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St Helen’s Catholic Junior School Academy

www.st-helens-jun.essex.sch.uk

17th July 2020

NEWSLETTER 38

WE ARE A NUT-FREE SCHOOL

End of Year Reflection This has been a year as no other. Nobody would have predicted that our lives will change so dramatically, and sometimes for ever. The lives of our children were turned upside down; no school, no trips, no social interactions. All parents became teachers and you all coped admirably. We maintained what is considered as normal as possible functioning of the school, for pupils and staff. For some it was enough, others wanted more. The feedback was predominantly very positive and appreciative. As the Headteacher of our great school I am convinced that we have given as much as we possibly could of our care and education for all our pupils. Zoom, or not Zoom, we have provided a very high quality of home learning. I would like to express huge thank you to staff, teachers, office staff, support staff, cleaners, kitchen staff and the caretaker, for keeping the school functioning throughout lockdown. Majority of staff attended school, those who could not, supported pupils remotely. We kept the school open throughout for critical workers’ children, and then for Year 6 pupils. Looking around, St Helen’s provided, in terms of attendance and support to its pupils, more than other educational establishments. That makes me very proud. I wish to thank the Governing Body for their support. The staff are really looking forward to a good rest over the summer break. I wish all the children, staff, parents and friends of St Helen’s a very restful and safe summer. I will see you all on 4th September. On behalf of all staff, I would like to thank children and parents for their many expressions of appreciation, cards and gifts. Your generosity is very much appreciated. Thank you.

Year 6 Destinations

Congratulations to all Year 6 pupils who have secured their chosen secondary schools places. Here is a list of Year 6 destinations in September 2020:

Anglo European School 2 pupils

Becket Keys Church of England 19 pupils

Brentwood County High School 1 pupil

Brentwood School 4 pupils

Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School 26 pupils

Chelmsford County High School for Girls 4 pupils

Colchester Royal Grammar School 1 pupil

Coopers Company & Coburn School 1 pupil

Redden Court 2 pupils

Shenfield High School 7 pupils

St John Payne Catholic School 2 pupils

St Martin’s School 10 pupils

The Campion School 9 pupils

The Ongar Academy 3 pupils

Welcome to New Year 3 Intake 2020

We are excited to welcome new Year 3 children in September. I have prepared a Special Edition of Newsletter for the parents and children which introduces them to our school organisation.

Welcoming all Children to School in September. Important Information

We are going to stagger the start and the end of the school day from the start of term. Please see below:

Classes 3A, 3B, 3C and 4A

Start at 9:00am-9:10am End 3:00pm

Classes

5A, 5B, 4B and 4C Start at 9:10am-9:20am

End 3:10pm

Classes 5C, 6A, 6B and 6C

Start at 9:20-9:30am End 3:20pm

Children will have 10 minutes window, for example 9:00am-9:10am start, to arrive and walk directly to their classrooms. Children will not congregate on the playground at the start of the day. Break times and lunch times will also be staggered. At the end of the day children will be led to the school gate. With 6 different schools in Sawyers Hall Lane I can see social distancing being quite an issue. I would again urge the parents not to crowd around the school gate and leave as soon as they pick up their child. The above arrangement will create three distinctive groups, based on Geography of the school, which will then be decided in to class ‘bubbles’. The interactions between class ‘bubbles’ will be minimal and controlled during the school day. We are all hoping for improved health and reduced level of infections but we are still at the stage that all safety measures put in place must be respected and adhered to for everyone’s sake.

Clubs and perpatetic music tuition will not resume in September. We will review the safety measures put in place before October half term. All equipment needed during the school day will be provided and personalised for each pupil. Children will not be allowed to bring any items from home except PE kit, which will stay at school, and swimming kit, whch will be taken home after the swimming lesson. The PE and swimming timetable will be published in September. If any child brings a pencil case to school, this will have to remain at school. Homework will be provided online. Thank you.

School Dinners School dinners are now available to book on ParentPay until December. Please note that Monday 24th August will be the last day to book for week commencing 31st August. Please ensure your child’s dinner account has sufficient funds at all times.

3A – Kelvin Nash

For fascinating and detailed work about the solar

system.

5A – Whole Class

For showing resilience, fortitude and understanding

during challenging times.

3B – Tallulah Butler

For beautiful presentation of her work and for showing

determination with her work on fractions.

5B – Harry Pimblett

For always keeping in touch and working hard.

3C – Rithik Prabhu

For using his word skills in English.

5C – Temi Olaoluwabowale

For her achievement in Mathletics.

