ST. HELEN’S NEWS
NEWYDDION SANTES ELEN
ISSUE 597 7th MARCH 2014
Our attendance this term to date: 96.85%.
WELL DONE – that’s 0.04% up (again) on
our last week of term.
Congratulations to all of the children in Miss
Hughes and Mrs Zamudios’ classes who have
100% attendance this week.
The winner of the class attendance cup for February
2014 is Mrs Young’s class with a fantastic 99.52%.
Congratulations children. This is an achievement to be
very proud of.
Mrs Davies 98.89%
Miss Jones 98.02%
Mrs Zamudio 97.33%
Miss Hughes 97.26%
Mrs Mansfield 96.93%
Miss Evans 96.92%
Mrs Sellick 96.78%
Mr Shore 96.56%
Mrs Helyar 95.86%
RUGBY AND NETBALL CLUBS-YEARS 5&6
Will resume next week. Please complete and return the slip if your child
would like to participate.
DRAMA CLUB-CANCELLED
Unfortunately we have had to cancel our weekly drama club as Mrs
Davies will be absent from school for a prolonged period as she has
broken her hip. Get well soon Mrs Davies.
ANNUAL EISTEDDFOD-FRIDAY 21ST FEBRUARY
All of the children in our junior classes took part in our annual Eistedffod
on Friday 21st. It was a wonderful event and the children were superb.
Our Eisteddfod Rhestru Anrhydedd (Eisteddfod Roll of Honour) is as
follows:
BARD-MELANIE BENEDICT
CREATIVE WRITING PRIZE-ISABEL JENKINS
Art work 1st Place: Mrs Young – St Cadoc (joint effort)
Mrs Zamudio-St Cadoc (joint effort). Mrs Davies-Sam Devine.
Miss Evans-Sofia Raposo. Miss Jones-Corey Llewellyn-Cave. Mrs
Mansfield-Isobel Longstaff. Mr Shore- Ellen Healy.
Writing 1st place :
Mrs Young: poem-Louis Chadd/story – Gabrielle Batenga,
Mrs Zamudio: poem Tesni-May Horley/story Esme Wall.
Mrs Davies- poem-Oliver Hard/story-Caitlin Seaborne
Miss Evans- poem-Molly Newsam/story-Emily Williams
Miss Jones-poem-Michael Trodd/story-Sam King
Mrs Mansfield-poem Isobel Longstaff/story Isabel Jenkins
Mr Shore – poem Melanie Benedict/story-Sam Davies.
Story 1st place:
Mrs Young – Gabrielle Batenga. Mrs Zamudio-Sean Cooper.
Mrs Davies-Giulia Celestini/Cameron Little/Iwan Ganderton.
Miss Evans-Bethan Langley. Miss Jones- Alex Morgan/ Bailey
Long/Gerwyn White. Mrs Mansfield-Bethan Powell. Mr Shore-Robbie
Divine.
Song 1st place:
Mrs Young – Marie Faulkner. Mrs Zamudio-Tesni-May Horley.
Mrs Davies-Amy Rivers/Rebecca Wilshire.
Miss Evans-Molly Newsam/Isabel Branch. Miss Jones- Ben Jenkins.
Mrs Mansfield-Sienna Andrews. Mr Shore-Nyah Jackson.
BELGIUM 2015 – YEARS 5&6
All places for the Belgium holiday in 2015 are now allocated. If you have
paid a £100.00 deposit your child’s place is secured. We will send home
payment cards as soon as our tour operator (Great Group Holidays)
delivers them to us. We will also let you have a payment schedule.
WORLD BOOK DAY
To celebrate World Book Day all of the children have a £1.00 book
token.
BUS CHANGES
A reminder that all bus changes need to be made in writing on the day.
We realise that emergencies arise and you need to telephone in those
circumstances but please try to remember that we prefer changes in
writing. This is for the safety of your children.
MRS HELYAR AND MRS SELLICKS’ CLASSES – VISIT
TECHNIQUEST-THURSDAY 20TH MARCH
All of the children in Mrs Helyar and Mrs Sellicks’ classes have a letter
regarding this trip.
ST. HELEN’S SUMMER BALL 2014-FRIDAY 4TH JULY 2014
CAERPHILLY CASTLE
All of the arrangements are now finalised for our spectacular 2014
Summer Ball at the Great Hall, Caerphilly Castle. Everyone is very
welcome to attend (parents, family, friends). The cost (as in 2012) is
£50.00 per person. As places are limited please return your form and
(non refundable) deposit of £10.00 per person to school as soon as
possible. All tables will accommodate a maximum of 10 (if you would
like to reserve a table please let us know). If you have any
questions/queries please contact the office.
