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12th February 2021
Dear Parents/Carers,
Despite the snow this week, there are definitely signs that spring is just around the corner. Those signs of life and hope are very much needed at the moment. This has been another challenging half term where we have missed playing and learning together as a whole school community but we continue to hope and pray that this pandemic will soon be at an end.
Thank you for all that you have been doing to support your child’s learning. You really have been doing an amazing job and we are very proud of the great work that the children have been sharing with us.
Covid Cases
Please continue to inform us if your child tests positive for covid as it ensures that we are able to effectively track and trace but also makes sure that we aren’t chasing children for remote learning when they are unwell.
If your child tests positive during half term, please use the coronavirus email address to report this. It will ensure that the information is picked up quickly and anyone who needs to be traced can be contacted as soon as possible. The address is:
coronavirus@st-johns-catholic-pri.portsmouth.sch.uk
Free School Meals
Children who are entitled to benefits related free school meals school have been receiving their vouchers each week. Portsmouth City Council have also arranged for these vouchers to continue over half term. Please contact the office if you believe that you are entitled to free school meals but have not been receiving the vouchers.
Half Term Activities
This coming week is half term so there will be no remote learning uploaded on to Purple Mash. Please encourage your child to have a break and enjoy time playing, going for walks and resting. Also remember that Tuesday is Shrove Tuesday and Wednesday is Ash Wednesday.
Remote Disco
Mrs Warren and her husband have very kindly offered to run a remote school disco on Sunday at 5pm. It is a great way to come together as a community and have some fun. Please see the information on your class blog.
Thank-you
Thank you to all parents and carers who have worked so hard to support your children – and the school over this half term.
Thank you to the staff for their incredible hard work to juggle remote learning, technical support and in school teaching.
Thank you to the children who, as always have been positive, resilient and hard working. We are very proud of you!
Live Drop-ins
Although we are very much hoping that schools may be able to open sometime in the near future, we have to continue to plan for remote learning and continue to develop our offer.
From 23rd February, each bubble will offer a live session once per week for children who are remote learning. This session will provide an opportunity for children and staff to discuss the week and keep in touch. Further information is available in the remote learning letter.
Lent
The diocesan ‘CASO’ website have added some resources for schools and families to use during Lent. The web address is below:
http://www.casoportsmouth.org.uk/lent/
Nethercott Farm
Although not unexpected, it was with disappointment that we heard last week that the Nethercott Farm trip would not be going ahead this year. Farms for City Children made the difficult decision to cancel all residential trips for the remainder of the academic year. The good news is that we have been able to reschedule for summer 2022 and that the children in Years 4 and 5 who had already booked, are able to transfer their place. A letter has been sent to all those who had booked and those on the waiting list.
Nursery
We have places available in our nursery for September. We offer both 15 hour and 30 hour places and there is funding available for this. If you know of anyone who who may be interested, please ask them to contact the school office.
Please continue to pray for those who have been affected by this pandemic and for all those who are working tirelessly to bring comfort, support and hope to their families.
Yours sincerely,
L. Park
Head Teacher
DIARY DATES
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