Newsletter

Library (Enchanted Forest) Opening Ceremony

On Thursday we officially opened our new library (The Enchanted Forest) . I talked about what a wonderful community event it had been raising the money and how we were delighted with the library. I thanked everyone who donated and the teaching assistants and particularly Mrs Sampson for their hard work getting the library ready once it had been built. Miss Sampson read a poem by Josh Siegal called ‘The Library’ We then ceremoniously pulled the library doors open to declare it officially open. The children clapped and cheered. Ms Sampson then cut a red ribbon across the entrance to the library. All of the children then filed through the library to the sound of clapping and cheering.

PTA Committee for 2024-25

At the PTA AGM last week, the following committee members were elected. We say a big thank you to Alison Balsiger (who stepped down as treasurer) for all of the commitment and enthusiasm and hard work she has shown over several years that goes way beyond the work of a treasurer. We are delighted that several members of the committee are staying for another year and we welcome two new members: Tom and Fahima to the committee.

Correct School Uniform

It is important that ALL children follow the school uniform policy. It is down to parents to ensure that their child/ren follow this. There is a very clear policy which is on the school website. The uniform policy is alos in the Meet The Teacher pack that is sent out every academic year. The policy is agreed by school governors who are responsible for all policies. The policy not only covers clothing (including the correct colours) but also, footwear, PE uniform, jewellery, hair accessories, make up etc When children start in Reception parents sign a home school agreement to say that they will follow the policy. Our behaviour policy also covers uniform. In our RRS (Ready, respectful safe) it states that part of being READY to learn is having the correct school uniform. Uniform is part of our school rules and behaviour expectation. Our policy is clear that failure/refusal to follow school rules will lead to consequences. Failure to have the correct school uniform may lead to consequences e.g missing playtimes etc

Be Bright Be Seen Day

This week was our annual “Be Bright Be Seen Day”, to raise awareness of the importance of being safe on the streets. Mrs Thomas did an assembly about why the day is so important. Most accidents to children on the roads happen in Autumn/Winter as children travel to and from school. Motorists will be aware of how difficult it is to see children completely dressed in dark colours. Whilst we asked children to come to school dressed in bright clothes – not just colourful – but as bright as they could find – the message to reaffirm the importance of having reflective strips etc on coats in Autumn/Winter.

Here are some examples of children dressed for Be Bright Be Seen day:

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HARVEST

Thank you to all of the families who brought donations for our Harvest collection this week – this was very much appreciated. We couldn’t fit all of it onto the display tables! Mr Reid and Mr King took all of the food to the Local Food bank centre in North Finchley. The donations were extremely generous and the Food bank organisers were delighted by the generosity. All of the children went to see the Harvest display in the hall. A volunteer from the food bank came to talk to the children in KS2 about the Foodbank and how it works. The children were stunned to hear that there are more food banks in the UK than there are McDonalds.

Just One Tree

Last academic year alone, Barnet schools and settings helped to plant 7,500 trees along the equator, where the impact is greatest – and we really need your help to achieve this year’s ambitious target of 10,000 more trees! Every £1 donated plants a tree. Thank you for your donations on School Money.

Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice

We are proud to have chosen Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice as our local charity partner for the 24-25 academic year! We look forward to working with them to enrich our children’s school experience, and we have invited them in to host an assembly on The Power of Kindness, one of the values within our school vision, on 20th November. Later this term we will host a fundraising dress up day and cake sale – however – Holly Park families can make a difference from now by contributing to the ‘From That Moment’ campaign which is running until 10pm on Monday 21st October. You can help Noah’s Ark double the difference this October! Every child and family Noah’s Ark supports is unique, but all of them will remember the moment that everything changed. That’s why they have launched ‘From That Moment’, their annual matched-giving campaign. With support, Noah’s Ark can be there from that moment when a family receives a life-altering diagnosis; enabling children to be children and not just patients; and supporting parents to be parents and not just carers. Help to support children who are seriously unwell and their families by donating to Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice’s matched-giving campaign.

This is a fabulous charity which is located in Barnet and supports local children with serious illness. From now until 10pm on Monday 21 October donations to the campaign will be DOUBLED! Every £ donated will make double the difference. To donate to or share the campaign please scan the QR code or visit: www.charityextra.com/fromthatmoment/hollyparkprimaryschool The link above and below and the QR code links to a Holly Park page where you can see the donations made by Holly Park families. Any money given will be instantly doubled on the site. If you donate £2 it will show as £4, if you donate £5 it will show as £10 that you gave, if you donate £10 it will show as £20 etc – if you do gift aid – it will show as even more! Any amount no matter how small will really help. https://www.charityextra.com/fromthatmoment/hollyparkprimaryschool

Attendance

Whole school attendance for last week was 96% Well done to Y5 Maple Class with the best attendance at 98%.

Dates

Monday 21st October Y6 National Assessment meeting for parents at 9am
Tuesday 22nd October Y1 Little City workshop
Monday 4th November Parents in Class to Read Together 8.45
Monday 4th November Notice for parent consultations
Tuesday 5th November Infant Music festival
Wednesday 6th November Meeting for KS2 parents: Maths
Thursday 7th November Y4 to the British Museum
Friday 8th November Cultural Day

There is facility to translate this newsletter and the whole school website at the bottom of the website home page.