Over St. John's CE Primary SchoolHead Teacher Blog: Friday 5th July 2024
Date: 5th Jul 2024 @ 1:34pm
Year 6 Induction Days
It has been quiet in Key Stage 2 this week as we have been missing quite a few children in Year 6 as they have ventured off for their induction days at their new high schools. Some children have been back today and it has been lovely to catch up with them and hear about have they have got on and the lovely things that their new teachers have said about them. I am sure that we will hear much more about it next week as the rest arrive back!
Mrs Skelley and Mrs Andrews
Our new Linmere teaching partnership was further cemented last week and this week as Mrs Skelley and Mrs Andrews have been working together in school getting ready for September and planning lots of lovely learning. I know that the children in Linmere next year will have lots of lovely things to look forward to and that their new teachers are very excited to get going and get to know them. Don’t forget, exactly which class your child will be in in September will be on their annual report which will be sent home next Friday.
Absence During Term Time – New Regulations
From September, there will be some changes to the way that Fixed Term Penalty Notices are issued for absences during term time. I have already shared the increase in the fine from September, but there will also be increased fines for anyone taking their child out more than once in a 3 year period as well as the consideration of prosecution if there is a third absence in a 3 year period.
The new National Framework for Penalty Notices includes:
- A single consistent national threshold for when a penalty notice must be considered of 10 sessions of unauthorised absence within a rolling 10 school week period.
- An increase to the rate of a penalty notice from £120 to £160 if paid within 28 days, and £60 to £80 if paid within 21 days.
- A second penalty notice issued to the same parent for the same child within a rolling 3 year period being charged at a higher rate of £160 with no option for this second offence to be discharged at the lower rate of £80.
- A national limit of 2 penalty notices that can be issued to a parent for the same child within a rolling 3 year period, so at the 3rd (or subsequent) offence(s) another tool will need to be considered (such as prosecution or one of the other attendance legal interventions).
Weekly Attendance
Well done to Sandymere with their fantastic full attendance this week. A special mention to Oakmere and Blakemere with their attendance being over 98%!
Hatchmere: 95.71%
Sandymere: 100%
Delamere: 92.63%
Oakmere: 98.70%
Linmere: 96.09%
Blakemere: 98.46%
School Uniform – September Reminder
As the school year is drawing to a close, I would just like to share a uniform reminder with everyone in preparation for September.
Our School Uniform Policy, the full version of which is available here on our website, states that our uniform consists of:
- Light blue polo shirt
- Blue school sweatshirt or cardigan with the school logo
- Grey skirt or grey trousers
- Sensible black shoes (not trainers) which are flat and offer support, Velcro fastenings are ideal
- Grey or white socks, grey or black tights
- Optional blue/ white checked dress/ playsuit or grey shorts in the summer
To keep costs as low as possible, the only branded item that we have is a sweatshirt or cardigan, which may be purchased from Winsford Market or obtained free of charge from The Green Uniform and Baby Bank (previously known as The Uniform Exchange.) All other items are widely available in supermarkets and other retailers.
Reception and Year 7 Admissions for September 2025
Applications open on 1st September 2024 for those wishing to apply for a Reception or Year 7 place. Please find attached posters about these applications below.
Holiday Activities and Food - Reminder
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 - Reminder
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’ 6th 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 27th July. The Challenge ends on Sunday 1st September.
Please find attached below a poster for ‘Sign Up Saturday.’
Brio Swimming - Reminder
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 on last week’s blog with a QR code for more details.
#WakeUpWednesday
Trolling is the act of making inflammatory comments or behaving in an abusive manner online to hurt the feelings of others or provoke a reaction from them. It is estimated that in 2022, over a third (34%) of people in the UK who suffered online abuse were specifically victims of trolling. The repercussions of this type of online abuse can be severe, which is why it is imperative that parents and educators have the tools to mitigate the risk of harm to children and young people.
In this week's guide, National Online Safety offer expert insight into the act of online trolling and provide advice on how to protect children and young people if they encounter it themselves, helping them minimise the impact of this hurtful behaviour.
Girl’s Football
We have received the attached information regarding opportunities for girls in football – please take a look at the flyer below.
Free Dynamo Cricket Sessions - Reminder
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. Take a look at the letter attached last week 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
Dinner Week 3
Friday 12th July: Reports go home electronically
Thursday 18th July: Year 6 Leaver’s performance at The Untied Reformed Church. 4pm – 5.15pm (tickets only)
Friday 19th July: Leaver’s Service in St. John’s Church at 9.15am. All welcome.
Have a lovely weekend.
Take care,
Mrs E Snowdon