The two pages of this week’s school newsletter are here and here.

Children in Years 4 and 5 recently came up with the idea of holding a carwash to raise funds towards the school’s plan to construct a sensory garden.

The carwash took place on Saturday. It was well supported by children from Years 4 and 5 who washed cars tirelessly, by parents who brought vehicles to be cleaned, and by our neighbours in Five Oaks Close, some of whom supported us too.

Well done to the children and thank you to the parents who organised them.

The grand total raised was a remarkable £420!

At our school children in Years 4, 5 and 6 visit St Hugh of Lincoln Church once in the year to participate in a weekday parish Mass. Today it was the turn of our Year 5 class.

Children from the class served on the altar, read the reading and psalm, read bidding prayers they had written in class, and brought up the offertory gifts.

Participation in weekday Mass in the church is just one of the many signs that the school is a central part of parish life, and the parish is a central part of school life.

Our Year 5 footballers played a match against Knaphill Junior School this afternoon - their first league match of the year.

The first half was well contested with good goalkeeping and narrow misses at both ends keeping the game goalless. KJ went close with an early header from a corner, while Ryan had to make a good save from a long range Knaphill free-kick. Cormac had a good shot saved by the Knaphill goalkeeper, while Joshua made several good tackles and blocks.

The second half started in a similar way, with both goalkeepers making saves. Ten minutes into the half though, St Hugh’s took control of the match with the first of three goals, scored in quick succession.

The first goal was scored by Michael, who shot high into the net from close range after a good passing move. Very shortly after Michael scored again, this time shooting into the corner of the net following another good move. The third goal was a stunning example of team work. Ryan kicked the ball out of his hands; taking the ball out of the air played a brilliantly controlled first time ball to KJ. KJ returned the ball to Hugo who had run into space, only for Hugo to pass it back to KJ who by this stage was in the penalty area. KJ shot powerfully and accurately into the bottom corner of the goal - a brilliant goal.

Further chances followed - Ben shot wide at the end of a good move, and Michael came close to completing his hattrick with a header. Knaphill attacked dangerously too, but Finn and Aymeric made strong tackles and were excellent at turning defence into attack.

This was a really good performance. After an even first half, some clinical finishing and solid, committed defending proved decisive. Well done to all the players who will now look forward to the rest of the matches they will play this year.

Final score: St Hugh of Lincoln 3 Knaphill 0

Our team was: Ryan, Hugo, Cormac, Michael, Joshua, Ben, Aymeric, KJ, Finn.

The two pages of this week’s school newsletter are here and here.

Children and staff returned to school this morning for the start of the Spring term.

We wish everybody a very happy new year!