Mailbag 13 May 2022

What a fantastic time the Yr 4 and Yr 6 children - and the staff - have had at camp this week! They were brilliant! It’s always amazing to see how many activities they pack into just a few days. And weren’t they lucky with the weather?

There are literally hundreds of photos in the Gallery on the website (we’ve added even more from the Yr 4 camp today!) We didn’t want to leave out any child’s special moment. We know they will enjoy sharing the pictures with you, and telling you all about what they did.

News for Everyone

Jubilee Celebration - Next Wednesday we’ll be celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee. Children are invited to come to school dressed up in 1950s fashion, or in red, white and blue, or just wearing an accessory of their choice fit for the occasion. We would love to see them dressed in their best, waving a flag!

During the morning, we’ll be exploring the history behind the Jubilee, followed by a workshop where the children will design and make their own crown.

At 1:30, the whole school will take part in a Jubilee parade around the block (walking along the pavement). We’d love to see as many of you as possible lining the route, clapping and cheering! Our route will be Hawthorne Street, Fordell place, School Road, Wells Road and back into school via Cemetery Road.

The children will wave goodbye to you all and return to school for a Jubilee variety show followed by a tea party.

Another shout out for Reading Volunteers - We’re very excited to re-open our doors to volunteers to come in to support children with their reading. We want to build up a team of volunteer readers who can pop into school regularly and help children flourish with their reading.

Please spread the word in your family - it would be lovely to welcome some grandparents into the school - and the wider community.

This is what volunteers need to do:

• Email school@hillcrest.bristol.sch.uk with the subject line ‘Reading Volunteer’ and let us know what days and times you can come in.

• Then, as soon as you can, drop into the school office with two valid IDs and proof of address so we can get your DBS sorted. If you already have a DBS, please drop in to show us so we can put it on our system.

And here is what will happen next:

• There will be a ‘Reading Volunteers’ induction from 9-10am on Tuesday, 24th May. This will be a guide on how to support a child with their reading.

• Afterwards you will be given a child, or a group of children, to hear read regularly throughout Term 6, which begins Tuesday, 7th June.

We would love to have you on board - you will make a real difference in a child’s life.

Children’s University - Half term is coming up. The CU May Challenges and Newsletter are full of fun family activities for everyone, whether enrolled in the CU or not yet.

Fantastic Fundraisers - Hillcrest raised £687.16 for the NSPCC on Number day and £895.88 for the Children in Need Appeal on Red Nose Day. Well done to the children’s Fundraising Committee (particularly for coming up with the idea of punishments for the teachers!) And thanks to the generous Hillcrest community for your donations.

Young carers are children and young people who look after someone in their family who has a disability, a long term illness or is affected by mental health or substance misuse.

The Young Carers Service provides help and support to children aged 8-18, their families and professionals working with young carers in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Advice, support, respite and free family days out can be accessed from the carers support centre:

Help for young carers | Carers Support Centre

Tina, our Family Support, makes referrals for young carers that she's aware of, but statistically we're sure there must be more children out there that need support. Come and see Tina for a chat.

Congratulations to this week’s Award Winners - Photo HERE.

News for Year Groups

Reception - Our eggs hatched this week! Have a look at our Year Group page for some lovely photos of the children with the fluffy chicks (scroll down to the bottom).

Homework

Look in your child’s year group ‘satchel’ under Homework on the website for this week’s Retrieval Questions.  

Friends News

Comedy Night update - Thank you to everyone who came to support and enjoy the comedy night, and to our fabulous host Stuart! The event raised an incredible £1,142.27, beating our first Comedy Night fundraiser by over £300. Thank you to everyone who helped on the night.

Parent’s Big Quiz & Curry Night - Friday 10th June (first week back after half term)

Quiz & Curry Night is back! Only £10 per ticket - including curry and rice.

Doors open 7.30pm for 8pm start.

Licensed bar.

Either organise your team in advance (6-8 people) or come along and join a team on the night.

Will your team be the 2022 Hillcrest Quiz Champions?

Get your tickets here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/friendsofhillcrest/705259

We are looking for people to help us by providing a veggie, vegan or meat curry/stew (expenses will be refunded). If you can help, please email us at friendsofhillcrestfundraising@gmail.com

Check out the Community Notice Board on the website...

• Knowle Public Meeting
• Sewing Camp for 11 - 14 yr olds
• Encanto Half term Dance Workshop
• Jubilee Crafts at Yate Heritage Centre
• Old Vic Big Birthday Family Day

Look out for your next Mailbag on Friday 27th May