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Miss Hamalis’ Bulletin – Monday 15 January 2024

Posted: 15th January 2024

Miss Hamalis, Head Of Channing Junior School

Dear Parents 

In our first assembly of 2024, I explained to the girls that as we embark on a new year, it is a wonderful time to reflect on the events and achievements that shaped our school community in 2023. Many successful and memorable moments unfolded, and we are proud of the positive impact these experiences had on our pupils and the broader school environment. 

As we did together in Fairseat Hall, I would urge you to take a moment to reminisce about the school events from last year that stand out in your memory. Whether it was a heartwarming performance, a community project, or a collaborative effort, each event contributed to the vibrant and supportive atmosphere we cultivate at our school.

As we look forward to the year ahead, we considered three statements that can guide us in assessing the previous year and setting intentions for the new one: “I made a difference,” “I learnt new things,” and “I grew as a person.” Perhaps you’d like to do this too with your daughter or for yourself. I certainly found this helpful.  

I made a difference.

Encourage your daughter to reflect on her contributions in 2023. Did she engage in activities that positively impacted others? Making a difference, no matter how small, is a significant achievement. Let’s challenge the girls to think of new and exciting ways to extend a helping hand, fostering creativity, fun and kindness.

I learned new things.

Learning is a lifelong journey, and the start of a new year is an opportune time to set goals for acquiring new skills. Whether it’s playing an instrument, learning a new language, mastering culinary arts, engaging in sports or contributing to charity, let’s encourage the girls to explore their interests and broaden their horizons.

I grew as a person.

Growing as individuals involves more than physical changes; although it has been great to see so many of the girls returning to school after the holidays having grown in height. Help your daughter to reflect on her personal growth in 2023. Did she become wiser in decision-making, appreciate her blessings in their lives, strengthen relationships or face challenges with courage? Embracing personal growth is a continual process, and we look forward to supporting our pupils on this transformative journey.

Now, let’s turn our attention to the new year, 2024. What if your daughter wrote a letter to their future selves, outlining her aspirations and goals? Encourage her to dream big and embrace opportunities as they arise. Having goals gives purpose and seizing opportunities fosters resilience and adaptability.

As partners in your daughter’s educational journey, we are excited about the potential for growth, learning, and positive contributions in 2024. Together, let’s make this year a testament to the boundless potential within each and every pupil.

With warm wishes 

Miss Dina Hamalis 

Head of the Junior School

Calendar & Events

School Calendar

You can view all events for the year in the school calendar via our Parent Portal: SchoolBase login. Your calendar view should already be filtered to display the Junior School events and events which are specific to your daughter’s year group. 

The ‘School Calendar Parent View’ button shows the complete calendar, which can be viewed by each month, week or day. Events also appear on the right-hand side of the home page under ‘Forthcoming Events’ and the monthly view of the calendar also appears at the bottom of the home page.

Brew Monday: Monday 15 January & Tuesday 16 January

Thank you to those that popped into the Drama Studio this morning to warm themselves with a hot drink and have a catch up after the New Year. It was a positive, albeit chilly, start to supposedly the worst Monday of the year! 

Tomorrow, Tuesday 16 January, we will be extending Brew Monday to our House Buddy Form Time, where the girls will have hot chocolate and a natter with their buddy. For this special treat, please can your daughter bring a mug of her choice to school on Tuesday 16 January.

Cultural Diversity Day: Tuesday 21 May 2024

On Tuesday 21 May, we will be celebrating Cultural Diversity Day. We are looking for parents/carers to volunteer and run a session (30 – 45 mins) about their culture. The session could include a presentation, an activity (cooking, crafts, dancing), sharing music or videos. The session will be delivered to a mixed group of girls from a range of year groups and you may need to deliver the session more than once. We are also happy for you to group together with other parents/carers to deliver a session. Once we have gathered interest from parents, we will be in touch with full details. Please note: Year 6 will be on their residential trip, but we are still happy for Year 6 parents/carers to help should you wish to. 

To register your interest in taking part in this event, please complete this Google Form by Wednesday 31 January. 

If you have any further questions please email either: Mrs Eliad geliad@channing.co.uk or Señorita Jimenez ajimenez@channing.co.uk (Equality, Inclusion and Diversity Leads)

Calling all Entrepreneurs: Monday 29 or Tuesday 30 January

Junior Entrepreneur Programme (JEP)

In Design & Technology, Year 6 pupils have started the Junior Entrepreneur Programme (JEP) where they are learning all about how small businesses are run and what it takes to be an entrepreneur. We are looking for parent volunteers to come and talk to pupils about their experience of being an entrepreneur and share some pearls of wisdom with the girls before they start up their own class businesses. If you can spare a couple of hours on the morning of either Monday 29 or Tuesday 30 January, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Mr Fellows (Art & DT Lead): rfellows@channing.co.uk

Extracurricular Clubs

Information

Spring Term clubs started today. The girls are all excited to either be returning to a familiar club or trying something new. Please support us by ensuring your daughter knows the clubs she is attending each day and has the correct uniform and equipment for their club. Pupils are not permitted to wear their PE kit all day for a sport club with the exception of PE days. Instead they will just need trainers to change into for an after school club (excluding Ballet, Karate and Gymnastics which require the girls to change into specialist attire or their PE kit after school).

