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6th November 2019
Dear Parents,
I hope that you had a lovely half term break and are enjoying a bit of a break from the recent downpours.
Goodbye and Thank You
At the end of last half term we said goodbye to Mr Victor who is returning to his home country to take up an important role in education. We are also saying goodbye at the end of this week to Mrs Mackenzie who is leaving St John’s after many fruitful years to take up a new role. We wish them both the best of luck for their new adventures and send them with our grateful thanks for their contributions to our school.
Year 6 Trip
Today we waved off many of our Year 6 children as they set off to spend a few days – and nights - at an outdoor activity centre. I’m sure that they will have a fantastic time working together as a team and facing some pretty exciting challenges. We will aim to keep parents updated through our website.
Curriculum Survey
Thank you to all those who took the time to complete the recent curriculum survey. The main findings were that the vast majority of those who completed the survey were very happy with the curriculum provision at St John’s and felt that it reflected the Catholic nature of our school and met their child’s needs. Some of the areas that we are going to explore further are the amount and way that curriculum information is shared with parents and the amount and type of homework that is set (interestingly some felt that there was too much and some felt that there was too little).
Parents Evening
Next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are parents evenings. We invite you to sign up for a slot to meet with your child’s class teacher to discuss their progress, attainment, attitude and behaviour.
School Nurse
The nurse will continue to hold drop-in sessions once every month in school. If you would like to discuss any health concerns that you have for your child – bed wetting, asthma, allergies, frequent illness etc – sign up for a 10 minute slot, please see the office.
School Applications
If you have a child who is due to start school in September 2020, please be aware that applications opened online this week and must be completed by January 15th. It is always advisable to make more than one choice to avoid being left without a school if your first choice is oversubscribed and you are not allocated it. Making more than one choice does not affect your chances of your first choice. Please also remember to submit all documentation – baptismal certificates and supplementary information forms if applying for a Catholic school.
School Uniform
Please make sure that your child has a waterproof coat with them every day for playtimes.
Nasal Flu Vaccine
This year, the school nurses are offering the nasal flu vaccine to children from Reception to Year 6 on Monday 18th November. 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 have been sent home.
Christmas Dinner
The school meal on Wednesday 11th December will be a Christmas dinner with all children eating and celebrating together. If your child would like a Christmas school dinner on this day, please book and pay online. (Children in Year R,1 and 2 as well as those on free school meals will need to book but won’t need to pay.)
Christmas Show
The Christmas show this year will be held at the Cathedral at 2pm on Wednesday 18th December.
Dropping Off and Collecting Children
Please continue to park considerately around the school – on Bridgeside Close, Arundel Street and Cottage View. Please also note that parking outside the gate on Arundel Street is causing a hazard and should be avoided.
Internet Safety
Parents very often speak to us about their concerns for their child’s safety and well-being on the internet and many are unsure how to keep their children safe online – sometimes we don’t realise how much danger and unpleasantness there is online until it is too late. This year we are again holding an internet safety workshop for parents where you can find out how to effectively use safety features and monitor your child’s internet use. Please look out for further information on the workshop which will be held on the afternoon of Wednesday 27th November.
Thank-you
Thank you to our local Morrisons store who yesterday donated a large number of daffodil bulbs to us to brighten up our school environment.
Term Dates
The term dates can be found on the school website or requested from the office.
The school and nursery will be closed for the following INSET days this year;
Friday 31st January
Monday 29th June
Wednesday 22nd July
Thank you once again for your continued support.
Yours sincerely,
L. Park
Head Teacher
DIARY DATES
November
Monday 4th 8.45am Back to School
School Photos
Yr R Applications Open Online
Wednesday 6th –Friday 8th Yr 6 Residential
Thursday 7th Yr 5 Swimming
Monday 11th Start of Anti-Bullying Week
Parents Evening
Tuesday 12th Parents Evening
Wednesday 13th No Pens Wednesday
Parents Evening
Yr 3 Liturgy
Thursday 14th Yr 5 Swimming
Monday 18th Start of Road Safety Week
Nasal Flu Vaccination
Start of Road Safety Week
Thursday 21st Yr 5 Swimming
2pm Prospective Parent Tour
Tuesday 26th Scholastic Book Fair Opens
Wednesday 27th Yr 1 Liturgy
Parent Internet Safety Workshop
Thursday 28th Yr 5 Swimming
Key Stage 2 Internet Safety Workshops
December
Monday 9th 9.30am Prospective Parent Tour
Wednesday 11th Year 4-6 Advent Penitential Service
Wednesday 18th 2pm Christmas Show: Cathedral
Friday 20th 1.30pm End of Term
January
Monday 6th 8.45am Back to School