This week and next the children are learning about the ‘Good Shepherd’ and how we are His flock. We have to listen hard sometimes to hear His voice amongst all the other voices that compete for our attention, but we know His voice, we know it’s the voice that loves us, that guides us to the right decisions, to love others and reject temptations.

In your prayers this week we ask our school community to continue to think of the people in Ukraine, and in other countries around the world where there is war and persecution.

Eternal Father, As we travel through life’s valleys, in the places of darkness, and despair, we know that you are with us. Even when life’s doubts assail us, we know that you still abide with us, watching over us. Strengthen our faith. Help us remember that you never give us more than we can handle. Embolden us to share our doubts, to question our absolute truths, our certainties, and to grow ever closer to you. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen

Ukraine: 

We have forwarded the ‘Messages of Hope’ that the children wrote for the people of Ukraine; here is a link to the Hampshire Ukrainian Community Facebook page where the children’s work has been shared also – https://www.facebook.com/hampshirukrainiancommunity.

Mission Statement

Later this term we will be organising a day to review the school’s Mission Statement. This will be an important day as it gives all stakeholders in our community the chance to have their say in creating this important statement that will drive the direction of the school for the next few years. If you are interested in having your say, we are asking that you think about the following questions in preparation: Who are we? Where are we going? How will we get there? We will let you know more details closer to the time.

Mr Declan Dixie-Goodwin Headteacher

A prayer for Ukraine, Russia and peace

O God,
it is your will to hold both heaven and earth 
in a single peace.
Let the design of your great love 
shine on the waste of our wraths and sorrows,
and give peace to Ukraine,
peace among nations,
and peace in our hearts,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

John and his mum recently attended a STEM event run by their local MP.

The goal objective was to build a moving creature from 5 pieces of Lego using a Mobile phone vibrator and battery, the battery and vibration piece had to be attached using electrical tape. John did extremely well, changing the design several times working against the clock and never letting frustration get the better of him. John won a robot which was presented to him by the Teacher and MP Stephen Morgan.

After a few years without the KS2 SATs tests our Year 6 children completed their Maths and English tests this week. There were only a few little worries from a few children but overall the children remained calm and focussed throughout the week and did themselves proud.

After such a disruptive few years in their learning we can say they were excellent in their attitudes to the tests.

The results will come back to us in early July.

Today Year 5/6 have gone to the seafront for a morning of fun and games and relaxation.

Next week the Year 2 children will be taking their tests and we wish them all the best in their efforts

We will confirm full details of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration picnic on 26th May next week but we can confirm that it will begin at 2.30pm – all parents, grandparents and carers are invited to attend.

The school photographer will be coming in on Friday 27th May to take class photographs so please make sure your child comes in to school in correct school uniform and tidy hair. For parents of Year 6 children, this will be the last opportunity to gather together for a Year 6 photo.

It would be a great shame for any of the children to be missing from this photograph as it is a lasting memory that children can look back on in years to come.

Church News St Swithun’s Church will be running some English classes for the local community to help people to improve their English.

C H A T C A F E !

· ENJOYABLE ENGLISH CONVERSATION PRACTICE
· ADULT GROUPS IN SOUTHSEA
· PATIENT & FRIENDLY NATIVE ENGLISH EFL TEACHER WITH 12 YEARS EFL TEACHING EXPERIENCE
· NEW GROUPS STARTING IN MAY 2022
· WEDNESDAY EVENINGS & SATURDAY MORNINGS
· FUN ATMOSPHERE TEA, COFFEE & BUSCUITS

Please contact Pete Mann for further information about location and timings.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEND AN EMAIL TO PETE at pmann35@hotmail.com

Speak to you soon!

Prompt Collection of Your Child Please.

Please could all families leave the playground promptly after collecting their children. On quite a few occasions children in our Twilight care have been waiting to safely use the playground for games and activities. Thank you for your support.

End of Day Pick-Up – We respectfully ask parents:

• not to stand in the staff car park before or after school
• to keep control of their children inside the school grounds
• to keep their children off equipment
• to stop their children riding scooters or cycling on school grounds.

Reminder – Naming Your Child’s Clothes

Please, please, please can we remind parents to name every item of clothing or personal items brought to school. We appreciate that this can be time consuming, but it does make it much easier to return “lost” items to their rightful owners

Hive Portsmouth’s pop-up school uniform ShareStore

Hive Portsmouth’s pop-up school uniform ShareStore is helping local families. Getting children and young people kitted out in their school uniform, ready for the start of the new term and for the rest of the year as they grow, is a constant activity for many families. However, the cost of a new uniform, school shoes, PE kit and other essentials can soon mount up, and add to the financial pressure on parents, especially in these challenging times.

That’s why Hive Portsmouth has set-up its new pop-up school uniform ShareStore.

https://hiveportsmouth.org.uk/news/pop-uniform-sharestore

Sunbeams

You may be interested to know that our pre- school, Sunbeams, is now able to support families with 2-year-old children.

If you or someone you know requires a nursery or pre- school place, please contact the preschool through

email at sunbeams@st-swithuns.portsmouth.sch.uk.