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St Mary's Catholic Primary Weekly Newsletter - 8th july 2022

Welcome to our new St Mary's Weekly Newsletter!

Year 6 Diocesan Leavers' Mass in the Cathedral

On Wednesday, our year 6 children joined all year 6 children from the Wrexham Diocese Catholic primary schools for Mass in the cathedral. Bishop Peter celebrated the Mass in thanksgiving for our wonderful children, for all they have shared during their time in our school and for all they have to look forward to in the years ahead. It was so wonderful that we were able to come together as a Catholic family once again after almost three years.

Our School First Holy Communion Mass

On Monday, Fr Nicholas and Deacon Michael came to school to celebrate a special Mass for all our children who made their First Holy Communion in their own parishes over the past three years. We were joined by Mrs Liz Davies (our Chair of Governors and catechist for St Francis of Assisi in Llay) and Mrs Helen Schoonjans (one of the catechists from the cathedral parish.) It was a beautiful Mass which was attended by all Key Stage 2 children and some siblings of the first communicants. The children looked absolutely beautiful, they read wonderfully and all sang and participated with reverence. Da iawn pawb.

It is always one of our favourite school celebrations which culminated in an outdoor party and a wonderful cake made by Mrs Courtney. What a special day!

Classes for September 2022

Please see class organisation below, including just a few changes for next year. Please note, we have appointed a replacement maternity teacher in Year 3 this week. See below. Diolch

FOUNDATION PHASE

Morning Nursery Puffins- Mrs Myers, Miss Williams, Mrs Hack

Morning Nursery/ Reception Penguins- Mrs Jones, Mrs Davies

Morning Nursery /Reception Parrots- Mrs Wilkinson, Mrs Williams

Afternoon Reception Parrots- Mrs Wilkinson, Mrs Williams, Mrs Davies

Year 1 Wrens- Mrs Astbury, Mrs Talkowska, Miss Darbyshire

Years 1/2 Robins- Miss Davies, Mrs Wright (maternity leave from Sept- TA to be appointed), Mrs Hayward/Mrs James

Year 2 Owls- Mrs Roberts, Miss Green

KEY STAGE 2

Year 3 Clywedog- Mrs Binnersley (maternity leave) - Miss Kate Edwards (appointed maternity cover this week)

Year 3/4-Conwy- Mrs Edwards (Mon & Tues)/ Mrs Worsnip (Weds-Fri)

Year 4- Alyn- Miss Gillett

Mrs Trawally & Mrs Hack Year 3/4 TAs

Year 5 Dovey- Mrs Sinclair

Year 5 Gwenfro- Mrs Robertson

Year 6 Gwaun- Mr O'Toole

Year 6 Dyfrdwy- Mrs Hall

Year 5/6 TA- Miss O'Connell

Additional Learning Needs/ Intervention Team

Mrs Williams (Additional Needs Coordinator and Teacher ALNCo)

Mrs Keighley- Teaching Assistant to ALNCO

Mrs Hough- Intervention TA

Mrs Wallice- Supply Intervention TA

Year 6 School Journey to Cardiff 8th-11th July

We are all so excited to be going to Cardiff with our year 6 children today. It has been 3 years since we last took children on school journey and it has been so wonderful to be able to plan to go once again.

We have an action packed itinerary of activities to include a visit to Big Pit, speedboat rides, a tour of the Principality stadium, swimming, bowling, a trip to Barry Island beach and the Royal Mint and a meal out in Pizza Express! What a fabulous trip! Fingers crossed that the sun will shine for us!

We will be posting photos of our fun-filled time on our social media platforms. Please do keep a look out and like/ share our posts! Diolch.

NOTE TO Y6 PARENTS- We will keep you informed as to our expected time of arrival back at school on Monday afternoon/ evening. It is likely to be between 5-6pm at the bus bay on Pentrefelin. Diolch.

Annual Report to Parents

On Friday 15th July, each child will be provided with their annual school progress report and a copy of their attendance record in a sealed envelope.

