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7th January 2020
Dear Parents,
Happy New Year! I hope that you had a lovely Christmas and are looking forward to the new year with excitement and enthusiasm for all that is to come. 2020 has been dedicated as the The Year of the Word – The God who speaks and so we will be looking at how we can celebrate, live and share God’s word as a school community.
School Nurse
The nurse will continue to hold drop-in sessions once every month in school. The next session will be on Monday 27th January. 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 at the office.
School Applications
If you have a child who is due to start school in September 2020, please be aware that applications are now open and must be completed by January 15th.
If you have a child who is due to start school in September 2021, you are welcome to collect a Mass attendance card in preparation for your application.
Admission Policy 2021-2022
The school’s draft admission policy for 2021-2022 is currently out for consultation. Please find a copy on our school website along with details on how to respond.
Bikeablity
Year 6 children who have returned their consent forms will be undertaking their bikeability training in the week beginning 20th January. These children will need to bring their bikes to school on Monday 20th along with a cycle helmet, waterproof clothing and a bike lock. The bikes must not be ridden on the school premises, including the playground, but should be locked to the fence by the prayer garden
Challenge Partners
Following the success of our work with Challenge Partners last year when we were able to evaluate the impact of the teaching and learning at St John’s as well as offer staff fruitful experiences of evaluating teaching and learning in other schools, we have decided to continue with this initiative. We will be welcoming reviewers to St John’s during the week of 27th January when they will work with us to look closely at how the teaching and learning meets the needs of the children at our school.
Building Fund
As a school, we continue to urge parents to contribute to the building fund. This fund is essential to Catholic schools for the maintenance and development of the school buildings.
Swimming
Year 5 will begin their second set of swimming lessons on Thursday 16th January for 10 weeks.
Punctuality
As I mentioned at the end of term assembly, it is very important for children to arrive on time to school. Lateness is not only disruptive to the class as a whole but also unsettling for children who miss vital information at the beginning of the school day. If you are a family who have found it difficult to arrive on time to school, please try to leave some extra time in the morning to support your child by getting them here by 8.45am.
Packed Lunch
A polite reminder that we ask that packed lunches do not include nuts or nut products. We also ask you to consider how healthy the lunch is as we recommend sandwiches/pasta/rice along with fruit, yoghurt and other healthy snacks rather than packs of biscuits or packs of sausage rolls.
Uniform
Thank you for continuing to support us in insisting on correct school uniform. Please remember that shoes should be plain black and that long hair should be tied back and there should be no lines or patterns shaved in to hair.
Parent Governor
We still have a vacancy for a parent governor and would welcome any interest in this position. If you would like to discuss this role and/or put your name forward, please contact the office before midday on Friday 24th January. If we have more than one name by this date, we will arrange an election.
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 academic 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
January
Tuesday 7th Year 6 Drama Workshop
Tuesday 14th Year 4 Drama Workshop
Wednesday 15th Year 6 Mass
Thursday 16th Year 5 Swimming Lessons Begin
Monday 20th Year 6 Bikeability Week
Year 5 ‘Guess my Job’ Workshop
Tuesday 21st Year 1 Drama Workshop
Wednesday 22nd Year 4 Mass
Year 5 ‘Get Inspired’ Fair:Guildhall
Monday 27th School Nurse Drop-in
Friday 31st INSET Day – School and Nursery Closed
February
Wednesday 5th Year 5 Mass
Tuesday 11th Safer Internet Day
Wednesday 12th Year 3 Liturgy
Friday 14th 3.30pm Half Term Begins
Wednesday 26th Ash Wednesday Liturgy
March
Monday 2nd Start of Fairtrade Fortnight
School Nurse Drop-in
Parents Evening
Tuesday 3rd Parents Evening
Wednesday 4th Year 2 Liturgy
Parents Evening
Thursday 5th World Book Day
Wednesday 11th Year 1 Liturgy
Year 5 Trip: Beaulieu
Wednesday 18th Year R Liturgy
Wednesday 25th KS 2 Penitential Service
April
Friday 3rd 1.30pm Easter Break begins