Over St. John's CE Primary SchoolHead Teacher Blog: Friday 9th October 2020
Date: 9th Oct 2020 @ 1:52pm
#HelloYellow
The children have had a lovely day today focussing on our mental health. We’ve all been going through a difficult time this year and in wearing yellow today, it has been a way of showing solidarity with young people and letting them know that they are not alone. Looking after our wellbeing has never been more important and too many young people don’t know that they can open up about their feelings. We have been showing each other that we care about ourselves and each other today to encourage people to talk to someone if they are struggling.
Collective Worship
Over the past couple of weeks, we have made a return to whole school Collective Worship for the first time since March – virtually! We are using Microsoft Teams for the children to see each other in their classrooms on their large screens and I talk to them all from my office. It has been lovely to see the whole school ‘together’ and for the children to see each other in their classrooms too. This week we have been thinking about the Christian value of hope and how, although we may hope for many things in our lives – such as being a great artist or a famous singer – they are not necessarily true hopes, but having faith in God as he knows what our future holds, knowing that we can be certain that God will fulfil his promise to us, is true hope.
Breaktimes and Lunchtimes
The weather has not been kind to us this week and we have had a lot of rain! As we have no choice but to use the field at breaktimes and lunchtimes to ensure that our classes don’t mix, we have asked the children not to run around on the field in this horrible weather as the field then becomes muddy and children slip over. The children are being so good about this as I can appreciate that they just want to run around and let off steam, but I’m sure that you don’t want them coming home covered in mud! Please remind your children to bring a coat every day to school – the weather is so changeable at the moment. Thank you.
Parents Evening
On last week’s blog, I told you about our plans for Parents Evening. From next week, you will be able to book your appointments through the school website by logging in through the Parent Login section. As a reminder, I have included the information that was shared last week that we request those attending Parents Evening follow:
- Parents Evening will be carried out over 4 shorter sessions this year from 4pm – 5pm instead of 2 longer ones to limit the amount of visitors over each period.
- Only one adult can attend and no children.
- Face masks (unless exempt, and not face visors) must be worn at all times.
- Adults will enter the playground and wait on the socially distanced markings until they are called in by myself via the door at the far end of the playground where the children come out at the end of the day. Please be prompt for your booking – do not arrive early or late.
- Staff will finish all appointments promptly so as not to overrun – please do not be offended if a conversation has to be brought to a close – this is vital to keep everything running smoothly and on time.
- Hand sanitiser must be used on entering the building
- Adults will leave via the door next to Sandymere classroom.
- In the classroom, a plastic chair will be available for the staff member and the adult at greater than 2 metres apart. No one will sit at tables.
- The staff member will clean the chair as the adult leaves, ready for the next person.
- All external and internal doors and windows will remain open.
- Unfortunately, we will not be able to share children’s books on this occasion to reduce the amount of people that are touching them and the time spent in school.
Hopefully the weather will be kind to us as we wait outside!
#WakeUpWednesday
As adults, we’ve all been guilty of scrolling through our social media feeds for a bit longer than we needed to. But do you ever wonder why? What techniques do platforms use to keep us online for longer? And what can you do to keep children safe? Find out with this week’s guide. Created by social media expert, Jodie Cook, this guide aims to give adults a starting point to help them understand exactly what they need to know about persuasive design. Click the below to access your free guide.
Applying for Secondary and Reception Places for September 2021
If you have a child in Year 6, the application round has now opened for you to apply for a secondary school place. It is very important that you do this before the deadline which is 31st October, otherwise your application will be classed as a late application and could have a severe impact on your preferred school choice. Results are available from 12.30am on 1st March 2021. Before making your application, it is important you view the Starting Secondary School booklet. To apply, you will need to create an account or log in if you have an existing online account.
As a school, we are a partner primary with both The Winsford Academy and Hartford CE High School which means that applications for children from our school are considered above some other categories, should the school be oversubscribed. Further details with regards to this can be found in the ‘Transferring to Secondary School’ information booklet in the link above.
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
Thursday 15th October: Rearranged Skipping Workshop (weather permitting)
Wednesday 21st October: Parents Evening 4pm – 5.10pm
Thursday 22nd October: Parents Evening 4pm – 5.10pm
Friday 23rd October: School closes for half term
Monday 2nd November: School reopens
Tuesday 3rd to Friday 6th November: Artist working in school in all classes
Wednesday 4th November: Parents Evening 4pm – 5.10pm
Thursday 5th November: Parents Evening 4pm – 5.10pm
Friday 18th December: School closes for Christmas – if government COVID-19 guidelines are still in place, finishing times will be as follows, but I will keep you updated:
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. Fingers crossed for less rain!
Take care,
Mrs E Snowdon