We hope you that you all enjoy reading your child's report. I certainly enjoyed reading them all, and enjoyed reflecting on how each child has grown and developed over the year in their own individual way and at their own pace. Da iawn pawb.

Should there be a need, parents are invited to make an appointment to discuss their child's report with their class teacher on Monday 18th July between 3:30 and 5pm. Please contact the class teacher via Seesaw to make a mutually convenient appointment.

We also encourage all parents to make a written response to acknowledge receipt of the report and make any other comment, as appropriate. Diolch yn fawr iawn.

Attendance Matters

Please see letter below provided by WCBC Education Support Manager regarding the return to strict attendance monitoring from September following the past couple of disrupted years. From September, please DO NOT book routine appointments or holidays within term-time. The governors of St Mary's will not authorise holidays taken within term-time.

Welsh Government are reverting back to issuing fixed penalty notices for unauthorised non- attendance at school. Please support us to ensure all children are in school to receive their education as long as they are fit an well to do so.

From September, gates will be locked at 08:55 by which time ALL children should be in class and ready to begin their school day.

Please note school starts 08:55 and finishes at 15:15.

Free School Meal initiative Welsh Government- September 2022 (Reception class)

"This commitment is part of the Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru, which will see free school meals extended to all primary school pupils by September 2024.

'Welsh government will be rolling this out for the youngest children first of all. This is because younger children are more likely to be living in relative income poverty. This is an important further step to reaching our shared ambitions of tackling child poverty and ensuring that no child goes hungry while in school."

Wrexham CBC will be able to begin delivering to Reception from the start of the Autumn term (September 2022) and extend the offer to Years 1 and 2 no later than the start of the summer term (April 2023).

Please see letter below provided by WCBC:-

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Title: Phased rollout of Primary Free School Meals for the youngest children from September 2022 onwards

From the new Autumn term, 1st September 2022 onwards all Reception children will be offered Free School Meals. This is an important step in reaching the shared ambition of ensuring no child goes hungry while in school.

Wrexham LA are working with the Welsh Government to develop a process for you to be able to request a free meal for your child/children in Reception from September, trying to avoid any unnecessary burden for you.

Further information will follow by the end of term. Please rest assured that if your child is currently in receipt of free school meals and/or any other associated benefits, these will not be affected.

Kind regards,

WCBC School Meals Service

Year 6 Leavers' End of Term Mass- Fri 15th July 10 am

Parents of children in Year 6 are invited to attend the Year 6 Leavers' Mass in St Mary's cathedral on Friday 15th July at 10am.

Pareants should contact Mr O'Toole/ Mrs Hall via Seesaw to indicate how many seats you will require please.

Y6 Leavers' Beach Party

Thursday 14th July

5pm-7pm in school

Further information to follow

***Special Occasion***

Invitation to the Induction Ceremony of Fr Nicholas Enzama as the Parish Priest of St Mary's Cathedral

All families are invited to attend the ceremony on Friday 15th July at 6pm in the Cathedral. Father would like as many children as possible to attend and has asked that we sing one of our favourite hyms during the ceremony- 'Jesus you can use my hands.' We hope that many families will be able to attend in support of Fr Nicholas. Diolch yn fawr. Further information to follow.

Look at what we have been learning this week!

What a lot of fun we have had!

School Dinner orders

Please ensure that school dinners are pre-ordered at home. Teachers should not be ordering meals in school, as previously advised by WCBC. Thank you

Dosbarth Taff Class Assembly

Unfortunately, due to staff absence, the Taff class assembly has been postponed. We will reschedule as soon as possible.

Brawddeg Yr Wythnos

Dyma'r haf

Here's the summer

Makaton Sign of the Week

This week's sign is pig

Click on the link

Penblwydd Hapus i ti!

Happy birthday wishes to ...

Foundation Phase children- Abigail, Melvin, Emilia

Key Stage 2 children- Adnan, Zuzanna, Deja, David, Natalia, Will, Maisy

Look who has good news to share this week!

Early Years-Blossom is going to Disney to celebrate her dad's birthday.

