Over St. John's CE Primary SchoolHead Teacher Blog: Friday 25th January 2019
Date: 25th Jan 2019 @ 4:11pm
This week, the focus of our Collective Worship has been peace. We have looked at how conflicts can arise through differing opinions and what we can do to avoid them, whether that be just us in our school trying to make a difference, right up to countries which are at war. We also linked in what we have talked about before to do with choosing wise words and actions. From the Bible, we looked at Mark 10:35-45 and how James and John wanted to sit on the right and left hand side of Jesus, which caused conflict amongst the rest of Jesus’ followers who didn’t think that this was right. Jesus was able to ensure peace by making sure that everybody knew that a “get ahead for myself” attitude causes conflict whereas a “putting others first” approach encourages peace. To put others first we have shared the fact that ‘peace begins with a smile’ and have tried to share a smile with each other this week – I have had some fabulous smiles this week!
All staff were involved in Basic Safeguarding Awareness training after school this week. As schools, we have a statutory duty to ensure that we safeguard all our children and that we are equipped to look out for signs and symptoms of different forms of abuse of children and what to do about it. This is usually renewed every two years, but we have completed it annually as it continues to be a high priority for us as a school.
In Winsford and Wharton libraries next week, as part of Health and well Being Week, there are a number of activities taking place that you might consider attending. The full details can be found in the posters in the office window, but they include activities such as a Ranger Walk, Citizens Advice support, Lego Club with Digital Fun and a Brightlife information stand.
For this week’s #WakeUpWednesday, National Online Safety have created a free online safety guide for parents and carers about Grand Theft Auto (GTA); the 18+ rated game in which sex, violence, profane language and nudity form the main themes of the game. Popular for its criminal narrative, the GTA series encourages users to break the law in order to succeed and progress through the game. Whilst this is an 18+ rated game, as a school we are aware of its popularity amongst younger people and indeed, have heard that some of our children play it.
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/natonlinesafety/status/1088005920678952960
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/NationalOnlineSafety/photos/a.1681508315488685/1953266721646175/?type=3&theater
DOWNLOAD: https://nationalonlinesafety.com/resources/platform-guides/grand-theft-auto-online-safety-guide-for-parents/
Good luck to the children in KS” attending the Spelling Bee competition at Winsford Academy next week – I look forward to reporting back to you all how they get on.
Please may I take this opportunity to remind everyone of some Health and Safety guidance for our school premises that I don’t think that I have shared for a while. Please may I remind you that only Guide Dogs are allowed on our premises, that our car park is for staff and visitors to school only and that smoking or vaping is not allowed anywhere on our school site. We regularly have Health and Safety audits by the Local Authority so I am mindful of the need to remind all. Thank you.
Confirmed Dates for the Spring Term 2019 - additions/ changes from last week are highlighted.
Monday 25th January: Working part of staff and parents removing the tyre play area.
Wednesday 30th January: Spelling Bee at Winsford Academy
Wednesday 30th January: No Team Games Club – Mrs McLaughlin on Maths training all day.
Thursday 31st January: Hockey competition at Winsford Academy
Sunday 3rd February: All Together Service at St. John’s Church at 10.30am. All welcome.
Wednesday 6th February: Children to attend a church service at St. John’s Church.
Wednesday 13th – Friday 15th February: Year 5 and 6 residential to the Conway Centre, Anglesey
Friday 15th February: school closes for half term at 3pm
Monday 25th February – school closed (INSET)
Tuesday 26th February: School opens at 8:45am
Wednesday 6th March: Blakemere visit to Barclay’s Bank
Thursday 21st March: Nurses in school for Reception Health Screening
Thursday 21st March: Year 5 Research Project Conference at Portal Macdonald Hotel – more details to follow for those involved.
Thursday 21st – Friday 22nd March: Year 3 and 4 residential to Beeston OEC
Don’t forget to keep checking the calendar on the school website. If you click on an event on the calendar, more information about that event will be given, if it has been added.
Take care,
Mrs E Snowdon