Over St. John's CE Primary SchoolHead Teacher Blog: Friday 13th December 2019
Date: 13th Dec 2019 @ 2:54pm
Christmas Fair and Disco
Thank you so much to everyone who helped to make the Christmas fair such a success last week: from the donations that were sent in, the help in organising the fair, the help in setting up, to those who ‘manned’ the stalls and for helping to tidy up again afterwards. The Fair was very well attended, the raffle prizes went down a treat and Father Christmas had a wonderful time!
Furthermore, a big thank you to everyone who helped to make last night’s disco a success: the children have told me lots of stories about the fun that they had!
Once the money from the disco has been counted, we will add this to the money from the Christmas Fair and let you all know the grand total. Thank you all again.
Events Next Week
Monday 16th December
Those children who have booked Secret Santa with the PTA will be able to choose and wrap their presents during the day.
Tuesday 17th December
Carol Service at 1.45pm in St. John’s Church. All children will narrate and sing the Christmas story as the children in reception present the nativity. After this event all children are to be collected from St. John’s church instead of school and it would be very helpful that day if children left their bags at home – just come to school with coats and lunches.
Wednesday 18th December
Christmas dinner day.
Children in Blakemere to go to Overdene Care Home to carol sing to the residents.
Year 5 violin concert for parents at 2.30pm
Termly attainment, progress and attendance data information to be sent home for children in Years 1 to 6.
Thursday 19th December
Whole school pantomime visit to watch Peter Pan at Northwich Memorial Court. Children should only bring coats, snacks and lunches to school. No other bags are needed.
School closes at 2pm for the Christmas holiday.
Reminder: The Sun Books for Schools
The Sun newspaper has teamed up with Collins Big Cat to give primary schools in England a free pack of books worth more than £600. To be in with a chance of receiving the books, we need to collect tokens that will be printed in The Sun and The Sun on Sunday between Saturday 23rd November 2019 and Saturday 18th January 2020. We need to collect 3,500 tokens and if we do so, we will be sent the pack of books, which contains 105 high quality fiction and non-fiction books, in March. Please can you spread the message among family and friends and send any tokens in to school. Thank you!
#WakeUpWednesday
Christmas is a great time of year to take photos, videos and make lots of memories with friends and family. Unsurprisingly, children will want to share these festive moments on social media, and will no doubt be keen to see what their own friends and family are up to as well. But it pays to be vigilant online and it’s important that children stay safe, that’s why National Online Safety have created a guide so that children are aware of how to keep themselves and their personal information secure and ensure that they use social media in the healthiest way possible. Please click on the link below to download.
Applying for Reception Places for September 2020
If you have a child who is turning 4 years old between now and 31st August 2020, or know of a child who is, then the application round is open for them to apply for their Reception place. You have until 15th January 2020, but before making your application, it is important you view the Starting School information booklet.
To apply, you will need to create an account or login if you have an existing online account.
Information from CWAC re. Food Waste
We have been asked to share some information with you all with regards to food waste over the Christmas period. There are some interesting tips on the leaflet to help us all keep food waste to a minimum. Please click on the link below to download your copy.
Reminders
School dinners cost £2.30 per day, £11.50 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 the School Money system.
If you are in receipt of benefits and think that you may be entitled to free school meals, please click https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/education-and-learning/school-meals.aspx for more information and how to apply. It is very important to apply for free schools 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.
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.
Confirmed Dates for the Autumn Term 2019 – new dates added are highlighted
Tuesday 17th December: Carol Service in St. John’s Church at 1.45pm. Collection from Church for all children at 3pm, not at school.
Wednesday 18th December: Blakemere singing at Overdene Care Home
Wednesday 18th December: Christmas Dinner Day
Thursday 19th December: Whole school pantomime visit
Thursday 19th December: School closes at 2pm for Christmas
Monday 6th January: School Opens at 8:45am
Have a lovely weekend,
Take care,
Mrs E Snowdon