Welcome to our new St Mary's Weekly Newsletter!
Thank you- Diolch yn fawr iawn!
On behalf of the staff and governors of St Mary's, may I express my sincere gratitude to all parents and carers for all your on-going support this year. Together, as a St Mary's family we have made it through another challenging year and thankfully, our children have had the opportunity to go on school trips and visits and get together as year groups; something we have all missed over the past few years!
Thank you and goodbye to Mrs Taylor for her commitment to the Friends of St Mary's committee over many years and to Mrs Laura Hasford who has also supported the committee in more recent years. Thanks also to Mrs Beki Jenkins for her continued hard work and support as Chair of the Friends. We really do need to 'grow' the Friends and enrol new members to the team. We are especially looking for a new treasurer and secretary so if you are interested in helping out and can offer these skills, please do get in touch. Diolch.
I would also like to wish our Year 6 leavers all the very best as they move on to high school in September. They have been a wonderful year group and have brought many smiles and much happiness to our school family over the years. The have grown into confident, mature and ambitious young people who have their whole lives ahead of them. We are confident that they will achieve great things and wish them happy, healthy and fulfilling futures. Pob lwc i chi i gyd!
Goodbye! Hwyl fawr!
Today, Miss Maddock is leaving St Mary’s to take up a new permanent teaching position in Ysgol Rhostyllen to start in September. Miss Maddock has worked in St Mary’s for the past 3 years and has taught in many different classes across the school in different year groups in both Foundation Phase and KS 2.
Over her time in St Mary’s, Miss Maddock has been a much loved, hard-working and dedicated teacher who has always given over and above to support the children in her care. She has also given generously of her time to offer a range of extra- curricular activities and clubs.
We will all be very sorry to lose Miss Maddock from our team in St Mary’s, but the same applies to staff as it does to our Year 6 leavers. She will always remain part of our St Mary’s family and we wish her all the very best as she moves on to embark on a new adventure in her career.
Miss Maddock, thank you for everything you have done for our school. We will miss your calm and positive nature and your loving and caring personality. Please stay in touch. Our loss is Ysgol Rhostyllen’s gain! Diolch MIss Maddock.
Mrs Wright (Robins TA) is also finishing today to commence her maternity leave. We wish Mrs Wright a restful summer break and look forward to hearing news of the birth of her new baby towards the end of August. God bless you and take care.
Sincere thanks to all families for your kindness and generosity expressed in the many cards and gifts received by all staff. We are truly blessed to work in a school with such wonderful, supportive families. Diolch o galon. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Wishing you all a very safe, happy and fun-filled summer holiday with your families. We look forward to welcoming you all back to school on Friday 2nd September.
Return to school- gates (as this year)
Lea Road gate- Nursery, Years 1, 2 and 4
Top Block Gate- Reception, Years 3, 5 and 6
Diolch.
Proposed Relocation of St Mary's Planning Meeting- Mon 25th July- Guild Hall -4pm
This is a public meeting to be held in the Guild Hall in Wrexham, if any parents are interested in attending. You may also wish to contact your local councillors to express your views on the proposal and outline our desperate need for relocation, even at this late stage. It is important that the planning committee representatives receive a balanced view.
Please say your prayers and keep your fingers crossed for a positive outcome for the school. Keep a look out on social media and via email next week and I will share the outcome of the planning meeting with you. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Classes for September 2022
Please see class organisation below, including just a few changes for next year. Please note, we have now appointed a replacement maternity teacher in Year 3 . 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
Get ready for September 2022
School Uniform - High Standards
Key Stage 2- Years 3-6- Stationery and Resources
Please provide your child with the following resources for September
- Pencil case( not too big please)
- Blue handwriting pen please ( sold in school for 50p each) No biros please
- Pencil (HB)
- Colouring pencils
- Glue stick
- Jotter/ note pad
- Eraser
- Ruler
- Sharpener
- Felt tip pens
- Highlighter pen
Teachers will send all families a new Seesaw QR code to register with your child's new class teacher. Please sign up as soon as possible so that we are up and running ready for September. Thank you.
Year 6 School Journey to Cardiff 8th-11th July
What a fantastic weekend we had with our Year children in Cardiff! The children were amazing, the staff were amazing and the weather was amazing! Special thanks to Mr O'Toole, Mrs Hall, Mrs Sinclair, Mrs Williams and Miss Gillett for giving up their weekend to facilitate this wonderful action packed trip for our children to our capital city.
Such a wonderful experience to share at the end of the children's time with us in St Marys! Diolch pawb! Lots of very happy memories to last a life time!
Annual Report to Parents
On Friday 15th July, all children received their annual report and we hope that you all enjoyed reading about your child's progress and development.
I would like to encourage all parents to make a written response to acknowledge receipt of the report and make any other comment, as appropriate, if you haven't already done so. Diolch LINK
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.
Year 6 Leavers' End of Term Mass
It was an absolute pleasure to welcome our Year 6 parents/ families, members of the Friends and representatives of the governing body of St Mary's to the cathedral last Friday. The Mass was a very beautiful and poignant way to give thanks for our Year 6 children and all that we have shared over their time in our school. Special thanks in particular to our readers, our choir and those who led the prayers of intercession and took up the offertory procession. The singing was especially wonderful, raising many a smile- and a few tears! Diolch pawb.
Y6 Leavers' Beach Party
Thursday 14th July
What a super party! Again, a wonderful way to celebrate with our year 6 leavers. Lots of dancing, outdoor fun, eating and drinking; a superb party atmosphere which culminated in the children, staff and parents singing 'Sweet Caroline' at the top of our voices! Fantastic!!
Thank you to all parents and the Friends for providing the refreshments and decorations!
Invitation to the Induction Ceremony of Fr Nicholas Enzama as the Parish Priest of St Mary's Cathedral
Thank you to all children and families who joined together to celebrate Fr Nicholas' induction as parish priest and Dean of the cathedral last Friday. It was a wonderful parish community celebration and was especially lovely for a group of our children to sing one of our favourite hymns, 'My hands are yours.' Diolch pawb.
Lots of outdoor fun, fairy tale party in Nursery, outdoor sketching, Y3 and 4 talent show, marbling and crafting and lots of tennis fun...
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- Nursery had a Fairy tale ball and Reception had a super water fight.
Years 1 & 2- Artur moved up to Wave 2, Hanna moved up to Wave 3, Abigail had her Bronze award in Rainbows, Tony moved up to Wave 2 and has won a tennis award. Julian and Artur won football medals
Years 3 & 4 - Amelia Sc had 17 inches of her hair cut for the Princess Trust and Amelia St had her hair cut for charity too! Zuzanna passed Wave 1, Nathan and Fabian passed Wave 4 and Joseph came 6th in a final mountains games.
Years 5 & 6- Phoebe and Noah are having a sleepover, Seren came 2nd in her dance competition, Antonette has started swimming lessons again, Ava has achieved her first choir certificate, Natasha is in a tennis tournament, Alfie is joining Brandon's football team, Grace is moving house in the holidays and Amelia is having a sleepover with Natasha, Neha and Ava. Joakim is starting a tennis course, Gene passed Wave 6, Natasza Szym passed Rookie Lifeguard silver, Scarlett is going to her dad's house and to the park with her best friend, Thomas reported that it's his cousin's birthday and Alfie is playing his first match against Bala. Amelia W got into the Wrexham and District Football team.
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.
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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