Dear Parents, Guardians and Friends
Is it really too early to talk about Christmas already? I think not; Christmas tunes are already playing on the radio………so therefore we can excitedly start our countdown for all things Christmas at The Holt.
For the last couple of weeks, Miss Harris our charity co-ordinator has been encouraging the students to bring in a small gift each to donate into a box allocated to each form. The aim of these boxes was to collect gifts for teenagers across the local area, to be distributed by the local food bank in Wokingham. As ever, Holt girls did a great job and an impressive number of boxes was collected. 7T filled a record six boxes by themselves. Go Tanners!
Here is Miss Harris ready to go with the boxes.
The Sixth Form meanwhile donated Advent calendars and took them to the food bank last week in time for the 1st December.
The Christmas box drive was not the only charitable event that has been happening. Mrs Barker led an assembly week about the great work that the charity “Shelter” does, in particular at Christmas and this started off a whole school collection for this good cause. The collection is on-going this week so if you would like to send your son/daughter into school with some small change, then it is not too late.
On Friday, Mrs Van Wyngaart, Mrs Bolton and their form 10S held a “Strictly Teacher” dancing competition. This was very popular amongst the students who were delighted to see their teachers dance and face the judges panel for the verdict……it was won by Mr Robinson and our PGCE trainee Miss Flintham, who performed a Charleston. They may have had a bit of an unfair advantage though as Miss Flintham is a dance teacher, but oh well, it is Christmas ……and they raised £220.96. Well done Spinners!
On Monday afternoon, our Year 11s had their year group treat as they headed off to Westfields for some well-earned R+R Christmas shopping following their recent maths and English PPE exams.
Then this Friday, we have our much awaiting Christmas Fair. Form groups have been busy planning pocket money stalls and games, the finance team have been collecting a menagerie of cuddly toys to be re-homed, and there is of course a fabulous tombola, courtesy of the recent “own clothes” day. Some great bottles and other prizes are up for grabs, so please do come along and support us from 3.30 pm.
Don’t forget the raffle if you have still to buy tickets. There are more tickets available now and will also be on sale on Friday at the event. The star prizes are £500 cash, £200 John Lewis voucher and a Nespresso coffee machine, so well worth a ticket or two. You have to be in it to win it!
Now I am feeling suitably festive, I will leave you with two reminders for next week. Firstly, we have our Holt School traditional Christmas lunches! On Tuesday 11th, it is Years 7, 8 and 12 and Wednesday 12th, it is Years 9, 10, 11 and 13. Wrist bands are now on sale and must be bought in advance.
Lastly, a reminder that our wonderfully festive Christmas concert is on Thursday 13th December in St Paul’s church, starting at 7pm. It would be lovely to see you there.
Mrs Katie Pearce
Co-Headteacher