Weekly News - Friday 2nd October 2020

Harvest Assembly

Thank you to our Year 5 pupils who today reminded us of the significance of Harvest Festival, performing a remote assembly with an important message.  Sadly we are not accepting physical donations for Harvest this year, but we know that many parents, pupils and staff would like to make a donation as usual. Hillingdon has a website for Food Banks which highlights where to donate food and when:
https://hillingdon.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-food/  

Chamber Choir

It was wonderful to have the re-launch of Chamber Choir today, with our Year 6 pupils singing in their separate bubble groups.

Prizegiving

Covid-19 restrictions mean that we will not be able to hold our normal Prizegiving this year but our Year 6 leavers, now Year 7, will be joining us remotely next Thursday for a celebration of their St. Helen's College achievements. Next week in assembly there will be additional commendations presented to our Year 4 - Year 6 pupils for their achievements during the last academic year. 

Staffing Changes

After 18 committed years at St. Helen's College, Mrs. Harker, one of our Lower School Teaching and Learning Assistants, will be leaving us at the end of this half term. Mrs. Harker has worked with so many children over the years and will be greatly missed.  We wish her well as she relocates to Chipping, near Preston.

Miss Eaver will also be leaving at Christmas as she relocates to Dorset to be with her family.  Miss Eaver has worked in Nursery and Funtasia for the past 5 years.

Mr. Barnard, who has worked with us for the past 2 years as part of the maintenance team, is also relocating to Devon to be with his family and his last day with us will be Friday 16th October.  

We are delighted to welcome some new staff to the team.

Mrs. Chesworth has joined us working in Reception (Kingfishers) in the absence of Mrs. Neri.

Miss Freegard will replace Mrs. Harker in 1C from 2nd November.

We were absolutely delighted to hear of the wonderful news of a new arrival, baby Thomas, who is the first grandson for Soula and her family. Congratulations Soula!

Co-Curricular Clubs

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation we have taken the decision not to run any co-curricular clubs this term, as our priority must be the safety and wellbeing of the children. There are, however, still many opportunities to try new activities and learn new skills outside of school. We would encourage our parents to look at some of the suggested activities and links below, many of which are from our existing club leaders, for online or socially distanced activities outside of school hours.

Computer Xplorers Middlesex, who provide our Minecraft Club, are offering St. Helen's College pupils the opportunity to join a remote online Game Design Club in October. Information can be found here. 

Mr. Foale, our chess coach, has forwarded information about the online Delancey Chess Challenge and online Weekly Chess Activities.

Mr. Stidder, our school tennis coach, has provided information about tennis activities happening locally in Hayes and Ickenham. You can find Tripletts Community Tennis Centre term time information and half term information here.
Wayfarers Tennis Club term time information is here and half term information is here.

Other clubs which might be of interest include Mother Nature online science clubs.

Club Hub provides many links to a variety of online clubs and activities currently being offered in the London region too.

We would really encourage our children to keep trying new things and to develop their skills as much as they can, even during these challenging times.

Reminders

Watches

We encourage children to wear watches to school, to support them in learning to tell the time correctly. However, please note that Fitbits or similar devices are not permitted. Children seen wearing these devices will be asked to remove them.

ISC Survey

If you have not yet completed the ISC (Independent Schools Council) Coronavirus survey, we would encourage you to do so. Please simply follow the link below and answer the questions - this information is being collected from all ISC member schools.
​https://dataportal.isc.co.uk/ParentSurvey/Welcome.aspx?SurveyID=358265