4A – Costanza Traina

For her commitment to home learning.

6A – Debotri Basumatary

For consistently working so

hard.

4B – Dominic Walls

For constantly working very hard.

6B – Emily Ellis

For always keeping high spirits in class.

4C – Mollie Wright

For beautiful artwork and delightfully detailed story.

6C – Harriet Hart

For wonderfully sharing her skills.

Mathletics Certificates

Victor Polacik-Solecki, Ronnie Edwards, Catie Arrowsmith, Caitlin Broadbridge, Elena Buckley, Stanley Churchill, Temi Olaoluwabowale, Theo Racon, and Hollie Ward Bance.

– Aadvika Aradhaya, Justin Edwards, Gabriel Malecki, Mary Jones, Catie Arrowsmith, Joshua McCann and Cristiano Conde Pereira

Lost Property Heroes

Thank you to Mrs Hayes and Mrs Stuart, and Mrs Chambers, who sorted out many hundreds of lost property items. If the items were named, we put them in small bags and these were ready for collection over the two designated days. Any unnamed items will be disposed of.

End of Year Celebration for Year 6 The sun shone on us on Monday and our second attempt to have a barbecue was successful. All children attending school had a lovely time. But it was a very special day for Year 6. The end of year Awards Assembly was celebrated on the school field. Here is a list of the Awards 2019/2020:

Best Linguist: Daisy Godfrey

Music Award: Lily Blackwell

Governors’ Award for R.E: Louisa Ward

Governing Body Shield for Excellence: Hallie Attfield

Player of the Year Girls’ Netball: Aisling O’Leary

Player of the Year Girls’ Football: Saoirse Green

Player of the Year Boys’ Football: Harry Day

Swimmer of the Year: Aurelia Waterfield

Player of the Year Girls’ Cricket: Annie Jeveons

Player of the Year Boys’ Cricket: Chris Philby James

Player of the Year Girls’ Hockey: Ava Gambazza

Player of the Year Boys’ Hockey: Charlie O’Leary

Boy Athlete of the Year: Tobias Samuel

Girl Athlete of the Year: Eleanor Collard

100% Attendance Throughout Junior School:

Juliet Hours

Imogen Walls

Mariella Bailey

Congratulations to the children who contributed to our school’s successes in all aspects throughout their time with us. I would like to thank them all, and particulary our school Prefects, Head Girl, Isabella Patrick and Head Boy, Ben Corcoran. Our musicians, Recorder Group, School Band, Orchestra and Choir members. They have always represented the school well and were a credit to St Helen’s. I would also like to mention Juliet Hours, Mariella Bailey and Imogen Walls who have had 100% attendance throughout their four years at St Helen’s Junior School. Huge congratulations girls.

Dates for 2020/2021 Monday 24th August Last day to book school

dinners for week commencing 31st August

2nd and 3rd September Non pupil days

Friday 4th September Children return to school

Lockdown Sports Day

All children attending school have been taking part in the extended lockdown sports day. This consisted of nine different activities and points were awarded accordingly. These are the individual final results for Year 6:

Bronze Medal Silver Medal

Ava Gambazza Isabella Patrick

Aisling O’Leary Harry Day

Sebastian Bexley

Gold Medal

Charlie O’Leary

Saoirse Green

We also had a tournament ‘bubble vs. bubble’

Bronze Medallists 6B2 Mrs Carlton

Silver Medallists 6A3 Mr Fraser

Gold Medal Winners 6A2 Miss Mitchell

For the CC classes, the medals were:

Bronze Medallists Rosemarie Abdel-Malek and Zach Dupree

Silver Medallists Imogen Oldnall and Oscar Daly

Gold Medal Winners

Alyssa-Mae Anderson and Jack Corcoran

Mrs Chambers.

Year 6 Block Refurbishment

Following a bidding process we have received funding to refurbish Year 6 block. I am pleased that very much needed work will be carried out during summer to make the classrooms more inviting.

Best Wishes to Staff Leaving

We wish Mr Blom and Miss Mead, who are both leaving St Helen’s at the end of this term the very best for their future. Thank you both for being a part of our St Helen’s family and your contribution to school’s life, and sporting successes. Yes, thank you, Mr Blom.

Examples of Home Learning Well done children.

By Ronnie Rowlatt

By Mollie Wright

By Oliver Poulteney

By Pippa Howlett

By Dexter Wakerly

By Costanza Traina

By Grazia Ukunda Shangwe

By Debotri Basumatary

French Day at St Helen’s On Tuesday 14th July, we all celebrated Bastille Day in school. On this day in history, the common people were tired of the privileged classes abusing their wealth and power and they made their feelings known to the authorities.

