St Philomena’s School
February 2024
Newsletter
Headteacher's Half Term Round Up…
It seems impossible to believe that we are halfway through the academic year. Reports have been sent home which reflect on the progress each pupil has made since September and the parents' evenings planned for after half term will provide parents with the perfect opportunity to visit their child's learning environment and see for themselves all the brilliant work they have been doing in class and the progress they have made so far this year.
Our long-awaited inspection took place this half term and we welcomed five inspectors from the Independent Schools Inspectorate to spend three days in school. Thank you to all those who completed the pre-inspection survey. We have been inspected under a new framework that puts children and their wellbeing at the centre of the inspection process. The final report will include clear statements about whether the school meets the relevant standards, but it will no longer include a one-word judgement. The final report is not expected for several weeks but it will be published as soon as possible.
My thanks to the staff team for all their hard work this term planning and delivering lessons that stretch and challenge, preparing class assemblies, running educational visits, arranging sports fixtures and offering a wealth of after school enrichment activities to ensure we have a school full of happy children and high achievers.
Form IV to The Tower of London
Upper School Run
On Friday 19th January Form IV had a magnificent day out at the Tower of London. The children travelled to The Tower by train and tube which added to the excitement of the day. On a cold but beautifully sunny day, they enjoyed exploring the castle, meeting the Yeoman Warders, discovering why the ravens are known as the guardians of the Tower and visiting the Crown Jewels exhibition.
Bird Watching with Frinton in Bloom
Five members of the Green Team were delighted to join Frinton in Bloom for a morning of bird watching at the Cresent Gardens in Frinton. They were taught how to listen for birds, how to identify them through sound and how to identify them. They were also given three beautiful nesting boxes to put up in the school grounds.
Reception Class visit the Church of the Sacred Heart and St Francis
Reception class enjoyed visiting our Parish Church as part of their learning in RE on the themes of community and celebration. The visit allowed them to view the church as part of a living community rather than just a building and understand that church is a place where people come together to celebrate, share and belong.
Music Masterclass
We were fortunate to host a woodwind Masterclass this term with local musician Frances Avent. An incredibly talented woodwind specialist, Frances explained that she first learnt to play the recorder when she was 8 years old. She brought in several instruments for the pupils to listen to, look at and hold and explained the differences in sound and the techniques required to play the clarinet and saxophone. Frances explored various musical genres including jazz, folk and classical and played alongside the school choir with Mrs Vincent on the piano. With more than a third of the pupils in school now having instrumental lessons, this was a wonderful learning opportunity for the pupils in Forms III to VI. It would be lovely to see more pupils learn to play woodwind instruments.
Road Safety with the Safer Essex Roads Partnership
The Safer Essex Roads Partnership visited school on Thursday 15th February. Reception Class children and their parents attended a road safety talk designed to establish good road safety behaviour from an early age. Pupils from Form V participated in an interactive discussion followed by a roadside practical training session aimed at encouraging them to be aware of the risks involved when walking and the steps they need to take to stay safe.
Form V Class Assembly
Form IV Class Assembly
Form IV took us on an incredible journey in their assembly and showcased their learning in English, Geography, History, Science and Art this half term. From the beginning of the ancient Greek civilisation to the extreme days and nights of the Arctic and Antarctic circles, the assembly kept everyone entertained with endless facts, plenty of humour, wonderful singing and confident performing.
On Wednesday 24th January Form V proudly delivered an assembly to the whole school and their parents. Based on their work on World War II in History, they sang and performed with confidence, portraying life as a child in World War II, the impact on families, the Blitz and the Home Front.
Drumming Assembly
On Monday 29th January it was time for our drummers to shine as they took to the stage with Mr Battersby to showcase how well they are doing in their lessons with him. From 'Uptown Funk' to graded pieces, the whole school watched and listened in awe. They were extremely impressed with the drumming skills of Miss Morton!
