St Philomena’s School
June 2023
Newsletter
Headteacher's Half Term Round Up…
It has been another very successful half term at St Philomena’s. The pupils have been busy growing together, learning together, achieving together – and having fun together: Educational visits, specialist sports coaching, sports fixtures, external exams, a Coronation Concert and best of all, the opening of the long-awaited play trail!
The prefect selection process for next year has begun and I am looking forward to listening to the speeches of those who have applied to become Head Boy or Head Girl from September. Delivered to the whole school, including all pupils, staff and the Chair of Governors, each candidate will introduce themselves and set out the reasons why people should vote for them. With everyone entitled to vote for one boy and one girl, our current Head Boy William, and Head Girl Luna, will announce who will take over from them at Speech Day in the last week of term. Thankfully the decision is not mine to make!
The final half term may be short, but with more than twenty events on the calendar it looks set to be action packed. With several events involving parents and relatives, please make sure you check the diary at the end of this newsletter.
Form V enjoyed visiting the Harwich Redoubt Fort as part of their learning in History.
Children in Lower School enjoyed tennis lessons with coach Louis from Frinton Tennis Club. Their handeye coordination skills and has really improved this term.
TERM HIGHLIGHTS
HALF
Pupils from Form VI completed and passed their Level 2 Bikeability course.
HALF TERM HIGHLIGHTS
This
term Forms V and VI have been having specialist cricket coaching at Frinton Cricket Club. We are so fortunate to have this wonderful facility on our doorstep.
Forms V and VI proudly represented our school on Thursday 11th May at a Coronation Concert held at Great Holland Methodist Church.
Under the incredible guidance of Mrs Vincent, the pupils worked hard and put together a wonderful programme of songs and verse We received many notes of thanks from those who attended the concert, all very impressed with the quality of the performance.
Well done to all the parents and pupils from St Philomena's who took part in the pier to pier walk on Sunday 14th May in memory Annabel Brejon Emotions were running high on the day and there were a lot of tired children on Monday morning, but so far an amazing £4415 has been raised for St Helena Hospice and The Royal Marsden. What a wonderful tribute to a beautiful lady
Congratulations to Promise A, Katie B, Harry D and Emily H who all made their First Holy Communion in May.
CORONATION PLAY TRAIL
Friday 5th May saw our long-awaited play trail officially opened by Head Boy, William and Head Girl, Luna. The Coronation Play Trail has been named to commemorate the Coronation of King Charles III.
Thank you to everyone who has made a donation to St Philomena’s over the past three years. Whether you have attended a Quiz Night, signed up to Tuck @ Break, bought a Christmas photo or supported a non-uniform day, every single penny donated has been worth it!
PUPIL ACHIEVEMENTS
In assembly each week we celebrate the achievements of our pupils both in and out of school. We are always proud to celebrate their hard work, whether it be for sport, music, academic studies or volunteering.
Congratulations to Emily Hobbs for achieving a Distinction in her Grade 1 Tap exam.
Congratulations to Promise and Precious A for achieving their Stage 4 swimming certificate.
Congratulations to Munachiso O for being awarded his Stage 1 certificate in swimming.
Congratulations to Teddy D for being awarded a green Blue Peter Badge for his environmental work including beach cleans and recycling.
Well done to Jude M for being awarded Cup Scout Leader of the Year and achieving his Promise certificate.
Congratulations to Charlotte B for completing 450 maths challenges and being awarded a Doodle Maths Challenge certificate.
Congratulations to Kit MdB for being awarded an U9 player's trophy from Colchester Rugby Club.
PUPIL ACHIEVEMENTS
Congratulations to Zach R for coming 4th in the back stroke at a recent regional swimming competition.
Congratulations to Finn M and Ziggy T for being awarded a player's trophy from Colchester Rugby Club.
Well done to Florence M for being awarded a players’ trophy from Colchester Rugby Club.
Well done to Mollie S for being awarded 'Player of the Camp' at a recent football camp.
Congratulations to Anni J for achieving a distinction in her first primary ballet exam.
St Philomena's Enrichment Programme
This term we have been fortunate enough to have two wonderful volunteer helpers who run our Lego Clubs as part of our after school enrichment programme. Mrs Buckley and Mrs Beard give up their time each week to inspire the children to create amazing models and games. Mrs Buckley even brings Lego kits from home for the children to follow the instructions and build!
We are very grateful for the support of all our volunteers who help run our incredible after school enrichment programme; without their help we wouldn't be offer so many activities.
