Newsletter

Newsletters are emailed out to parents and carers every week on a Friday. If you do not already receive you can read it here or have it emailed by contacting the office on: office@hollypark.barnetmail.net

To see the full colour version of this week’s newsletter including photographs please scroll further down this page. You will also find there a full list of previous newsletters.

This plain version of the newsletter will translate into different community languages using the Google translate button at the bottom of this page.

Y6 School Journey

Y6 arrived at Norfolk Lakes just after lunch on Monday and were straight into activities. The next day they were up bright and early for a full day of activities. The weather has been glorious and they have all been tired but have had lots of fun. The weather continued to be lovely all week and the children loved the activities – even falling in the lakes! The list of activities included: sailing, climbing, canoeing, fencing, raft building – the list of activities went on and on and was topped off on the last night with a BBQ in the gardens and a film night. After the cinema evening they had another morning of activities today before packing up for the journey home. What a busy week it has been – the children (and the teachers!) were exhausted and I am sure that they are looking forward to a restful weekend. Many thanks to all the staff Miss Biggs, Mr Stewkesbury, Miss Roe, Mr Turner, Mrs Thomas and especially to Miss Michael who organised the whole week. See hundreds of pictures here.

Allotment Open Afternoon

Our Allotment is looking the best it has done for a long time. There are many beds of growing herbs, fruit, salad and veg alongside the fruit trees and the pond. We are growing strawberries, garlic, peas, beans, parsnips, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes and much more. The pond has been cleared and we even found a frog in it! This has all happened thanks to the work of Mr French, Miss Giles, the Eco Council, Mr & Mrs Needham, Gardening Club and After School Club. We would like to invite you to come and see the allotment which is down by our ball area on Wednesday 20th June from 3pm.

Safety

Last week we held our termly fire drill. The school buildings were cleared in 2 minutes and 30 seconds and all registers and pupils accounted for in 5 minutes 33 seconds. The children were extremely quiet. This week we held our termly lockdown drill. Again it went very well and the children did it very seriously but without fear. The children and staff are very used to these termly drills. Later in the term we will do a whole school evacuation. Our place of safety is Friern Barnet School

Diary Dates

Monday 18th June – Barnet Schools’ Music Festival KS2
Monday 18th June – Holly Park Science Week
Monday 18th June – Barnet Music Festival
Tuesday 19th June – Class Photos
Wednesday 20th June – School Council to City Hall
Thursday 21st June – Rowan Class Assembly at 9.10am
Friday 22nd June – Year 3 Activity Day
Friday 22nd June – Year 1 Cake sale
Monday 25th June – Meeting for parents new to nursery & Reception 7pm

Our Value of The Month – Courage

Being courageous can mean different things to different people. For example, one person may find it easy to speak in front of a large audience, whilst another would need to find lots of courage to do this. Everyone faces challenges from time to time, and we have to find courage to overcome them. Talk with your child about the different challenges each family member might face. Talk about who or what helps us to find courage. Share with your child someone you admire because of the courage that they have shown.

You might like to research about the courage of Harriet Tubman with your child or discuss this quote from Nelson Mandela ‘Courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to overcome that fear.’

After School Care

If you need after school care for the next academic year in September 2018 for children from years 1- 6, then please put their name down with Caroline at the Bellevue After School Club as soon as possible. Places are very limited and there is already a waiting list. The Bellevue After School Club is independent to the school but rent our facilities. The club is limited in numbers due to Ofsted registration, adult to pupil ratio and also floor space available. The club will NOT be expanding. While your child remains on the waiting list, you may need to make alternative arrangements for child care after school with local child minders. As a school we cannot recommend particular child minders however, if you are a local child minder and have space available for September, please bring in a leaflet with your contact details that we can share with parents who might need after school care.

Music News

INSTRUMENTAL TUITION LESSONS take place as normal. Tutors will ensure that any child not at school due to School Journey and choir rehearsals/performances will receive their full complement of lessons by the end of term.
ENSEMBLE SESSIONS String Ensemble sessions are complete for the term. Wind Band and Rock Band sessions take place next week. Letters inviting children in our present Years 1 – 5 to apply for Instrumental Tuition for the Autumn Term have been sent out. The deadline for payment (Friday 15th June) has now passed. If your child is beginning an instrument for the first time, the tutor will meet your child and check that they are suitable for the instrument. Also, the tutor will let you know what size of instrument is appropriate.
Chamber Choir will be taking part in the ‘Barnet Schools’ Music Festival’ on Monday 18th June at the Artsdepot Theatre, North Finchley. Barnabas Years 3, 4 and 5 will have a rehearsal session on Tuesday 26th June, in readiness for their Summer Choral Concert on Wednesday July 11th at 7 pm. Ticket details to follow.
Our Holly Park Music Blog which will give you access at home to recordings of some of the songs the choirs are learning. This can be accessed using: https://sites.google.com/hollyparkschool.co.uk/music/h ome Please be aware of the issues regarding your children accessing the internet – strict parental supervision is essential.

Free Performing Arts Session

Friern Barnet School are hosting an afternoon of free dance, drama and music workshops for children in Y4-6. Tuesday 3rd July at 4pm to 5.30pm. Pupils should arrive at the main reception in Hemington Avenue N11 3LS. Children need to wear clothes they can move easily in and bring a water bottle. To book a free place e-mail: eap@friern.barnet.sch.uk

Holly Park Online Community Noticeboard

We now have a Community Noticeboard on our school website under the ‘Contact’ heading. This is for parents and friends of the school to advertise their businesses/events. For example if you make birthday cakes, do nails, are a decorator etc. The following rules will apply: Items will be listed alphabetically to avoid any favouritism eg C for cake making, P for Piano lessons. There is a disclaimer at the top of the page saying that inclusion on the page does not mean the service is endorsed by the school in any way. The cost to advertise will be £10 per term paid to Mrs Hassan. We no longer distribute leaflets for companies advertising holiday clubs, tennis lessons etc as this is not very eco friendly. However the company can email the school office a leaflet and for £10 can advertise on this page. The page is ready and operational now.

Here is this week’s newsletter:Newsletter 15.6.18