Years 1 & 2- Olivia has been enjoying her piano lessons, Paulina is going to Turkey in 3 days, Alicia has started gymnastics, Dylan R is going to Puffin Island at the weekend, Vanessa has passed Wave 1, Rene scored 5 goals in Llay yesterday and Maddison is getting a puppy

Years 3 & 4 - Eleanor has completed Wave 4, Adam has moved up to orange in tennis, Sophie, Annabelle and Alexandra are doing a compilation show at the Stiwt on Thursday and Friday after school. Amelia Sc has had her hair cur for the Princess Trust, Maja W is looking forward to going to Poland, Matthew played a football tournament on Sunday, Izzy and Evan made their First Holy Communion in St Anne's.

Years 5 & 6- Scarlett is going to a pool party on Saturday, Astrid is going to London very soon and Cadwyn is going to Rhyl. Max met his first Youtuber last week, Amelia and Scarlett are taking part in a drama show this week, Zosia's grandmother arrives from Poland tomorrow and Alfie is moving house very soon. Bethan has trials for Wrexham FC and Jakub can now swim without a float!

Year 6 are going on school journey and are incredibly excited!!

Super School Trips

On Tuesday, our Reception children visited Park Hall Farm and Year 3 visited Liverpool World Museum. Both classes and staff had a wonderful visit and as usual, all children made us extremely proud! Their behaviour was impeccable. Da iawn pawb!

Park Hall Farm Reception Trip

Staff Training (INSET days 2021-22)

Wednesday 20th July

School closes for the summer holidays on Tuesday 19th July

Staff Training (INSET days 2022-23)

Please note- there is an additional INSET day in June 2023

Thursday 1st September 2022

Friday 28th October2022

Friday 23rd December 2022

Monday 9th January 2023

Monday 17th April 2023

Please note:- The new summer term starts on Friday 2nd September2022

Local Support for Families

At this difficult time of austerity, please see some information about local services that are available to provide support to families in need.

Please contact school if you find yourself in a difficult situation and need some help/ support to signpost you to an appropriate service. Your requests will be handled in confidence and with sensitivity. Diolch. Mrs Acton.

HOW TO GET HELP

If you need help from our foodbank there are a few simple steps to follow. THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP IS TO GET A FOODBANK VOUCHER.

In order to provide the most appropriate help for the circumstances of your situation we work with local agencies. If they feel you are struggling to put food on the table, they will issue you with a foodbank voucher. The local agency can also provide long term support if needed to help address some of the issues behind the reasons for your crisis. Agencies we work with include: Citizens Advice, housing support officers, children’s centres, health visitors, social services and some local charities.

1. GET IN TOUCH WITH US.

If you call or email our foodbank we can talk through your situation and put you in touch with a relevant local agency.

2. ARRANGE A VISIT TO THE REFERRAL AGENCY.

They will discuss your situation and supply you with a foodbank voucher where appropriate.

If you can’t afford food, you can call 0808 2082138 (freephone) to speak to a trained and independent Citizens Advice agent (Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm). Please note this number is for people who do not have enough money for food – if you are a local organisation or charity that works with people who might need the food bank, please contact us directly.

Alternatively, please call 0300 330 1178 to speak to Wrexham’s Citizen’s Advice Bureau, who will be able to issue you with a food bank voucher if necessary.

3. BRING YOUR FOODBANK VOUCHER TO YOUR NEAREST FOODBANK CENTRE.

You can find a list of our local centres and opening times here. When you arrive, we’ll welcome you with a warm drink and our trained volunteers will chat with you about your situation. We’ll also discuss any dietary needs you may have and exchange your foodbank voucher for a parcel of three days of emergency food. We’ll also help to support you in any other ways that we can. Most of our foodbank centres offer a cafe style environment and our aim is to provide non-judgemental support at the point of crisis.

If you have any further questions our FAQ’s page may help, or feel free to give us a call.

