Holywell Kids Club - Easter Holidays 2023

Booking is essential and is taken on a first come first served basis, please use Arbor to book if your child attends Holywell or call/text the team: 07706 002060 or Email: kclub@holywell.kent.sch.uk for other schools.

Holywell Primary School

Holywell Primary School - School Council | Afternoon Tea and Discussion

You are invited to an Afternoon Tea (tea and cakes) for the children to interact with people from the local community and discuss how Upchurch has changed over the years, what the best things about living in Upchurch are and what problems people in Upchurch may face, such as litter, overpopulation etc.

These conversations will then inform our decision on what we will focus our young citizens' action project on.

Please RSVP by Monday the 20th of March.

Email: office@holywell.kent.sch.uk

Telephone: 01634 388416

Holywell Primary School

PFHS - Baby & Children's Nearly New Sale at Upchurch Village Hall

The Parents and Friends of Holywell School are hosting a Baby and Children’s Nearly New Sale at Upchurch Village Hall on Sunday the 5th of March, between 11:00am and 1:00pm.

There will be lots on sale, including clothes, shoes, toys, bed sheets, books, maternity items and more.

Entrance is £1 for adults and free for children.

A stall pitch costs £15, and a table and chairs are provided. If you are interested in having a stall at the event, please Email: office@holywell.kent.sch.uk

There will also be a donations stall run by the PFHS, where all the money goes towards the school. If you have any items that are in a good, clean condition that you wish to donate, please drop them off at the school office by Tuesday the 28th of February - Thank you.

Upchurch Matters

Parents & Friends of Holywell School - Quiz Night

PFHS Quiz Night

Tom Ball Quiz Master

Plus prizes to be won in the raffle

Saturday, February 4th

7:00pm at Holywell School Hall

Tables of no more than 8

£5 per person, paid in cash on the night

You are welcome to bring along your own alcoholic drinks and snacks

To book please call the School Office: 01634 388416

Upchurch Matters

Holywell School: New Entrant 2023 - School Tours

Click flyer to enlarge.

Stella Poulter - Secretary
Holywell Primary School
Tel: 01634 388416
Email: office@holywell.kent.sch.uk
Website: www.holywell.kent.sch.uk

Holywell School Says Farewell to Miss Taylor

Assistant Headteacher Tracy Taylor at St Mary's Church, Upchurch.

Holywell said farewell to Miss Taylor this week after a milestone 25 years of teaching children (and some grown-ups) at the village school.

As a special surprise, Assistant Headteacher Tracy was presented with a scrapbook of memories from children and families, past and present and other gifts during the year six leavers service at St Mary's Church on Thursday the 21st of July 2022.

A poem by teachers Jackie Warner and Tom Ball was read out in church, and a sea shanty was sung for Miss Taylor by the children, who is a huge fan of both pirates and monkeys. The words to both are below.

For extra fun, the children got to play Human Buckaroo and placed items around their favourite teacher's neck.

Goodbye, Miss Taylor and wishing you the best of luck in your new adventure at the Aspire Primary School in Sittingbourne.

Thank you for everything you have done for Holywell.

You will be missed, for sure!

“Once upon a decade, but which one we will not say,

Lived an important person, who we will call Barbara today.

As a child, she moved a lot because her dad was in the army,

She went to so many schools, it almost drove her barmy.

Anette, Andrea and Harry grew up with her as a big sister,

But then she left for uni, my goodness how they missed her.

She said she studied Maths, but we know that’s not quite true,

In fact she was really learning how to captain a pirate crew.

She completed all her training and off in her ship she went,

Eventually she sailed and docked in the beautiful county of Kent.

She didn’t seek the usual treasure you’d expect a pirate to choose.

She wanted the best buckles and heels, in fact any pair of fabulous shoes.

Not a traditional pirate, on her shoulder there was no bird.

Instead she wanted a monkey, isn’t that absurd?

Unfortunately monkeys are banned and blocked by the RSPCA.

So she ended up with pets you’re more likely to see day to day.

First there was Ant and Dec, each a naughty kitten.

But Beau, her lovely Frenchie, had her truly smitten.

She said she wanted to be a rally driver, perhaps the next Colin McRae,

But instead she found a home and for the next quarter of a century she’d stay.

Twenty four years of loyal service to her school family at Holywell,

Too many memories for a PowerPoint so this is our sad farewell.

Good luck on your next voyage, you’ve been with us so long.

So we want to wish you well with a special pirate song.”

-----------------------------------

“There once was a lass called Tracy Taylor, 

Assistant Head of Holywell School

She helped to keep this boat afloat

She did her job so well.

Soon there’ll be someone else

To walk in her shoes and do her job.

But there’ll be no one else

Like Tracy Taylor.

