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Newsletter Friday 24th November

Dear Parents,

Today's Gospel of 26th November 2021 - Luke 21:29-33 Jesus told his disciples a parable: 'Think of the fig tree and indeed every tree. As soon as you see them bud, you know that summer is now near.'

I wanted to share this painting with you as I think it reflects this Gospel beautifully. The bold juxtaposition of coloured dots in this painting reflects the budding and blossoming of that tree. Our own life trees, made up of small juxtapositions of acts of kindness and dots of goodness, are invited to blossom. Life however, is not just about looking after our own trees or families: we are invited to look at the trees around us and see the signs of life and of hope there too. As we come to the end of the Church year, it is a good time to look at the blossoming trees around us and to consider whether our own tree bears fruit or not. Jesus' mention of the fig tree evokes His earlier parable about the tree that was given a second chance to bear fruit. Soon, with the start of the new liturgical year and Advent, we will have another chance to walk alongside Christ and bear fruit.

This painting, by Paul Signac is a great example of Pointillism, the systematic application of dots of colours that become blended in the viewer's eye and create a sharp-ish image when seen at a distance.

St Bernard's Prep Follow

This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent. We have been gifted a beautiful Advent wreath by an ex colleague. Thank you Mrs Austin.#firstsundayofadvent #adventwreath #stbernardsprep https://t.co/M9e1eiEvNv

41 minutes ago

Love Christmas - Diocese of Northampton

Love Christmas is a national initiative, connecting people of all faiths, to deliver bags of kindness at Christmas. We would love for St Bernard's Prep to be involved by donating bags of kindness that will then be distributed throughout the community. You can learn more about the initiative on the Diocese's website.

Some ideas of things you could include:

Games and Toys

Sweet treats - mince pies, biscuits, chocolate

Winter clothing - scarves, hat, gloves, socks

Nail varnish, hand cream, luxury toiletries

Playing cards, jigsaw, puzzle book

Colouring books, crayons, pens notebooks

We plan to fill bags in three categories. Please label your bag by colour.

Family (Blue), Elderly (Red) and Child (Green).

The deadline for donations is Friday 10th December, please bring in anytime up to this date.

Sport - Hockey

Tuesday 16^th November 2021

Lower Trans/Trans

St Bernards Prep 0 vs 2 Long Close Player of the Match – Rehmat Kaur

St Bernards Saints 3 vs 0 Long Close Player of the Match – Dhaani Aggarwal

Friday 19^th November 2021

Upper Trans Girls travelled to Gayhurst for a Hockey match this week. Gayhurst had a very strong team and even though both teams came away with a defeat the girls played really well. The girls demonstrated great resilience and perseverance - they should be very proud of themselves and their conduct. Iyanu B and Sara M-S were awarded player of the match for their respective teams.

Music Awards

Well done to the following children who have been practising hard and gained the following music grades in the past few weeks:

Anish Year 5 – Piano Grade 3 with merit

Arjun B Year 4 – Piano Grade 2

Dhanni Year 4 – Piano Grade 1 with distinction

Evani Year 4 – Prep test

Himani Year 4 – Prep test

Hasitha Year 4 – Prep test

Meraya Year 4 – Prep test

Nainikka in Year 4 should be highly commended as she has gained Grade 1 written music theory with distinction completing the paper with full marks. Well done Nainikka!

Please let the school know of pupils that have taken music exams on any instrument, so we can celebrate their achievements.

Drum lessons

These lesson times have become available for pupils to begin drum lessons at the beginning of next term:

Monday 3.30 – 4pm -- Years 2 – 6 only

4.30 – 5pm -- Years 2 – 6 only

Tuesday 3 – 3.30pm -- Year 6 Remove C only

Wednesday 3.30 – 4pm -- Years 2 – 5 only

Please note – Pupils will not be charged for homework club if waiting for music lessons and receive a drink and snack at the end of the school day.

If you would like your son or daughter to begin drum lessons next term please complete and return the Instrumental lesson letter that can be found on the parentportal section of the school website. Please return the letter to reception electronically or print off and send into school.

Reminders and dates for your diary:

Thursday 2^nd Dec – whole school trip to Jack in the Beanstalk at Theatre Royal Windsor 12.45-4.30pm

Friday 3^rd Dec – Lower school (PEY-Y2) Santa party 2-3.30pm

Tuesday 7^th Dec – Christmas Bazaar, please contact your class rep if you are able to help on the day

Friday 10^th Dec – Christmas lunch and Christmas jumper day (all donations made via ParentMail will go to our chosen charity Mission Together).

Friday 10th Dec - Bags of Kindness deadline

A mathematical sweet line

There was much excitement in Year 3 yesterday when they used their sweet line in their maths lesson. The children counted, measured, estimated and multiplied, as they created their sweet line. A great practical maths lesson that engaged and delighted the children.

Mrs Verma's Big Ideas for Curious Minds

As a school we love to stretch and challenge our children, to enrich their education beyond the curriculum. Every week I will be sharing with you some discussion topics, new vocabulary, Maths riddles and book recommendations, that will infect our children with a love of learning. These will all be posted in the Parent Portal section of our website as well.

Word of the week - advesperate Verb: to darken or draw towards evening

The day began to advesperate: the sky darkened, workers hurried home, fires were lit and curtains were drawn.

The World This Week - USA

The United States of America is in the news this week because the US space agency has launched a rocket carrying a special spacecraft, and it's mission is to smash into an asteroid!

Imagine a small asteroid is about to fall to Earth. Try and describe what could happen.

Calling all bookworms and big thinkers

Who Am I? by Dr Henry Shevlin

A beautifully illustrated picture book asking the ultimate in philosophical questions - Who am I? Aimed at younger children, a lovely introduction to thought-provoking questions.

Armadillo and Hare by Jeremy Strong

A great book for new readers. In this collection of ten short stories, friends Armadillo and Hare meet other animals in a variety of encounters that centre on the importance of small things. Full of gentle humour and philosophy, reminiscent of Winnie the Pooh.

Just Think: Philosophy Puzzles for Children aged 9 to 90

Is the world we see around us really there? Is it ever right to do something wrong? Is beauty just a matter of opinion? Should everyone in society be paid the same amount? Are miracles possible? If you find questions like these fascinating, you are a philosopher. And if you are a philosopher, this book is for you.

"At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God's own love and concern."

- Mother Teresa (St Teresa of Calcutta)

Yours sincerely,

Mrs A Verma