09/02/2023
Dear Parents and Carers
I hope that you found it helpful to meet with the teachers again this week – they were very positive about having the
opportunity to meet and chat with you. There is an opportunity for you to visit your child’s classroom tomorrow
morning so they can share their learning with you. Once the children have been registered, the classroom doors will be
open between 9-10am for you to drop in. If you have more than one child you are welcome to each of their
classrooms. There is no need to sign in at reception.
Next week will be half-term so we hope you have a great week and look forward to seeing you again on Monday 20 th
February. I also wanted to remind you that school will be closed to children on Monday 27th February for an inset day
for staff.
Emergency Fundraising Appeal for Earthquake victims.
We have a number of families in our school whose hearts are particularly heavy as the news filters through about the
impact of the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected both
here and there.
The British Red Cross has launched an emergency fundraising appeal in response to support The Turkish Red Crescent
and Syrian Arab Red Crescent teams who are on the ground providing urgent humanitarian relief and supporting the
rescue efforts. Mike Adamson, Chief Executive of the British Red Cross said: “The British Red Cross is launching an
emergency appeal to help get vital aid to those that need it most. Please do give if you are able so we can support
those in need.” Online: donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/turkey-syria-earthquake-appeal; Phone donations: 0300 004
0339; Postal Donations: British Red Cross, TURKEY-SYRIA EARTHQUAKE APPEAL, 44 Moorfields, London, EC2Y 9AL.
If children wish to make a personal financial contribution, they can donate for the Red Cross Appeal in school on
Friday. We will pray about the situation in Friday’s Collective Worship.
Wellbeing Assembly.
Mrs Whiteside led our termly wellbeing assembly today and reminded us of the following:
She also outlined the theme for this year’s Children’s’ Mental Health Week being ‘Let’s Connect’
Year 3 visit a Mosque.
Year 3 are learning about Islam in RE this term which has raised many questions for them. On Monday they visited a
mosque to find out what it is like inside one and were able to ask some of their questions. The children were made
very welcome and really enjoyed their visit.
Richmond Borough Swimming Gala.
On Tuesday 11 swimmers represented Holy Trinity in the Borough swimming gala. All of our swimmers performed
excellently and were a credit to the school. Our mixed x4 relay team reached the final and finished 4th on the day. We
are waiting for official timings to be released on all other events.
Eco Conference.
Year 5 & 6 Eco team attended an Eco Conference at Tiffin Girls School on Tuesday. They were inspired by our MP,
Sarah Olney, to examine their consumption of energy and to consider small changes to lifestyle that we can all make
that could make a big change to our world:
- walk, scoot or cycle to school
- turn off lights; don’t leave electrical items on standby
- recycle as much as you can
- reduce water consumption
- resist ‘fast fashion’ – challenge yourself not to buy anything for a whole month
- get gardening
The Eco team are now keen to work out what more we can do as a school.
Values Champions.
These will be awarded tomorrow and reported in the newsletter after half term.
Attendance: Overall 95.76%: Ladybirds 98.64%
On the Ball: Getting Active with Sport and Neurodiversity.
On the Ball is a sports-based programme of fun and learning. Starting in the Spring & Summer terms it supports
parents and their neurodiverse children, aged 5+, who may have hidden communication needs. On the Ball starts with
an essential parent workshop followed by applying for our family activity sessions. On the Ball is run in partnership
between Brentford FC Community Sports Trust and Action-attainment CIC. Many families who join On the Ball
become regular, weekly attenders of our football groups run in East Sheen, at Palewell Common and Richmond Park
Academy. Families then explore other sports through our holiday programme Fun in the Sun.
On the Ball explains how neurodiverse children’s hidden communication and sensory needs can affect them socially,
educationally and into employment. It demonstrates simple strategies for inclusion through playing games and having
fun together as a family. We include parents and siblings if that helps a child to gain confidence and skills to join in.
On the Ball can help with understanding:
● strategies to build concentration
● communication/listening difficulties – with examples of language modelling
● supporting children’s development in sport and school through parent/professional partnership
● finding a peer group and support network for children and families
‘On the Ball’ leads into Fun in the Sun, holiday activities in small peer groups learning skills for tennis, golf and water
sports.
Sheen Mount Primary School is inviting parents from local schools to come and meet Action-attainment at 9am on
the 10th of March to learn how community programmes can support healthy development of neurodiverse children
and families.
More information can be found on their website: www.action-attainment.com Email: tom@action-attainment.com