Over St. John's CE Primary SchoolHead Teacher Blog: Friday 1st December 2023
Date: 1st Dec 2023 @ 2:06pm
That's it - December has arrived, so we are definitely in Christmas mode. The tree went up in the hall earlier this week, our advent wreath is in the entrance, we have Secret Santa on Monday and Tuesday, Key Stage One are off to visit Santa at Cotebrook Shre Horse Centre next week and there are only 10 more school get ups until we finish for Christmas!
Linmere Trip to Weaver Hall Museum
Linmere spent a lovely day at the Weaver Hall Museum in Northwich yesterday as part of their learning in History all about whether Vikings would do anything for money. I have heard that the children had a fantastic, full day of learning and really enjoyed themselves. They were, as always, a credit to the school as well whilst representing OSJ away from the building. Well done Linmere!
Christmas Donations
Thank you so much for all the generous donations that have been coming into school for our hamper raffle and Secret Santa. Secret Santa is now closed as we have to make sure that we have enough gifts for those that have been ordered, but donations for the hamper are still being received with the draw for this taking place at the Carol Service in St. John’s Church at 1.30pm on Tuesday 12th December.
As a quick reminder we are looking for the following:
|
Hatchmere |
Chocoholics |
Anything for the sweet toothed! Chocolates in bags, bars, boxes, tins etc, tins/boxes of biscuits |
|
Sandymere |
Traditional Christmas |
tins/boxes of biscuits, jar of mincemeat, cheese (long shelf life), After Dinner mints, table decorations, wine, port, sherry, Christmas pudding, box of crackers, salted nuts & nibbles, Christmas Cake, Christmas candles, ground coffee |
|
Delamere |
Chocoholics |
Anything for the sweet toothed! Chocolates in bags, bars, boxes, tins etc, tins/boxes of biscuits |
|
Oakmere |
Mrs Hinch |
Dusters, Brillo, furniture polish, dishcloths, washing up liquid, pegs/peg bag, scourers, dishwasher tablets, washing up bowl tea towels, kitchen/ bathroom spray, Cif, rubber gloves, air fresheners/candles, window cleaner, nail brushes, dust pan & brush |
|
Linmere |
Pamper Me |
fluffy towel, face cream, cosy throw, fluffy slippers, hand cream, nail items, water bottle, body cream, toiletry sets, smelly candles, bubble bath, cosy socks, sponge, shower gel, nice soap |
|
Blakemere |
Traditional Christmas |
tins/boxes of biscuits, jar of mincemeat, cheese (long shelf life), After Dinner mints, table decorations, wine, port, sherry, Christmas pudding, box of crackers, salted nuts & nibbles, Christmas Cake, Christmas candles, ground coffee |
Measles: Are you Protected?
Due to an increase in measles cases across the country this year, including some recently in the northwest, schools have been asked to encourage everyone to check that they and their children have had 2 doses of the MMR vaccine. The MMR vaccine is a free, safe and effective way to protect against measles, mumps and rubella. Public Health want to increase the vaccine uptake as measles can have serious and sometimes fatal consequences. Please see the attached letter and measles flyer to help raise awareness.
If anyone is unsure about their vaccination status, or if you need to book a vaccine, you should contact your GP practice to check and book an appointment. There is no upper age limit for vaccination.
To find out more about childhood vaccinations, please visit the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/nhs-vaccinations-and-when-to-have-them/
Holiday Activities
We have received information about lots of activities happening at Winsford Lifestyle Centre to keep the children active over the Christmas holiday. Please take a look at the information attached below, if you are interested.
Also, there are some free activities available to pupils and their families across West Cheshire throughout the holidays. Edsential, on behalf of Cheshire West and Chester council, have coordinated a whole host of Holiday Activities with Food clubs, funded by the Department for Education, which are completely free for eligible FSM children.
This interactive map means it’s easier than ever for parents/carers to search for various activity clubs on offer in their local area. This Christmas there are a diverse range of activities on offer; from trips to the pantomime, ice skating, graffiti art workshops, sports and much more. And the best part? There will be free healthy meals provided throughout the programme, ensuring that children and young people stay nourished and energised throughout the holidays.
To find a full list of the Christmas holiday activity clubs visit this website
Attendance - Reminder
|
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 |
Well done to Blakemere with the highest attendance this week. It is great to see that 3 of our 6 classes have made it over 96% this week, with 2 very close behind!
Hatchmere 95.59%
Sandymere 96.67%
Delamere 92.78%
Oakmere 96.36%
Linmere 95.22%
Blakemere 97.04%
#WakeUpWednesday
Protecting children. Blocking illegal material. Removing harmful content on major platforms. These are the three main goals of the Online Safety Act, which entered UK law in October. While demanding more accountability from social media companies in particular, the act revises – rather than replaces – the current digital safeguarding duties placed on schools.
With changes including the creation of new criminal offences and greater options when raising an issue with a platform, there’s plenty for educators to take on board. This week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide provides a bite-size introduction to the Online Safety Act – and highlights some of the key points that schools need to be familiar with in the short term.
Please find our Online Safety Policy attached. All policies can be found on our website by clicking Virtual Office – Policies and Downloads.
Winter Water Safety Message
We have been asked to share some message by the local Safeguarding Children in Education team with regards to staying safe around water over the winter period – please see the attached leaflet below.
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
Dinner Week 3
Wednesday 6th December: Christmas at Cotebrook trip for Hatchmere, Sandymere and Delamere
Thursday 7th December: Christmas Disco 5.30pm – 7pm
Tuesday 12th December: Carol Service in St. John’s Church at 1.30pm. All welcome. Collection of all children from church.
Wednesday 13th December: Guitar/ Ukulele performance for parents – details to follow
Thursday 14th December: Whole school pantomime – Beauty and the Beast – at Northwich Memorial Court
Thursday 14th December: Santa’s Grotto 3.20pm – 5pm
Friday 15th December: Christmas Jumper Day – this is a non-uniform event with a Christmas embellishment!
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