Over St. John's CE Primary SchoolHead Teacher Blog: Friday 22nd October 2021
Date: 22nd Oct 2021 @ 11:52am
Here we are at the end of our first half term already – how has that happened? It is has been a long half term but it seems to have flown by. The children have been a credit to themselves, the school and yourselves as they have approached school life with such positivity and focussed attitudes, settled back in to another ‘new normal’ and accepted all the challenges they have been given and developed their learning.
Thank you so much for all the donations that we have received for the Mid Cheshire Foodbank – I know that Mrs M will do a separate blog about that along with a picture of all the donations and my car was very full as I dropped them off this morning – boot, back seats and front seat! In our Collective Worship this morning we thought about harvest and also focussed on the bible verse ‘Do not forget to do good and to share with others.’ Hebrews 13:16. We talked about how sharing is something that God would want us to do and in doing so, we would be shining our light – doing something good for others that we have been asked by God and therefore showing others that we know and love God. Mid Cheshire Foodbank were very grateful for all that you have shared with them.
Pupil Consultation Evenings
It was an absolute pleasure to welcome so many of you back into school this week for our Pupil Consultation Evenings. I know that for many of you it was the first time that you have even been inside the building. I have had lots of positive feedback from both adults and staff and would like to thank you for all the support that you give to your children with regards to their learning.
Poppy Appeal
We have received our package from the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal this week and will begin selling these after half term. What we have in stock and the suggested prices are in a document below but we have limited supply. Please send your child in with the correct money to place in the donation jar as there will be no change available. Thank you for your continued support.
CWAC PHE Letter
Please find attached below a letter from CWAC Public Health with guidance for all families and an update on the current COVID-19 position in Cheshire West.
St. John’s Church Family Film Night
St. John’s Church are holding a Family Film Night on Saturday 23rd October – tickets are free and drinks and snacks will be available whilst you watch Disney’s ‘Soul.’ If you would like to attend this family event, please see the flyer below and scan the QR code for your free tickets!
#WakeUpWednesday
Around one in every three people has been fooled (even if only briefly) into thinking a social media bot was a real person. Evidence suggests that bots are increasingly being used on social platforms to artificially amplify the popularity of a person or movement, to influence political outcomes and as accessories in phishing scams – so their ability to deceive us is becoming more of a concern.
Twisting public debate, disrupting online courtesy and – in some cases – jeopardising human wellbeing are among the more worrying threats that bots can pose. In this week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide, you’ll find useful tips on how to identify bots on social media – including giveaways like odd usernames, unusual patterns of posting and dubious profile pictures.
Half Term Events at New Images
With the half term break just around the corner, New Images have two events taking place at their centre on Nixon Drive: a play day for Key Stage 2 children (aged 8-11yrs) and also a family pumpkin carving session . All details are included on the attached posters below – events are pre-bookable and places are limited.
Applying for Secondary School Places for September 2022
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 2021, 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 2022. Before making your application, it is important you view the Starting Secondary School booklet. To apply, you will need to create an account or log in if you have an existing online account.
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 2022
If you have a child who is turning 4 years old between now and 31st August 2022, 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 2022, but like the secondary school place, before making your application, it is important you view the Starting School booklet. Results are available from 16th April 2022. To apply, you will need to create an account or log in if you have an existing online account.
School Dinners
School dinners cost £2.34 per day, £11.70 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 school 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 2021 – new dates highlighted
Tuesday 2nd November: School opens with registration at 8.45am
Sunday 7th November: All Age Service in St. John’s church hall with Blakemere at 10.30am
Friday 26th November: Blakemere to take part in the Winsford Lantern Parade (more details to follow)
Tuesday 14th December: Carol Service in St. John’s Church at 1.30pm – collection from church
Thursday 16th December: Pantomime Day (further details to follow)
Friday 17th December: School closes at 2pm
Have a lovely holiday,
Take care,
Mrs E Snowdon