Over St. John's CE Primary SchoolHead Teacher Blog: 10th December 2021
Date: 10th Dec 2021 @ 10:52am
Inter-Faith Week
This week, the children having been enjoying an inter faith week with lots of virtual workshops with visitors from a range of faiths, visits to our church and exploring Christianity as a global, living faith. This all culminated in a special celebration assembly this morning where the children shared lots of facts that they have learnt this week with Keith and Joan, from the Harmony Inter-faith Group, via Zoom. Thank you to Mrs McLaughlin for organising such an interesting week!
Carol Service Reminder
We are really looking forward to welcoming you to our Carol Service next week – our first ‘real’ event in two years. For those who have tickets for the Carol Service next week, please may I remind you of the following measures:
- all ticket holders to take an LFD test on the day they attend and do not attend if the result is positive;
- all ticket holders not to attend if they have any COVID-19 symptoms or feel generally unwell;
- all ticket holders not to come if someone in their household is a confirmed COVID-19 case in the 10 days prior to 14th December (from Friday 3rd December);
- wearing of face masks for ticket holders at all times;
- asking ticket holders not to sing during the Carol Service;
- encouraging social distancing as much as possible – limited number of ticket holders per bench.
- please use the hand sanitiser provided.
Tickets will be given to children on Monday 13th December in an envelope, so please look out for them. Please ensure that you bring your ticket - no one will be allowed to enter without a ticket – please do not forget them as we do not wish to offend anyone by turning them away.
The Carol Service begins at 1.30pm. Ticket holders will be allowed entry from 1.20pm and we will bring all children back to school for collection as normal at 3pm.
Holiday Activities for those in receipt of Free School Meals
Edsential are running a range of free activities available to children, young people and families in our school throughout the Christmas holidays. Thanks to funding from the Department for Education, there are a number of food and activity clubs this winter, at locations across west Cheshire, which are completely free for eligible FSM children.
Please see the flyer below for what is happening in the Winsford area and you can visit Holiday Activity Fund 2021 - Edsential or email them directly via HAF@edsential.co.uk for more information.
#WakeUpWednesday
Cancel the lords a-leaping, because National Online Safety have got two teachers singing! At National Online Safety, their seasonal song-writing synergy with Sam and Dan from MusicAlternative is now as much a part of the festivities as pulling crackers, wrapping awkwardly shaped presents and Noddy Holder bellowing “It’s Chriiistmaaaaaas!” It just wouldn’t seem like a proper Yuletide without it.
This year they’ve produced a special #WakeUpWednesday lyric sheet, so you can sing along if the mood takes you. There’s no doubt you’ll know the tune, as their 2021 offering is an affectionate homage to a modern festive classic – and very probably the only Christmas song you’ll hear this year (possibly ever) which references the iPhone ProMax, Zoom calls and TikTok. Grab yourself a glass of something nice … and enjoy!
COVID Guidance – Reminder of Changes to Guidance
You may be aware that there have been a couple of changes to the COVID guidance in light of the new omicron variant. Anyone who is identified as a close contact of the omicron variant must isolate for 10 days, regardless of age or vaccination status. When contacted by Track and Trace, you will be notified whether this applies to you. If you are not a close contact of the omicron variant, then you do not need to isolate if you are fully vaccinated or under the age of 18 years and 6 months however, it is recommended that you get a PCR test between day 3 and 5 of your first contact with the positive case and also take an LFD test each day for 7 days following first contact with the positive case.
Some of you may have noticed that staff in school have been wearing face coverings as they answer the door. The Department for Education has requested that all staff and visitors inside school should wear face coverings in communal areas. No other guidance has changed for school settings as I know that some people have asked if they need to wear face coverings on the playground – this continues to be a matter of choice.
St. John’s Church Links
St. John’s church is running a community survey to try and find out what the needs of the local area are and would be very grateful if you could spare a few minutes to take part in the survey via this link: St. John's Church Survey It’s a Google form that asks various questions about belief and the role of the church. Thank you in advance of your responses.
Following on from the success of St. John’s Church Family Film Night, there is another one coming up for Christmas and also a Street Nativity on Christmas Eve – please see the flyers attached below for more details. If you would like to attend either of these exciting events, just scan the QR codes on the flyers.
Applying for Primary School Places for September 2022
If you have a child who is turning 4 years old between now and 31st August 2022, or know of a child who is, then the application round is open to apply for their Reception place for which you have until 15th January 2022. Before making your application, it is important you view the Starting School booklet. Results are available from 16th April 2022. To apply, you will need to create an account or log in if you have an existing online account.
School Dinners
School dinners cost £2.34 per day, £11.70 per week. Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 receive free meals as part of the government’s Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) scheme. Dinner money must be paid in advance via School Spider.
If you are in receipt of benefits and think that you may be entitled to free school meals, please click here for more information and support and how to apply. It is very important to apply for free school meals whatever year your child is in, even if you receive the UIFSM in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, as the school receives a sum of extra money to further help support your child and their education.
Absence During Term Time
Please may I remind you that schools are not allowed to authorise pupil holidays in term time. Any child going on holiday in term time will receive an unauthorised absence. Our registers are regularly checked by the Education Welfare Service and parents may be issued with a fine from the Local Authority for unauthorised absence, which is currently £60 per child, per parent and this rises to £120 if paid after 21 days but within 28 days.
Confirmed Dates for the Autumn Term 2021 – new dates highlighted
Sunday 12th December: St. John’s Church Family Film Night at 4pm
Tuesday 14th December: School Carol Service in St. John’s Church at 1.30pm - collection from school as usual.
Wednesday 15th December: Christmas Lunch
Thursday 16th December: Pantomime Day and Christmas Jumper Day (non-uniform event)
Friday 17th December: School closes at 2pm
Friday 24th December: St. John’s Church Street Nativity 2pm – 4pm
Tuesday 4th January 2022: School re-opens at the usual time
Have a lovely weekend.
Take care,
Mrs E Snowdon