Advent is Here...

So Advent is finally here and you may be tucking in to a daily Advent chocolate from your calendar.  Did you know that the world's largest advent calendar was made in 2007 at the St Pancras Train Station here in the UK? It was 71m tall and 23m wide and celebrated the refurbishment of the station.   

Advent is the period of four Sundays and weeks before Christmas (or sometimes from the 1st December to Christmas Day). Advent means 'Coming' in Latin and refers to the coming of Jesus into the world. Christians use the four Sundays and weeks of Advent to prepare and remember the real meaning of Christmas.

The first day of Advent can in fact be from the 27th November (which it was in 2016) to the 3rd December (which it was in 2017). Advent only starts on the 1st December when Christmas Day is on a Wednesday, which happened this year!

No one is really sure when Advent was first celebrated but it dates back to at least 567 when monks were ordered to fast during December leading up to Christmas.   Nowadays it can end up being a busy time of partying, shopping and preparations.  If you get chance take a few minutes to remember and think about the true meaning of Advent - perhaps you could chat about it over the dinner table?

Stars of the Week for w/e 6^th December 2019

Reception – Sophie for a great week back at school after being so poorly.

Year 1 – Barnaby for his confident and positive attitude to school.

Year 2 – Orla for always being a brilliant role model and giving 110% in all she does.

Class 3 – Amba for always being kind and helpful.  A true role model in everything she does.

Class 4H – Theo for the excellent effort that he puts in to all that he does.

Year 4W – Grace for being a conscientious and helpful member of the class.

Year 5 – Lucas P for a fantastically terrifying description of Uncle Montague’s house!

Year 6 – Thomas for being a true example of Year 6 behaviour. 

Holy Trinity Choir Perform at Sunningdale Lights

As usual our terrific choir did us proud at the switch on of the Sunningdale Lights last Friday evening.  We had a great turn out with a huge crowd watching us and lots of compliments!  Well done to everyone who took part and thank you to Miss Wallbanks for preparing and leading the choir.

Year 5 Visit from White Watch Fire Fighters

Year 5 were lucky enough to have a visit from Bracknell Fire and Rescue team this week. The team talked to the children about their role in the community and a lot of fun was had looking at the vehicle and their equipment. They also spoke to the children about fire evacuations at home so please don't be alarmed if they come home asking you to make a plan for your family. It is also worth noting that the fire fighters gave us an interesting fact! Did you know that most children under the age of 10 will not be woken by a house fire alarm, so this is worth bearing in mind. Thank you to the fire fighters for taking the time to come and talk to us! 

Miss Cullen - Year 5 Class Teacher 

Food Bank Treats

Thank you to everyone who brought in Christmas treats to be distributed in food parcels given out by the Bracknell Food Bank over the next couple of weeks.  Thank you also to Mrs Titre and her team of organisers who collected and put everything together ready to go the Food Bank.  You were very generous with your time and effort.  

Year 5 and 6 Football Match

'We played St Michael's on the 4th December.  It was a close encounter with Micah scoring a hat trick in a 3 - 2 for the boys in green'.

Well done to the football team representing Holy Trinity on Wednesday - Eddy, Freddie F, Freddie J, George, Harry, Maahir, Micah, Monty, Thomas and Will.  Thanks to Mrs Hunter, Mrs Rhodes and Miss Harding for organising and supporting the team and to all the parents who came along too.  

Nature Club

We had a great turn out at Nature Club this week. We found lots of mini beasts, including a centipede - great find Alfie!

Next week we will be making Christmas Cards using our great nature finds. 

Christmas Lunch

We are looking forward to our Christmas Lunch which will be on Wednesday 11th December.  The menu is as follows:

Roast Turkey or Vegetable Puff Parcel

Pigs in Blankets, Roast Potatoes, Glazed Parsnips, Carrots, Peas, Brussels Sprouts, Stuffing and Gravy

Ice Cream

For children in Years 3 - 6 please make sure your ParentPay account is in credit - many thanks!

PTA News

We are still awaiting some last minute expenses and hope to confirm the final amount raised at the Christmas Fair next week.

Pottery Items

The pottery items from the Christmas Fair are now available for collection from the School Office at your convenience.  If you are unable to collect, please let Mrs Whittaker or Mrs Brown know and they will make alternative arrangements.

