Over St. John's CE Primary SchoolHead Teacher Blog: Friday 16th September 2022
Date: 15th Sep 2022 @ 12:12pm
Mayor’s Visit
Earlier this week, we had a visit from Winsford Town Mayor, Councillor Joanne Moorcroft. She came to talk to us about Queen Elizabeth II and the proclamation of King Charles III. The children listened very intently to all that she had to say and asked some very respectful questions too. We hope to have more visits from our Mayor in the future.
Attendance Rewards
Now that self-isolation is behind us and COVID is not having the same impact on attendance as it has done for the past three years, this year, for those of you who remember, we will be re-instating our certificates and medals for attendance at the end of each term.
Good attendance is vital to the children’s education as they cannot learn if they aren’t here and then they are playing catch up on their return. The government say that children with good attendance are in school for at least 96% of the time and as such, we will be rewarding those children at the end of each term. Those children with at least 96% will earn a certificate, those with at least 98% will achieve a certificate and a silver medal and those children with at least 100% will achieve a certificate and a gold medal. Furthermore, all those children with at least 98% will be entered into a draw at the end of the term with the chance to win a £10 Argos voucher and those with 100% the chance to win at £20 Argos voucher. At the end of each term, things will ‘reset’ so that everybody has another chance of achieving at the end of the next term.
A new Attendance Policy for all Winsford schools is currently awaiting approval with governors the week after next and when this has happened, I will share the new copy with you all.
#WakeUpWednesday
As we mourn the loss of a popular public figure, it’s important that trusted adults feel able to help children and young people cope with grief. To assist schools and their communities, National Online Safety have prepared two special free guides with practical advice on supporting children during this potentially upsetting period.
Bereavement is among the most traumatic events that humans can experience. It can be especially distressing for younger people, who might not yet have the emotional capacity to understand and process their feelings. Children are often unsettled by any kind of sudden change and frequently need extra support at these upsetting times.
National Online Safety’s guide has some expert suggestions for helping children to navigate the grieving process in healthy ways, from using age-appropriate language to identifying coping strategies, you’ll find ways to help young people deal with the emotional upheaval that follows the passing of a significant figure in their life.
In their second guide this week, we take a look back at the remarkable life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II - with a timeline charting the major landmarks and quirkier events, of Her Majesty's 70 years on the throne.
Vale Royal Junior Choir
I am delighted to let you know that Vale Royal Junior Choir is starting up once again, next week, right here in Winsford.
Led by the fabulous Nicola Howbrigg, Vale Royal Junior Choir aims to bring children aged between 8 – 14 together to make music. Supported by the Winsford Education Partnership and Edsential Musical Routes any child joining form a Winsford School can join free of charge!!
Please take a look at the attached flyer below if you feel that your child may be interested in joining the choir.
Motherwell Share Hub
Please find attached details of a sharing community called Motherwell Hub, based in Crewe, where you can access free school uniforms and other items on a no questions asked basis. You would need to complete this form and return it to them. Further details below.
Applying for Secondary School Places for September 2023
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 2022, 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 2023. 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 Starting 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 2023
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 2023, but like the secondary school place, before making your application, it is important you view the Starting Primary School booklet . Results are available from 17th April 2023. 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 £2.45 per day, £12.25 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.
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 Autumn Term 2022 – new dates highlighted
Monday 19th September: School Closed for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral
Tuesday 20th September: School opens at 8:45am
Friday 14th October: Individual photographs
Friday 21st October: School closes for half term at 3pm
Tuesday 1st November: School opens at 8:45am
Thursday 3rd November: Work begins on the redevelopment of the field
Tuesday 8th November: Pupil Consultation Evening 4pm – 6pm
Thursday 10th November: Pupil Consultation Evening 3.15pm – 5.15pm
Thursday 15th December: Whole School Pantomime trip to Northwich Memorial Court
Friday 16th December: School closes at 2pm
Have a lovely weekend.
Take care,
Mrs E Snowdon