Over St. John's CE Primary SchoolHead Teacher Blog: Friday 6th November 2020
Date: 6th Nov 2020 @ 11:37am
New National Lockdown
As I’m sure that you are all aware, a new national lockdown came into force yesterday until the 2nd December. The guidance for schools was issued yesterday and for primary schools, very little has changed as the risk to children themselves of becoming severely ill from coronavirus (COVID-19) is very low and there are negative health impacts of being out of school. For the vast majority of children, the benefits of being back in the classroom far outweigh the low risk from coronavirus (COVID-19) and we continue to take action to reduce risks still further.
Please see this link to an article in the Winsford Guardian with regards to a statement on how CWAC schools are keeping children safe, from which you will see that we have been doing the measures listed for quite some time already.
As the ‘Rule of 6’ no longer applies and we are not able to socialise with others outside of our households, please may I kindly ask you to ensure that you also adhere to these rules at drop off and pick up time. It is imperative that you arrive in a prompt manner to only drop off and pick up your children at their class bubble time and do not arrive to chat to other adults. I absolutely appreciate that some adults are outside school longer than others as they have siblings with different drop off and pick up times. However, all other adults and children should only arrive within 5 minutes of their class bubble time and there should only be one adult anywhere near the premises. Please do not arrive with others whilst one waits outside school and the other comes into the playground to collect as this increases the numbers of people outside and therefore the numbers of contacts. We also have to remain courteous to the general public at all times who need to use the pavement and people unnecessarily waiting outside does not help with this.
Please see a reminder of drop off and pick up times:
|
Class |
Drop Off Between: |
Children Enter School |
Arrive for Collection Between: |
Children Leave School |
|
Blakemere |
8.25am – 8.30am |
8.30am |
2.40pm – 2.45pm |
2.45pm |
|
Linmere |
8.25am – 8.30am |
8.30am |
2.40pm – 2.45pm |
2.45pm |
|
Oakmere |
8.30am – 8.35am |
8.35am |
2.45pm – 2.50pm |
2.50pm |
|
Delamere |
8.35am – 8.40am |
8.40am |
2.50pm – 2.55pm |
2.55pm |
|
Sandymere |
8.40am – 8.45am |
8.45am |
2.55pm – 3.00pm |
3.00pm |
|
Hatchmere |
8.45am – 8.50am |
8.50am |
3.00pm – 3.05pm |
3.05pm |
My Wicked Witch of the West has had to return in full force this week – please help me put her back in the box!
Virtual Parent’s Evening
Thank you so much to those parents and carers who took part in our virtual Parent’s Evening this week – it went well! I know that the staff were nervous waiting for the first meeting to ensure that it worked correctly – and a couple of parents were even greeted with a cheer when staff realised it worked for the first time! For those who have their appointments next week, an e mail was sent on Monday as to the arrangements and the staff will send an e mail to adults the day before your appointment with a link to click on to join the meeting. At that point, we will close the meeting on School Spider and no more appointments will be able to be made as the link won’t have been sent out to you otherwise.
Artist Working in School
What a lovely few days we have had working with our visiting artist, Ticky Lowe, in school. The children have taken part in a felt workshop to create little felted flowers. These will all be stitched together with little lights inside to make one large piece of artwork for part of a display in school to go with our whole school Christian vision of ‘Let your light shine before others.’ (Matthew 5:17). I will include some photographs of this in future blogs so that you can see the children’s beautiful creation and they may even be able to point out which is theirs to you.
Children in Need
Next Friday 13th November is Children in Need. We will be holding a non uniform day in school to mark the occasion. Usually we ask for a £1 for this that we send to the charity, however this year we are doing things a little differently so as not to handle the cash in school. Everyone can join in the non uniform day and should you wish to donate to Children in Need, you can do so via their official channels here: Donate to Children in Need. You can choose to donate any amount that you wish.
Christmas Pantomime
Good news! As we are unable to take part in our traditional pantomime at Northwich Memorial Court this year, instead, the pantomime is coming to us! ‘Once Upon a Pantomime’ will be especially recorded by Anton Benson Productions Ltd, the company that we usually watch at the Memorial Court with star guest appearances from Mark Labbett (The Chase), Dave Benson Phillips (Children’s TV Legend) and Barney Harwood (Blue Peter) and further star guests to be announced. We will be watching it in our class bubbles on Friday 18th December. We will also have our Christmas jumper day that day too. So despite the restrictions, we have found a way to have some ‘normality’ in school!
#WakeUpWednesday
With last week being half term and therefore no blog, I have two #WakeUpWednesdays to share with you this week.
Among Us is one of the most popular online games in the world right now. It is October 2020’s most downloaded game for iPhones and iPads, according to Associated Press. In this multiplayer sci-fi challenge of teamwork and betrayal, players must complete tasks while trying to work out which of them is secretly an alien imposter. It’s largely child friendly, but with increasing numbers of players using the built-in chat and making in-app purchases, National Online Safety’s handy guide gives parents and carers the inside track on Among Us.
With the UK moving into a second period of lockdown, the DfE expect schools to have strong contingency plans in place for remote education provision should individuals or groups of pupils need to self-isolate. However, remote education isn’t always straightforward, and several factors should be considered to ensure safe and secure delivery. That’s why National Online Safety have created a guide to help educators, parents, carers and children get the most out of their remote education experience.
Bonfire Night Safety Advice
With many of us wanting to mark Bonfire Night at home this weekend due to the lockdown, Cheshire Fire and Rescue and CWAC’s Health and Safety Team have asked schools to share the following information with our communities:
“We don’t want anyone to get hurt this year so we are asking people not to light bonfires or set off fireworks in their own gardens or back yards. These fires can and do get out of hand very quickly and can spread to nearby properties, sheds, hedges etc. so please think about this before lighting any fires outside.”
Please visit Cheshire Fire and Rescues website for advice on bonfire night and sparkler safety advice.
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
Wednesday 11th November: Parents Evening 4pm – 5.10pm
Thursday 12th November: Parents Evening 4pm – 5.10pm
Friday 13th November: Non Uniform Day for Children in Need
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
I hope that you all have a lovely weekend.
Take care,
Mrs E Snowdon