Over St. John's CE Primary SchoolHead Teacher's Blog: Friday 18th February 2022
Date: 18th Feb 2022 @ 11:23am
I was very lucky to be able to join Hatchmere earlier this week as they walked down to St. John’s Church for a wedding ceremony and baptism. The children had been inspired by their learning in RE and were treated to a very warm welcome and ceremony from George, who explained all about the importance of the vows that the brides and grooms made (two couples got married!). Please do take a look at Hatchmere’s blog to read more about it and see lots of lovely photographs of the day – including the reception party back in the classroom!
It was lovely to welcome so many of you into school again this week for our Spring Term Pupil Consultation Evenings. The staff had some lovely feedback from you all as I’m sure that they were also able to give about your children.
Free Literacy Counts Reading and Writing Parental Sessions
Don’t forget about the two free sessions running later on this term from The Winsford Education Partnership, in conjunction with Literacy Counts, to support parents with reading and writing at home. The first session is called ‘Read with Me’ and will take place virtually on 9th March from 7pm – 8pm and the second is called ‘Write with Me’ and will also take place virtually on 30th March from 7pm – 8pm. These free short sessions will be a really good opportunity for you to find out ways in which you can support your child at home with their reading and writing in the virtual company of other parents across the town. An e mail with a flyer attached for both of the sessions that contains a link on the flyer to click to book a place was sent home last week – please do click the link to book yourself a place and if the e mail has gone astray, just contact the office to resend. I have not shared these flyers on my blog as the sessions are only for Winsford parents and anybody could access the link on the internet who is not part of the Winsford Education Partnership – please do not share also.
World Book Day
This year we will be celebrating World Book Day on Thursday 3rd March. Plans are afoot in school as to how we will mark this and you will not need to go to any trouble or expense around character costumes – we think we have come up with an idea that all can easily take part in. We will be looking at the book ‘The Day the Crayons Quit’ during the day and we are hoping to make an OSJ box of crayons by the children choosing a colour to come dressed in. Just have a look at home – black t shirt and black joggers, blue jeans and a blue top, a red dress – anything that you can find that means the children are dressed all in one colour. I will also be reading the sequel to the story around the campfire after school - an e mail has previously been sent home with regards to this. It promises to be a lovely day where there children are inspired to read as everyone is a reader!
Half Term Activities at the Library
As part of the libraries’ Arts Council England-funded “Crimes and Capers” festival, they are holding events over the half term holiday that would be great for the children to get involved in. All the events are free and bookable on www.ticketsource.co.uk/cwaclibraries:
Emma Beswetherick’s Playdate Adventures: Join author Emma Beswetherick as she leads a workshop on her very own Playdate Adventures series which follow the adventures of three best friends and their cat, Thunder, on a playdate where the magic of their imaginations make their pretend adventure come to life. Tuesday 22 February 2.30pm Online, Ages 5 +
Capers Story Hunt: Get ready for a virtual entertainment experience like no other as scavenger hunting and storytelling collide in a jam-packed session which is fun for all the family. Let your little one's imaginations run wild as they join storyteller John Kirk for a comical capering adventure, sharing a classic folk tale on the way. Thursday 24 February 2pm online. Ages 3+
Dommy B’s Best Adventure Ever: When Dom and his Mum move home, Dom has to go to a new school. Leaving behind friends and familiarity, he arrives ready to share his exciting rhymes about meeting a magical goblin and what happened at the lake when he attempted the greatest bike stunt in the world. How far will Dom go to gain acceptance from the coolest kids in this new school? Creating a whole fantastical world on stage with only his words and imagination, CBeebies Rhyme Rocket poet Dommy B explores the challenges and triumphs of making new friends when everything around you is different and strange. Monday 21 February 2.30pm Ellesmere Port Library. Ages 5+
It is free for children to join all libraries, as long as they have permission from a parent or guardian and that there are no late charges for the Under 13s.
Winsford Creates
I have attached below some information about Winsford Creates, a free family event that is due to take place in Winsford Town Square (Fountain Court) on 19th March.
The Winsford Creates celebration event is produced by Cheshire Dance and forms part of Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Reopening and Recovery programme, funded by the Governments Additional Restrictions Grant. It is supported by Winsford Town Council and Arts Council England.
It looks like it will be a fun filled day for the family to attend together and all you need to do is turn up!
#WakeUpWednesday
Wink’s description on the App Store and Google Play does state that the networking app ‘is for friendships only,’ although more worldly readers may consider that a rather feeble deterrent. The app launched in 2020 and there has already been at least one criminal trial resulting from an adult meeting up with a minor who they befriended through Wink.
The app requires users to be at least 13, but with an absence of effective age verification, there is nothing to stop someone younger from simply entering a fake date of birth. Children occasionally connect with strangers online simply to increase their friend count, which is just one of potential risks highlighted in the week’s National Online Safety’s #WakeUpWednesday guide to Wink.
Film Night
St. John’s Church will be holding another film night on Sunday 27th February and this time they will be screening the Disney film ‘Encanto.’ Please see the attached flyer for info – no need to book, just turn up!
School Dinners
School dinners cost £2.34 per day, £11.70 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 school 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 Spring Term 2022 – new dates highlighted
Friday 18th February: School closes at the usual time for half term
Tuesday 1st March: School re-opens at the usual time
Thursday 3rd March: World Book Day – come dressed as a colour
Wednesday 9th March: Read With Me webinar 7pm – 8pm
Wednesday 30th March: Write With Me webinar 7pm – 8pm
Friday 1st April: Easter Service at 9.15am
Friday 1st April: School closes at 2pm
I hope that you all have a lovely half term break and I would like to thank you for your continued support.
Take care,
Mrs E Snowdon