning that goes on each and every day, and that
our partnership of School, Parents and Governors is a
strong one.
Sport
BASKETBALL SUCCESS The basketball team consisting of: Adam, Daniel,
Ethan, Iziah, Jack, Julina, Leonie, Lewis, Philippa and
captain TJ, played extremely well under the guidance
of Coach Wendy at the Warden Park tournament on
Wednesday. In fact, they played so well that they
finished as champions! It was the first time that St
Wilfrid’s have lifted the cup for ten years! I was able
to watch the entire time and was very impressed with
their skills and sportsmanship. They all played very
well together supporting and guiding each other in all
of their games. Many congratulations to them and to
Coach Wendy who gives of her time freely to enable
the children to have this experience. They showed
many of our learning values on the court, especially
collaboration, resilience and ambition. At the award
ceremony at the end Iziah was awarded with the MVP
for the boys which I learnt meant MOST VALUABLE
PLAYER. Well done to him and all the team. Wendy
joined us this afternoon at our celebration assembly
where TJ and Iziah presented her with some flowers
to thank her for running the Basketball club every
Tuesday after school. Her coaching and support has
helped to take our team to victory!
GYMNASTICS On Monday, Terry Harris held the final day of
gymnastics development training for our teachers for
the moment. As Mrs O’Hara has previously stated, the
quality of gymnastics throughout the school now is
very high. I was very impressed with the control,
strength and clarity of movement that the children
were showing on Monday.
No 20 for week ending Friday 12 February 2016 Page 2 of 6
CRICKET Geoff Brailey and Matt Parsons were in early on
Tuesday morning giving some of the children some
excellent cricket skills to work on. All we need now is
some good weather to dry the field!
CROSS COUNTRY Cross Country will resume the second week back after
half term. I will send out letters to all KS2 children
prior to the start.
Deanery Mass for teachers
The teachers attended a Deanery Mass on Monday
after school at St Paul’s Church in Haywards Heath. All
the Lewes Deanery Schools were represented and
during his homily, Father Martin Jakubas praised all
the teachers and senior leaders for ensuring that the
teachings of Christ are lived throughout all areas of
school life. Each school was given a special candle to
commemorate the Year of Mercy to use in school.
Safer Internet Day
Tuesday was National Internet Safety day. This year it
was marked by separate presentations and tasks by
the E-Safety crew. For the oldest children in the
school, they focussed on points such as the reasons
for having age limits for certain areas and ways to
keep safe. Years 3 and 4 were asked to see if they
could identify some of the key logos. The crew used
their initiative and researched points which were age
related and thought provoking. To the younger
children they highlighted safety through a story and
taught them a simple rhyme. All classes were given
different tasks as follow up work for the day. A final
assembly for the whole school highlighted to all
children the importance of the internet but also gave
them some important reminders on how to stay safe.
I was not only very impressed with the way the crew
organised the presentations, tasks and assembly but
also how much knowledge all the children have about
being safe around the new technologies. They also
reminded the older children that they have to be 13
to have Instagram, snapchat and Facebook and 18 for
some other social media accounts!
A useful website for parents and carers is
http://www.saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-
day/2016
Well done and thank you to Julina, Jared, Carter,
Sophia, Maddie, Mirella, Mimi, Vraj, Philippa, and
Olivia.
No 20 for week ending Friday 12 February 2016 Page 3 of 6
4MF Pizza Express Trip
4MF enjoyed a trip to Pizza Express in Haywards
Heath on Tuesday. The children had a fun morning
designing and creating their own pizzas which they
were all able to take home to enjoy. Mr Fox informed
me the children were a credit to the school. Well done
4MF! A big thank you to Mr Fox for coordinating the
trip. 4EE will be visiting Pizza Express on Wednesday
16th March.
Ash Wednesday
To mark the beginning of Lent all
the Key Stage 2 children joined
Father Rick and the parish, for
Mass at St Wilfrid’s Church where
they received the Ashes. Father
Rick spoke of how difficult Lent
can be. He reminded the children that it is a time for
repentance as we wait and prepare for the wonderful
celebration of Easter. After half term he will join us at
school to enable the children in KS2 to have a time for
reconciliation.
KS1 and Foundation had a special liturgy in the hall to
mark this special time in the Church’s calendar. As
usual the ‘Alleluia’ was placed in a box until the joyous
time of Easter. This was led by Mrs Brown and Miss
Cannon. Thank you to Father Rick for the Lenten
Calendars which he has bought again this year for all
the children. Father Rick is so supportive of the school
in all that it does. We are very lucky to have him!
3SB Class Assembly
Well done to 3SB who held their class assembly
yesterday. The theme was the Liturgical Year and the
children clearly explained to the both Key Stages
about the Church’s Seasons and the colours which are
used during these. They acted out a drama in
response to the Gospel reading of Jesus washing the
feet of his Disciples. Thank you to Mrs Barton and 3SB
for reminding everyone of this.
Thank you to all parents, carers and other family
members who attended and supported the children.
SATs Information for Year 6
On Thursday evening the Year 6 teachers led an
information evening for the parents about the SATs
tests this coming year. They highlighted all the
changes that have been implemented from the
Government. The latest documentation talks of a
scaled score. We are awaiting final details of this.
