Head Teacher Blog: Friday 28th June 2024

Date: 28th Jun 2024 @ 2:49pm

I can not quite believe that we only have three weeks left – where does the time go? The children are still incredibly busy in school completing their work and activities and I know that they will continue to be so up until we finish.

Thank you very much to the staff for giving up their time to organise and man the Movie Night last night. It was so lovely to see all the children ready to cuddle up in their pjs with their blankets and cushions. They all seemed to have had a wonderful time!

Keep your eye out for an article in the Winsford Guardian online this weekend and in print next week, celebrating our wonderful Ofsted inspection outcome.

Term Time Attendance

Well done to Hatchmere with their fantastic attendance this week.

Hatchmere: 96.67%

Sandymere: 91.00%

Delamere: 94.21%

Oakmere: 92.50%

Linmere: 90.00%

Blakemere: 92.22%

Holiday Activities and Food

HAF summer is nearly here and I wanted to share with you some of the Holiday Activities and Food clubs available in your area. Coordinated by Edsential, Cheshire West's HAF programme has a whole host of clubs that are completely free for children and young people in receipt of free school meals. 
Their interactive map means it’s easier than ever for parents/carers to search for various activity clubs on offer in your local area. From various sports such as basketball, swimming and football camps, to creative arts and crafts, healthy eating cooking classes, nature bushcraft, campfires, and storytelling. This summer promises something for every taste and interest. For older children there will be additional activities such as hair, beauty and wellness. And the best part? Free, healthy meals will be served throughout the programme, ensuring that children stay fuelled and ready for action.
To find a full list of the summer holiday activity clubs visit their website. 

Summer Reading Challenge

Winsford Library are delighted to be able to share with you details of our Summer Reading Challenge this year. Five thousand children from Cheshire West took part last year and they’re hoping for more in 2024.

The Challenge (4- to 12-year-olds) and Mini Challenge (Under 4s) are entirely free. Children are given a collector’s pack for starting and stickers every time they read two books. After reading six books, they are given a certificate and a medal. Any books qualify, from the library or not and can be in print, digital, or audio form.

In addition, they have loads of free events, including favourites like animal handling and fun science but also face-painting and even, in one library, a planetarium! These events can be previewed at Library events | Cheshire West and Chester Council. They also have special offers from partners such as Hayrack Church Farm (free child entry), Climbing Hut and Sick to Death as well as a prize draw for completers including toys and free tickets to Bewilderwood, Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre and Sick to Death.

Children can join the Challenge from ‘Start Up Saturday’ 6^th July at their local library or via https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/read and can, from that date, book events for the first half of the holidays, then all the rest of the events can be booked from Saturday 27^th July. The Challenge ends on Sunday 1^st September.

Please find attached below a poster for ‘Sign Up Saturday.’

Brio Swimming

Brio Leisure have a great promotion on over the summer holidays for the children in KS2 (Oakmere, Linmere and Blakemere) consisting of 6 weeks of swimming for £20. Take a look at the flyer below with a QR code for more details.

Absence During Term Time

Schools are not allowed to authorise pupil holidays in term time. The parents of any child going on holiday in term time may receive an unauthorised absence. This is also true for irregular attendance in general, not necessarily holidays. 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. However, in September, this fine is rising to £80 per child, per parent and will rise to £160 if paid after 21 days but within 28 days.

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

Just to remind you all that I now carry out ‘Welcome Back’ meetings where a child has had an absence of at least 5 days. At these meetings, the children and their adults will be invited to meet with myself to discuss the reasons that the child was off and any support that can be put in place to increase their attendance.

If your child has a medical appointment, it is always best to arrange these outside of school hours or in the school holidays. If your child needs to attend a medical appointment during the school day, we will require proof of the appointment, such as a letter or text message, otherwise we will no longer be able to authorise these.

Please may I remind everyone of the importance of arriving on time to school as we are seeing an increasing number of children arriving late through the front door. The gate opens at 8.35am and closes just before 8.45am with the register being taken in class at 8.45am prompt. The whole school go straight into Collective Worship and any children who are late have to walk into a full and silent hall where all the children can see them, which may cause them some anxiety. Please may we make sure that we are in school, on time and ready to learn. Thank you for your so-operation with this.

#WakeUpWednesday

A 2023 report from the Gambling Commission found that 40% of 11–to 17-year-olds had some experience of gambling in the preceding 12 months. That’s a significant number of children and young people involved in an over 18s activity. Engagement and exposure to gambling can impact one's finances, mental health and wellbeing. It is crucial we are all aware of the risks and know how to protect and support our children. 

It is quite challenging to protect our children against exposure to gambling at any time, but especially around major sport events like Euro 2024. This week’s Wake up Wednesday guide tackles the most prominent risks that gambling poses to young people and explains how best to protect against them. 

Free Dynamo Cricket Sessions

Cheshire Cricket are delivering 5 weeks of free cricket sessions at Winsford Cricket Club during the summer holidays. These are open to local children and are completely free of charge.  Sessions are aimed at 8-11 year olds and are delivered by Cheshire Cricket Board coaches who are fully qualified and have enhanced DBS and first aid certificates. Spaces are limited to 24 children. Attached below is a letter which contains the booking link and discount code making the sessions free.

School Dinners

School dinners cost £3 per day, £15 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.

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 Summer Term 2024 – new dates highlighted

Dinner Week 2

Thursday 18^th July: Year 6 Leaver’s performance at The Untied Reformed Church. 4pm – 5.15pm (tickets only)

Friday 19^th July: Leaver’s Service in St. John’s Church at 9.15am. All welcome.

Have a lovely weekend.

 

Take care,

Mrs E Snowdon

 

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