KEYBOARD LESSONS
Unfortunately the keyboard teacher that offered lessons to our pupils has
been offered a post-graduate place for next academic year and will unable
to teach here. Mr Crosse has been in contact with the Caerphilly Music
Service to enquire if they can offer keyboard lessons. Thank you for your
interest. Please watch this space!
NUT STRIKE DAY PLANNED
You may be aware that the NUT are planning to strike on Wednesday
26th March. We have yet to receive official notification from the NUT.
We thought it best to give parents prior warning. We would probably
have to close the school to pupils if the proposed strike goes ahead.
RAINBOW SWIMMING
Will meet again on Sunday 9th March.
ST. HELEN’S PARISH YOUTH CLUB
Youth Club will meet again on Thursday 13th March for the children in
years 3 & 4. Doors open at 6.00pm. Please collect your child promptly
at 7.15pm.
FRUIT TUCK SHOP-PLEASE SUPPORT OUR FRUIT TUCK
SHOP
Fruit is on sale to all of the juniors during morning break: 20p for apples,
bananas, pears, oranges and 30p for grapes .
SPACES – YEAR 1 & RECEPTION
We have 1 space in year 1 and 2 spaces in Reception.
ST. HELEN’S FILM CLUB – FRIDAY 7TH MARCH
Friday 7th March our film club will be screening ‘The Croods’. Please
collect your child at 5.15pm.
SMARTIES!
We hoped the children enjoyed the smarties. Thank you for keeping the
box and filling it up with loose change.
MY DAY FRIDAY – YEARS 3 AND 4 – FRIDAY 14TH MARCH
Mrs Zamudio and Mrs Youngs’ classes will be celebrating ‘Heroes and
Villains’ Miss Evans and Miss Watson will be celebrating ‘Wales’. Da
iawn. Miss Evans and Miss Watsons’ classes have chosen to dress in a
‘Welsh’ theme (anything goes). Please send in ‘junk’ materials as the
children will be making ‘junk’ castles.
ST. HELEN’S PARENTS’ FUNDRAISING ASSOCIATION –
MEETING
Will be held at the school on Friday 7th March (during film Club).
Everyone is very welcome to come along.
Fundraisers have a private Facebook page. It is: St Helen’s Parents
Fundraising Association.
ASH WEDNESDAY
Was celebrated by the junior classes at St. Helen’s Church and by the
infant classes with a short liturgy on Wednesday afternoon. The infant
children were joined by members of the Caerphilly SACRE (Standing
Advisory Council for Religious Education) who were very
complimentary about our children. All of the children (infants and
juniors) behaved impeccably throughout both services.
FOUNDATION PHASE UPDATE
NURSERY
Sound of the week is ‘qu’ as in quiet.
Please send us your empty egg boxes (the ‘girls’ are all laying).
RECEPTION
Big book next week: ‘Nia’s First Day’
Sounds off the week next week: ‘ff, ll, j, v.
The children will be writing ‘instructions’.
Need…recycled items to make an African drum (by Thursday please).
MRS HELYAR’S CLASS
Big book nest week: ‘Handa’s Surprise’
Writing: A postcard from Wales.
Can each child bring in a photograph of them with their Mum please.
MRS SELLICK’S CLASS
Big book next week: ‘Kabo’s Diary’
Writing: A diary.
Need…Spices for Messy Monday please. Diolch.
SAINSBURYS - ACTIVE KIDS
Our total to date is 200. Please keep them coming. Diolch.
NESTLE BOX TOPS
Please send your ‘box tops’ into school (they are printed on some Nestle
cereal boxes). Diolch.
ST. HELEN’S PARISH – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATIONTHE LIGHT IS ON FOR YOU
Many of us remember making our First Confession as a child. It’s one of
the many greatest, but sometimes forgotten and misunderstood, gifts we
can receive from God. This Lent, if you are baptised Catholic, however
long it might have been since your last confession, come along with your
family ansd receive and celebrate God’s unconditional love and mercy.
Tou won’t be judged and a warm welcome awaits you.
Every Wednesday from 5th March – 9th April inclusive, the light is on for
YOU (confession) is avaiaable between 7pm-8pm in St. Helen’s Church,
and in churches across the diocese. For more details please see:
http://www.rcadc.co.uk/the-light-is-on-for-you.html
Also see www.catholicnews.org.uk/confession
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER
If you would like to be a ‘follower’ please return your TWITTER
follower form to the school (if you would like a copy of the form please
contact the school).
BATTERY RECYCLING INITIATIVE
We are participating in the CCBC Battery Recycling Initiative. Last year
we collected more than 77kg of used batteries! We have a collection box
in our foyer. Please send your batteries in and we will recycle them for
you.
WHAT’S ON NEXT WEEK?
Monday 10th – year 6 to Wings to Fly (CCBC Drugs Awareness)
Friday 14th – Mrs Sellicks’ class assembly followed by tea and
coffee.
My Day Friday