Ms Roberts, our maths subject leader, has produced a
times table booklet which will be useful for all parents
and has been sent out by the office. As many of you
are aware, the school has always taught the times
tables in order that all the children can access and
solve a variety of calculations where a sound
knowledge of multiplication facts is key. Next year
there will be a timed online times table test for all
year 6 pupils, as part of their end of Key Stage SATs.
No 20 for week ending Friday 12 February 2016 Page 4 of 6
Music News
ORCHESTRA Yesterday morning I had the fantastic opportunity of
joining Mrs Frost, Mrs Sumner and twenty of our
children who currently play instruments, at the
locality orchestra morning at St Paul’s Catholic
College. My goodness, what talented children you
have! The children really excelled themselves and
were a credit to both yourselves and our school. They
really enjoyed being part of a larger orchestra which
was a wonderful experience for them. An added thrill
was that four of our ex-pupils, who play the cello,
were playing alongside our current five cellists. Thank
you to all the parents for the transport to and from
the venue and to Mrs Frost for co-ordinating.
CHORAL WORKSHOP Mrs Novis took eight year 5 children to Christ’s
Hospital School today for the annual Choral
Workshop. There will be more about this in the next
newsletter.
St Wilfrid’s Twitter
If you are able, please follow us on Twitter as we are
endeavouring to tweet news and events as they
happen or as near to the time as possible. Search for
@s_wilfrid and click follow.
Finally, I will take this opportunity to thank you for
your continued support for all that we do here at St
Wilfrid’s. I can hardly believe where this year has gone
as we are now half way through! Have an enjoyable
half term week with your children. We look forward to
seeing them well rested and eager to resume their
school learning on Monday 22nd February.
Kind regards,
Sheila Peart
Forthcoming Dates:
Music Workshops at Burgess Hill School for Girls
Wednesday 24th and Friday 26th February:
Service of Reconciliation with Confessions 25th and
26th February:
Year 3 Roman Day Friday 26th February
World Book Day Thursday 3rd March (Pupils will be
asked to dress up on this day- British Authors
preferably)
No 20 for week ending Friday 12 February 2016 Page 5 of 6
Science and Engineering Week w/c 14th March
Pizza Express Trip Class 4EE Wednesday 16th March
Class Assemblies:
Friday 4th March- 2MB
Thursday 10th March- 5LC
Thursday 17th March- 1RH
Open Classrooms:
3.15-3.45pm (Tuesdays)
1st March
12th April
Remaining Inset Days for the current academic year:
Thursday 24th March 2016 (Maths)
Friday July 22nd July 2016
INSET DAYS FOR NEXT ACADEMIC YEAR 2016-17
Please note that these coordinated dates give parents
an opportunity to plan and book holidays next year
amd take advantage of cheaper prices! Please
remember that holidays during term time are not
authorised!
Monday 5th September 2016 Child Protection
Friday 25th November 2016 (this also ties in with St
Paul’s College)
Friday 17th February 2017 (Music)
Monday 24th/Tuesday 25th July 2017 (these days tie in
with St Paul’s College)
…………………………………………………
Contact Information:
Please remember to always ensure the office always
has up to date contact information for you. If you
change your phone numbers or move house please
inform the office at your earliest convenience.
Guitar Lessons:
There are a few places for guitar lessons for Y1-Y6
pupils with James from West Sussex Music. Learn to
read music and play fun tunes with your friends.
Group lessons are £79 for the term of ten lessons and
individual lessons are £120 or £170 for either 20
minute or 30 minutes.
Book your place now as places are limited
at www.westsussexmusic.co.uk following the 'Making
Music' tab. For any further information, please
contact the office 08452 082 182 or
Online Payments:
We would like to encourage parents to pay online for
trips etc. (if you have lost your logon please ask the
office to issue a new one). There WILL NOT be an
additional charge for paying online and you can also
keep track of your payments.
Active Kids:
Active Kids is back! When shopping at Sainsbury’s you
will collect 1 voucher for every £10 you spend.
However, this year you’ll receive all your vouchers on
one piece of paper. The vouchers will allow us to
purchase some new sports equipment for the children
to use in school. Please spread the word!
Scholastic Book Fair Monday 7th-Thursday 10th
March
No 20 for week ending Friday 12 February 2016 Page 6 of 6
Tomfoolery Party
Tickets are now on sale online for this wonderful
event, please go to www.pta-events.co.uk/stwilfrids/
or leave an envelope with the money enclosed at the
School Office. The Tomfoolery Party will take place
on Friday 11th March from 6pm until 7.30pm in the
school hall. We are very excited about the ‘Beans on
Toast’ show coming to St Wilfrid’s. The show will be
packed full of energy, dancing, singing and magic.
There will be plenty of audience interaction and even
a dose of hockey cokey to join in with. Pre-school,
Foundation and KS 1 children must be accompanied
by an adult. KS 2 children can attend without an adult
(please provide emergency contact details). Tickets
will cost £7.50 per child and £2.50 per adult and sold
on a first come first serve basis.
Mother’s Day Craft Workshop
On Thursday 3rd March we will be holding a Mother’s
Day Craft Workshop from 3.15pm until 4.45pm in
6PR’s classroom. Children from all year groups are
welcome. We have so many interesting and creative
things for the children to make to give to a loved one.
Again the cost of attending will be £7.50 and tickets
will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. Tickets
are now available to purchase online. Go to www.pta-
events.co.uk/stwilfrids/ Tickets are limited and will be
sold on a first come first serve basis.