Over St. John's CE Primary SchoolHead Teacher Blog: Friday 3rd May 2024
Date: 3rd May 2024 @ 2:39pm
Reading Champions
Our Reading Champions have been very busy this week! You may have had opportunity to see the blog that Mrs M sent out with regards to the Reading Champions teaming up with the children in Hatchmere – if you haven’t, I have added the link again below. The children, both younger and older, spent a gorgeous half hour with each other looking through their books and the photographs really do show their enjoyment.
They have also been very busy transforming the library theme this week from Frozen Planets to Discovering Space and have put lots of new books out for the children to enjoy. Don’t forget that the library is open on a Monday and Wednesday straight after school for your children to come and explore and borrow books.
Jumpstart Book Donation
Sticking with the reading theme, the children in Year 1 and 2 had a visit from Jumpstart Books yesterday where two ladies came to read them a story in the afternoon called ‘With Lots of Love.’ The children all received a free copy of the book to take home, as well as some crayons and a picture to colour. We got a lovely e mail from the two ladies this morning thanking us for letting them come in and complimenting our children. They said: ‘The Year 1 and Year 2 children were brilliant. It was great to see how enthusiastic they were when wanting to answer questions about the book ‘With Lots of Love’. They also had fabulous manners when we gave them their books to take home, a credit to your school.’
Parental Survey
A survey was sent out via School Spider yesterday to gather your views about our school. We have had quite a few parents complete this already – thank you very much. Your views are important to us and can help us to make improvements to our school, where possible, so do please take the time to complete it if you haven’t already done so. The survey closes on Friday 10th May and I will be in touch with you all with the results and our planned actions shortly after this time.
There may be odd occasions where I catch up with some of your personally to discuss your views if I feel there is more that may need to be shared.
I would like to thank you for all the support that you give to our school as I always say, education is a two-way street – we cannot educate the children and grow their attainment, progress and personal development without the support that you give them at home, working in partnership – so thank you.
School Dinner Update
When the children come back to school on Tuesday, there will be a wrap option instead of a sandwich option at lunchtime.
Attendance
Attendance has been low this week and I know that a number of families have been taking holidays.
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.
Hatchmere: 93.81%
Sandymere: 93.64%
Delamere: 91.58%
Oakmere: 91.60%
Linmere: 82.08%
Blakemere: 87.04%
#WakeUpWednesday
Ofcom’s Media Use and Attitudes Report for 2024 is here. The UK’s regulator for communications publishes comprehensive information each year with the results of several surveys they’ve conducted regarding the activities and experiences of children when interacting with entertainment: from TV to video games to social media platforms.
Contained in the report are numerous statistics relevant to children’s online safety, with data covering a wide array of topics - such as young people experiencing harassment, their habits in online games and parents’ most common concerns. This week’s guide gathers up some of the key statistics and lays them out in a quick, easy “cheat sheet” for you to consult at your leisure.
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 Spring Term 2024 – new dates highlighted
Dinner Week 1
Monday 6th May: School closed for May Day Bank Holiday
Monday 13th May: KS2 SATs week begins
Monday 20th May: Sandymere Pupil Consultation Evening 3.15pm – 5.15pm
Tuesday 21st May: Pupil Consultation Evening 4pm – 6pm
Thursday 23rd May: Pupil Consultation Evening 3.15pm – 5.15pm – not Sandymere
Friday 24th May: School closes at 3pm
Monday 3rd June: School opens at 8.35am
Monday 3rd June: Year 5 Fire Escape to Safety
Monday 3rd June – Friday 14th June: Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check Screening
Wednesday 5th June – Friday 7th June: Year 5 and 6 Conway residential
Friday 7th June: Sports Day at St. Joseph’s
Friday 28th June: Reserve Sports Day at St. Joseph’s
Wednesday 10th July: Year 6 Leaver’s Service at Chester Cathedral (children only)
Friday 19th July: Leaver’s Service in St. John’s Church at 9.15am. All welcome.
Have a lovely, long Bank Holiday weekend,
Take care,
Mrs E Snowdon