Dear Parents,
We embraced this half-term with enthusiasm as we waved goodbye to year group bubbles and virtual assemblies! It feels like the beginning of a new era in school as last week we all came together for our first whole school assembly in two years! A semblance of normality is returning, but while we enjoy our new freedoms, we must not forget the plight of the Ukrainian people. We watch with great sadness as events unfold in Ukraine, and I will be sending out a separate letter to parents on how we can support the children as they grapple to understand how this can be happening to our European neighbours. We also plan to launch a campaign for peace, details to follow.
Our Lenten Reflection this morning was beautiful. It began at 7:30, led by Ms Underwood. Thank you to all the children that joined us and to the families that shared this with us as well. Those who attended the Reflection then had breakfast in the Gallery. If you would like to join us next week please may I remind you that breakfast is for those who attend the 7:30am Reflection.
On Monday we will welcoming Bishop David to St Bernard's Prep. Bishop David is visiting all the schools in the Dioceses, and we have been busy preparing for his arrival.
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Sushi and Pancakes
Often, when I am talking to prospective parents who visit the school, I tell them that at St Bernard's Prep we like to give our children experiences, and that extends to food too. Last week Chef Louis and his team put on a fantastic sushi station and this week the children have enjoyed pancakes for Shrove Tuesday.
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Mrs Verma and The BBC (that's Breakfast Book Club)
This week saw the first of the BBC - St Bernard's Prep's very own Breakfast Book Club. It was a very popular event and I loved talking to the children about what they are reading and why they are enjoying it over some tea and toast.
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World Book Day
It was wonderful to be able to celebrate World Book Day as a whole school this year. The children wore amazing costumes (thank you parents!) and the winners were each awarded a £5 gift voucher to spend on a new book. There is a selection of photos on the school website, which includes the winning costume from each class. A special mention to our Early Years Department, who all came dressed as Aliens in Underpants and Mrs Rafferty who was seen patrolling the corridors as Miss Trunchbull!
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War Poetry
As part of their History Upper Trans (Yr 5) have been learning about the Blitz and writing some fantastic poetry.
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Spotlight on Success
Congratulations to Niko on receiving a Blue Peter badge. Niko wrote a letter to the Blue Peter team about the war in Ukraine and was awarded this badge. Well done Niko.
Well done also to Ellie and Samuel, who passed Beginners ESF Ski Level 3 and Beginners ESF Ski Level 2, respectively. Congratulations!
It is great to celebrate our children's successes outside of the classroom.
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Walking Against Hunger
We marked the beginning of Lent with a beautiful Ash Wednesday Liturgy. This year, as our Lenten appeal, we are supporting CAFOD's Walking Against Hunger. We have planned lots of different initiatives to help raise money, which will be spent supporting children experiencing food poverty. Your children will be taking part in a sponsored walk with their buddies, weighing food left over at lunch to help us to become more mindful about wasting food and trialling a walking bus at the end of the school day.
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Reminders and dates for your diary:
7th March - Bishop David's visit.
11th March - Lenten Reflection - Stations of the Cross 7:30am
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Mr B's Sport Report
Netball
On Tuesday our Under 9 Netball teams welcomed Long Close School for three matches. Our girls put up a phenomenal performance in winning all three of the games that were played. Well done to all the players and a special mention to Meraya, Shaan and Elle for being nominated for MVP’s in their respective teams.
Football
We have had a busy week of football fixtures vs Long Close School. We've seen some fantastic goals and all-round great play on the pitches. On Tuesday our Under 9A, B and C Teams won their matches 16-1, 3-1 and 4-0 respectively, while on Wednesday our Under 11A’s won 2-1 the Under 11B’s lost 3-6 and the Under 11C’s drew 0-0. Well done to all the players involved and congratulations to Aarav K, Eesah, Hafsah, Aarush, Devam and Satinderpal for all being nominated as MVP’s for their teams.
We would also like to wish our Under 10s the best of luck today when they travel to Maidenhead to participate in the Claire’s Court Tournament . All the best boys and girls!
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Mrs Verma's Big Ideas for Curious Minds
As a school we love to stretch and challenge our children, to enrich their education beyond the curriculum. Every week I will be sharing with you some discussion topics, new vocabulary, Maths riddles and book recommendations, that will help to infect our children with a love of learning. These will also be posted in the Parent Portal section of our website.
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Word of the week - Megalomaniac (noun)
Megalomaniac - a person who has an obsessive desire for power
The Emperor was a power-gobbling megalomaniac
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In The News This Week - The Paralympics Games
Today marks the first day of the Winter Paralympics. Held in Bejing there are some exciting events to watch, from Para Alpine Skiing to Wheelchair Curling.
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Calling All Book Worms
Following the success of this year's World Book Day we are recommending some of the books that feature your favourite characters, from Mr Men to Percy Jackson, Gansta Granny and Millionaire Boy, to Muhammed Ali and Frida Kahlo. The children all looked fantastic and it was wonderful for them to spot their favourite literary characters amongst their friends. For those children who were awarded £5 to spend on books, let us know the books you chose, and we can feature in next week's newsletter!
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“Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest,
if we do not give up. So then, while we have the opportunity,
let us do good to all” (Gal 6:9-10)
Yours sincerely,
Mrs A Verma
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