Over St. John's CE Primary SchoolHead Teacher Blog: Friday 19th April 2024
Date: 19th Apr 2024 @ 2:48pm
Welcome back to the Summer Term – although you could certainly be forgiven for not realising it as the weather has been so awful. We have had all seasons in one day on a number of occasions this week! As such, please make sure that your child still comes to school with a coat as it is continues to be wet and cold and we do like to get outside as much as we can at breaktime and lunchtime.
RobinWood Residential
Year 3 and 4 children are off to the RobinWood centre next Monday to Wednesday with Mrs Kelly, Mr Pasquill and Miss Dyson for a fun filled 3 days and nights of adventurous activities. RobinWood is a new centre to us but we have been incredibly impressed by their offer, their communication and their care in getting things right for the children, so I know that those who are able to go will come back exhausted having had a fabulous time. I look forward to hearing all about it!
Attendance
Attendance has been low this week, but I am particularly proud of Linmere who almost made it to 100%! Well done Linmere! As always, we are aiming for an attendance figure of 96% or more to ensure that the children are maximising their learning time in school. Thank you for your support with this.
Hatchmere 90.95%
Sandymere 91.82%
Delamere 95.79%
Oakmere 90.80%
Linmere 99.17%
Blakemere 94.44%
Timid to Tiger - Reminder
We have received information that the Mental Health Support Team are offering another ‘From Timid to Tiger’ group for parents of children who are experiencing anxiety. The programme is to give parents the skills to help their child manage their anxieties.
The group will take place on Microsoft Teams from 09:30am-11:30am on: Thurs 06/06/24, Thurs 13/06/24, Thurs 20/06/24, Thurs 27/06/24, Thurs 04/07/24, Thurs 11/04/24, Thurs 18/04/24 and Weds 24/07/24.
Please take a look at the attached poster and if you are interested in signing up to the programme, you will need to drop in to one of two triage sessions to speak to a practitioner. The triage session will be held at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Winsford. The first triage session will be on Wednesday 22/05/24 9.30am-11.30am and the second session will be on Thursday 23/05/24 9.30am-11.30am.
For further information, I’ve attached a copy of the T2T leaflet below.
Absence during Term Time – Fine Increase
You may have seen reported in the news that the Fixed Penalty Notice for absence during term time is to rise in September. Schools are not allowed to authorise pupil holidays in term time. The parents of any child going on holiday in term time may receive an unauthorised absence. This is also true for irregular attendance in general, not necessarily holidays. 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. However, in September, this fine is rising to £80 per child, per parent and will rise to £160 if paid after 21 days but within 28 days.
#WakeUpWednesday
YouTube is a video sharing social media platform that allows billions of people around the world to watch, share and upload their own videos with a vast range of content including sport, entertainment, education and lots more. It’s a superb space for people to consume content that they’re interested in. As a result, this astronomically popular platform has had a huge social impact: influencing online culture on a global scale and creating new celebrities.
In the guide, you'll find tips on avoiding potential risks such as connecting with strangers, inappropriate content and high visibility.
School Dinners
School dinners now 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 Summer Term 2024 – new dates highlighted
Dinner Week 2
Monday 22nd April – Wednesday 24th April: Year 3 and 4 residential to Robinwood.
Monday 13th May: KS2 SATs week begins
Tuesday 21st May: Pupil Consultation Evening 4pm – 6pm
Thursday 23rd May: Pupil Consultation Evening 3.15pm – 5.15pm
Friday 24th May: School closes at 3pm
Monday 3rd June: School opens at 8.35am
Wednesday 5th June – Friday 7th June: Year 5 and 6 Conway residential
Friday 7th June: Sports Day at St. Joseph’s
Thursday 13th June: Year 5 ‘Come Play with the Halle’ at The Bridgewater Hall
Friday 28th June: Reserve Sports Day at St. Joseph’s
Wednesday 10th July: Year 6 Leaver’s Service at Chester Cathedral (children only)
Friday 19th July: Leaver’s Service in St. John’s Church at 9.15am. All welcome.
Have a lovely weekend.
Take care,
Mrs E Snowdon