The Christmas lights are up in many places and more are going up all the time.

Spectacular illuminations are set to brighten our homes and streets well into the New Year.

The more we try to light up our wives with the distracting and dazzling activities of the festive season like shopping and partying, the more we come to realize that what is really important at this time of year is just 'being' with family and loved ones rather than 'doing' all we can to achieve 'the best Christmas ever'. For many whose home and family lives are filled with particular pains and sorrows at this time the importance of simply 'being' rather than 'doing' during the Christmas season is even more vitally important.

Jesus is the true light who has come into the world to give light to everyone. His light is the light of hope that not only shows us a way through the darkness of despair but lightens the load of bearing our emotional and other burdens that we carry by strengthening us with the knowledge and sense of his unending and unbreakable love. May you know the power of Jesus' love to lighten your path this Christmas and New Year.

Well done to our school choir who sang at the Merry Hill Choir Competition on Wednesday 30th November. We took a total of 44 children to sing, and the

remainder of Year 3 went along to offer their support. Thank you to the family

members who came along to help to walk the children there and back, and to everyone who came to listen to the beautiful singing. We are all very proud of the way you represented our school. I am very grateful to Mrs Addis for the time that she has spent preparing the choir for this competition and various other events throughout the term.

Thank you to everyone who supported our two Christmas events: The Christmas Fair and Breakfast with Santa. They raised £845 at the Christmas Fair, with money still coming in. They also made a profit of £___ at Breakfast with Santa. The organisation of these events take a lot of hard work and I am truly grateful to everyone who has helped to plan and run them. They could not happen without the support of a fantastic group of staff and parents.

Thank you to those of you who regularly contribute to the School Building Fund. These contributions are vital to help the Academy Committee of the school raise the funds they need to maintain and develop the school building so that your children can continue to be educated in good and improving surroundings. We are able to take donations by standing order or direct bank transfer. Please either complete the attached standing order form and return it to school, or use the account details on it to set up a payee on your online banking.

If you are a UK tax payer could you also complete the Gift Aid Declaration as this will add 25% to your donation. This form can be returned to the school office.