Over St. John's CE Primary SchoolHead Teacher Blog: Friday 6th December 2019
Date: 6th Dec 2019 @ 10:23am
I’m Gonna Shine
Huge congratulations to the children in Linmere who took part in the Winsford Education Partnership performances at the Lifestyle Centre earlier this week. The children performed ‘I’m Gonna Shine’ four times to packed audiences over the course of Monday and Tuesday and they were absolutely fabulous in all respects – singing, narrating, behaviour… It was a pleasure to spend time with them and see how proud they were of themselves after each performance. A real credit to the school – well done!
Sing the Christmas Story
Also, congratulations to the children in Delamere and Sandymere who visited St. Chad's church earlier this week to 'Sing the Christmas Story' with children from other local primary schools. They were also a credit to the school as they have worked hard to learn their songs and sang beautifully whilst behaving impeccably, as always.
Christmas Fair
Our Christmas fair takes place later today, straight after school. The PTA have worked incredibly hard to ensure that it will be a fun event for all attending and they have even managed to secure a visit from Father Christmas himself! It will be lovely to see lots of you later this afternoon supporting this event and all the money raised goes directly towards things that benefit our children.
Carol Service
You will have seen on my dates list each week since September that our annual Carol Service takes place in St. John’s church on Tuesday 17th December at 1.45pm. This is an event that families are welcome to join us for. The children narrate and sing the Christmas story as the children in reception present the nativity and it is one of the highlights of the year! After this event, which should last about an hour, all children are to be collected from St. John’s church instead of school and it would be very helpful that day if children left their bags at home – just come to school with coats and lunches.
Reminder: The Sun Books for Schools
The Sun newspaper has teamed up with Collins Big Cat to give primary schools in England a free pack of books worth more than £600. To be in with a chance of receiving the books, we need to collect tokens that will be printed in The Sun and The Sun on Sunday between Saturday 23rd November 2019 and Saturday 18th January 2020. We need to collect 3,500 tokens and if we do so, we will be sent the pack of books, which contains 105 high quality fiction and non-fiction books, in March. Please can you spread the message among family and friends and send any tokens in to school. Thank you!
#WakeUpWednesday
Mobile phones and smartphones in particular, are always a popular present choice at Christmas. As children become more socially active, it’s inevitable that they’ll want to keep in touch with their friends, not miss out on the latest news and just stay ‘cool’ at school. But do children know how to use their phone safely? Do they know how to protect themselves? And what do they need to be aware of? Click on the link below for a handy guide.
Applying for Reception Places for September 2020
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 open for them to apply for their Reception place. You have until 15th January 2020, but before making your application, it is important you view the Starting School information booklet.
To apply, you will need to create an account or login 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.
If you are in receipt of benefits and think that you may be entitled to free school meals, please click https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/education-and-learning/school-meals.aspx for more information 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.
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.
Confirmed Dates for the Autumn Term 2019 – new dates added are highlighted
Tuesday 10th December: School nurses to carry out Nasal flu vaccination for all children
Tuesday 17th December: Carol Service in St. John’s Church at 1.45pm. Collection from Church for all children at 3pm, not at school.
Wednesday 18th December: Blakemere singing at Overdene Care Home
Wednesday 18th December: Christmas Dinner Day
Thursday 19th December: Whole school pantomime visit
Thursday 19th December: School closes at 2pm for Christmas
Monday 6th January: School Opens at 8:45am
Have a lovely weekend,
Take care,
Mrs E Snowdon