Over St. John's CE Primary School
Head Teacher Blog: Friday 15th December 2023
Date: 15th Dec 2023 @ 11:14am
We have had a lovely festive week in school as we have held our Carol Service, visited the pantomime, had Father Christmas to visit and a festive Christmas Jumper Day today. I think that there will be some very excited children over the next few days!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the support that you have continued to give to the staff and the school this year and say that we very much look forward to this continuing when we return in 2024.
Wishing you all a very merry Christmas!
Attendance
Today we have given out our certificates for attendance this term and there were 72 certificates in total to give out for attendance at 96% or more! Furthermore, 50 of these were for 98% or more, of which 32 were for 100%, which is a quarter of the school – a massive achievement! Well done.
The winner of the £15 Argos voucher draw for those at 98% or more went to Michael in Blakemere. Congratulations Michael and enjoy spending your voucher!
Thank you for all your support with trying to improve attendance, which for the Autumn term is 94.93% and a big improvement on this time last year which was 92.91%. Thank you once again and we will all continue working together on it again in the Spring term.
Well done to our joint winners of Oakmere with the highest attendance this week.
Hatchmere 89.52%
Sandymere 92.78%
Delamere 97.22%
Oakmere 98.18%
Linmere 94.35%
Blakemere 94.81%
Readopoly
We also did our first draw for our new Readopoly challenge today with a winner from KS1 and KS2 receiving a gorgeous reading hamper each. This term’s winners were Oliver in Sandymere and Michael - again - in Blakemere – well done and we hope you enjoy your hampers. Keep going with all the wonderful reading and Readopoly challenges and we look forward to another draw in the Spring term!
#WakeUpWednesday
There’s no disputing how integral the digital world has become to modern life. It can prove difficult for many young people to stay off smart phones, tablets and other devices for a single day – even one as special as Christmas. In fact, according to a survey by e-commerce platform Groupon, almost 80% of parents and carers would prefer a festive period that's free from technology. Going online, of course, is useful for checking in with friends and relations who we can’t be with, or for arranging celebrations, but if we allow gadgets to dominate our Yuletide break, that precious time could pass in a flash. For this week’s #WakeUpWednesday, there are suggestions for keeping a handle on device use over the holidays, so your family can be truly together this Christmas.
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 Spring Term 2024 – new dates highlighted
Dinner Week 1 (No jackets for the first three days and Wednesday’s main is tomato pasta)
Wednesday 3rd January 2024: School opens at 8:35am
Wednesday 17th January: Bookstart Bear visiting Hatchmere
Wednesday 24th January: Blakemere visit to Winsford Library
Wednesday 31st January: Linmere visit to Winsford Library
Wednesday 7th February: Oakmere visit to Winsford Library
Tuesday 13th February: Pupil Consultation Evening 4pm – 6pm
Wednesday 14th February: Delamere visit to Winsford Library
Thursday 15th February: Pupil Consultation Evening 3.15pm – 5.15pm
Friday 16th February: School closes for half term at 3pm
Have a lovely Christmas and see you all in the new year.
Best Wishes,
Mrs E Snowdon