Dear Parents/ Carers,

We are up and running for another fun packed term that is literally packed with learning and typical St Stephen’s events. How was your Easter break? If anyone tells you it is hot in Mallorca at Easter, don’t believe them! But it felt good to venture abroad again after the last couple of years.

Cabaret 2022

LINEUP ANNOUNCED FOR THE ST STEPHENS SCHOOL ROYAL VARIETY SHOW!! SPONSOR YOUR HEROIC ACT NOW!!! Happy Bank holiday weekend The Cabaret Team 💋🎭

https://www.ststephensboutique.co.uk/cabaret

Here is a short clip of what’s to come https://youtube.com/shorts/YrC-yVYzZ0c?feature=share

Grandparents’ Day – Friday, 6th May 1.30pm-3.25pm

At St Stephen’s, we believe that when our children feel loved and secure in their identity, it has a positive impact on their ability to contribute fully in all areas of life. In recognition of the important role of the wider family in helping to do this, we are holding our annual (following a couple of years absence) Grandparents Afternoon. As not everyone has grandparents, or those who are able to travel to be here on the day, we extend the invitation to the special people in your child’s life (for example a Godparent or a close family friend) who would appreciate the ethos of the afternoon. Guests should be seated in the school hall by 1.30pm for the launch of the afternoon with a special assembly.

We are extremely fortunate that as part of our assembly, one of our grandparents, the actress Penelope Wilton, has agreed to a Q and A session with our House Captains – nothing like some Downton Abbey gossip to make the afternoon go with a bang!

The afternoon will then proceed with a tour of the building and a chance to visit classes, with children showcasing some of their favourite areas.

Finally, a wonderful cream tea will be served in the hall (adults only at this point!), where there will also be an opportunity to purchase books for the school library and make a donation towards our school. The main aim of the event is not about fundraising; however, but a way of appreciating the role of the wider family in raising our children and giving pupils a chance to be proud of their school!

In addition, we are looking for grandparents who can share some of their wisdom and experience to one of the classes before the afternoon’s activities. Does your parent have an interesting story to tell that will help pass on knowledge and understanding of life to a class? Perhaps someone who broke barriers to become one of the first to achieve something? Someone who was brought up in a different culture? Someone who can inspire kindness? If you are or have a grandparent who would like to join us in the morning at 11am to talk to a class and enjoy lunch with your grandchild or if you are able to help serve tea please email me on head@ststephensce.lbhf.sch.uk or Cookie on anitajmoir@gmail.com .

A quick word from Cookie.

Dear All,

Mr Schumm has asked me to manage the Grandparent’s Tea next Thursday.

This has long been my favourite event in the calendar.

Grandparents love it even more than their offspring once removed.

And I love matching them up!

For many years this event was organised by two marvelous mum’s who had it seemed contacts at a teapot warehouse and also a florist!

I sadly do not.

Soooo….

Please could I borrow teapots from you!

Teapots and flowers and I really don’t mind if they are artificial.

If you are at your friends’ houses this weekend or at Chiswick Carboot sale on Sunday please could you see if you could rustle some up?

I also need sugar pots and creamers.

Oh and teacups!

Oh my giddy aunt, I really need quite a lot, I have just learned we are expecting 200 grandparents.

I can bake all the goodies but please if you could help in advance and or on the day I would be hugely grateful. I have 6 helpers so far but need another 6.

If you want your teapot back please could you attach a piece of tape to the bottom with your name on it. I will take a photo of it and make sure it is returned to you.

BTW There is no school on Monday so please could you make this a Tuesday job.

As this is an extremely popular event, it is essential that parents RSVP via Parentmail by Monday, 2^nd May to register names of guests who will be visiting.

Year 2 at the Farm

Yesterday, Year 2 went to Phoenix Farm to do planting, pond dipping and a scavenger hunt. On the scavenger hunt we saw some chickens and a mini-beast ‘hotel’, which even had a bee coming out of its nest for the first time this year! There were lots of signs of Spring like the blossom and beautiful flowers that we smelled on our tour of the gardens. We were really excited to look into the pond before using magnifying glasses to take a closer look at some of the mini-beasts in the water. We were left wondering where the bubbles that we saw coming from deep in the water were coming from… It was the perfect start to our Science topic of ‘Animals and their Habitats’ that we are focusing on this term. ​

Reception visit the Triangle

The Reception children enjoyed their trip to Gunnersbury Triangle Nature Reserve this week. At the reserve, the children enjoyed pond dipping and hunting for mini-beasts in their woodland habitats. Everybody thoroughly enjoyed their packed lunches and the children were beautifully behaved and enthusiastic throughout the trip. ​

Sporting Events

Years 3, 4 and 6 enjoyed a fun day of cricket against Wetherby Prep School. The sun shone and the teams played with tremendous skill and enthusiasm. Amazingly – all year groups won all their games! Brilliant!

Years 3 and 4 had an amazing time at the borough Skittle ball Tournament. Year 3 won all their matches but one and Year 4 won 2 and lost 2. They had a great time and were perfect sports ambassadors for the school.

Year 6 WW2 projects

What an astounding array of arts and crafts (inspired by Year 6’s history project on WW2) were on display in the Year 6 classrooms this afternoon! The children pulled out all the stops and let their creativity go wild with an array of projects including model aeroplanes, air raid shelters and (scarily realistic!) bombsites and gas masks. Each child also completed a written project detailing so many aspects of the Second World in brilliant detail. Their enthusiasm and confidence, as they talked about their projects, was phenomenal! Well done Year 6!

Have a fantastic Bank Holiday and see you on Tuesday!

Mr Schumm