Over St. John's CE Primary SchoolHead Teacher Blog: Friday 13th October
Date: 12th Oct 2023 @ 1:43pm
Playleader Training
This week, all the children in Blakemere have received their second and final training session to become Playleaders at lunchtime. The children will take up their new roles over the coming weeks where they will be available on the playground each lunchtime to lead fun and active games with the children in Key Stage 1 (Reception, Year 1 and Year 2). From watching them on Tuesday, it looks like the children in Key Stage 1 are in for some extra fun lunchtimes as the children in Blakemere were definitely getting into the spirit and really enjoying themselves, which in turn, will come across to the younger children. Well done Blakemere.
#WakeUpWednesday
They might not be able to pinpoint its location on a map and they might not fully grasp the historical and political drivers behind the conflict – but in this age where news, images and video can cross continents in seconds, many children are now aware of the terrible recent events in Israel. It’s a situation, of course, that could cause youngsters extreme distress and worry. This week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide contains some valuable pointers for supporting children to deal with upsetting content they may have encountered online – whether that’s the attacks in Israel, ongoing worries over the environment or something else entirely. Our tips will assist trusted adults in helping young people to process any negative emotions that they may be feeling.
Vale Royal Music Centre
For those children learning the violin in Year 5, or indeed anyone who is learning an instrument in or out of school, you may be interested in finding out about Vale Royal Music Centre. Vale Royal Music Centre runs at Weaverham High School on a Monday and Tuesday evening and they have ensembles for all ages and abilities which your children could benefit from joining.
As our violin tuition is provided by Edsential, our violinists are able to join in free of charge with a small fee for other instruments. Please do take a look at the information attached below for further details – there is also a choir too!
Half Term Holiday Fun
We have received some information regarding lots of great activities happening at Winsford Lifestyle Centre over October half term, including swimming crash courses and Halloween Pool Party. Please take a look at the attached flyer below for more information.
Pupil Consultation Evening
Next week sees the first of our termly Pupil Consultation Evenings. We hold these three times per year, just before each half term, giving you the chance to meet with your child’s teacher and have an update on their learning and progress. At this first meeting, it is also a chance to find out how your child is settling into their new class, find out about ways you can support your child at home and receive an update on their current attendance. We look forward to seeing you next week.
Attendance Updates
Please may I remind you that the register is taken at 8:45am and children need to be in class before this time to get marked in on the register. The playground gate opens at 8.35am and closes a couple of minutes before 8:45am so that the children have chance to come through and get into class on time. If your child has to come through the school office as the gate is closed, it is quite likely that they will receive a late mark in the register.
Well done to Sandymere with the highest attendance this week and we had 2 classes with above 96% attendance.
Hatchmere 94.76%
Sandymere 97.22%
Delamere 87.22%
Oakmere 96.82%
Linmere 87.83%
Blakemere 88.52%
|
Attendance during one school year |
Equivalent Days |
Equivalent Sessions |
Equivalent Weeks |
Equivalent Lessons Missed |
|
95% |
9 Days |
18 Sessions |
1.4 Weeks |
45 Lessons |
|
90% |
19 Days |
38 Sessions |
3.4 Weeks |
95 Lessons |
|
85% |
29 Days |
58 Sessions |
5.4 Weeks |
145 Lessons |
|
80% |
36 Days |
72 Sessions |
7.1 Weeks |
180 Lessons |
|
75% |
48 Days |
96 Sessions |
9.3 Weeks |
240 Lessons |
Applying for Secondary School Places for September 2024
If you have a child in Year 6, the application round has now opened for you to apply for a secondary school place. It is very important that you do this before the deadline, which is 31st October 2023, otherwise your application will be classed as a late application and could have a severe impact on your preferred school choice. Results are available from 12.30am on 1st March 2024. To apply, you will need to create an account or log in on this link. Before making your application, it is important you view the Transferring to Secondary School Booklet to help you with your choices.
As a school, we are a partner primary with both The Winsford Academy and Hartford CE High School which means that applications for children from our school are considered above some other categories, should the school be oversubscribed. However, you have the option to apply for 3 secondary schools of your choice. Further details with regards to this can be found in the ‘Transferring to Secondary School’ information booklet in the link above.
Applying for Primary School Places for September 2024
If you have a child who is turning 4 years old between now and 31st August 2023, or know of a child who is, then the application round is also open for them to apply for their Reception place. The timescale is slightly different for this and you have until 15th January 2024, but like the secondary school place, before making your application, it is important you view the Starting Primary School Booklet. Results are available from 16th April 2024. 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 £2.70 per day, £13.50 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 School Spider as we do not accept cash in school.
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 2023 – new dates highlighted
Tuesday 17th October: Pupil Consultation Evening 4pm – 6pm
Thursday 19th October: Oakmere Trip to Crown Farm Quarry
Thursday 19th October: Pupil Consultation Evening 3.10pm – 5.10pm
Friday 20th October: School closes for half term at 3pm
Monday 30th October: school gates open at 8:35am
Monday 13th – Friday 17th November: Anti Bullying Week
Monday 13th November: Odd Socks Day for Anti-Bullying
Thursday 16th November: Vale Royal Falconry visit for assembly and to work with Delamere
Friday 17th November: Friendship Friday
Wednesday 6th December: Christmas at Cotebrook trip for Hatchmere, Sandymere and Delamere
Tuesday 12th December: Carol Service in St. John’s Church at 1.30pm. All welcome. Collection of all children from church.
Thursday 14th December: Whole school pantomime – Aladdin – at Northwich Memorial Court
Friday 15th December: End of term at 2pm
Wednesday 3rd January 2024: School opens at 8:35am
Have a lovely weekend.
Take care,
Mrs E Snowdon