Over St. John's CE Primary SchoolHead Teacher Blog: Friday 7th December 2018
Date: 7th Dec 2018 @ 1:11pm
In our Collective worship this week we have been thinking about advent and the need to wait and prepare for Christmas – the birth of Jesus. We have talked about how the long wait of Advent can be a time that reminds us to take pride in ‘giving’ as well as ‘getting’. The first Christians remembered a saying of Jesus: ‘There’s more happiness in giving than in receiving.’ Acts 20.35. We have also thought about the long journey that Mary and Joseph had to make, how far it was and how long it may have taken them, all so that they could bring God’s precious gift to the world.
We have also been thinking about age this week and how we are all equal, despite any differences in age and that it is not a barrier. Mrs Williamson showed us a variety of shoes and then gave some descriptions of people, along with their ages, as to who the shoes might belong to – it was interesting to see how the children generally chose stereotypical ‘shoe owners’ – an 11 year old girl for ballet shoes, a 43 year old man for the keen gardener with wellington boots - and they didn’t manage to match any up! However, the shoes all belonged to Mrs Williamson’s family and the ballet shoes were actually hers and the wellies belonged to her 14 year old son! We read the story ‘My Grandpa is Amazing’ by Nick Butterworth and it brought it all together that, no matter what your age is, we are all equal and capable of so many things. Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 4:12, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young…” Age is not a barrier. It’s the heart that counts. God said to Samuel when he was sent to anoint David, “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”1 Samuel 16:7
A huge well done to the children in Linmere! The children took part in four performances of ‘Lights! Camel! Action!’ at Winsford Lifestyle Centre on Monday and Tuesday afternoons and evenings as part of a 400 strong choir from all the thirteen schools in Winsford that form the Winsford Education Partnership. The children have been rehearsing the songs since October half term and all their hard work really paid off – their singing was fabulous, their behaviour was impeccable and we are all very proud of them. Well done!
Also, thank you and well done to the children in Hatchmere who took part in the Christingle Service at St. John’s church on Sunday. They kept us all entertained with their singing whilst sharing the important message of what the Christingle represents. Furthermore, they shared this message with the whole school on Wednesday when we went down to church for a service. We also had a special visitor at the service and in school on Wednesday morning. Chris Penn, the Director of Education for Chester Diocese, came to share in our service and have a tour of the school afterwards. He was very impressed with the children including their knowledge of the Christingle, their delightful singing and how respectful they are. Well done children!
Please can you all keep Aiden in Delamere in your thoughts and prayers. Aiden is currently very ill in hospital and I am sure that his brothers and family would be reassured by the fact that we are all thinking of him.
Don’t forget that our Christmas Fair takes place tonight straight after school finishes and we are looking forward to seeing many of you there, supporting the school and the Friends of Over St. John’s. I have it on very good authority that Father Christmas himself will be paying us a visit!
With a tech-filled Christmas on the horizon, #WakeupWednesday thought parents might need a little help in keeping their children safe when using their new digital devices. They have once again teamed up with their teacher friends, Dan and Sam from ‘Musicalternative,’ to bring you this jolly online safety jingle for parents. Twitter: https://twitter.com/natonlinesafety/status/1070288625877872641
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalOnlineSafety/videos/1080494295458667/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qq8CtHpszi8&feature=youtu.be
Download: Please request here > https://nationalonlinesafety.com/resources/platform-guides/stay-safe-at-home-on-devices-this-christmas/
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 scheme. Please may dinner money 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 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. Any absences must be requested in advance and can not be authorised retrospectively.
Confirmed Dates for the Autumn Term – additions/ changes from last week are highlighted.
Thursday 20th December: Blakemere to carol sing at Overdene Care Home (am)
Thursday 20th December: Carol Service in St. John’s Church at 1.45pm. All welcome. Please note: All children to be collected from church at 3pm instead of school.
Friday 21st December: Whole School to Northwich Memorial Court for the pantomime – Cinderella
Friday 21st December: Non Uniform Christmas Jumper Day in aid of Save the Children
School closes for Christmas at 2pm
Confirmed Dates for the Spring Term 2019
Monday 7th January 2019: School opens at 8:45am
Wednesday 13th – Friday 15th February: Year 5 and 6 residential to the Conway Centre, Anglesey
Thursday 21st March: Year 5 Research Project Conference at Portal Macdonald Hotel – more details to follow for those involved.
Thursday 21st – Friday 22nd March: Year 3 and 4 residential to Beeston OEC
Don’t forget to keep checking the calendar on the school website. If you click on an event on the calendar, more information about that event will be given, if it has been added.
Have a lovely weekend,
Mrs E Snowdon