We hope you all had a lovely and restful half-term break. It has been wonderful seeing you all back in school this week, looking refreshed and ready for Term 2. This term is a very busy and exciting term with Parent Teacher Meetings, Nativity performances, Carols by Candlelight preparations and the run up to Christmas.

Music - KS2 were excited to welcome the incredible, virtuoso concert pianist, Clare Hammond to perform to them this week. She treated us to a varied programme of music including pieces by Florence Price, Stravinsky and Prokofiev. It was a truly inspiring performance which will hopefully encourage our pianists to keep practising at home!

Attendance - Every day in school really does matter. Regular attendance helps children to build friendships, develop positive relationships, feel part of our school community and, most importantly, make progress in their learning. Even missing a few days can mean missing important teaching, experiences and opportunities. We want every child to have the very best chance to belong, achieve and thrive at St Greg’s. We will be working with families to improve attendance where it falls below the expected standard.

Remembrance - In readiness for our Whole School Remembrance Service on Wed 11th November, we would love to give each child a poppy. If you are able, can we please ask for a small donation towards our Poppy Appeal (50p). You can pay for this on ParentPay. If you would prefer that we did not give your child a poppy for any reason, please let the School Office know by Tuesday 10th Nov by emailing: parent@st-gregorygreat.gloucs.sch.uk .

Uniform - We’ve noticed that some children have been wearing items that aren’t part of the PE school uniform. Please ensure your child comes to school in the correct uniform on their allocated PE day. Please Note: We do understand there has been a delay in the PE tops arriving so please continue to wear a white/house coloured polo top until your new PE top arrives.
PE Uniform - NAVY blue zipped hoodie top, NAVY blue Jogger, shorts or girls skort, grey, navy or white socks, PLAIN BLACK trainers.

Easy Fundraising - A quick introduction of www.easyfundraising.co.uk - an online platform that allows to give donations to FOSG at no extra cost to you when you shop online. Registration is very easy:
Via browser or app — create a free account, search for and select Friends of St. Gregory's FOSG, Cheltenham as your cause, follow the link to your retailer and start shopping. 8000+ participating retailers including supermarkets, high street brands and many more.  One caveat: the shopping basket needs to be completely empty before any saved items will not be indexed for donation.
Your contribution into St Greg’s pot is highly valued! Thank you.

Upcoming events:
December

• Y1 Nativity 8th Dec @ 2pm - 3pm - BOOK ON EDULINKONE
• Y2 Nativity 9th Dec @ 2pm - 3pm - BOOK ON EDULINKONE
• EYFS Nativity 15th Dec @ 2pm - 3pm - BOOK ON EDULINKONE
• KS2 Carols by Candlelight 15th Dec - Time TBC - All of KS2 MUST attend
• FOSG Hot Choc around Camp fire 16th Dec @ 3.30pm-4.30pm - BOOK ON PARENTPAY
• Whole school Mass - End of Term Blessing of Chaplaincy team Led by Y5 18th Dec @ 9.30am-10.30am - PARENTS WELCOME

January

• Whole school Mass - Epiphany and Start of Term Led by Y5N - PARENTS WELCOME
• FOSG Pyjama day - 15th Jan 2027 - BOOK ON PARENTPAY
• KS1 Liturgy Led by Y2 - 21st January @ 2:30pm BOOK ON EDULINKONE - Y2 PARENTS ONLY
• Y1 Phonics Workshop Tues 26th Jan @ 9am 2027 - BOOK ON EDULINKONE
• Y2 Phonics & Spelling Workshop Wed 27th Jan @ 9am 2027 - BOOK ON EDULINKONE
• February
• Grandparents Afternoon: Coffee, Chat & Stories - 11th Feb @ 2pm 2027 - BOOK ON EDULINKONE

Quote of the week: “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”

Happy Friday 🙏
Mr Penney