Over St. John's CE Primary SchoolHead Teacher Blog: Friday 4th December 2020
Date: 4th Dec 2020 @ 1:06pm
Have you had chance to take a look at our online Advent calendar yet? So far, the children in Hatchmere, Sandymere, Delamere and Oakmere have added a treat for everyone to see and this will continue each day, including the weekends, during advent so do please take a look. Also, we will hopefully be putting up our decorations outside school today that the children have been working on in class.
We virtually lit the second candle on our advent wreath this morning as we continued to look at how Jesus is the Light of the World and therefore how we can also shine our lights to enable us to show others that we understand that Jesus came to save us and our life is being led forward by the Holy Spirit. We should not hide that away, we should let it shine brightly. We talked about treating ourselves and others better, as we understand more and more that God loves us and will provide for all our needs.
Goodbye Mrs Ferguson
Today has been a sad day in school. Mrs Ferguson, who works in Blakemere, leaves us as she relocates to the south of England to be closer to family. Mrs Ferguson has worked at Over St. John’s for almost 14 years and has been a fantastic teaching assistant, colleague and friend during that time. We would all like to thank Mrs Ferguson for everything that she has done for our children, staff and school - we will miss her greatly but wish her lots of love and luck in her new chapter.
Informing School of a Positive Result during the Christmas Period
Please see attached guidance below for informing school of a positive result for a child over the Christmas holidays. There are some differences to times, dates and the contact e mail address during the school holidays, so do please read and take note. For all other times, please continue to use the postivieresult@overstjohns.cheshire.sch.uk address should you receive a positive result for a pupil only – not parents.
#WakeUpWednesday
As the latest addition to a blockbuster series with a die-hard fan-base, it’s no surprise that Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War shot to the top of the UK games chart last week. It’s another fast and frenetic first-person shooter, where players use an arsenal of lethal weaponry to kill enemies, capture objectives and complete missions. The on-screen characters’ profanity and the extreme violence certainly justify its PEGI 18 rating. This week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide has the lowdown on all this, plus Black Ops Cold War’s other potential risks including online play, in-game chat and loot box purchases.
Applying for Reception Places for September 2021
If you have a child who is turning 4 years old between now and 31st August 2020, 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 2021, but like the secondary school place, before making your application, it is important you view the Starting School booklet. To apply, you will need to create an account or log in if you have an existing online account.
Reminders
School dinners cost £2.30 per day, £11.50 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 the School Money system as we do not accept cash in school anymore due to our COVID-19 Risk Assessment.
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 2020 – new dates are highlighted
Sunday 13th December: Drive-In Carol Service at Winsford Academy at 6pm
Wednesday 16th December: Christmas Dinner Day
Thursday 17th December: Class Christmas Activities and Non Uniform
Friday 18th December: Whole School Pantomime
Friday 18th December: Christmas Jumper Day
Friday 18th December: School closes for Christmas. Finishing times as follows:
Blakemere at 1:45pm
Linmere at 1:45pm
Oakmere at 1:50pm
Delamere at 1.55pm
Sandymere at 2pm
Hatchmere at 2.05pm
Monday 4th January 2021: School opens – usual bubble times apply
I hope that you all have a lovely weekend.
Take care,
Mrs E Snowdon