Today we have held a Reduced Plastics Eco Day in school.

Our School Councillors wanted to raise awareness in our school about how we could help the environment and make a difference. The Eco Team took on this challenge suggested by the School Council and organised the day. The children were encouraged to walk to school, if possible, and to bring in an Eco-friendly packed lunch (avoiding single use plastics).

Chartwells, our hot meals provider, worked with us to ensure that hot meals were served out of reusable servers (rather than disposable/recyclable plastic trays). Chartwells also came into school to deliver assemblies to our children to explain how lunchbox contents can be environmentally friendly and how portion control and food waste can be limited by things they do each day.

The children were asked to reduce water usage when cleaning their teeth, think of other ways to reduce water usage and had class discussions about their part to play in reducing their carbon footprint and helping our environment.

Our Eco team ensure lights are off when not in use, doors are kept closed to retain heat and they empty the recycling bins. The Eco Team award an Eco certificate to one class per week in our celebration assembly. This is awarded to the most Eco-friendly class of the week.

Our Eco Warriors with their badges on

Chartwells Assembly

This week has seen the launch of Accelerated Reader in Key Stage 2 classes.

Accelerated Reader is a computer based programme that helps teachers manage and monitor children’s independent reading. Pupils pick a book at his/her own level and read it at his/her own pace. When finished, they take a short quiz on the computer or iPad – passing the quiz is an indication that your child has understood what has been read. AR gives both pupils and teachers feedback based on the quiz results which the teacher then uses to help the child set targets and choose books suited to their sustained progress.

Popular children’s books are on the Accelerated Reader programme so pupils can select from the wide range of books in classrooms and the school library. Pupils wishing to look up titles that are part of the Accelerated Reader programme can search through over 25,000 books on www.arbookfind.co.uk.

Pupils can see what books they have read and how they did. The programme also gives them suggestions on what to read next based on their interest and ability. Children see a sunflower or graph, depending on their year group, which builds up as they pass quizzes.

They can build their reading skills and stamina, and are not put off by books that are too basic or too demanding for them. They also have fun completing quizzes and earning points along the way towards individual or class targets. Struggling readers are well supported, and high achievers are encouraged to read books that really engage and challenge them. Teachers can track children’s progress book by book, and tailor recommendations to a child’s individual needs. Above all, children are highly motivated and inspired by successful reading.

This week, each pupil in Key Stage Two has taken a ‘Star Reader’ test online which gives them their ‘ZPD’ (Zone of Proximal Development)  This then informs them of the range of books that will challenge them without causing frustration or loss of motivation.

Accelerated Reader Guide for Parents

This morning we celebrated our end of term Golden assembly. Mrs Horne shared the pupil’s many successes of the term including reading achievements, timetables certificates and attendance certificates. One child form each class was also chosen to receive a book from the ‘Mrs Sherlock Fund’. The children work very hard on their reading throughout the term to try and win. Thank you to all of the parents and staff who support the children in achieving their goals.

Christmas lunch was served in the hall today – the children sat down to roast turkey and all the trimmings all served by the lovely office ladies! Thank you to the friends for donating crackers for all of the children.

On Wednesday, all of the children in Key Stage 2 took part in a Christmas Service in the Cathedral. Each class showed a section of the Christmas Nativity and told the whole story through acting, singing and dance. It was a beautiful service and the children’s performances were fantastic. Thank you to Mrs Morris for organising the music, to the teachers for all of their hard work and to parents for helping with costumes and learning lines.

Please find below a link to the photos taken of the KS2 Christmas Service.

https://we.tl/t-FedKYJvIFU

(This link is only live for 30 days)

Today, the whole school had Chaplins Pantomime Company visit our school. The children watched their production of ‘Beauty and The Beast’. The story follows the adventures of ‘Beauty’, a pretty young girl who finds herself imprisoned in the castle of a mysterious Beast. With the help of the castle’s enchanted housekeeper ‘Dusty’ a delightful and tender romance develops between these two unlikely friends and ‘Beauty’ soon learns the most important lesson of all, that true beauty comes from within.

The whole school was lucky enough to enjoy this production thanks to the Friends who kindly paid for the pantomime. Thank you to everyone who contributes money towards the ‘Friends of St Philip’s’ as it means the children get to enjoy special treats such as this pantomime.

Today, the children in Key Stage 2 shared a Penitential Service in the hall. Canon David and Fr. Charles joined us for the service and the children read prayers and sang. The penitential service is an opportunity for children to reflect about things that they may have done wrong, ask for forgiveness and how to prepare ourselves for Christmas. The children then had the chance to speak individually with a priest after the service or sit quietly and reflect.

On Friday 7th December, Children from our school sang at the Arundel Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony with her Grace the Duchess of Norfolk.

The evening programme was:

4.30pm Musical Entertainment from  Jane Clarity.

5pm Children took part in lantern procession to assemble in Town Hall foyer

5.20pm Children from both Primary Schools  processed to the Town Square

5.30pm Carol Service led by the three churches of Arundel

6pm The lights of the Christmas Tree  switched on by Her Grace the Duchess of Norfolk

6.05pm Joint school choirs sang around the Christmas tree

The children sang beautifully and represented our school very well.

Two pupils from our school, Daisy and Merryn were nominated for a Contribution to the Community Award. Daisy was nominated by the school for her contribution to road safety and design of the park in Mill Road. Merryn was nominated by Rainbows for teaching other children in Rainbows sign language for the colours of the rainbow song. They were both presented with certificates from the Mayor, Wendy Eve.

One of our Year 6 pupils has raised over £1000 for ‘One Drop at a Time’. The charity supports the provision of clean water for people in Africa and the removal of plastic waste from global oceans.

She swam 4,600 metres at the Littlehampton Wave swimming pool and it took her over an hour and a half. Gracie was presented with her certificate in our celebration assembly.