Over St. John's CE Primary SchoolHead Teacher Blog: Friday 9th February 2024
Date: 9th Feb 2024 @ 1:50pm
What a busy week we have had! We have had National Number Day, a dance collaboration at Winsford Academy, a visit to the library, a visit to Chester Zoo, a traffic survey and a visit from a bear!
On Tuesday, school was awash with jelly beans (and they are still being munched!) as we all took part in our National Number Day activities. Great fun was had by all the children although we may need to work on estimation skills a bit, judging by the jelly bean count! We were also awash with carrots and potatoes as the children tried to find the heaviest potato and the longest carrot. Mrs Skelley said that the children had some fabulous estimation skills about how to find out which were heaviest or longest. Congratulations to Sebastian in Delamere and Olivia in Sandymere who were the winners of the competition.
Linmere spent much of the day at The Winsford Academy on Wednesday as part of an arts project called Ignite that we are involved with, taking part in a dance collaboration. They had a fantastic day taking part in some dance themselves and watching other dance performances. There is more to come as part of the arts project as Year 5 go to Winsford High Street to join in a violin concert next week and we have a Samba workshop in school next week for the children in Sandymere and Oakmere as well as a dance workshop in school for Delamere and Blakemere. Lots to look forward to!
Also on Wednesday, Oakmere had their turn to visit the library and Hatchmere had a very special visitor – the Bookstart Bear! The children were thrilled to see him, particularly as they told me he was so fluffy and blue like our jumpers and cardigans – what more could we need?!
As I write, Hatchmere and Oakmere are currently out at Chester Zoo. Although the weather is cold and a bit drizzly, it hasn’t dampened their spirits as they were so excited when they left this morning. I am sure that the adults will hear all about it when they get home.
Our Junior Safety Officers have been hard at work surveying the traffic along Delamere Street before and after school a couple of times this week. They are in the process of putting their findings together but I know that they have a few suggestions that they would like to share with you and they have asked me to do so on my blog next week, so please keep a look out for that.
Reading Champions
This week, Mrs McLaughlin and I looked through the application forms from the pupils in Year 5 and 6 who wanted to apply for the role of Reading Champions in school, which I shared on my blog a couple of weeks ago. I have to say that the standard was very high and our job was very difficult, but congratulations go to Annie, Franklin, Jack, Oliver, Michael, Olivia, Eva, Esmee and Josh who will be working with Mrs M on further developing a love of reading within our school. There is a new blog link available which the children will begin posting on. Please take a look at:
https://www.overstjohns.cheshire.sch.uk/blog/over-st-johns-reading-champions/88380
School Uniform - Reminder
The Green Uniform and Baby Bank have asked us to let all schools know about their uniform event to celebrate their 5th year of helping the local community manage uniform costs. They are rewinding back to the beginning by returning to offer generic school uniforms for FREE until February 29th. This offer is open to everyone. All generic uniforms are included, with exception to coats and shoes, so parents can get themselves stocked up with spares or prepared for summer at no cost!
To find out their opening times, please see their Webpage.
Attendance
Well done to Sandymere with this week’s highest attendance. A few classes are currently in the low 90s for attendance – next week at Pupil Consultation Evenings, the class teachers will share your child’s current attendance with you. Please remember that good attendance needs to be at least 96% or above.
Hatchmere 97.62%
Sandymere 98.00%
Delamere 93.33%
Oakmere 93.33%
Linmere 92.73%
Blakemere 93.70%
Town Mayor’s Oskars Awards 2024
We have received information about the Town Mayor’s Oskars Awards 2024 which are to be held at Meadowbank Social Club on Saturday 13th April. Please take a look at the following link to see the nominations for various categories and complete one if you know of someone who fits the bill! The closing date for nominations is Monday 18th March at 9:00am. https://winsford.gov.uk/events/oskars-2024/
#WakeUpWednesday
Online video calling with random strangers - it’s hardly a new internet phenomenon but the recent demise of Omegle has prompted the creation of several similar platforms bidding to fill the vacuum. One such contender is Monkey: a service that randomly connects its users for video calls, using their mobile numbers and Snapchat account details.
Monkey has surged in popularity since Omegle’s shutdown in November 2023: visits to the site more than doubled within a month and have been climbing steadily ever since. Regrettably, it also seems that Monkey suffers from many of the same pitfalls as its notorious predecessor so this week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide highlights these possible risks to young people in more detail.
February Half Term at Brio - Reminder
We have received information about a swimming crash course running from 19th - 23rd February between 9:00am-11:00am at Winsford Lifestyle Centre. This is great for children to increase water confidence and develop their aquatic skills.
They also have Under the Sea Pool parties on the following dates and venues:
Northwich Memorial Court – Thursday 22nd February 1:15pm - 2:15pm
Winsford Lifestyle Centre – Friday 23rd February 1:15pm - 2:15pm.
School Dinners
As originally shared last week, we have received information from Edsential, the company contracted to deliver our school meals. As of 1st April, the cost of school dinners will be rising and we will now be charging £3 per meal, £15 per week.
Edsential have shared: “Whilst we understand that price increases are never welcomed, as a non-profit community interest organisation our priority is simply to fill young people’s tummies, not shareholders’ wallets. This price increase reflects only the inflationary increases we have experienced across food and labour as outlined in our previous communication below. Where other providers are compromising on food quality, meal choice, mobile cover and the welfare and terms and conditions of their staff, Edsential catered schools will receive the same high quality school meals, service and ethics you are accustomed to.”
Between now and 1st April, school dinners will continue to cost £2.70 per day, £13.50 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 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 Spring Term 2024 – new dates highlighted
Dinner Week 1
Reminder: No extra-curricular clubs next week due to Pupil Consultation Evenings and Staff training
Tuesday 13th February: Pupil Consultation Evening 4pm – 6pm
Wednesday 14th February: Delamere visit to Winsford Library
Thursday 15th February: Year 5 violinists joint concert at Winsford High Street
Thursday 15th February: Pupil Consultation Evening 3.15pm – 5.15pm
Thursday 15th February: Dance Workshop for Blakemere and Delamere
Friday 16th February: Samba workshop for Oakmere and Sandymere
Friday 16th February: School closes for half term at 3pm
Monday 26th February: School opens at 8.35am
Have a lovely weekend.
Take care,
Mrs E Snowdon