KS1 AND KS2 LEGO CLUB
SCHOOL MESSAGES
Summer Activity Days Sun Care Drinks Reception
Due to the success of the Easter activity days, more sessions will be run over the summer holiday. The online booking form has been posted on ClassDojo. The days will run from 9am to 4pm with a hot lunch and snacks included.
£40 per child.
Please joins us for an informal drinks reception to welcome the new members of staff who will be joining St Philomena's in September.
Monday 26 June 6pm to 7pm.
As the hot weather looks set to finally arrive, please remember to apply sun screen before school every day. Children will also need to have a St Philomena’s sun hat in school to wear outside at break times.
Sports Day Family Mass
The next family mass at the Church of the Sacred Heart and St Francis in Frinton will be at 6pm on Saturday 10th June (Corpus Christi). Please message Mrs Mathews via ClassDojo if you will be attending so your child can be included in the mass.
Sports Day this year is on Thursday 22nd June from 10.30am to 3pm. Held at Frinton Cricket Club, parents are invited to bring a picnic to share with their child at lunchtime. There are no after school activities on this day as we need to clear away after the event.
Speech Day
Speech Day is at St Mary’s Church in Frinton at 2pm on Wednesday 5th July. Our guest speaker this year is Niall McCann, a National Geographic Explorer, conservationist and broadcaster. With all pupils involved and lots of awards to be announced, this really is a lovely event for all parents to attend.
Girls and Boys Football Tournament
On Friday 19th May St Philomena's entered a girls 5 aside football team and a boys 7 aside football team at a tournament hosted by St Joseph's College This was the girls first competition and although they may not have made it through to the semi finals, they won one of the games in their league.
The boys sadly lost on penalties in the semi final but played really well throughout the afternoon with two wins and one draw
Congratulations to both teams for proudly representing the school.
Inter-House Netball Tournament
Our annual inter-house netball competition took place on Wednesday 24th May The whole school turned out to support their House teams and cheer them on.
It was a close competition between the three houses, with Campion crowned the winners after one draw and a win. Second place was Fisher who drew both their games and third place went to Clover, who actually scored the most goals over all. They drew one game and lost one game.
Thank you to Mrs Bingham who organised this wonderful event
SPORTS NEWS AT ST PHILOMENA’S
What’s On… St Philomena’s Diary of Events
June Event
Monday 5th June First day of term
Monday 5th to
Friday 9th June Form VI residential to Yorkshire
Tuesday 6th June Form II educational visit to Harwich
Wednesday 7th June Form III educational visit to Colchester Castle
Stay and Play session for new Reception class 9am to 10.30am
Friday 9th June
Frinton Library assembly: Summer Reading Challenge
Form V Walking Tour of Walton
Saturday 10th June Family mass at the Church of the Sacred Heart and St Francis
Tuesday 13th June Garrison Athletics Competition (selected pupils)
Wednesday 14th June Prospective Head Boy and Head Girl presentations to the whole school
Thursday 15th June Fish and Chips
Friday 16th June Whole school trip to the beach (weather dependent)
Monday 19th June Times Tables Championship
Sports Day 10.30am to 3pm at Frinton Cricket Club (weather dependent)
Thursday 22nd June
ALL PARENTS INVITED NO AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES
Reception Class induction morning
Friday 23rd June
Form VI Leavers Event at Frinton Tennis Club, 2pm to 4.30pm tbc
Form VI Swim Safe course
Monday 26th June
Drinks Reception to welcome new staff 6pm to 7pm ALL PARENTS INVITED
Tuesday 27th June
Sports Day back up (if necessary; weather dependent) ALL PARENTS INVITED
What’s On… St Philomena’s Diary of Events
June Event
Reception, Form I and Form II enrichment afternoon at Frinton Tennis Club, 1.45pm to 3.45pm tbc
Wednesday 28th June
Pupils v Parents netball match 4pm
Historian Peter Appleton in to talk to Form V and their parents
Thursday 29th June
Forms III and IV enrichment afternoon at Frinton Tennis Club, 1.45pm to 3.45pm tbc
Friday 30th June
Forms V and VI enrichment afternoon at Frinton Tennis Club, 1.45pm to 3.45pm tbc
July Event
Wednesday 5th July Whole School Speech Day at St Mary's Church, 2pm ALL PARENTS INVITED NO AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES
Thursday 6th July Form VI Leavers Assembly, 2pm FORM VI PARENTS INVITED
Last day of term NO AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES
Please remember to check the school calendar for updates and future events that have been calendared for the rest of the academic year.
