Newsletter October 2023

St Philomena’s School October 2023

Newsletter

Headteacher's Half Term Round Up… Welcome to the first newsletter of the academic year, and welcome to the 16 new pupils and 4 members of staff who started their school journey at St Philomena’s this term. I hope they and their families already feel part of our school community.

This half term has absolutely flown by. Every week has been busy, with a whole school trip to the beach, three educational visits, a class assembly, a parent and child art session, a Love of Learning Afternoon, 24 after school enrichment activities, a Philomini Stay and Play session, a Pimms@Pick Up – and endless learning!

Class assemblies develop individual confidence and public speaking skills and bring the curriculum to life.

They enable children to really understand what they have been learning and how many of their subjects are connected. Educational visits reinforce and add challenge to the curriculum. They provide opportunities for pupils to learn new skills, share new experiences, problem-solve alongside their peers and become more aware of risk. My thanks to all the teachers and support staff who plan and organise events and activities that enhance the curriculum.

The sheer volume of work undertaken by the pupils this half term is clear to see in every classroom and in every exercise book. The classrooms are alive with walls displaying all their work in progress, with topic-related artwork and independent writing tasks.

I look forward to seeing you all again when we return to school on Monday 30th October. Please remember pupils return to school after half term wearing winter uniform. Please click on the following link to access the Dressing for Excellence booklets: http://stphilomenas.com/uniform/

HALF TERM HIGHLIGHTS

On Friday 8th September, to celebrate the start of the Autumn Term, the whole school walked to Frinton beach for an afternoon of fun and games. The weather was perfect. After the long summer break the pupils enjoyed building sandcastles and spending time with their friends from all year groups.

Wednesday 3rd September saw Form VI go on their first school trip of the year and spend a fantastic morning at the Naze. We are very fortunate to have this on our doorstep. With a focus on erosion, geology and coastal management, they also had time to go fossil hunting.

HALF TERM HIGHLIGHTS

This term has seen over 90 pupils register for our after school enrichment programme.

With over 24 activities to choose from, the pupils are fortunate to have such an incredible timetable. New for this term has been Coding, Textiles, Art and Gardening. Our thanks to parent volunteer Mr Challener who is running the Coding class in our new computer room. Thanks also to the Howe family who donated 15 new HP laptops for the new computer room.

On Thursday 5th October Form 3 visited Colchester Castle as part of their ‘Romans in Colchester’ topic. The pupils had a fantastic time looking at Roman artefacts, taking part in gladiator games and building a Roman round house and a Stone Age house. The children then went underneath the castle to learn how the Romans invaded Colchester and what Celt rebel Boudicca did to try and destroy them.

HALF TERM HIGHLIGHTS

From III delivered the first class assembly of the year about the history of the harvest festival.

With a wonderful mixture of singing and prayers, pupils enjoyed showing the work they had done in class to their parents and the rest of the school.

After the assembly parents were invited to spend the morning with their children in class making a Roman soldier mosaic.

Form VI visited Sutton Hoo as part of their topic on the Anglo Saxons.

They explored the exhibition and immersed themselves in the world of the Anglo-Saxons.

The highlight of the trip was seeing the AngloSaxon burial ground, home to one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time.

Philominis: Class of 2024 This term we had our first 'Stay and Play' session when our new Philomini children joined us for a morning of fun activities, giving them the perfect opportunity to make new friends, meet their teachers for next year and spend time in what will be their classroom.

'Stay and Play' sessions run from 9am to 10.30am. If you would like your child to attend please contact the school office or email admin@stphilomenas.com Friday 17th November 2023 Friday2nd February 2024 Friday 15th March 2024 Friday 3rd May 2024

Love of Learning Afternoon

Form II welcomed parents, grandparents and family members for their first LOLA Love of Learning Afternoon. It was a wonderful opportunity for pupils to demonstrate their art skills, historical knowledge and oral skills in a shared learning experience with their family. The pupils have been studying artist LS Lowry. They enjoyed creating an art piece with their family, demonstrating perspective whilst drawing matchstick figures from a range of LS Lowry's paintings.

WELCOME RECEPTION CLASS What a fantastic start our Reception pupils have had this term. They have attended all assemblies, enjoyed hot lunches, been out for 'Walking Wednesday’ each week and worked incredibly hard in lessons.

Miss Morton and Mrs Finger are impressed with how quickly the children have settled in to the routine of school life and are incredibly proud of their exemplary behaviour and manners, both in school and when they are out.

SPORT @ ST PHILOMENA’S

Girls Football Tournament On Tuesday 10th October our newly formed girls football team travelled to the Colne School in Brightlingsea to participate in an inter-school football tournament. St Philomena's was one of 16 schools who entered the competition.

In our group we played 2 competitive games and 1 friendly. A huge thank you to Mia who volunteers at school each week to coach them.

Under 11 Boys Team in Training This year we welcome Mr Burgoyne as our new football coach. He has enjoyed getting to know the Under 11 boys and working out which positions they are best suited to for the season ahead.

We look forward to watching this new team grow and develop under the expert guidance of Mr B!

What’s On… St Philomena’s Diary of Events October / November

Event

Monday 30th October

Return to school

Wednesday 1st November

Holy Day of Obligation: All Saints Day

Friday 3rd November

Flu Vaccines Form VI Crucial Crew in School

Monday 6th November Form V Parent Information Session on RSHE Thursday 9th November

‘Getting Ready for Christmas Day’: Non uniform

Remembrance Service in school, 11am Friday 10th November U11 Girls Football at Tendring Primary School First Holy Communion class in Harwich, 11am Saturday 11th November Family Mass at the Church of the Sacred Heart and St Francis, 6pm Thursday 16th November

Form I to Hollytrees Museum in Colchester Form V to Duxford

Friday 17th November

Philomini Stay and Play, 9am to 10.30am

Thursday 23rd November

Fish and Chips

December Thursday 7th December

Event Christmas Concert at St Mary's Church, 7pm Holy Day of Obligation: The Immaculate Conception

Friday 8th December Pre-Loved Sale, 3pm to 4pm Saturday 9th December

First Holy Communion class in Harwich, 11am

Wednesday 13th December

Christmas Dinner Whole school visit to the pantomime

Friday 15th December Last day of term Please remember to check the school calendar for updates and future events that have been calendared for the rest of the academic year.