ℯNEWS January, 31 2025
Mental Health Week, 3rd - 9th February 2025
Miss Wilkins held a special assembly on Monday introducing the important topic, “Know Yourself, Grow Yourself”, to kick off our focus on Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs from Monday 3rd to the 9th February. The children learned about what Mental Health is, suggestions to recognise when they need support, and the importance of doing things they enjoy to help take care of their wellbeing.
For families interested in exploring this topic at home, Miss Wilkins recommends the picture books available through the following link: https://www.booksfortopics.com/booklists/topics/pshe-emotional-literacy-citizenship/mental-health/.
As part of Mental Health Week, Miss Wilkins also invited the children to wear colourful socks on Friday, 7th February to raise awareness of children's mental health and wellbeing. Each colour represents a key aspect: green for wellness, yellow for hope, blue for calmness, purple for creativity and healing, and orange for managing emotions. Children are welcome to mix and match however they like—striped, spotted, long, or short! Let’s celebrate positivity, creativity, mental health and wellbeing together.
Cicero Debating Competition
On Monday a group of enthusiastic Form Six debaters headed to Queen’s Gate School for the first round of the annual Cicero Cup. The tournament consisted of two teams from CHS alongside two teams from our hosts. The pupils were asked to share their opinions on a wide variety of topics ranging from: whether we should ban cars from city centres to the merits or demerits of violent video games. The format of the afternoon comprised one written debate and one impromptu offering. All the pupils practised and perfected their arguments and presented their thoughts to an audience. When the totals were added up, the CHS team of Maxi, Mimi, Kira and Ilia were the winners and will go through to the semi-finals in March. Well done too, to Ivan, Izzy, Alma and Saif who performed heroically.
Upcoming
Sight and Hearing Screening
We are offering our annual Sight and Hearing Screening Programme for children in Junior One and new children on Monday 3rd February. It is crucial for children to start school with up-to-date sight and hearing tests to identify and treat any issues early, preventing negative impacts on learning and development.
Form Four and Five Trip to British Museum - Monday 3rd February
Forms Four and Five will visit the British Museum on Monday 3rd February for their history and art studies. Form Five will explore the Parthenon Marbles and Greek artefacts, while Form Four will focus on Ancient Egyptian exhibits. They will travel by public bus, leaving at 9:30 am and returning by 3:30 pm. Children should wear school uniform with warm outerwear and bring a nut- and sesame-free packed lunch, a water bottle, and optional spending money (up to £20) or their own cash card in a named purse. Any necessary medication will be taken by staff, and permission is assumed unless we hear otherwise. If your child has a 5–10 Oyster Zip Card, please send it with them.
Parent Meetings - Tuesday 4 & Wednesday 5 February
Parent Meetings will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, therefore all after-school clubs will be suspended on both days. Children accompanying parents to their meetings will be supervised by Miss Arthur in the dining room.
Carnival Day - Friday 14th February
We look forward to our annual Carnival Day on Friday 14th February, the last day of this half term. The theme is Love and friendship and children are invited to dress in shades of red or pink OR they could choose to come as a character from a well-known fictional couple or group of friends - some suggestions we came up with were Shrek, Princess Fiona or Donkey, Hermione, Harry Potter or Ron, Barbie or Ken, Fred or Wilma Flintstone or Barney Rubble, Romeo or Juliet. There are endless possibilities.
The children will be taking part in a number of creative workshops. Please note there are no games or swimming lessons on this day.
Artwork of the Week
Afeeqah in Form Four, for a fantastic cushion inspired by Henri Matisse’s paper cut-outs. Lovely use of appliqué with painted fabrics, well done Afeeqah!
Dates for your diary
February
3rd - Form Four & Five Trip to British Museum
4th & 5th - Parents Meetings - NO AFTERSCHOOL CLUBS
7th - Colourful Socks Day
14th - Carnival Day - in-school event for pupils
17th - 21st - HALF TERM
26th - Poetry Competition - in-school event for pupils
28th - Junior One Pizza Express Trip
March
7th - Poetry Recital - Parent event - NO AFTERSCHOOL CLUBS
21st - Open Morning - Current pupils with family - NO SCHOOL PM
21st - Open Afternoon - prospective pupils
27th - Last day of term
