Good afternoon,

What a glorious few days we have had on our return from the Easter Break. Fabulous weather and fabulous events and experiences for the children. Do read on!

Year 5 head to France

Year 5 are having the most amazing time in France, as part of their WW1 learning. The chateau where they are staying is surrounded by fields, so evenings are spent enjoying sports activities in the sunshine. They have toured WW1 cemeteries, visited an exciting, immersive WW1 museum, travelled into Belgium and so much more! When they visited the Tyne Cot Cemetery they made a special trip to the grave of Lieutenant Ralph Gale, a former St Stephen’s pupil, who was killed in the first WW1. A wonderful opportunity for us to pay our respects.

FOSS AGM

Thank you to all those who attended the FOSS AGM last night. A massive thank you to Hannah and Justine who have chaired FOSS for the last two years and have done the most astounding job and a big welcome to Jamie and Laura who take over the reins. Thank you to all those people so heavily involved in FOSS and the work they do. Look out for an update from Hannah and Justine next week detailing what has been raised this year!

Zimbabwean and Zambian Lunch

We are planning a very special Zimbabwean and Zambian lunch on Friday, 16^th May – more details to follow but we would like the children to wear red, green and yellow, the colours in the flags of these two countries.

Britain’s Got Talent

Year 3 Lear headed off to the Hammersmith Apollo to watch a Britain’s Got Talent rehearsal, this morning. They had a wonderful time and thought the acts were terrific, Amelia, mother of Sonny and Attie, organised the trip and even arranged for them to have a backstage tour. A perfect appetiser to St Stephen’s Got Talent next week!

Year 4 to the Houses of Parliament

Year 4 Rosen had a superb time at the Houses of Parliament. They split into two groups for a guided tour; one of which was personally chaperoned by an acting member of the House of Lords (and St Stephen’s grandparent), Lord Waldegrave! After their tour, the class took part in a workshop where they enjoyed a range of games, including ‘Parliamentary Pictionary’. Lord Waldegrave also gave a very interesting talk about his life as an MP and, later, member of the House of Lords. Finally, they were visited by our local MP Andy Slaughter, who gave a fascinating speech of his own explaining the differences between the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

St Stephen’s Grandparents’ Day – Friday, 9^th May 1.15pm – 3.30pm

As not everyone has grandparents, or those who are able to travel to be here, we extend the invitation to the special people in your child’s life (for example a Godparent or a close family friend) who would appreciate the ethos of the afternoon.

Guests should be seated in the school hall/ large playground (weather permitting) by 1.30pm for the launch of the afternoon event, kicking off with a special assembly with your wonderful children and some grandparents sharing their life experiences.

The afternoon will then proceed with a tour of the building and a chance to visit classes, children showcasing some of their favourite areas and some of their work.

Finally, a wonderful tea will be served in the hall (adults only at this point!) with cakes (some even cooked by the children), where there will also be an opportunity to purchase books for the school library and make a donation towards our playground development.

The main aim of the event is not about fundraising but a way of appreciating the role of the wider family, in raising our children and giving pupils a chance to be proud of their school! If any child doesn’t have a grandparent or another special person coming on the 9th May, they can buddy up with a friend that does. Do please let the class teacher know of this arrangement.

We are also looking for 15-20 grandparents who could come earlier, at 11am and share some of their wisdom and life experiences to the classes before the afternoon’s activities. Does your grandparent have a story to tell that will pass on knowledge and understanding of life to a class? Perhaps someone who lived and grew up locally or in a different country? Someone who has had to overcome challenges? Someone who can inspire kindness and resilience?

If you are or have a grandparent who would like to join us in the morning at 11am to talk to a class and enjoy lunch with your grandchild, please email me on head@ststephensce.lbhf.sch.uk.

As this is an extremely popular event, we will need plenty of volunteers to help set up, serve tea, decorate the hall, and clean up at the end. Please email aburgeslumsden@yahoo.co.uk if you would like to help!