Club Cancellations

Due to Parents’ Evenings this half term, please see below for the clubs that will be unable to run due to teacher and room availability. Please note that if your daughter’s club is not listed below, it is running as normal. 

Tuesday 30 January

  • KS1 Science 

All other clubs are running as usual, but please note that the Library will be closed to parents after school this day to facilitate the running of all clubs. 

Wednesday 31 January

  • Reception Storytelling 
  • Key Stage 1 Paper Crafts
  • Years 3&4 Hockey 
  • Key Stage 2 Cartoon Drawing
  • Key Stage 2 Book Club
  • Years 5&6 Football 

Thursday 1 February

  • Key Stage 1 Hockey 

Tuesday 6 February

All clubs are running as usual. 

Please ensure you sign your daughter up to Mini Owls and/or Late Owls should you require her to stay in school until her usual club time.

Lauderdale House Education Activities

Children’s Drawing & Painting (Taster Class £9.25/Term Fee £222/Concessional Term Fee £180) They have spaces available in the children’s Drawing & Painting Class (ages 5-8) taught by experienced, supportive, and friendly teacher Aynur Erdal.  Further details regarding date, time, and fees are on their website: Children’s Drawing & Painting | Lauderdale House

Birds & Owls

Birds & Owls Information

Adjustments to our Wraparound Care provision came into effect last week. Please read last week’s Bulletin for a reminder of the changes that are now in place.

In order to ensure that our after-school provision runs as smoothly as possible and to safeguard our pupils, we kindly ask that you sign your daughter up to Mini Owls and/or Late Owls in advance so that she is on the register. You will not be charged if your daughter is signed up but doesn’t attend Late Owls. Instead, charges are calculated based on when your daughter is signed in and out of the provision.

Channing Association News

Volunteers to speak to prospective parents at 4+ assessments - this week

There are a few slots still to fill for parents willing to support the 4+ assessments for incoming Reception girls – answering questions from prospective parents and helping to showcase our wonderful Junior School. If you would like to volunteer, please pick a 1-hour slot via this link: https://www.slottr.com/sheets/18281068  

Thank you to those who have volunteered so far; please sign in at the School Office ahead of your slot. Mr Entwisle (Deputy Head) or Miss McGinnety (Deputy Head Academic) will show you where to go and brief you.

North London Laughs Charity Comedy Night in aid of GOSH: Wednesday 20 March 2024 - Tickets Live This Wednesday

For one night only, Avalon presents a star-studded line-up including GREG DAVIES; ROB DEERING; SARA PASCOE; LOU SANDERS; EMMANUEL SONUBI and JOSH WELLER for a hilarious evening to raise vital funds for an incredible cause.

Channing parents will have exclusive first-access to tickets, which go live at 10am this Wednesday (17 January), before they open for general sale on 25 January. All details and the link to ticket sales (which will be sold via the venue website) can be accessed via the Classlist events page. Booking early is recommended to avoid disappointment.

Venue: Alexandra Palace Theatre

Time: Doors at 6:30pm for Channing parents to have a drink at the bar, show starts at 7:30pm, ends at 10pm 

Event details: Classlist.com

Charity: Great Ormond Street Hospital – Gastroenterology Department

New Channing Association Choir

Following the wonderful singing in the Winter Celebration in St Michaels last term, the Channing Association – supported by the Music Department – is very excited to be launching a parent and teacher choir this year, and we need YOU! 

The choir is for parents and carers, and will open to all genres of music. Rehearsals will be fortnightly in a local venue TBC on Monday or Tuesday evenings 7-9pm. 

If you would like to join the choir or take on the role of accompanist on the piano, please email jschanningassociation@gmail.com to register your interest. Venue and dates to be communicated in due course.

PreLoved Uniform Sale - Call For Donations

Our next preloved uniform sale will take place on Thursday 25 January between 8:15am – 9am in the main entrance courtyard / Drama Room (weather dependent).

We would be very grateful for further donations of preloved uniform items in good condition ahead of the sale. Please place unlabelled, washed, bagged donations in the blue bins in the courtyard. Thank you!

Winter Fair: Santa's Grotto Images KS2

The images from KS2’s visit to Santa’s Grotto at the Winter Fair during school time are now ready to be viewed on Firefly. These can be found in the ‘Photos’ section of your daughter’s Year Group page.

KS2 reindeer images should be ready to view from next week.

Diary Dates for Spring & Summer Terms

  • PreLoved Uniform Sale and call for donations: 25 January 2024 8:15am – 9am
    Donations can be placed in the blue bins from now, and the sale will be held in the main entrance courtyard or Drama Room, weather dependent.
  • CA Charity Comedy Night, North London Laughs: Wednesday 20 March 2024
    Exclusive first-access tickets to Channing parents will go live this Wednesday – check the Classlist events page for further details. Venue is Alexandra Palace, doors open at 6:30pm.
  • Channing Association Charity Swimathon: Saturday 23 March 2024
    Details to participate will be shared later this month.
  • Summer Fair “ChanFest 2024”: Sunday 9 June 2024
    Add the date to your calendar! Channing girls and their families are invited.