ℯNEWS SEPTMEBER 29, 2023
We hope you have all had a positive week. Our week started with a fantastic whole school Assembly on Monday when Mrs. Hampton shared some wonderful news. She read a special letter from the Head of Royal Correspondence, expressing their gratitude for the pictures and letters our children sent to the King and Queen Consort during the summer term. The letter, along with an autographed photograph and an embossed envelope, will soon be displayed in the school hall for everyone to see.
UNICEF Assembly
As a UNICEF school, we keep the Convention on the Rights of the Child at the forefront of our minds. Article 12 says “that every child has the right to express their views, feelings and wishes in all matters affecting them, and to have their views considered and taken seriously”.
Mrs. Wells led our first UNICEF assembly of the year, taking time to explain how our school councillors are elected. Next week, we will be conducting elections for class counsellors, encompassing children from Forms Two to Six. Over the past few years, the school council has made a significant impact by amplifying the voices of our pupils within the school community. They've played a pivotal role in deciding whether girls should wear ties, initiated discussions leading to changes in the school menu, and even had the remarkable opportunity to visit The Marriott Hotel to provide feedback on their new children's menu. Mrs. Wells is eagerly looking forward to welcoming the new members of the school council next Friday, anticipating their fresh perspectives and ideas.
Virtual Coffee Morning with Mr Miller, Director of Admissions from UCS
On Thursday, we were delighted to have Mr. Miller from UCS join us during our virtual coffee morning. Mrs. Hampton has been shedding light on the intricacies of 11+ senior school choices. We firmly believe that these sessions with Senior Leaders, coupled with visits to the schools themselves, have proven invaluable for our parents as they prepare to transition from CHS.
Speaking of senior schools, Emma, in Form Six, recently visited South Hampstead High school and had the opportunity to tour the school with the former CHS pupil and Deputy Head Girl, Natalia. It's always heartwarming to hear about our alumni doing well and many of our senior girls in Forms Five and Six also attended the recent Queens College open events this week, where they were able to hear from recent CHS graduate, Olimpia , who shared her experiences as a scholarship pupil on the Queens College pupil panel. Congratulations to both Natalia and Olimpia, we are so very proud of you.
Early Start - Breakfast Club
We introduced a new service this week – the Early Start Breakfast Club. It's a great way to get an extra 15 minutes in school and enjoy some tasty treats from the kitchen. If you're interested in this service due to early work commitments or multiple school runs, please let the school office know.
Wall climbing club
Last Friday, our wall climbing club had a successful start to the Autumn Term at the Seymour Leisure Centre. If any children from Forms Two to Six would like to join Mrs. Hampton and her climbers, we have two spots available.
Accessories
A quick reminder about our school policies: Please ensure that children do not wear jewellery, including fashion bracelets, at school. Hair accessories should be in line with our school uniform, and school shoes should be plain black with velcro straps and rubber soles. Wearable electronic devices with cameras and recording capabilities are not allowed in school for safeguarding reasons.
Uniform
Regarding uniforms, starting from next Monday, all children should wear their Winter Uniform. This includes grey trousers, skirts, or pinafores, from Perry Uniform, a white shirt with school tie or a Peter Pan blouse, the school pullover with the logo, green tights or ankle socks (for skirts), and grey socks (for trousers). Pupils should also wear their school blazer or duffle coat every day. The gilet can be worn as an extra layer as the weather gets colder, but it should not replace the blazer. If you are waiting on ordered uniform items from Perry's, please inform the office to avoid your child being reminded to wear the correct uniform in school.
Upcoming
Form Five & Six Football Fixture VS Hampden Gurney - 4 October 2023
The Form Five & Six football club squad will face Hampden Gurney in a fixture on Wednesday 4 October afternoon straight after their normal session with Mr Taiwo. The location will be Hyde Park, kick off starts at 4.45pm. The football squad will play two 20 minute halves. We hope that parents and guardians will be there to cheer the children on and collect them from Hyde Park at 5.30pm afterwards.
Trip to Unicorn Theatre - The Tempest (Form Three to Form Six) - 5 October 2023
Children in Key Stage Two will have the opportunity to visit the Unicorn Theatre for a performance of The Tempest - re-imagined for children. We expect the experience to be enjoyable, exciting and educational. In particular it will enhance the children’s understanding of dramatic expression and performance and it will enrich our discussions, our reading and our writing lessons.
According to the critics: ‘A whirlwind of fun, with an undercurrent of important messages about the world and its inhabitants’ (The Family Stage) It will be an enchanting introduction to Shakespeare.
Virtual Coffee Morning - CHS Mental Health & Wellbeing FRIDAY 6 October 2023
Looking ahead, Mrs. Hampton is excited to welcome Mr. McManus, our school counsellor, for another virtual coffee morning on Friday, 6th October, at 11:15. The topic will be pupil anxiety, which is relevant to all pupils but particularly for parents supporting their children through challenging times such as the 11+ assessment process, moving home or any form of bereavement.
Hello Yellow - YoungMinds Charity event
In support of World Mental Health Day 2023 we would like to invite our pupils to wear yellow on Tuesday 10 October and donate £1 to the charity YoungMinds for World Mental Health Day 2023. For so many young people, when this happens, they don’t get the help they need, when they need it. Together we can create a brighter future for young people’s mental health.
Parent meetings - 16 & 17 October
Parent meetings are scheduled for in-person sessions on the 16th and/or 17th of October after school. These meetings will provide an opportunity to discuss how your child is settling into their new form. Meeting slots of 15 minutes will be arranged, and we will aim to keep to the schedule times. Additional meeting times can be scheduled for another day should you need longer with your form teacher. The office will be providing meeting times early next week.
Artwork of the week
Sami in Form Two, for a carefully observed, botanical drawing of an oak leaf, inspired by the work of John Ruskin. Well done Sami!
Dates for your diary:
2 October - Winter Uniform to be worn
4 October - Form 5 & 6 Football fixture vs Hampden Gurney 4.45pm - 5.30pm
5 October - The Tempest Form Three to Six
6 October - Virtual Coffee Morning with Mr Mcmanus How to handle 11+ Stressors
10 October - Hello Yellow Charity event
16/17 October - Parents Meetings
19 October - Nasal Flu Spray
20 October - 27 October - HALF TERM
Students break up on Thursday 19 October 2023 at regular dismissal times.
News in the area
For those that live close to Connaught House School, we share the following news on upcoming protests and demonstrations that may cause congestion and delays to your journey.
• Train strikes Saturday 30 September and Wednesday 4 October and overtime ban (causing reduced services/revised timetables) Friday 29 September, Monday 2 October to Friday 6 October
• London Underground strikes Wednesday 4 October and Friday 6 October
• Thames Water are undertaking emergency works affecting Edgware Road northbound and these are currently planned to continue up to 7 October.
• Race for Kids, Hyde Park, Saturday 7 October 8am-3pm
• Royal Parks Half Marathon, starting and ending at Hyde Park, Sunday 8 October 6am-6pm
Thank you for your attention, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
