Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School

‘We live our lives like Jesus’

6^th February 2026

Dear Parents and Carers

Although this has been another wet and grey week, we have reflected on the gifts we have received and how we can share these with others and give back to God with generosity.  Our Faith in Action group have led a celebration of the word and then all children have drunk hot chocolate as a symbol of the gifts we have received.  In return, we have raised money for Mary's Meal, raising £115 from the parish and about £100 from school. Thank you to everyone who has donated so far and well done to our Faith in Action group for leading these events.  

Next week, some year 5 children will be taking part in Bikeability - throughout the week they will be taught to ride safely and responsibly and some will master riding a bike with confidence. This is a free week of training, and we are delighted that we can support this event.  Our Year 6 children will be away from Tuesday to Friday at Runways End where they will take part in challenges which will support their resilience, independence and confidence. I am sure our Year 5s and 6s will have a great week with the opportunity to thrive.

Miss Clark 
Head teacher

All welcome
Over the next few weeks we will be holding a number of celebrations of the word that parents are warmly invited to.  Here are the dates

• Friday 13^th February - 2.30pm - St Valentine's Liturgy led by St Francis Class - Church
• Wednesday 11^th March - 2.30pm - Mother's Day led by Early Years - Classrooms
• Friday 13^th March - 2.30pm - Mother's Day led by TBC - Church

 

Bikeability 

Next week the children with consent will take part in their Bikeability lessons. Those who achieve level2 may be able to cycle to school after this. Those who haven't taken part or who do not achieve level 2 won't be able to do so. 
Bikes - some children will be bringing their bikes to school on Monday. They should wheel them round to the back playground and at the end of the day, can bring them into the hall overnight and then take them home on Friday.
Helmets - if you are bringing your own bike, please bring your helmet as well.
Where parents have indicated their child needs to borrow a bike and /or a helmet these will be provided by Pedal Power.
Clothes - children may wear their PE kits all week plus a warm coat. They may want to bring their normal school uniform to change into in case they get wet from the rain.

Staff Leavers. At the end of this half term, we will be saying good-bye and a huge thank you to Mr Byrne's who will be leaving us to concentrate on the tutoring company, "Love to Learn." We thank him for all his support and efforts over the last 7 years and wish him well for the future. Mrs Lucas will teach St Oscar Romero class on a Friday.  
We are also waving good-bye to Ms Halifax as she begins a new role as a TA in another school.

Technology - We now know the Government are starting a consultation on under 16s access to social media.  It would be great if parents can start the conversation with their child about their use of devices; What social media and games are they accessing and using?  What do they like about them and what worries them? How would they feel about not having access to certain sites? 
Whenever we have to deal with an issue about inappropriate messages being sent to children and groups via WhatsApp, I am always surprised by the time children are sending messages.  My challenge and request is for the next 2 weeks, could mobile phones be charged out of the bedroom so children aren't tempted to send, read and reply to messages

What do you see? What could it be and why do you think that?

Last week, our image was a chalk cliff- were you right?

And what could this confusing camouflage be?

 

• What do they think the image is and why?
   
• What does the image remind them of and why?
   
• Can they describe the colours, shapes and textures?

 

 

 

ARBOR APP - Please can I ask all parents to check their child's information on the ARBOR APP.   If you received a new mobile or have moved recently, please update the contact details and ensure all the information on your child's record is correct. We are particularly keen for parents to check the religion status for their child as we believe there are a number of children recorded as Christian and not specifically as Catholic.

SMART Devices - I am writing to remind you that for the safeguarding of all members of our school community, children are not permitted to wear smart technology devices into school. This includes items such as smart watches. Children are permitted to wear a basic digital or analogue watch, but this must not have any photographic or communicative functions and should not be valuable. If you are not sure whether a watch is suitable for school, please speak to the class teacher.

Benefitted Related Free School Meals - As you may be aware, families on certain benefits may be entitled to what is known as the Pupil Premium Grant - this is an amount of money, about £1300, that the school receives to support children in school. Where a family is entitled to the pupil premium grant, we offer subsidies for trips and some activities. However, families are also entitled to free holiday activities and a supermarket voucher during some holidays. If you have not checked whether you are entitled please do so before the end of September by clicking on this link Synergy - Enquiry Please do speak to Mrs Penney in the office if you need any help.

Important Events

Monday 9^th February to Thursday 12^th February - Yr5 Bikeability
Tuesday 10^th February to Friday 13^th February - Yr6 Residential
Wednesday 11^th February – Late Owl Movie Party (booking required)
Friday 13^th February – Running Club at Portsdown Hill @ 4.15pm
Monday 16^th February to Friday 20^th February – School holidays (school closed for all children)
Monday 30^th March to Friday 10^th April – Easter holidays (school closed for all children)

INSET Days this year - school will be closed to children on these days
Monday 16^th March
Monday 6^th July
Wednesday 22^nd July

This week’s celebrations:

S.A.F.E Event (Support, Awareness, Family, Empowerment) Tickets, Mon 16 Feb 2026 at 09:00 | Eventbrite

A free event for parents and carers focused on children's mental wellbeing with workshops and presentations run by CAMHS, MHST and Inclusion

S.A.F.E Event (Support, Awareness, Family, Empowerment)

S.A.F.E is Portsmouth's first community event run by all parts of the mental health services in the city alongside their community partners.

The event is completely free to attend, but tickets are limited to 100 people due to venue capacity.

Our aim for the event is to make our services as accessible as possible to young people and their families, and make important information more available to those supporting them. If you are a parent or carer looking for information then this event is for you.

We will be hosting a programme of workshops and presentations on a range of topics throughout the day:

• 'Parenting a Child with Neurodiversity' by Portsmouth's Neurodiversity Team

• 'School Avoidance and Attendance Difficulties' by Isobel Cone from the Inclusion Team
• 'Low Mood and Anxiety' by Hannah Lewis from Specialist CAMHS and MHST
• 'Eating Difficulties' by Alex Millham from the CAMHS Eating Disorders Team
• 'Managing Risky Behaviours' by Charli O'Mara Specialist CAMHS

The clinicians delivering talks will be able to answer general questions you have, and will be available to discuss any further issues you may want to discuss privately. The event is supported by Portsmouth Parent Voice, Hive Portsmouth, CAMHS Learning Disability Service and Early Help, along with other local organisations. There will also be booths available where you will have a chance to discuss support for you, your child, and your family.

The S.A.F.E event will run from 9am to 5pm.
Refreshments will be available but lunch will not be provided.

New Junior programme throughout the BH Live venues across the city, with most activities starting at 4.15pm. Activities are for children aged 4-7 years or 8-13 years and include:

• Ball games (from Feb!)
• Bats and Rackets (from Feb!)
• Clip n Climb
• Junior Hip Hop
• Athletics
• Junior Gym (older children)
• Aerobics - Les Mills
• SEND specific sessions - for example a weekly swim session at BH Live Charter Academy

If you would like more information about these activities or for BH Live staff to pop into school to maybe showcase them through taster sessions, please contact Jed Harris, the Junior Activities Manager based at the Mountbatten Centre: Jed.Harris@bhlive.org.uk