Your School Lottery

Yourschoolottery.co.uk – for just £1 a week you get entered into 2 weekly draws, 1 with the chance to win up to £25,000 and the school are guaranteed a return of 40% of all the ticket funding raised.  If you haven’t already, please do sign up and support the school.  Last week we had a £20 winner who kindly donated the proceeds back to the school.  It’s quick and easy to sign up at :

https://www.yourschoollottery.co.uk/lottery/school/holy-trinity-primary-school

Donations

As an alternative for the parents who have mentioned rather than joining Your School Lottery, they would prefer to donate directly to the PTA, you can now set up a direct debit for a one off or monthly payment to donate an amount of your choice which will be used towards next years funding.

If you do decide you would like to donate in this way, please check with your employer, as many employers will match donations to charities.

Our PTA bank details to set up a direct debit are as follows, please also email htpta@outloook.com to confirm your donation:

Name: Holy Trinity CE School PTA

Sort Code: 20-02-53

Account Number: 30493449

Dates

A couple of extra dates have been added to the PTA diary:

14^th February – PJ/Onesie Mufti Day

22^nd May – Break the Rules Day

More information on these will follow nearer the time

Upcoming dates for your diary:

11th December – Film night, this is on Parentpay, cost is £5.  The film chosen for KS1 is Secret Life of Pets 2 and will be shown in Reception Class.  Year 6 have chosen Detective Pikachu and will be shown in the Main Hall.  A packet of crisps and squash is included in the price.

13^th January – PTA Meeting

Autumn Term Dates – 2019

• Fri 6^th December – Year 2 Bake Sale
• Mon 9^th December – Y5 & 6 Basketball at Charters School 3.30 – 5pm
• Tues 10^th December – Nasal Flu Vaccination (All Years)
• Weds 11^th December – Christmas Lunch
• Weds 11^th December – PTA Film Night
• Fri 13^th December – Reception Class Nativity Play – 9.30am - School Hall
• Mon 16^th December – 1.30pm KS1 Nativity – School Hall
• Mon 16^th December – 6.30pm – KS2 Christmas Service – Holy Trinity Church
• Tues 17^th December – 9.30am KS1 Nativity – School Hall
• Tues 17^th December –  Rec and KS1 Parties in the afternoon
• Weds 18^th December – Year 4 Ukulele Concert – 10am – 10.30am
• Weds 18^th December – KS2 Parties in the afternoon
• Fri 20^th December – Christmas Jumper Day
• Fri 20^th December – 2pm – End of Term 2

Spring Term Dates – 2020

• Mon 6^th January – Inset Day
• Tues 7^th January – Term 3 Starts
• Mon 13^th January – All Clubs Start
• Mon 13^th January – PTA Meeting 8pm
• Weds 22^nd January – Internet Safety Day in School
• Weds 22^nd January – Internet Safety Workshop for Parents – Paul Hay 6pm
• Fri 24^th January – Y6 Class Assembly 9.15am – School Hall
• Fri 24^th January – 4H Bake Sale
• Fri 31^st January – Y5 Class Assembly 9.15am – School Hall
• Fri 7^th February – 4W Class Assembly 9.15am – School Hall
• Fri 14th February - PJ/Onesie Mufti Day
• Fri 14^th February – 4H Class Assembly 9.15am – School Hall
• Fri 14^th February – 3.15pm End of Term 3
• Mon 24^th February – Term 4 Starts
• Fri 28^th February – Y3 Class Assembly 9.15am - School Hall
• Fri 6^th March – Reception Class Assembly 9.15am – School Hall
• Fri 6^th March – Y3 Bake Sale
• Mon 9^th March – Y5 Bikeability Week
• Mon 9^th March - PTA Meeting 8pm
• Fri 13^th March – Y2 Class Assembly 9.15am – School Hall
• Tues 17^th March – Parents’ Consultation Evening
• Thurs 19^th March - Parents’ Consultation Evening
• Fri 27^th March – Y1 Class Assembly 9.15am – School Hall
• Fri 27^th March – Reception Bake Sale
• Mon 30^th March – Easter Service Rec, Y2, Y5 and Y6 – Holy Trinity Church – 9.30am
• Tues 31^st March – Easter Service Y1, Y3 and Y4 – Holy Trinity Church – 9.30am
• Fri 3^rd April – Easter Egg Hunt
• Fri 3^rd April – 2pm – End of Term 4

School Term Dates

Please see here for term dates:

https://www.holytrinityschsunningdale.co.uk/term-dates/

Absence

Ofsted noted a marked increase in persistent absence (a holiday will register as persistent absence).  Please do not book holidays or family days during term time.  Thank you.

Holy Trinity CE Primary School take safeguarding very seriously. If you have a concern, please do not hesitate to report to our designated staff;

Mrs P. O’Brien, Mrs J. Griffith, Miss S. Harding, Mrs F Fargher