Over St. John's CE Primary SchoolHead Teacher Blog: Friday 13th December 2024
Date: 13th Dec 2024 @ 10:00am
Pantomime
We had a fabulous time at the pantomime yesterday – oh yes, we did! Sorry, it had to be done. The children were a real credit to the school with their excellent behaviour and it was such a pleasure to see their captivated faces and their beaming smiles. Spoiler alert – I’m pleased to say that those two wicked step-sisters realised the error of their ways and became good so it was a happy ending all round!
Music Concerts
We have been treated to two fabulous musical concerts over the last couple of weeks. Firstly, from our Year 5 children who are learning the violin. Their performance of a number of pieces for parents and a Year 3 and 4 audience last Wednesday afternoon was fantastic – they were all so confident after having only begun to learn in September and were incredibly tuneful; something that you might not perhaps associate with learners on the violin, but I am sure that the whole audience was incredibly impressed.
Then this Wednesday morning, we held our Christmas concert led by our guitar and ukulele players. I was very sad to have missed it but was sure to catch up on how it went and I have heard so many positive things about it, so a very well done!
Well done to all our musicians as it is one thing to learn to play an instrument, but to have to perform in front of an audience is very nerve-wracking and takes lots of bravery. Well done!
Christmas Extravaganza
We hold our Christmas Extravaganza this afternoon with a visit from Father Christmas too. I would just like to say a very big thank you for all the generous donations that we have received in school, to everyone who has helped with all the preparations (of which there have been many!), to everyone who is able to come and help at the event and clear up afterwards and to everyone that comes to support the event. Our PTFA and staff have been working incredibly hard behind the scenes to ensure a very enjoyable afternoon to raise much needed extra funds for the children in school. Thank you.
Illness
It is that time of year when so many people are catching lots of different bugs that are going around. With some of these, it is important that your child stays at home to avoid passing the illness around but there are others that they are perfectly fine to come to school with. I am re-sharing a link that gives you an idea of some common illnesses and whether you should keep your child at home or send them in to school: Is My Child too Ill for School?
Holiday Activities and Food
We have received information from Edsential about their Christmas Holiday Acitivies and Food scheme (HAF):
Free Christmas Holiday Activities and Food across Cheshire West and Chester
'Thanks to the crucial funding from the Department of Education, HAF Christmas is nearly here and we wanted to share with you some of the Holiday Activities and Food clubs available in your area. Coordinated by Edsential, on behalf of Cheshire West and Chester Council, this years Christmas HAF programme has a whole host of clubs that are completely free for children and young people in receipt of free school meals.
Our interactive map means it’s easier than ever for parents/carers to search for various activity clubs on offer in their local area. From various sports such as winter sports like ice skating and indoor football to holiday-themed arts and crafts, baking and cooking classes, nature bushcraft, campfires and day trips all with a Christmas twist. This Christmas promises something for every taste and interest. For older children there will be additional activities - holiday wellness sessions, hair and beauty workshops will be available. And the best part? Free, nutritious meals will be served throughout the programme, ensuring that children stay energised and nourished during the Christmas break.
To find a full list of the Christmas holiday activity clubs visit our website..'
Weekly Attendance
A quick reminder that our end of term prize draw will take place on Friday 20th December for a chance for those children with 98% attendance or more to win a £15 Argos voucher. There will also be certificates for those with 96% or above attendance for the whole of the Autumn term.
The draw will reset for the Spring Term, so don’t worry if you’ve not made it this term due to things such as illness, as there will be another chance at the end of next term.
This week, the class with the best attendance is Hatchmere! Well done!
Hatchmere: 95.40%
Sandymere: 94.19%
Delamere: 94.49%
Oakmere: 93.42%
Linmere: 93.57%
Blakemere: 94.82%
#WakeUpWednesday
The holiday season is fast approaching! While we hope you’re excited to kick back, relax and enjoy some well-earned rest with friends and family, it’s still vitally important that we do all we can to safeguard the children and young people in our care over the festive period.
However, it can be tricky to know what specific steps we can take to ensure our Christmas break is as calm and risk-free as possible, which is why National Online Safety have put together this week’s free guide. Check out their expert advice below on keeping youngsters safe over the festive season.
Absence During Term Time – Reminder
As shared towards the end of last term, there have been some changes to the way that Penalty Notices are issued for absences during term time. Penalty Notices are issued for irregular attendance, with days off here and there throughout the term including holidays.
The new National Framework for Penalty includes:
- A Penalty Notice must be considered for 10 sessions (5 days) of unauthorised absence within a rolling 10 school week period – these days do not have to be all at the same time, they can be a couple of days here and a couple of days there; they can be a combination of a couple of days holiday and a couple of days absence at other times too.
- An increase to the amount of a Penalty Notice is now £160 if paid within 28 days, and £80 if paid within 21 days. This fine is issued to each parent separately for each child, so both parents receive the £80 fine, meaning that for one child it equals £160 (£80 for Mum and £80 for Dad) if both parents take the child.
- A second Penalty Notice could be issued to the same parent for the same child within a rolling 3 year period being charged at a higher rate of £160 with no option for this second offence to be discharged at the lower rate of £80.
- A national limit of 2 penalty notices that can be issued to a parent for the same child within a rolling 3 year period, so at the 3rd (or subsequent) offence(s) another tool will need to be considered (such as prosecution or one of the other attendance legal interventions).
Applying for Primary School Places for September 2025
If you have a child who is turning 4 years old between now and 31st August 2025, or know of a child who is, then the application round is open for them to apply for their Reception place and you have until 15th January 2025, but before making your application, it is important you view the Starting Primary School Booklet. Results are available from 16th April 2025. To apply, you will need to create an account or log in on this link.
If you would like to visit Over St. John’s with a view to a Reception place next September or know of someone else who would, please do just ring the office and we will arrange a time to suit yourselves and us. We do not hold an open morning as I prefer people to see us as we are on a daily basis and have more personal time during a look around with me to ask any questions that they may have.
School Dinners
School dinners cost £3 per day, £15 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 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.
Confirmed Dates for the Autumn Term 2024 – new dates highlighted
Dinner Week 1
Tuesday 17th December: Secret Santa gift wrapping during the school day
Wednesday 18th December: Christmas Dinner Day
Wednesday 18th December: Christmas Disco 5.30pm – 7pm
Thursday 19th December: Carol Service in St. Johns Church at 1.30pm – collection from Church
Friday 20th December: Christmas Jumper Day and school closes at 2pm
Monday 6th January 2025: School opens at 8.35am
Wednesday 15th January: Applications close for Reception places for September 2025
Wednesday 22nd January: Governors visiting school for the afternoon
Wednesday 29th January: Blakemere to visit Winsford Library
Wednesday 5th February: Linmere to visit Winsford Library
Tuesday 11th February: Pupil Consultation Evening 4pm – 6pm
Wednesday 12th February: Oakmere visit to Winsford Library
Thursday 13th February: Pupil Consultation Evening 3.15pm – 5.15pm
Friday 14th February: School closes for half term at 3pm
Monday 24th February: INSET day – school closed
Tuesday 25th February: school opens at 8.35am
Have a lovely weekend.
Take care,
Mrs E Snowdon