She has a little dog named Beau,

She loves her dearly and rightly so,

Her partner’s name is Kevin

And he’s always by her side.

Soon there’ll be someone else to walk in her shoes and do her job.

But there’ll be no one else

Like Tracy Taylor.

We’ll all be sad to see you leave,

Our favourite pirate, aha matey!

But now it’s time to walk the plank,

We wish you all the best.

Soon there’ll be someone else to walk in her shoes and do her job.

But there’ll be no one else

Like Tracy Taylor.”

Upchurch Matters

Letter to Residents From Holywell School Regarding Building Work Over the Summer Break

Dear Residents,

Following a successful bid to the Department for Education Condition Improvement Fund, we have been scheduled to have some significant updates to our school building and grounds. The work being carried out is essential in order for the school to remain compliant under health and safety and safeguarding regulations.

The work is scheduled to start from next week, 25th July 2022. We hope the majority of the work will be completed before the start of the next academic year in September.

One part of the job will be to replace the exterior fencing around the perimeter of the building with new 6ft security fencing and to install a new automatic main gate and pedestrian gates on the front of the school. For residents, this will mean the contractors will have to trim the hedges along the side of the field and playground in order to install the new posts and fencing. This can only be done safely once the birds have finished nesting so maybe towards the end of the Summer holiday and into the start of the new term. Please be assured this will not affect residents' gardens.

We have also spoken to our gardening company who will be cutting down a number of the very large pine trees on the field which have now become too high and dense. This should allow for more light in the gardens adjacent to the school field. This work is scheduled for September and again, we hope will cause minimal disruption.

Thank you in advance for your support and understanding.

Yours sincerely,

Mr D Callaghan - Headteacher

Stella Poulter - Secretary

Holywell Primary School
Tel: 01634 388416
Email: office@holywell.kent.sch.uk 
Website: www.holywell.kent.sch.uk

Upchurch Celebrates The Queen's Platinum Jubilee 2022 - Photographs

Click photos to enlarge.

Upchurch Celebrates The Queen's Platinum Jubilee 2022 🇬🇧 👑 🎉 🔥

Photographs 📸

#PlatinumJubilee

Upchurch Matters

Holywell School - The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2022 Art Projects to go on Display Alongside Your Flower Arrangements at St Mary’s Church

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2022 Art projects

Children at Holywell School have been working extremely hard over the last few weeks, researching, designing and creating their finished pieces of Platinum Jubilee art.

Each class were set a challenge to create a piece of art to celebrate either events, objects or people over the previous 70 years.

The art will be on display at St Mary's Church throughout the half-term holiday - please visit the church to take a look at all of the children's amazing ideas and creations.

School Jubilee Picnic

The school celebrated The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2022 together on the school field with a special end of term Jubilee Picnic on Friday the 27th of May.

Display of Your Flower Arrangements at St Mary's

Everyone is invited to bring their own flower arrangements (in vases and jars) to the church to help create a wonderful display in celebration of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2022. Children can bring wildflowers if they wish.

The church will be open to wander around and enjoy the flowers, along with the Holywell School Art Projects, from Thursday the 2nd to Sunday the 5th of June, between 9:30am and 4:30pm.

Jubilee Songs of Praise at St Mary's

A special Jubilee Songs of Praise will be held at St Mary's Church at 10.30am on Sunday the 5th of June, followed by coffee and cake.

Elspeth Baecke

Tracey Sellings - Holywell Primary School

Holywell Kids Club - February Half Term 2022

Booking is essential, please call/text the team: 07706 002060 or Email: kclub@holywell.kent.sch.uk

Tracey Snellings
Holywell Primary School
Visit our website at: www.holywell.kent.sch.uk

Parents & Friends of Holywell School - Big Challenge 20.22

Please tap/click on the sponsorship form to save it to your device to print it out.

Upchurch Matters

Holywell Kids Club - October Half Term 2021

Booking is essential - please call/text the team on 07706 002060 or Email: kclub@holywell.kent.sch.uk

Holywell Primary School

Website: www.holywell.kent.sch.uk

Holywell School, New Entrant 2022 - Reception Class Open Sessions

Holywell Primary School

Tel: 01634 388416

Email: office@holywell.kent.sch.uk

Website: www.holywell.kent.sch.uk

Holywell Kids Club - Summer 2021

Booking is essential, please call/text the team: 07706 002060 or Email: kclub@holywell.kent.sch.uk

Stella Poulter - Secretary

Holywell Primary School

Morrisons Community Champions Donate to Holywell School

Thank you to Sally Candy and Sittingbourne Morrisons Community Champions for generously donating garden tools, compost and bulbs.

Our pea plants needed repotting, so the compost arrived at just the right time.

Mayflower and Richmond classes are learning the value of growing our own vegetables and enhancing outdoor areas, so these tools and bulbs are a perfect way to help us get started this Spring.