Some French commoners were imprisoned in the Bastille prison in Paris and the rest of the common people decided to storm the prison and release them. We learned all about this event and how it links to the French national anthem “La Marseillaise”.

All Year 6 pupils dressed in the 3 colours of the Tricolore (French flag). In the morning we exercised to a French dance class and then took a virtual tour of Paris. After that, we made a French passport including all our details in French. Break time was fantastic as we were treated to 2 croissants. After break, we had our maths lesson – in French!

In the afternoon, we played Loto; this is a French version of bingo. We had to learn 25 phrases off by heart and call them all out to claim a prize if we won. At the end of the day we even watched a film in French and everyone was surprised how much they enjoyed and understood it.

All in all, everyone entered into the spirit of the day and loved having an opportunity to speak as much French as possible.

Merci à tous, Madame Cattini.

Messages From Parents and Children ‘Just wanted to say a big thank you to all the staff. You have all been so wonderful and working so hard. I wish you a lovely summer break’. ‘Dear Mrs Laraway, Thank you so much for all the opportunities you have given Isabella at St Helen’s. She has progressed so well academically and has had a wonderful time taking part in the many sport and music activities. I don’t know of any other school in the area offering as much as their children. Thank you also for all the safety measures you have out in place recently. Isabella has enjoyed her time there during lockdown’. ‘As the term draws to a close, I wanted to take this time to write to you how crucial this year has been for Dhruv and how you and the class of 4A have helped him settle in well. Thank you for all the support. As Mrs. Laraway always says in her emails, what a year this has been! But despite these difficult times, all of you - Mrs. Laraway and all the teachers and staff at St. Helens did exceptionally well in adapting to the changing times and supporting the children both in school and at their homes. Thank you once again and Please do convey my sincere thanks to all the others too’. ‘’Thank you to Mrs Laraway for making the transition to Juniors very good and for the evident care and love you have for all your pupils. We all feel very lucky to be a part of the St Helens Junior School family and Ethan can’t wait to be back in September’’.

“Thank you so much for your inspirational teaching and the knowledge of music you gave me.” Lily Blackwell

“Thank you for organising lots of fun trips for us. I cannot believe I got to sing at the Royal Albert Hall!" Isabella Patrick

“Thank you for helping me to sing much better. I have been privileged to go to many public audiences with big crowds.” Juliet Hours

Music Messages

St Helen’s Video Premieres The children have been busy recording in their music lessons with Mrs Romhany. The videos have now been released and can be viewed on the school YouTube channel.

Mrs Romhany has prepared a special Leavers’ Song video for the Year 6s. The only way they can sing together at the moment is at a distance and through technology. This beautiful performance of ‘From a Distance’ can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/G3gaL7ZH3zY

The key worker children in school can be seen and heard in a recently composed song, called ‘Like a Rainbow Shining’, by the composer, Will Todd. This is a poignant song about the acts of kindness we have seen running through lockdown. You can view this video on the following link: https://youtu.be/YZ6eSmVR3Sw The children have also recorded two hymns for you to enjoy: 10,000 Reasons: https://youtu.be/hx_PFbdlFFI Eagle’s Wings: https://youtu.be/LAsLLEF_-x8 These hymns are going to be included in forthcoming Masses being live streamed by Brentwood Catholic Youth Service from Abbotswick in Brentwood. One will be included in a special Leavers' Mass for all the Year 6 children in the Diocese. The Mass will take place on Wednesday 22nd July at 10am. Please join this special occasion. Follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W1nT6OZw0I&featur

e=youtu.be We hope you enjoy the videos, whether at school or at home. They are a rather special marking of these unusual times and the children are very proud of them.

Quad Games Congratulations to all children who competed in the Quad Kids Games. As mentioned previously, we had over 100 entries, amounting to around a fifth of the total entries in the partnership. Well done to the following who won events overall:

Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6

Justin Edwards Long Jump and Speed Bounce

Freya Ives Sprint

Ethan Carroll Sprint

Jack Valentine Sprint

Florence Fay Long Jump

Maisie Brickell Sprint and Ball

Throw

Tobias Samuel Long Jump

Isabella Patrick Ball Throw

Community News

I encourage all children to join the Reading Challenge.

You might like to join in the below activities.

https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres/whats-on/echoes-from-essex/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1d96N36cJhm1SlyDMJVq0X7/proms-at-home

Mrs B.M. Laraway, Headteacher