Over St. John's CE Primary SchoolHead Teacher Blog: Friday 25th November 2022
Date: 24th Nov 2022 @ 10:48am
Advent
This Sunday begins the start of the advent season in the Christian calendar – which is the four Sundays leading up until Christmas Day. Many of the children will have advent calendars ready at home with treats in that they will open from Thursday 1st December. This year, we are sending home an advent calendar for all children to think about advent in a different way. We have teamed up with a charity called MAF – Mission Aviation Fellowship. It is the largest humanitarian airline, flying essential cargo, medics and around 1400 organisations such as Water Aid, UNICEF, Save the Children, Shelter, Compassion and the BBC to more than 25 developing countries. Early next week, children will bring home an A4 envelope which contains the advent calendar and information all about MAFs Advent Adventure this year. We have also received a set of large class advent calendars which the children will be opening each day so that they can explore the various countries involved in the MAF story as well as activities, prayers and much more. Please do enjoy opening the doors with your child and talking about what you find.
St. John’s Film Night
The next film night is taking place at St. John’s church hall this Sunday 27th November at 4.30pm. This time there will be a Christmas theme and the children voted in Collective Worship last Wednesday as to which film they would like to watch. The choices were Klaus, Arthur Christmas and The Muppets Christmas Carol. There was a clear winner of Arthur Christmas so if you would like to see that film, with free popcorn, hotdogs, drinks and mince pies, then feel free to attend!
Field Update
Work began on the field again earlier this week and they have been progressing with the MUGA. Please see the photographs attached below for this week’s update!
#WakeUpWednesday
Around an eighth of the world’s population use TikTok. Consider the scale of that reach and that the app’s demographic is heavily skewed towards younger people, with almost half (41%) of those users aged 16–24. TikTok itself advises a minimum age of 13 to access the platform (with certain features for over-18s only), but reports suggest that some children as young as 10 use it.
Given the youthfulness of its user-base, TikTok has faced numerous age-related challenges such as inappropriate content in videos, in-app purchasing and children being contacted by strangers on the platform. Updated for 2022, this week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide tells trusted adults everything they need to know to help young people stay safe on TikTok.
Starting Well ChatHealth
The Starting Well 0-19 Service has recently launched ChatHealth, a service offering support and advice to parents and carers within our locality via text. Please see the attached below for more information. Information also available at www.startingwell.org.uk/chat-health
Swim Pass
Brio Leisure are once again offering their children’s splash pass. It costs £15 for 6 weeks of swimming between 18th November – 30th December and it is inclusive of all their sessions. Just call in to a Brio Reception to take up this offer.
Applying for Primary School Places for September 2023
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 2023, but like the secondary school place, before making your application, it is important you view the Starting Primary School booklet . Results are available from 17th April 2023. 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 £2.45 per day, £12.25 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.
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 2022 – new dates highlighted
Friday 25th November: Blakemere Y5s join Lantern Parade for Christmas Lights Switch On: Meet at 3.45pm at St. Andrew’s Church.
Monday 5th December: Linmere performing at The Winsford Academy.
Wednesday 7th December: Christmas Wreath Making Workshop 3pm – 5pm (details previously sent home)
Thursday 8th December: Nurses in school to do flu nasal vaccinations
Thursday 8th December: Christmas Disco 6pm – 7.30pm All OSJ children welcome.
Monday 12th December: Christmas Wreath Making Workshop 3pm – 5pm (details previously sent home)
Wednesday 14th December: Carol Service in St. John’s Church at 1.30pm. All welcome. Collection will be from church between 2.30pm and 2.45pm.
Thursday 15th December: Whole School Pantomime trip to Northwich Memorial Court
Friday 16th December: School closes at 2pm
Have a lovely weekend.
Take care,
Mrs E Snowdon