Over St. John's CE Primary SchoolHead Teacher Blog: Friday 24th November 2023
Date: 24th Nov 2023 @ 1:19pm
We’ve had a quiet week in school this week although Christmas is certainly creeping in. Classes have been designing snowmen for this year’s CineWindow display in the town centre (I’ll let you know when the town display is complete), we have continued learning our whole school songs for the Carol Service and classes have begun their class songs as well as Hatchmere beginning their nativity preparations.
Seven children from Year 5 went to Oak View on Monday to make and decorate their lanterns for the lantern parade this evening. The Winsford Town Christmas lights switch on takes place this evening beginning with a lantern parade from children across all the schools in the town. There will be plenty of fun for all the family along the old High Street, so do take a look if you are able.
Attendance - Reminder
As previously shared, this year, we are having a big focus on attendance. This year we have introduced, ‘Welcome Back’ meetings – where a child has had an absence of at least 5 days, the children and their adults will be invited to a meeting with myself to discuss the reasons that the child has been off and any support that can be put in place to increase their attendance.
It is important to note that Fixed Penalty Notices can also be issued for irregular attendance – not just for holidays – when there are 5 or more days absence over the course of a term.
|
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 Delamere with the highest attendance this week.
Hatchmere 94.42%
Sandymere 92.78%
Delamere 95.00%
Oakmere 94.76%
Linmere 89.57%
Blakemere 92.22%
#WakeUpWednesday
Black Friday and Cyber Monday have ballooned in popularity during the past few years, as prices on almost everything are slashed for a few precious days. With consumers in the UK alone spending a staggering £9.4 billion over last year’s discounted digital shopping weekend, it can often become a frenetic rush to grab tech, games and other products at knock-down prices. Such radical reductions are especially welcome at this time of year – but Black Friday and Cyber Monday are also peak season for scammers, who bet on a sense of urgency blinding shoppers to the red flags in their ‘offers.’ This week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide highlights some common warning signs to help you bag the goods without being left out of pocket.
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 2
Friday 24th November: Lantern parade for Winsford Christmas Lights Switch on – Year 5 lantern makers
Thursday 30th November: Linmere trip to Weaver Hall
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: End of term at 2pm
Wednesday 3rd January 2024: School opens at 8:35am
Have a lovely weekend.
Take care,
Mrs E Snowdon