It is essential that parents RSVP via Parentmail by Thursday, 8^th May to register.

Year 3 travel to Ancient Egypt

Whilst London basked in more than 26 degrees heat, Year 3 were transported back 6000 years to Ancient Egypt! With cutting edge technology of VR headsets and headphones, they journeyed through the Valley of Kings, examined replica and genuine artefacts and walked in the footsteps of Howard Carter as he discovered Tutankhamun’s tomb. It was a truly immersive experience – what a fantastic day out!

Year 6 WW2 projects

All of the children from the whole school made a beeline for Mr Gane and Ms Marchants’ classrooms last Friday, to view the amazing models and presentations made by the Year 6 children on display as part of their WWII Project Exhibition. Their three month projects focused on an aspect of WWII of their choosing culminating in some stunning sculptures and models to accompany their written work presentations. On view there were; a few street scenes with Anderson shelters, the Bielski Brothers’ forest refuge, a few evacuation suitcases with examples of weekly rations, a monument to the revolution of the people of Moslavina, an impressive Barrage Balloon (almost life size!), various aeroplanes and ship, a U-Boat, a tank, a brilliant strategic board game, some medical kits, a strong focus on women during the war and even a battle field! It was wonderful to see so many parents after school also, to recognise and celebrate all the children’s hard work.

St Stephen’s Got Talent

It’s St Stephen’s Got Talent on Thursday, 8th May at 6.30 (finishing at approximately 8.30pm). We have 13 acts who are going to amaze you with their wonderful talents. We have a stunning group number (with all those children who auditioned), wonderful judges, a bar, ice creams and so much more!

Tickets are on sale via parentmail. Get ready to be blown away by the talented St Stephen’s children!

St Stephen’s BBC Park 2km Run

An initiative brought in by our Sports Captains, has seen the children participating in the “St Stephen’s BBC Park 2km Run” throughout the week and during their school day! This event is not just about running; it’s an opportunity for our young ones to embrace fitness and health while making a meaningful contribution to our beloved school community.

The sponsored funds raised (nearly £10,000 already) through this initiative will directly support the much needed development of our main playground, a space where children play, learn, and grow together.

There is still time for a quick sponsor:

• You can give money or a donation can be made through the Just Giving link: Please see the Just Giving link below or scan the QR code on your child’s form.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/susie-charrington-1?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

• Even if donations are made online, please get your child/children to write it on their sponsorship sheet as the child/children who raise the most for the school will be awarded a prize!

Thank you so much for your continued support!

School Funding

Firstly, a massive thank you to those parents who have set up a direct debit or made a voluntary donation to the school during this difficult financial times for everyone – it makes the most incredible difference and helps us to maintain many of the services we are able to offer the children, services which make our school so special.

A quick reminder that the most efficient way to make a donation to the school is for you to include Gift Aid. This is possible if contributions are donated via FOSS, our school charity. All contributions can be made via JustGiving: justgiving.com/campaign/schoolfund

• Weekly (£9.15), Monthly (£40) or Annual (£475) amount into the FOSS Bank Account:
• Name: Friends of St Stephen’s School
• Sort code: 60-02-64
• Account number: 10070990
• Reference: School Fund

Please complete the Gift Aid declaration within the site. Donations can be made anonymously and fee-free.

Please also complete this gift aid form if you are a UK taxpayer: https://bene364y.paperform.co/

Please be assured that these amounts will be ring-fenced and passed on to the school for their intended purpose.

Uxbridge Road Petition

You may already be aware of the latest petition calling for action to improve safety on Uxbridge Road. Please note that anyone who works in the borough can sign this and use their work address. Here is the link:

https://democracy.lbhf.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=176&RPID=148

Finally, have a wonderful, well deserved Bank Holiday weekend. I will be packing my case to head off to Swanage with Year 2 for a couple of days next week. We will have a superb time, with an ice cream thrown in for good measure I would imagine!

Mr Schumm