ST. THOMAS’ CATHOLIC SCHOOL P.T.F.A.

EASTER CELEBRATIONS - WEDNESDAY 1ST April FROM 2PM ONWARDS IN THE HALL

 COME TO TEA, DECORATED EGG AND BONNET COMPETITION, EASTER EGG RAFFLE AND NON UNIFORM DAY

We are having our very popular decorated egg and Easter bonnet competition. There will be prizes for the best 3 eggs and Easter bonnets in each class. Please ensure competition entries are clearly named and handed into the class teacher on the morning.

The celebrations will begin at 2pm in the hall where you are all warmly invited to join us. Prize winners will be announced at the afternoon assembly. Children will then return to class whilst parents enjoy a ‘Come to Tea’. Children will finish school as normal (3pm). Raffle tickets will be available for a chance to win one of ten Easter eggs – the draw will take place at 3.30pm. The playground will be open for parents to park in.

The day will also be non-uniform with a suggested donation of £1. The chosen charity is to be announced.

Whilst we appreciate donations of cakes and biscuits have been requested on several recent occasions, may we once again ask for cakes and biscuits from the whole school for our ‘Come to Tea’.

Your support on this is greatly appreciated and from past events, it is evident that we have some amazing bakers in the school! Please may we request that donations be handed into the children’s teacher on the morning of 1st April.

After assembly, the Key Stage 1 children will have an Easter egg hunt with the help of Year 6 children. The PTFA donate the eggs for the children to receive at the end of the egg hunt. The children always love this event.

Finally we would just like to thank you all very much for supporting our events and without your attendance and help it would not be possible. We shall be sending a letter out soon to let you know what your support has enabled us to do for our children’s school.

Dates for your dairy!

Key Stage 1 and 2 Disco with Emporium Parties - Friday 10th July 2015

Annual Summer Fair - Saturday 18th July 2015

More details to follow!

Cindy De Sousa

PTFA Chairperson

Monday 23rd March 2015

St Thomas’ pupils stopped to watch the eclipse on our new Smart boards in class. We were working out how old children and teachers will be for the next lunar eclipse in 2026. We also noted the words of our Easter hymn ‘Lord of the Dance’: “I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black…” It wasn’t quite black in Canterbury, but it did get dark and cars had to turn their headlights on!

Dear Parents, local residents and stakeholders,

RE: Proposed building expansion to the main school building

Parents, local residents and stakeholders are invited to attend a presentation afternoon on Thursday 26th March between 3pm and 5.30pm in the school hall regarding a proposed building expansion to the main school building.

It is our intention to build above the 1970s single-storey extension to the main building, providing much needed classroom and resource space. Currently our Year 6 class is taught in a post-war temporary structure. This has been on site for 40+ years and is no longer fit-for-purpose.

Our plans have recently been submitted to both Kent County Council and Canterbury City Council as a pre-application. Feedback is expected imminently.

Before we enter a full application, we would like to present our plans to parents, local residents and interested stakeholders, to gain their thoughts and opinions.

Working very closely with the architects, we believe the plans are sympathetic to the local area, taking into account the historical importance and that our site is located within a conservation area.

Throughout the afternoon, as well as myself, Mr Devine (Finance and Personnel Manager) and Mr Croft (Architect and Partner of calfordseaden LLP) will be on hand to talk you through the plans and answer any questions you might have. Entry will be via Old Ruttington Lane only. The playground will be open for parking.

It is important to say at this stage, any building works are subject to funding being approved.

Yours sincerely,

Miss L D’Agostini

Headteacher

Dear Parents,

Red Nose Day

Thank you to everyone who helped support this year’s campaign. The non-uniform day and “Come to Tea” organised by the PTFA raised £295.60.

DT Day - Wednesday 25th March

Next Wednesday is DT Day and all pupils will be involved in planning, designing and making products. Parents are invited to come into the school hall from 2.30 pm to see the children’s work. The playground will be open for parking. Representatives from each class will be in the hall to talk to you about their learning. We look forward to seeing you.

Easter

There will be an Easter egg hunt for the younger year groups on the final day of term after ‘The Way of the Cross’ assembly. The PTFA will be leading an assembly in the afternoon followed by “Come to Tea”.

Term 4

Children will return to school on Monday 20th April. A reminder that school begins at 8.45am, with the gate on Old Ruttington Lane closing at 8.55am. Thank you to parents for your cooperation and support in having you children in school at the correct time.

Website

We are continuing to develop the new school website. Please check on a regular basis for new material including an up-to-date calendar of events. Feedback is welcome via the ‘contact us’ online form.

Yours sincerely,

Miss L D’Agostini

Headteacher

This year we are really excited to be raising money for Red Nose Day 2015 on Friday 13th March! As one of the UK’s biggest fundraising events, Red Nose Day brings the entire nation together to do something funny for money. The PTFA has decided to get involved and help raise money for this incredible cause.

Come to Tea! 2.30pm onwards in the hall on Friday 13th March

To do our bit and raise money we will be having a whole school non-uniform day (clothes to be red and white if possible) for a donation of £1. We would also like to request that parents kindly donate cake or biscuits for our cake sale and come to tea.

All money raised will be donated to Red Nose Day.

The playground will be open for parking from 2.30 pm in Old Ruttington Lane.

Canterbury City Council is encouraging local children & young people, to complete their Young Residents’ Survey . (Click on this link to complete)

We feel it is very important that young people are given the chance to influence their local community and services in the Canterbury district including Canterbury, Herne Bay, Whitstable and surrounding rural areas. Completed surveys are to be submitted by Sunday 15 March 2015.

The results from this survey will be fed back to decision-makers so that young peoples’ views and needs can be heard. Parent Support Advisor Ms Bayly says, “It's good to see children's views being canvassed in this way.”

Three letters sent by key individuals from the Education sector have been sent to Miss D'Agostini over the last two months congratulating the school on its overall improvements and successful examination results.

Well done to everyone in our school community!

Please click on the names below to read their letter:

Rt Hon David Laws MP, Minister of State for Schools (January 2015)

Mr Patrick Leeson, Corporate Director for Education and Young People's Services at Kent County Council (February 2015)

Professor Anne Bamford, Director of Education at the Education Commission for the Catholic Diocese of Southwark (February 2015)