Yellow and blue (YaB group ltd) is a social enterprise non profit project. Underpinning community projects including positive pathways, food provision and social isolation beating events and activities. With a digital vision within the community - we aim to support vulnerable groups whilst creating a vibrant, supportive and uplifting experience. Creating moments, chances and smiles when people need it most.

Please get in touch by emailing:- info@yellowandblue.org

Pupil Development Grant

The Welsh Government funded Pupil Development Grant is available to help towards the costs of a child’s school uniform and equipment, for those on a low income. Any child eligible for free school meals in the year groups listed below are eligible. However, those receiving free school meals due to transitional protection arrangement would not be eligible.

Depending on the school year your child will be entering in September 2021 you could receive a grant of £125 or £200. Link

Anyone eligible for free school meals and in the following year groups will qualify for the grant: Entering reception class in primary school, Entering school years 1 to 11, In a special school, special needs resource base or pupil referral unit and are aged 4 to 15.For any looked after children of compulsory school age who are not receiving free school meals, please email uniformgrant@wrexham.gov.uk for an application form.

Welsh Courses for Parents

Are you interested in becoming a volunteer in school?

Here at St Mary’s we are very keen to involve parents, grandparents and family members in the life of the school. We are always looking for volunteers to help out a wide range of activities such as school trips and walking the children to sporting events. We are also very happy to invite volunteers to share special skills, interests or experiences to enhance the children’s opportunities or provision e.g. gardening, sewing, sharing job skills/ experiences etc.

If you would like to be involved in any volunteer work for the school, please click on the link and complete and return the forms attached.https://stmarys-wxm.co.uk/about-us/forms/volunteer-form-2/

Please note:- All volunteers will be subject to DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance. Thank you

Many thanks.

Welsh Government Announcement

Physical punishment of children is now illegal in Wales. Children have the same protection from assault as adults. This is to protect children and their rights. To find out more visit: http://gov.wales/EndPhysicalPunishment

Support the Friends of St Mary’s

to raise much needed funds for the benefit of all our children Friends of St. Mary’s School are now registered with easyfundraising, which means you can raise FREE donations for us every time you shop online. Over 4,000 shops and sites will donate to us when you use easyfundraising to shop with them – at no extra cost to yourself!

These donations really mount up and make a BIG difference to us, so we’d really appreciate it if you could take a moment to sign up and support us. It’s completely FREE and only takes a moment.

Do it today- Sign up by clicking on the link below

Please encourage your family and friends to do the same.

Keeping everyone safe- Covid 19

Local Authority advice remains that all children and staff who are displaying symptoms of illness or testing positive on an LFT or PCR test should not come to school and continue to isolate.

In addition to the 3 classic symptoms of a cough, high temperature and loss of taste or smell, we are noticing that many children who are testing positive are also displaying some of the following symptoms :- vomiting, headaches, runny nose, sore throat (symptoms similar to the common cold)

Thank you for your support and understanding.

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @stmaryswxm

Credits:

Created with images by irontrybex - "small children are waiting for the first holy communion" • Pixel-Shot - "Backpack with school supplies on wooden table against color background" • Africa Studio - "Little cute ducklings isolated on white" • snowflake26 - "A couple of ducks are swimming in the pond" • david hughes - "Wales UK, Cardiff Docks, rebuit Tiger Bay." • WavebreakmediaMicro - "Children having lunch during break time in school cafeteria" • Sebastian Duda - "Eucharist, sacrament of communion background" • Kaspars Grinvalds - "Palm tree on tropical paradise beach" • LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS - "cheerful kid holding magnifier near face while standing with friend in park" • coco - "fleur de jonquille sur fond jardin" • david_franklin - "Beach background border copy space" • Magnus - "Close up of a large female pig grazing in a green summer field" • Maya Kruchancova - "cupcake with sparkler on old wooden background" • LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS - "group of happy pupils standing in row in front of school bus" • kmiragaya - "The Liverpool Central Library on the historic St George's Quarter" • Irina Schmidt - "Adoralbe little toddler girl with rainbow and heart painted with colorful window color during pandemic coronavirus quarantine. Child painting rainbows around the world with the words Let's all be well"