Mental Health Day 2024
On Friday 9th February all pupils came off timetable for Mental Health Day, an enrichment day selected by the School Council. After an inspiring assembly focussing on 'My Voice Matters', the whole school went for a 'Walk and Talk' along Frinton beach before returning to school for hot chocolate. Pupils were then split into their House groups to participate in activities and workshops designed to encourage positive physical, mental, social and emotional wellbeing. Team building, shared reading, a whole school art project and creating mindfulness jars resulted in a school full of happy children.
SPORT @ ST PHILOMENA'S
U11 Football v Rolph and Tendring
These were both tough matches for the U11 football team. They worked hard and were resilient in their play. Aksel stepped up as captain and kept morale high in what were very defensive games.
Final results: 4:1 to Rolph; 5:0 to Tendring.
Form II Cricket Coaching
U11 Netball v Frobisher
Congratulations to the U11 netball team who played a great match against Frobisher Primary School on Thursday 18th January. Excellent team work and fluid passing resulted in an 8:1 win to St Philomena's.
Form II attended a brilliant cricket skills workshop on Tuesday 23rd January. Delivered by Karen Hussain from Essex Cricket, they received expert coaching incorporating both skills and match play and ended the workshop with a mini tournament.
SPORT @ ST PHILOMENA'S
Indoor Athletics Competition
The athletics team competed at the inter-schools athletics competition held at Tendring Technology College on Thursday 8th February.
Competing against other primary schools in the Tendring District, they came 3rd overall, earning them a place at the District Finals.
Inter-Schools District Athletics Finals
Held at the sports arena at Essex University, our athletes competed well against other schools in the North Essex district and came 3rd overall in the small schools category.
WHAT’S ON…DIARY OF EVENTS
February Event
Monday 26th February
Tuesday 27th February
Wednesday 28th February
Thursday 29th February
March
Friday 1st March
Individual and sibling photographs
Form III to the Pink Parrot Pottery to make
U11 Netball v Kirby Primary School, 3.30pm
Form II to visit the Church of the Sacred Heart and St Francis in Frinton
Cross Country Competition at Birch Hall – selected pupils
Event
Saturday 2nd March
Monday 4th March
Tuesday 5th March
Thursday 7th March
Friday 8th March
Monday 11th March
Wednesday 13th March
Thursday 14th March
Friday 15th March
Class and team photographs
U11 Football v Frinton Primary School, 3.30pm
First Holy Communion Class in Harwich, 11am
Family mass at the Church of the Sacred Heart and St Francis, 6pm
Form VI class assembly, 9-9.30am
Tuition Information Event for parents, 4pm
World Book Day
Parent Rep Meeting, 9am
Parents' Evening from 4pm to 7pm
Form 5 to RHS for a Creative Writing Workshop (tbc)
Form 1 Class Assembly 9-9.30am
Fish and Chips
U11 Football v Frobisher, 3.30pm
Philomini session, 9-10.30am
Dentist visit for Reception, Form I and Form II
U11 Netball v Great Bentley. 3.30pm
March
Monday 18th March
Tuesday 19th March
Wednesday 20th March
Thursday 21st March
Friday 22nd March
Tuesday 26th March
Wednesday 27th March
Thursday 28th March
WHAT’S ON…DIARY OF EVENTS
Event
U11 Football v Kirby, 3.30pm
U11 Netball v Rolph, 3.30pm
Form II Class Assembly, 9-9.30am
Form III Joseph Production, 2.15pm and 6.30pm
Form 4 Greek Day
Pre-loved sale, 3-4pm
U11 Football v Great Bentley, 3.30pm (to be played at St Osyth Primary School)
Reception Class Assembly, 9-9.30am
Easter Egg Hunt (tbc)
Last day of term
All dates are subject to change so please remember to check the school calendar for updates and future events that have been calendared for the rest of the academic year:
http://stphilomenas.com/calendar/