Over St. John's CE Primary SchoolHead Teacher Blog: Friday 20th November 2020
Date: 20th Nov 2020 @ 10:52am
I sent an e mail out earlier this week with regards to arrival and collection times as the number of people outside at the front of school was increasing and getting busy. Thank you to those who took note of my plea and are only arriving within the 5 minute window before their child’s time. If we had a positive case in school with one of the parents or children, it makes it very difficult for us to know who are potential contacts when adults are mixing at the front of school at times other than their own and could have further potential to spread COVID-19. To that end, please may I remind everyone that all messages should be sent in to school via the office e mail (admin@overstjohns.cheshire.sch.uk) or via a telephone call (01606 592608) - please do not use class e mail addresses for anything other than self-isolation work as these addresses are not checked. Please do not pass your messages on to me - if I was to test positive, then anyone who speaks to me on the gate would be a direct contact, regardless of wearing masks, and would have to self-isolate for 14 days. As with adults mixing outside of drop off and collection times, it becomes difficult to keep a track of who may or may not have spoken to me. Furthermore – I find it difficult to remember all the messages! Thank you so much for your co-operation with this and please do not be offended if you try to speak to either myself or Mrs Bettley (Wednesday morning) or Mrs McLaughlin (Wednesday afternoon) and we just reply with ‘Please phone or e mail the office.’
Informing School of a Positive Result
If any of your children have to take a COVID test and the result comes back positive, we need to know this at school as a matter of urgency, whether it is evenings or weekends, to enable us time to organise things in school and contact the relevant people. During school hours, please call the office on 01606 592608 – do not leave an answer phone message – please continue to ring until you speak to someone. If it is the evenings or weekends, please e mail your child’s name and class to positiveresult@overstjohns.cheshire.sch.uk This address must only be used for this purpose and no other reason.
Poppy Appeal Update
Thank you so much to everyone who supported the Poppy Appeal this year. I appreciate that times are difficult for us all and yet, even so, we managed to raise a fantastic £180.13 (certificate below) for The Royal British Legion. Thank you for all your contributions.
Christmas Activities
This year, our Christmas activities have to be quite different from normal, with the biggest sadness being that we are unable to go to church as a school for our Carol Service. However, we have been thinking of ways that we can still make things special for our children.
You may have read in the Winsford Guardian that a Drive In Carol Service is being held on the car park of Winsford Academy on Sunday 13th December at 6pm. The event is being organised by our vicar, Rev George Crowder and St. John’s church. We are very fortunate that our Hatchmere children have been invited to present the nativity and sing Away in a Manger whilst some of our older children are able to take part in readings. Further details of how you can attend in your car, if you would like to, will be sent out in due course. This will be a fantastic event and we are really looking forward to it.
You may have joined the Facebook page, ‘Winsford’s Winter Wonderland Community Group,’ or have heard about it through others. This involves homes, businesses and schools putting decorations up outside their buildings as ‘Dazzling Displays,’ in conjunction with St. Luke’s and these will be added to a map. Over the festive period, families can use the map to go for a walk or a drive around the town to see what has been displayed. We will be taking part in this this year and putting a display up out at the front of school – no spoilers – watch this space!
Starting on 1st December, there will be an extra page added to our website for our Over St. John’s Advent Calendar. Each day, including Saturday and Sunday, classes will take it in turns to post a little treat to the page for you to see, read, listen to… Once again – no spoilers – please visit the page each day to see what they have added.
We appreciate that children will want to bring in Christmas cards to share with their friends, particularly where we have mixed year group classes. In the current climate we do not want children to bring things in from home other than what they need each day. However, we will be accepting Christmas cards with certain conditions. These may be brought into school on a Monday, starting on Monday 30th November. We will leave them quarantined until Wednesday when we will sort them and send them to the appropriate classes. They will then be quarantined in the appropriate class until Friday when they will be sent home. This way, children are able to spread some Christmas joy to each other in a safe way. If your child would like to bring in cards, please make sure that they know not to hand them out personally, but to place them in the box which will be in their classroom, with the name of the child and their class clearly written on the envelope.
The children will be enjoying Christmas activities in their classes on Thursday 17th December. The activities will vary between the classes. Just to make this a bit more special, we are making this a non-uniform day for no other reason than we can!
You may remember that the children took part in the filmed Cine Window display in the town centre last year with their drawings of snowflakes (Snowflake Film). This week, the children have been busy designing Christmas baubles for display in the Cine Window when it reopens. Each bauble will be in the film so it would be lovely for children to go down and take a look. I will keep you informed.
#WakeUpWednesday
Monday marked the start of Anti-Bullying Week 2020. The theme for this year was ‘United Against Bullying’ with a focus on the positive power that society can have when we come together to tackle a common challenge. In support of this positivity, this WakeUpWednesday, National Online Safety are celebrating how children and adults can bring positivity to the online world by simply being kind. Online bullying remains a common problem but showing empathy and compassion goes a long way to countering these negative interactions. That’s why National Online Safety are re-releasing their two guides on how trusted adults, parents and children can show kindness online.
Applying for Reception Places for September 2021
If you have a child who is turning 4 years old between now and 31st August 2020, 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 2021, but like the secondary school place, before making your application, it is important you view the Starting School booklet. To apply, you will need to create an account or log in if you have an existing online account.
Reminders
School dinners cost £2.30 per day, £11.50 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 the School Money system as we do not accept cash in school anymore due to our COVID-19 Risk Assessment.
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 2020 – new dates are highlighted
Monday 30th November: Christmas cards may be brought in each Monday from today
Sunday 13th December: Drive-In Carol Service at Winsford Academy at 6pm
Wednesday 16th December: Christmas Dinner Day
Thursday 17th December: Class Christmas Activities and Non Uniform
Friday 18th December: Whole School Pantomime
Friday 18th December: Christmas Jumper Day
Friday 18th December: School closes for Christmas. Finishing times as follows:
Blakemere at 1:45pm
Linmere at 1:45pm
Oakmere at 1:50pm
Delamere at 1.55pm
Sandymere at 2pm
Hatchmere at 2.05pm
Monday 4th January 2021: School opens – usual bubble times apply
I hope that you all have a lovely weekend.
Take care,
Mrs E Snowdon