Thank you so much.

Mrs Warner
Holywell Primary School

Urgent Letter from Holywell School Headteacher, Mr Callaghan

Tracey Snellings

School Business Manager 
Holywell Primary School
Tel: 01634 388416
Email: office@holywell.kent.sch.uk 
Website: www.holywell.kent.sch.uk

Holywell School, New Entrant 2021 - Virtual Tour and Online Meet and Greet

Tracey Snellings
School Business Manager
Holywell Primary School
Tel: 01634 388416
Email: office@holywell.kent.sch.uk
Website: www.holywell.kent.sch.uk

Holywell Kids Club - October Half Term

To Book - Ring: 07706 002060 Email: kclub@holywell.kent.sch.uk 

Tracey Snellings

School Business Manager
Holywell Primary School

Visit our website at: www.holywell.kent.sch.uk

Holywell School to Receive Prestigious Unicef UK Gold Award

Holywell School in Upchurch, Sittingbourne has been awarded Gold by Unicef UK’s Rights Respecting School programme.

Unicef is the world’s leading organisation working for children and their rights. The Rights Respecting Schools Award is granted to schools that show commitment to promoting and realising children’s rights and encouraging adults, children and young people to respect the rights of others in school. Gold is the highest accolade given by Unicef UK and shows a deep and thorough commitment to children’s rights at all levels of school life. There are over 500 schools across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales that have received Gold.

The school has been working with Unicef UK since 2017. They received their Silver certificate in June 2017. Last year, children from Holywell School attended a special Parliamentary event and exhibition to speak out on behalf of children across the country for their right to clean air. In a speech to MPs and UNICEF representatives children from the school spoke of the dangers of toxic air on their health, the importance of monitoring and significantly reducing toxic levels of air pollution urging the government to action to protect children’s health.

Headteacher of Holywell School, Mr Darran Callaghan, said:

“I am immensely proud of our achievement and the work that children, staff and the community have done to receive this award and I want to thank everyone for their commitment to put the rights of children at the very centre of every decision we make. By embedding the UN Convention on the rights of the Child we help our pupils grow into confident, caring and responsible young people so they may realise their potential. As a result, children at our school not only have a voice, feel safe and well cared for but also have a greater understanding of equality, dignity, respect and non-discrimination and the impact they can have, not just in their community but in the wider world.”

Holywell School is one of only four schools in Kent to have received the Gold award from Unicef UK and the first school in Swale. The Award recognises achievement in putting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child at the heart of a school’s planning, policies and practice. A Rights Respecting School is a community where children’s rights are learned, taught, practised, respected, protected and promoted.

Unicef UK Rights Respecting Schools Programme Director, Frances Bestley, said:

“We are very pleased to be awarding Holywell Primary School Gold; Rights Respecting. It is clear that the whole school has embraced a culture based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Holywell is a very inclusive school where children report feeling valued and safe irrespective of their background. Pupils also have many genuine opportunities to have their views heard and influence key aspect of school life, in turn creating a positive learning environment. It was also clear that children had an excellent grasp of children’s rights and social justice, and so did school staff, parents, carers and the school’s governors. Everyone should be very proud of their achievement particularly in achieving Gold at such a challenging time for schools.”

The Unicef UK Rights Respecting Schools initiative is aimed at schools across the UK, including those in an early years setting. This year the programme has received additional support from The People’s Postcode Lottery. This vital funding is helping Unicef UK continue its work with over 4500 primary schools, secondary schools, schools for children and young people with special educational needs and pupil referral units across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Schools have reported a positive impact on pupil behaviour, relationships and well-being by enhancing pupil’s self-esteem, leading to less truancy and bullying, better learning and improved academic standards.

Mr Darran Callaghan

Headteacher

Holywell Primary School

Telephone: 01634 388416

Email: office@holywell.kent.sch.uk

Website: www.holywell.kent.sch.uk

Holywell Kids Club

With the closure of Kids Days for Breakfast Club, After School Club and Holiday Club, Holywell Primary School has decided to take this role on as a school from the start of Term 1.

Our new provision will be called Holywell Kids Club and will be starting from Monday 7th September 2020.

This will mean the wrap-around care will be able to continue as previously and continue to support those families who require it.

We will of course still welcome children from other school settings for our After School Sessions and Holiday Clubs.

To book a place for your child at any of these sessions, please contact us via Email at: kclub@holywell.kent.sch.uk or telephone: 07706 002060.

We want to thank Kids Days and their staff for the many years of service they have provided for our children.

We are really excited about being able to offer this provision for our local community and look forward to working with you in the future.

Tracey Snellings

School Business Manager

Holywell Primary School

Visit our website at: www.holywell.kent.sch.uk