Mailbag 3 December 2021
Mailbag 3 December 2021
A huge thank you to Emelye Chanot and her team for putting on the Christmas Experience at Christ Church, which our Yr 3 children visited this week. We are looking forward to our Reception and Yr 1 Nativity plays - always a highlight in the calendar. Tissues at the ready!
Here's wishing all the staff and children who are off to Magdalen Farm for Camp next week a fantastic time! We look forward to hearing all about it.
With much of society open and holding large events, the council is not currently advising Bristol schools to cancel Christmas events. At the time of writing, we plan to go ahead with our Reception Nativities on 9th and 10th December, our Yr 1 Nativities on 14th and 15th December and our Playground Christmas Carols on 13th December. If the guidance changes we may need to adapt our plans. Please only attend if you are well. We will be asking parents to wear masks and to socially distance where possible.
Change to published term dates - In 2022, the Queen will celebrate her Platinum Jubilee. A special Bank Holiday has been announced. As this falls in the May half term, schools are being given an extra day’s holiday to mark this event. We will be taking this on Friday 27th May 2022, at the start of the half term break. We have an Inset Day on Monday 6th June, so the children will be back in school on Tuesday 7th. It may be a good opportunity for families to take advantage of cheaper holiday prices! We are planning to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in school.
If you are starting to think about next year’s summer holiday, you may like to know that the children will break up on 21stt July and return to school on 5th September.
News for everyone
CoMMinS saliva sampling - We’re pleased to say that Monday’s tests were all negative for Covid. At the moment, there are no plans to extend the study after Christmas.
Dinner Money - A big thank you to everyone for keeping your dinner money accounts in credit. It’s better than it’s ever been and it makes such a difference. We don’t like chasing people for money!
Christmas Lunch order deadline is 9am on Monday 6th. If it’s not showing as an option on Gateway you’ve already done it. Reception, KS1 and children in KS2 who have FSM don’t need to pay but please give consent on Gateway to order a meal. It’s on Wednesday 15th.
Roast Turkey / Halal Roast Turkey or Roasted Vegetable Pastry Slice,
Served with Roast Potatoes, Carrots, Peas, Stuffing, Mini Sausage and Gravy.
Followed by Chocolate Sponge or Festive Shortbread
Dietary needs will be catered for as usual, but there won’t be a jacket potato option that day. Children who bring a packed lunch will still be able to enjoy the festive atmosphere in the hall.
Carols in the Playground - We are still finalising our plans for the outdoor Christmas carol service on Monday 13th December. For now, we can confirm that children will need to come to their usual morning drop-off points at 4.45pm. The carols will begin at 5pm. Parents are, of course, welcome to stay in the playground until the carol service begins.
Each year group’s Christmas song lyrics are on their Homework page on the website and on Seesaw, so the children can learn them and practice.
‘Flu Vaccination - We sent you a letter by email earlier this week about the rescheduled immunisation programme. Please complete the online form https://imms.sirona-cic.org.uk/flu/2021/consent as soon as possible to tell the Immunisation Team whether you want your child to have the vaccine at school (even if you are declining). You can pick up a paper copy from the school office if you prefer.
Children in Need Appeal - Last Friday’s Non-Uniform Day, proposed by the Fundraising Committee of our Pupil Parliament, raised £774.17 for this excellent cause. A big thank you from the committee to everyone who donated.
Christmas Jumper Day, Friday 10th December - The Fundraising Committee have decided that the Save the Children Christmas Jumper Day is another worthy charity event we would like Hillcrest to support. We would like everyone to come into school wearing a Christmas Jumper, and/or Christmas related items. We are asking everyone, if possible, to donate just £1 to this worthy cause to help children across the UK and countries where there are wars, or children going hungry.
Raising £20 will allow a child in Indonesia to have the equipment they need to go back to school, £60 will provide a family of five in Syria with food for two weeks. We appreciate this is a busy time for everyone but if you are able to donate, please help us raise money for this amazing charity.
Go to https://christmas.savethechildren.org.uk/fundraising/CJD210028162 and click on the green ‘Give Now’ button which will take you to the Justgiving page.
Many thanks - The Fundraising Committee
Stickins labels - Thank you for buying your name labels from Stickins. This year parents have earned the school £213.61 in commission. Every little helps!
Basketball News - Our Hillcrest Hoops had their final games of their four-week basketball tournament on Friday. Our A team finished 5th out of 24 teams, with our B team finishing 16th. We are so proud of the amazing teamwork and bags of skill they displayed over their twenty games. We are already looking forward to their next games in the new year.
Well done to Joseph T, Harris E, Sam A, Mohamadou D, Solly T-L, Ellie S, Aidan B, Rufus W, Joe S, Beth R, Phoebe D, Jojo T, Sophia K, Arthur W, Max R, Riley H, Otto B, Freddie H and Tilly N.
All Four Elements in Action! See News.
Congratulations to this week’s Celebration Award winners - Photo.
News for year groups
Yr 4 - We have been learning about electricity, electrical symbols and how to make working circuits this term. As we are nearly at the end of our enquiry, we are going to be challenging the children to make their own working circuits, with a switch, to place inside a Christmas/Winter lantern. So that the children can make a lantern, we are asking that each child brings in a clean, named jam jar (with labels removed) and 2 AA batteries by Friday 10th December.
Thank you - Mrs Loader and Mr Taylor
Yr 4 There are thread worms in the year group. They’re easily spread but also easily dealt with. Find out what to look for and what to do here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/threadworms/
Yr 6 had a great day at the M Shed, learning about Bristol in WWII. See the photos from the trip here.
Homework
Look in your child’s year group ‘satchel’ under Homework on the website for this week’s Retrieval Questions.
Check out the Community Notice Board on the website for...
- Break Out Voices Christmas Concert
- Wells Road Crossing update
Look out for your next Mailbag on Friday 10th December.