Over St. John's CE Primary SchoolHead Teacher Blog: Friday 15th February 2019
Date: 15th Feb 2019 @ 10:49am
It was lovely to see so many parents at Parents Evening this week, which was very well attended. If you were unable to make it, please contact the office to make an alternative appointment. A couple of parents asked about the timing of Parents Evening being a bit earlier in the year than we usually do. Don’t forget – we have changed the Parents Evening pattern this year in response to our parent surveys last summer. We now hold one just before each half term and send home the children’s progress and attainment information at the end of each term. You can expect another Parents Evening before the May half term and your child’s usual report in July, although you will find that this won’t contain quite as much information as usual, having followed shortly from a Parents Evening. As shared in September, we are trialling this this year to see how it works and would welcome feedback once the cycle is complete.
In Collective Worship this week we having been talking about miracles and in particular the story of Jesus healing a paralysed man – how Jesus healed the man’s sins first to enable him to be truly happy, before enabling him to walk. We have discussed how, although we are unable to perform miracles, we can follow God’s example and there is a lot that we can do each day to make things better for others – choosing wise words and actions, showing respect, tolerance and kindness, offering a smile for peace, ‘…with God, all things are possible.’ Matthew 19:26.
We also shared the story ‘Perfectly Norman’ by Tom Percival in our No Outsiders this week, about a little boy who grew wings but felt that they made him different to everyone else so hid them under a coat, which he never took off and he became miserable. Then one day, he realised that it was his coat that was making him miserable and not the wings, so he took off the coat and flew – soon others joined him who had also been hiding their wings. We talked about the many differences that we have with each other such as different faiths, different skin colours, disabilities, sexuality, different families and different languages – but no matter who you are, you are welcome at Over St. John’s. ‘This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord God is with you wherever you go.’ Joshua 1:9 ‘Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.’ Matthew 5:16
The latest #WakeUpWednesday information from the National Online College is guidance around making friends online – this can help parents discuss issues with children as well as supporting adults in this area themselves. In this technological era, making friends online and communicating with them are normal parts of life. Unfortunately, there are people out there who may try and exploit your trust. This #WakeUpWednesday they're talking about 'Catfishing'; fake social profiles that go above and beyond to catch their victims... hook, line and sinker!
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/natonlinesafety/status/1095608518634295296
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/NationalOnlineSafety/photos/a.1681508315488685/1964239360548911/?type=3&theater
DOWNLOAD: https://nationalonlinesafety.com/resources/platform-guides/catfishing-online-safety-guide/
The governors have recently approved some updated policies, which are now on our website (click on Virtual Office, then Policies and Downloads). The main one that I would like to highlight is ‘Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions’ which has been updated so that we can now administer over the counter medicines, such as Calpol, as a school removing the need for parents to come in to do so. If you require us to administer an over the counter medicine, please print out, or request from the office, a copy of the consent form which is included with the policy.
At the time of writing, Year 5 and 6 are currently on their residential at the Conway Centre – I am sure that the children will fill you in with lots of wonderful stories about what they have got up to whilst away and I know that Mrs McLaughlin has blogged about their adventures. I am sure that you will receive very happy and tired children later – early nights all round, staff included!
Confirmed Dates for the Spring Term 2019
Monday 25th February – school closed (INSET)
Tuesday 26th February: School opens at 8:45am
Wednesday 6th March: Blakemere visit to Barclay’s Bank
Thursday 21st March: Nurses in school for Reception Health Screening
Thursday 21st March: Year 5 Research Project Conference at Portal Macdonald Hotel – more details to follow for those involved.
Thursday 21st – Friday 22nd March: Year 3 and 4 residential to Beeston OEC
Wednesday 27th March: Linmere at the MAKE IT! Challenge. More details to follow.
Thursday 28th March: Barclays visit for Oakmere class. More details to follow.
Friday 29th March: School closes at 2pm for end of term holiday.
Monday 15th April: School opens at 8:45am
Friday 19th April: School closed for Good Friday
Monday 22nd April: School closed for Easter Monday
Tuesday 23rd April: School opens at 8:45am
Don’t forget to keep checking the calendar on the school website. If you click on an event on the calendar, more information about that event will be given, if it has been added.
I hope that you all have a lovely half term holiday, and I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday 26th February.
Take care,
Mrs E Snowdon