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10th November 2020
Dear Parents/Carers,
I hope that this newsletter finds you safe and well. Please join us in continuing to pray for all those affected by the pandemic and those working to care for them and their relatives.
Response to Lockdown
As you will be aware, we are now in a period of nationwide lockdown. Fortunately, as scientists believe that the risks to children are relatively small, schools are still open. Education remains compulsory (except for a few clinically extremely vulnerable pupils who will have been notified by their clinicians) and I am delighted that attendance at St John’s remains impressively high as parents and carers are recognising the importance of sending children to school.
We continue to offer a Covid safe environment with staggered timetables, classes working in bubbles, increased hand washing as well as a range of other measures. Please support these measures by avoiding congregating outside of the school gates and wearing a face covering when on the school site, if you are able.
Staffing is another area of school life that is impacted by this pandemic and the current lockdown. Some staff are required to shield during the lockdown and will be working from home, others may be required to be away from school to adhere to the general guidelines of the virus: to self-isolate due to contact with a positive case or someone in their household having symptoms, because they have symptoms themselves or have a positive test. We will try to keep any disruption to staffing to a minimum but there may be occasions where to keep classes open, children may be taught by someone other than their usual class teacher – in accordance with the guidelines and risk assessments that we are working within.
Don’t forget that we have a coronavirus tab on our school website for information, advice and updates.
School clubs
During the lockdown, the Department for Education has advised that before and after school clubs, that are not part of a wraparound care package, should be suspended. We have therefore cancelled all our before and after school clubs until further notice.
Lunchtime
We are delighted that hot school meals have returned. They are proving very popular with staff and children and if you would like your child to have a hot meal, please order and pay through the scopay app or website.
Year 2 Phonics Screening
Due to the partial school closures in June, the current Year 2 class were unable to take part in the Year 1 phonics screening. This will now take place next week to ensure that any gaps in phonics can be addressed.
Playground
Work on improving our outside areas has begun. Children had requested goals for use during playground games and so we now have 2 ball walls on the KS 2 playground. We are also in the process of having pods installed above our picnic benches at the front of the school to provide shade and shelter.
INSET Day
Please remember that Monday 23rd November is an INSET day. The school and Nursery will be closed for staff to complete their first aid training.
Applications For School
Applications for starting school (Reception) open on Monday 2nd November and close on Friday 15th January.
If applying to St John’s with a supplementary information form (SIF), and you have ticked to say that you are a practising member of a Church or faith community, please ensure that it is signed by a priest, minister or faith leader. Although worship has been disrupted by Covid, the priest, minister or faith leader must sign to confirm your usual practice up until the Covid disruptions.
Thank you very much for your continued support. It is very much appreciated.
Yours sincerely,
L. Park
Head Teacher
DIARY DATES
November
WB 16th Anti-Bullying Week
Year 2 Phonics Screening Week
Monday 23rd INSET Day
December
Friday 4th Year 5 and 5 Penitential Service
Monday 14th Year R-6 Nasal Flu Vaccine
Wednesday 16th Christmas Jumper and Dinner Day
Friday 18th 1.30pm Christmas Holidays Begin
January
Monday 4th School Opens
February
Friday 12th 3.30pm Half-Term Begins
Monday 22nd School Opens
April
Thursday 1st 1.30pm Easter Holidays Begin
Monday 19th School Opens
May
Friday 28th 3.30pm Half-Term Begins
June
Monday 7th School Opens
Monday 28th INSET Day
July
Thursday 22nd 1.30pm Summer Holiday Begins
23rd October 2020
Dear Parents/Carers,
We have had a great half term at St John’s and it has been lovely to see how well the children – and adults – have adapted to the new rules and routines. The children have settled very well and are enjoying being back together laughing, working and playing. They have worked very hard to build up their stamina for learning and are definitely ready for a half term break to recharge their batteries and enjoy some family time.
Covid reporting procedures during half term
If your child tests positive for Coronavirus over half term, please ensure that you inform the office via email as soon as you receive the result. It is important that any known contacts of a person who tests positive can be contacted quickly and given information about isolation procedures.
If you receive information over half term that a known contact has tested positive, please follow the isolation procedures.
Overseas Travel during half term
If you are travelling overseas, please check the quarantine rules for the countries that you will be visiting. It is important that these are followed on your return and that children do not come to school until their required quarantine time is complete.
Covid Safe Practice at School
Thank you for your continued support with the staggered start and finish to the school day. These routines will continue after half term. Please try to avoid waiting in groups outside of the gate or on the playground and remember to wear a face-covering on to the school site, if you are able to.
Lunchtime
We are delighted that hot school meals will be served again after half term. Please use the scopay app or website to view the menu, order and pay for meals.
Building Fund
Thank you so much to all those who have paid their building fund. It really does make a big difference to what we are able to offer at St John’s. If you would like to make the contribution of £18 per child, per year, via bank transfer or set up a standing order, the information is below.
Bank: Nation Westminster Bank
Sort Code: 56-00-64
Account Number: 83642072
Account Name: St John’s School Governors
Please use your child’s surname as a reference.
Nasal Flu Immunisation
This year, the school nurses are offering the nasal flu vaccine to children from Reception to Year 6 on Monday 14th December. It is a very simple and pain free vaccine that protects children against flu and the serious complications associated with it. Letters and consent forms will be sent home in a few weeks.
School Uniform
Please ensure that your child wears the correct uniform and PE kit. Tracksuits may be worn on PE days, but these must be navy blue.
Applications For Schools
Applications for starting school (Reception) open on Monday 2nd November and close on Friday 15th January.
When applying for school places, as much as you might have a preferred school, you should make more than one choice. There is no guarantee that you will get your first choice and it is better to get a second or third choice school than be allocated a school by the local authority once all places are allocated.
If you are applying to a Catholic school, please also remember to include all required additional information. The admission policy will be applied against the information that is submitted.
Christmas
Although this is still a few weeks off, we are starting to think about how we can celebrate the season during these challenging times. We are planning to have a Nativity but will probably not be able to have an audience so will record the event instead. We will let you know more about the arrangements nearer the time.
Thank you very much for your continued support. It is very much appreciated.
Yours sincerely,
L. Park
Head Teacher
DIARY DATES
November
Monday 2nd School Opens
Tuesday 3rd Year 5 Drama Day
WB 16th Anti-Bullying Week
Year 2 Phonics Screening Week
Monday 23rd INSET Day
December
Friday 4th Year 5 and 5 Penitential Service
Monday 14th Year R-6 Nasal Flu Vaccine
Wednesday 16th Christmas Jumper and Dinner Day
Friday 18th 1.30pm Christmas Holidays Begin
January
Monday 4th School Opens
February
Friday 12th 3.30pm Half-Term Begins
Monday 22nd School Opens
April
Thursday 1st 1.30pm Easter Holidays Begin
Monday 19th School Opens
May
Friday 28th 3.30pm Half-Term Begins
June
Monday 7th School Opens
Monday 28th INSET Day
July
Thursday 22nd 1.30pm Summer Holiday Begins