Dear Kilmorie Families,
I have the pleasure of writing the newsletter this week in Julie’s absence. As always at Kilmorie, it’s been a busy one!
The week started with an assembly to kick off Anti-Bullying Week 2023: Make A Noise About Bullying and to celebrate Odd Socks Day. The day is an opportunity to remind everyone of the serious message behind the fun – to be kind to each other and respect and celebrate each other's individuality. See photos here.
Kate M led the anti-bullying assemblies for Lower and Upper Phase and focussed on the definition of bullying by looking at different scenarios; discussing the difference between bullying and banter, and how banter can sometimes turn into something more hurtful. The assembly highlighted the importance of not being silent if we see bullying taking place and explored ways we can stop it or deal with it when it happens. At Kilmorie, we encourage children to be brave and speak up if they encounter bullying.
The important discussions about anti-bullying continued back in the classrooms during PSHE lessons. Click here to read more about Anti-bullying week at Kilmorie and see the resources available.
There have been a number of trips and visits this week. Jane C took a team of year 5 and 6 basketball players to a tournament at Sydenham School.
On Monday, year 4 visited St. George's church where they had the opportunity to see features commonly found within churches and hear from the rector, Richard, about their importance. Richard also talked through what happens during a baptism and explained why it is an important event in the life of a Christian. See photos here and quotes from children below.
- Lyra: "I enjoyed learning about getting the altar ready for different festivals, with the different cloths".
- Juno: "I learnt a lot about baptism. We had learnt about godfathers and godmothers before but now I have a clearer idea of what happens."
On Tuesday and Wednesday our children from Reception to year 3 took part in some drama workshops with the company Perform drama school. The children took part in a workshop and became explorers and went on an exciting adventure using their imagination. The children really enjoyed these sessions.
The Year 5s had a visit from the Explorer Space Dome to teach, amaze and wow them with the wonders of space. They discovered more about the planets, their moons and things beyond our solar system, and they attempted to comprehend just how big space is in relation to us on Earth. They explored constellations of stars that we can see at home and how we can find them. See photos here and quotes from the children below.
- Sophie: "It was really cool, especially when we got to lay down and look at the stars."
- Gabriel: "It was out of this world! It made me feel like we were outside in the middle of night."
Additionally, this week six children from year 5, along with Carole and Eva, our school gardener, received the Chairman’s Cup for Best Wildlife Garden, at the Guildhall in London. Kilmorie was chosen as part of their Summer Competition. The year 5 children who attended the ceremony were those who helped grow seeds for the competition, which included courgettes, beans and tomatoes. Read full article here.
As well as general planting around the school for wildlife, our Wild Garden and our bug hotels, we also have bird boxes where tits have nested, and 11 swift boxes for which we are working on encouraging them to nest.
The week ended with a wonderful class assembly by Shona’s Class. I was super impressed with the children’s performances and how they were able to remember so many words. The assembly took us on a journey through the plague years, starting in 1665, and ended with the Great Fire of London in 1666. The children looked fabulous and were really confident delivering their lines. The beautiful singing and song arrangements added to the overall excellence of their performance. Well done Shona’s Class and thanks to Shona, Carole and Jayne who wrote, directed and costume designed!
Thank you to everyone who joined the FoK Wreath Making evening, there were some lovely wreaths made and everyone had a great time. Thanks to Katie Mitchell for giving up her time to run the session, which raised around £377.
Have your say! The Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, has launched The Big Ambition, a national survey of children and young people across England.
The Big Ambition aims to hear from children across England about what they think is important! In the lead up to the next General Election, the Children’s Commissioner wants to take children’s thoughts, opinions and ideas to decision-makers, to make sure that the Government hears young people’s voices on what they think needs to be done to make children’s lives better in England.
I would like to encourage as many children as possible to have their say and complete the survey here. It will be open until Friday 15th December.
LAST DAY OF TERM: please note that as usual on the last day of term, Wednesday 20th December, the school will close at 2pm. Please ensure you make arrangements for your child/ren to be collected at this time.
Thank you to all those people who donated to the British Legion to mark Remembrance Day last weekend.
A really big belated happy Diwali wishes to all who celebrate it last weekend.
Have a wonderful weekend ahead and don’t forget that next weekend (25th November) is our ‘Starry Nights’ winter fair, where I look forward to seeing lots of you there.
Kate
After a shaky start the team's confidence and determination grew stronger and there was no stopping them as they scored goals with determination.
Thank you to everyone who purchased a Christmas tree, the approx profit for the trees is an amazing £1300. 
The Perry Hill Pub is a regular supporter of our Friends of Kilmorie events, and is offering large igloo for the winter months. The igloo is suitable for private dining of up to 30 and a lot of fun! Also, here is their Christmas