Welcome to our new St Mary's Weekly Newsletter!
May is the Month of Mary
St Mary's Queen's Jubilee Celebrations
On Thursday 26th and Friday 27th May , we are having two special days of celebration to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. We would like to invite all children to wear 1950s style clothing, party clothes or red/white/blue clothes on BOTH days- i.e. Thursday and Friday.
We have a lovely range of activities planned over the two days, including an outdoor street party with dancing, an externally provided 1950s dance workshop, a royal bake off and 1950s style games.
I'm sure we will all have a fabulous time and will mark this special event in style! Fingers crossed for sunshine!
Queen's Jubilee Street Party picnic lunch
In partnership with WCBC catering service, our school cook has organised a special party picnic day menu for our outdoor jubilee street party on Thursday 26th May (Reception-Y6).
The picnic will be organised in a similar way to a Christmas dinner day and can be ordered through Parentpay. Please see menu below, also shared via email. :-
If your child does not want to have a school picnic lunch (above), they can still bring their own picnic/ packed lunch so we can all eat together outside. Diolch.
First Holy Communion Days
Once again, it is lovely to hear that more of our children are celebrating their First Holy Communion this weekend. This is such a special occasion for our children, their families and the parishes they belong to. It is also a very special day for us as a school family and we always like to celebrate together by having a whole school Mass and the opportunity for our children to wear their First Holy Communion clothes again and have a party in school.
I have spoken with Fr Nicholas and he has agreed to celebrate Mass in school on Thursday 29th June, the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. The children are encouraged to wear their First Holy Communion clothes once again and will be treated to a special cake and party.
Special prayers for Alexandra, Snoor, Amelia J, Matthew, Filip, Justinas, Oliwier, Gracjan, Pedro, David and Amelia Sc who will be making their First Communion in the cathedral this weekend. Neha and Fabian will also be making their First Communion soon.
Wrexham City of Culture Bid
This event is happening tomorrow morning, as advertised online. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wrexham-family-photomarathon-tickets-332742932067
Do you like taking photos? Join us for a Photomarathon as part of Wrexham's bid to become the City of Culture in 2025!
Junior photographers, accompanied by their families (at least one adult aged 18 years) will have 3 hours to take 5 images, reflecting 5 key words or phrases that they will receive at the start of the competition.
Participants must arrive at 10.25am. They will receive a package with 5 secret words. They then have 3 hours to go anywhere within wrexham county to take 5 photos of something that represents those words. Let's see how fabulous Wrexham is!!
Cool Kids' Club- Holiday Club Notice
Cool Kids' Club is open for Holiday Club on Monday 30th, Tuesday 31st May and Wednesday 1st June. Holiday club will be closed on Thursday 2nd and 3rd June due to the Jubilee bank holidays. If you wish to book a place for your child, please call by Wednesday next week. Phone number:- 07985900660
Another busy week at St Mary's...
Super St Mary's Sports days!
What fantastic sports days this week! A huge well done to all children in our Foundation Phase classes. It was so lovely to come together as a school community once again! All children behaved impeccably and everyone had lots of fun!
Our Early Years children enjoyed their jubilee themed races- the garden party race, the butler race, the horse race and the corgi race! We all had lots of giggles as the children carefully chose their favourite hats for the garden party and trotted down the field on their hobby horses! Well done everyone!
The Years 1 and 2 children took part in an Olympic style sports day and thoroughly enjoyed negotiating the obstacle course, sprinting down the track and leaping over the speed jumps against the clock! Super team work and amazing support for each other. Da iawn pawb!
The Foundation Phase children also enjoyed watching their mummies and daddies taking part in their own race and enthusiastically cheered them along! Well done parents! What great sports!
Thank you once again to all families who came to watch the sports. We hope you had a great time! Thank you especially for your help taking the equipment to and from school and grateful thanks also to our super Year 6 helpers and to the Friends for providing refreshments.
Diolch yn fawr iawn
Unfortunately, due to rain this morning, we had to take the difficult decision to postpone the KS 2 sports days. The health and safety of all children and families must come first.
Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience that this caused. We have rescheduled the junior sports to take place next Wednesday 25th May, weather permitting.
Years 3 & 4 Sports to commence at 10am and Years 5 & 6 Sports to commence at 1:15 on Belle Vue park.
Diolch yn fawr iawn.
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
Look who has good news to share this week!
Early Years- Elena's baby brother was born on Saturday. He is called Cameron. Georgie has started Rainbows.
Years 1 & 2-Bianca has started piano lessons, Dillan is now an orange belt in taekwondo and Patti is getting new glasses. Scarlett is going to Disney, Vanessa K passsed Wave 3 and has moved to Wave 4. Dylan G has a new pet fish 'Diplodocus.'Rene scored a goal, Madison is starting Morris dancing and Dylan R found a cuttlefish.
Years 3 & 4- Noah and Gethin are camping out with Cubs, Snoor, Theo and Andrea are making their First Holy Communion on Saturday and Xavier is moving house soon. Evelyn and Sophia are off to Scout camp on Saturday, Eni's Auntie has had a baby called Iye, Evan has been to Crewe to play football against an academy and arche hashad a new baby brother called Colby. Matthew's team played football and lost 1 and won 2 matches
Years 5 & 6- Seren achieved 2 x 2nds and 5 x 1sts in a dance competition, Natasza Szew is starting gymnastics on Friday, Phoebe is meeting up with friends in Bognor Regis, David and Olivier are making their First Holy Communion and Ella has 23 chicks! Natasza Szym made her First Holy Communion last week and Natalia and Maya are making theirs this week. Natasha is going to the football at the weekend. Good luck Wrexham! Nathaniel is getting a new karate suit, Filip went to a car show and saw some amazing cars including a Lamborghini and Martyna competed in a fun run and has moved to Wave 5. Amelia won a trophy for football, Thomas is going to a gymkhana in Hereford, Hannah came fourth in netball finals and Bethan has had a special photograph taken- please see below! WOW!!
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.
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.
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Credits:
Created with images by AnnieSpratt - "children road supportive" • LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS - "cheerful kid holding magnifier near face while standing with friend in park" • TinPong - "Boy runnin on blue track" • coco - "fleur de jonquille sur fond jardin" • Naypong Studio - "Sports Equipment on white background" • be free - "Dreams come true. Kid wear golden crown symbol of princess. Girl cute baby wear crown while stand blue background. Become princess concept. Every girl dreaming to be princess. Lady little princess" • Maya Kruchancova - "cupcake with sparkler on old wooden background" • 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"