Over St. John's CE Primary SchoolHead Teacher Blog: Friday 22nd November 2019
Date: 22nd Nov 2019 @ 2:33pm
The Sun Books for Schools
The Sun newspaper has teamed up with Collins Big Cat to give primary schools in England a free pack of books worth more than £600. To be in with a chance of receiving the books, we need to collect tokens that will be printed in The Sun and The Sun on Sunday between Saturday 23rd November 2019 and Saturday 18th January 2020. We need to collect 3,500 tokens and if we do so, we will be sent the pack of books, which contains 105 high quality fiction and non-fiction books, in March. Please can you spread the message among family and friends and send any tokens in to school. Thank you!
Mid Day Assistant Vacancy
Following on from the vacancy for a Kitchen Assistant, I am delighted to tell you that Edsential have appointed Miss Zoe Howley, one of our Mid Day Assistants to the role. Whilst we are sorry to see Miss Howley go from her current role, we are very pleased that she will be staying at Over St. John’s, just in a different role. This now means that we have a vacancy for a Mid Day Assistant for when we start back in January. If you are interested in the role, or know of someone else who might be, please call into the office for an application pack.
#WakeUpWednesday
Call of Duty has become one of the most popular games in history. The latest release has been described as the most realistic yet and builds on the hugely successful format of previous versions, with more features and more to explore. But should parents be concerned about the content? Is the 18+ rating justified? What can parents do to help safer gameplay? Find out with the guide below.
Calling Year 5 and Year 6 Violinists!
Vale Royal Super Strings have three string groups ranging from beginner to Grade 8. As Year 5 children learn with an Edsential tutor, the membership to any Edsential ensemble is now completely free. Mrs Singleton runs the groups at Weaverham High School on Tuesday evenings from 6pm. It will cost you nothing but your child will have access to professional tutoring, experience in playing with other children, a varied mix of music, concert opportunities and the ability to develop their musicianship. Please feel free to email music@edsential.co.uk or just turn up at Weaverham High school at 6pm any Tuesday in term-time to meet the tutors.
If your child played strings in school previously and would like to take it up again, Edsential hire instruments and they welcome anyone who is keen to play.
Applying for Reception Places for September 2020
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 open for them to apply for their Reception place. You have until 15th January 2020, but before making your application, it is important you view the Starting School information booklet.
To apply, you will need to create an account or login 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.
If you are in receipt of benefits and think that you may be entitled to free school meals, please click https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/education-and-learning/school-meals.aspx for more information 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.
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.
Confirmed Dates for the Autumn Term 2019 – new dates added are highlighted
Sunday 1st December: All Together Service in St. John’s church at 10.30am – please note the revised time
Hatchmere to take part, but all members of our school community are welcome.
Monday 2nd December and Tuesday 3rd December: Linmere to take part in the WEP Christmas Concert at the Lifestyle Centre
Monday 2nd December: Sandymere and Delamere to ‘Sing the Christmas Story’ at St. Chad’s Church
Friday 6th December: Christmas Fair from 3.10pm until 5pm
Tuesday 10th December: School nurses to carry out Nasal flu vaccination for all children
Tuesday 17th December: Carol Service in St. John’s Church at 1.45pm. Collection from Church for all children at 3pm, not at school.
Wednesday 18th December: Blakemere singing at Overdene Care Home
Wednesday 18th December: Christmas Dinner Day
Thursday 19th December: Whole school pantomime visit
Thursday 19th December: School closes at 2pm for Christmas
Have a lovely weekend,
Take care,
Mrs E Snowdon