Over St. John's CE Primary SchoolHead Teacher Blog: Friday 15th July 2022
Date: 15th Jul 2022 @ 9:32am
This is my last Head Teacher Blog for the academic year and what a year it has been! Although the impact of COVID has continued to be felt in a variety of ways, the opportunities that we have had to return to normal have been very welcoming – from Collective Worship together in the hall, singing again (remember when we weren’t even allowed to sing? How did we cope?), different classes playing together, welcoming parents and carers back into the building, going on trips, events at church…. the list is endless. Thank you all so much for your continued support through this academic year as we have navigated all the changes that have continued to happen whilst keeping in mind the very reason that we do what we do – our children.
SIAMS Report
Yesterday, you will have received a copy of our SIAMS report. As a school community, we are delighted by the outcome of our report, which recognises all that we do to make our school a wonderful place for our children. Some of the main phrases that I highlighted yesterday were:
- ‘(The children) show their immense loyalty to each other and the school.’
- ‘(This is) a welcoming, highly inclusive, happy school where relationships are strong and in which pupils and adults flourish.’
- ‘Staff are committed to developing confidence and resilience.’
- ‘Pupils unfailingly behave calmly, courteously and with dignity.’
- ‘Over St. John’s (is a) vibrant, happy and successful school.’
Thank you so much for all the lovely messages that we have received with regards to our inspection report.
Year 6
Next Tuesday, we say goodbye to our Year 6 children as they head off to pastures new for the next part of their educational journey. They have truly been a fantastic year group who have embraced all that Over St. John’s has to offer and have been excellent role models for the rest of the school. I would like to wish Gracie, Scarlett-Mae, Umut, Neve, Joseph, Amelia, Isobelle, Samuel, Lily, Hannah, Oleksandr, Jason, Lacey, Joseph, Ciena, Hannah, Isaac, Faye, Ruby and Kai lots of love and luck as they continue to let their lights shine at secondary school.
Next Week’s Weather
No doubt you are all aware of the weather forecast for next Monday and Tuesday and the extreme heat that it is said to bring. With this in mind, please may I remind everyone of some important steps that we can take to keep us safe in the heat?
All children must come to school with suncream already applied and the higher the factor the better. They must bring a water bottle to school and have a sunhat too. We will keep the children in the shade or inside as much as possible and will not being having any of our usual physical activities on those days. If you would prefer, you are welcome to send your child to school in their PE kits on Monday and Tuesday if you think that this may keep them cooler. However, please may I remind everybody that our PE consists of a plain white t-shirt and plain black shorts.
Summer/ Enterprise Fair and Disco
The profits from last week’s events have been totalled up and just over a thousand pounds was raised between the two events! The Summer/Enterprise Fair made £740.07 and the disco raised £263.70. Thank you so much for all your support with these two events. I know that the staff are keen to purchase some visualisers for their classrooms initially, with the rest of the money being put to very good use too to support the quality of education for all our children.
School Uniform in September
As this year draws to a close and thoughts begin to turn to September, please may I take this opportunity to remind you of our school uniform expectations for all children as detailed in our uniform policy, which is available on our website. School uniform consists of:
- Light blue polo shirt
- Blue school sweatshirt or cardigan
- Grey skirt or grey trousers
- Sensible black shoes (not trainers) which are flat and offer support, Velcro fastenings are ideal
- Grey or white socks, grey tights
- Blue/ white checked summer dress or grey shorts in the summer term
I fully appreciate that towards the end of term, children have grown out of a number of items and parents and carers hold off buying new items until the autumn term, hence sometimes slightly different items creep in which parents and carers have spoken to me about. However, come September, please make every effort to ensure that your child is smartly dressed in the correct uniform. Apart from our school jumper, all items are available to buy in a variety of places such as supermarkets and the jumper can be bought from Julie Claire on the market. All items can also be obtained free of charge from Uniform Exchange Winsford.
#WakeUpWednesday
Footballers are used to harsh treatment from opposing crowds during the heat of battle over 90 minutes – it goes with the territory. But comments made about them from the world at large, over the internet, based on something other than their footballing ability? It shouldn't happen. Not in 2022. Regrettably, however, discrimination is still very much alive and kicking.
With record attendances, plentiful TV coverage, some thrilling matches and – dare we say it – a more evident sense of fair play than the men’s game, the Women’s European Football Championships is one of the sporting showpieces of the summer so far. This week’s National Online Safety #WakeUpWednesday guide suggests how we can all help to keep it that way with some tips for championing equality online.
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.
We use an external company, Edsential, to provide our catering and from September, the cost of school dinners will rise to £2.45 per day, £12.25 per week
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 Spring Term 2022 – new dates highlighted
Monday 18th July: Leaver’s Play at The United Reformed Church at 4.15pm. Ticket only event for Year 6
Tuesday 19th July: Whole School Leaver’s Service in St. John’s church at 9.15am. Everybody welcome
Tuesday 19th July: School closes at 2pm
Monday 5th September: School opens for the Autumn Term
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support this last year and for helping us to achieve the best that we can for our children. Have a lovely weekend and a gorgeous summer.
Take care,
Mrs E Snowdon