Over St. John's CE Primary SchoolHead Teacher Blog: Friday 5th November 2021
Date: 5th Nov 2021 @ 10:04am
I hope that you all had a good week during the half term and managed to spend some lovely, COVID free time together! This half term will be one of the busiest as we gear up for all that the Christmas period brings. We have already begun learning our whole school songs for the Carol Service, currently planned for Tuesday 14th December at 1.30pm in St. John’s Church (COVID situation dependent) and I can already tell that it is going to be a very special occasion.
In our Collective Worship, we have been thinking about being wise and making wise decisions as we thought about the wise man who built his house upon the rock and how King Solomon asked God for wisdom when God told him he could have anything that he wanted. We linked all of this in with our work as courageous advocates to gain Plastic Free Status and COP26 and how world leaders are having to make wise decisions to enable us to cherish the earth. We watched a video from Chester Diocese to make us all think about what we are doing for the planet – you can take a look at this video here: What are you doing for the planet?
Updated COVID Guidance
We have received some updated guidance on what to ask adults to do if there is a COVID case in their household. As previously, all children under 18 years and 6 months and fully vaccinated adults with no symptoms do not need to isolate even if someone in their household has had a positive test result for COVID. However, we now suggest that others within the household, children included, take a LFD each day for a total of 10 consecutive days, in addition to a PCR test on day 3-5 after first exposure. The child can continue to attend school if their results (both LFD and PCR) are negative. Thank you for your support with this.
Poppy Appeal
We still have items available, should your child wish to donate to the British Legion Poppy Appeal. What we have in stock and the suggested prices are in a document below but we have limited supply. Please send your child in with the correct money to place in the donation jar as there will be no change available. Thank you for your continued support.
We have a beautiful display in our entrance hall at the moment (thank you Mrs Monson!) similar to those that would be set up in mess halls around the country at this time, for those soldiers who are unable to join their colleagues as they may be Prisoners of War or Missing in Action. I realise that many of you would not get opportunity to see this so I have included a picture of it below.
Bonfire Safety
Cheshire West and Chester Health and Safety Team have asked schools to share the following advice with families as Bonfire Night arrives.
Bonfire Night Events: ‘Firefighters in Cheshire are urging people to celebrate Bonfire Night and the time around it, at an organised event this year, in a bid to keep people and property safe.’
Cheshire Fire and Rescue have a Bonfire night list of organised events in Cheshire which can be found here: Bonfire Night Organised Events
Organising Firework Displays: Firework displays should be enjoyable and spectacular occasions but they obviously need some responsible planning. If you are organising a major public event, you will clearly need a robust and detailed approach to planning as well as professional involvement. Further advice on organising firework displays can be found here: Advice on Organising Firework Displays
Sparkler Safety Advice: The Health and Safety Team also occasionally get asked at this time of year for advice around giving sparklers to children. Sparkler safety advice can be found here: Sparkler Safety Advice
#WakeUpWednesday
When Snapchat’s number of active users plateaued at around the 180 million mark for the majority of 2018, many observers surmised that the platform had become ‘old hat’ in the eyes of its younger fan-base. A continuous (and lockdown-abetted) recovery since then however, has proved that reports of the app’s demise had been greatly exaggerated.
Snapchat’s willingness to move with the times, strategically adding new features such as Spotlight and Snap Map, has kept it relevant and appealing. Each fresh tweak however, provides potential scope for new harms – whether deliberately or accidentally inflicted. This week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide focuses its discerning lens onto Snapchat.
Applying for Primary School Places for September 2022
If you have a child who is turning 4 years old between now and 31st August 2022, or know of a child who is, then the application round is open to apply for their Reception place for which you have until 15th January 2022. Before making your application, it is important you view the Starting School booklet. Results are available from 16th April 2022. To apply, you will need to create an account or log in if you have an existing online account.
School Dinners
School dinners cost £2.34 per day, £11.70 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 school 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 2021 – new dates highlighted
Sunday 7th November: All Age Service in St. John’s church hall with Blakemere at 10.30am. Everybody is welcome.
Friday 26th November: Blakemere to take part in the Winsford Lantern Parade (more details to follow)
Tuesday 14th December: Carol Service in St. John’s Church at 1.30pm – collection from church
Thursday 16th December: Pantomime Day (further details to follow)
Friday 17th December: School closes at 2pm
Have a lovely weekend.
Take care,
Mrs E Snowdon