On Thursday, all of the children in Key Stage 2 took part in a 5K Trek across Arundel Park to raise money for FEAST India (For Education and Social Transformation).

We set off from St Philip’s after lunch and headed towards Hiorne tower, down into the park towards Swanbourne lake, and back up to the school through the High Street. The children managed the walk in an hour and a half. The children were then greeted back at the school by the Key Stage One children who waved banner and cheered them on.

We have previously raised money for FEAST India during our Deanery Advent fundraising. We are hoping to raise enough money to build a house for the neediest people in India.

A huge thank you to all the parents, grandparents, staff and helpers who came on the walk and to Gill Farquharson and Jayne Scrimgeour from the FEAST Charity who came along on the walk on the day.

St Philip’s were very blessed to receive a visit from Pastor Hugo on Tuesday morning. Pastor Hugo van Driel has been involved in Yapton Free Church since 1991. The children really love hearing the exciting ways he tells Bible stories, does quizzes with them about Jesus and teaches them songs with actions that they can join along with. They also really enjoy listening to him playing guitar and singing the songs that he teaches them.

The month of May is a special time for us  to pay homage to our Blessed Mother Mary. This month we have been running ‘Rosary Club’ during lunchtimes where our R.E Ambassadors have been teaching the other children in the school how to pray the Rosary. It has been a lovely time to watch the older children in our school share their faith and knowledge with the younger pupils. As well as Rosary Club, each prayer focus in our school has a special blue candle to remind us to keep Mary in our prayers.

Last week we had some eggs delivered to our school. We kept them in an incubator until they hatched and we now have four beautiful little ducklings. Reception Class have been learning about ducklings and caring for them this week with Mrs Lloyd taking them home at the weekend to look after them.

All of the classes in the school have had the chance to go down and visit the ducks and have really enjoyed doing so. We have the ducklings until the end of the week when they will be taken to their new home on a farm in East Wittering. The children will receive letters from the ducks letting them know how they are getting on at the farm .

On Tuesday, the whole school celebrated the Mass of the Risen Lord. A huge thank you to all parents and members of our parish comity who donated flowers which then decorated our cross.

The cross was stood out the front so that all who passed could witness that we are ‘Easter People’. Children took part in the mass by doing readings, acting out the Gospel, singing hymns and leading the prayers of Intersessions. Thank you to all who helped to bring the mass together.

Today Year 5 retold the story of Jesus praying the Garden of Gethsemane and the betrayal and the arrest.

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled.  Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch^[ with me.”  And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour?  Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”  And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.  So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again.  Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.  Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people.  Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him.  Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him.  And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant  of the high priest and cut off his ear.  Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.  Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?  But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?”  At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me.  But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.

This week Reception Class have been lucky enough to be loaned a set of balance bikes for the whole class. They have been out on them learning lots of different skills and techniques to help them prepare for riding their own bikes at home.

The children in Year 6 have been taking it in turns to write Newsletters to the residents of St Wilfred’s Priory, a care home just opposite the school. It has been a wonderful opportunity for the children and the residents to share common interests.

This week our children are being featured on Spirit FM.

The link below will take you to the Spirit FM facebook page showing our school assembly: – https://www.facebook.com/SpiritFMSussex/videos/272239400327097/.

The second link – https://www.spiritfm.net/features/small-talk shows the individual children.

As part of the Year 1 topic, the children had a visit from PC Lee, a parent in the school. She spoke to the children about what the job involves and she also showed the children how to use the handcuffs that Police Officers wear. Thank you PC Lee for giving up your time to come and speak to the children.