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St Mary's Catholic Primary Weekly Newsletter - 24th June 2022

Welcome to our new St Mary's Weekly Newsletter!

Refugee week

Welcome to our new Nursery children for September 2022

Over the past couple of weeks, we have welcomed our new nursery children and their parents to school for 'Stay & Play' sessions, a lovely outdoor teddy bears' picnic and a parents' information evening.

All sessions have been very well attended and we were amazed at how happy and settled the children were. Fantastic!

We can't wait for the children to join us in September and look forward to watching them all grow and develop into wonderfully happy and confident little people! Welcome to our school family, children and parents!

Friends of St Mary's Need You!

Due to the disruption caused by Covid 19, we have been unable to hold fundraising events and come together as a whole school community. It is so important to us that we are able to continue to enhance the sense of community that we have all worked so hard to build over many years.

As you can imagine, coordinating, organising and holding fundraising/ community events requires a team effort and as such, we really need your help as the parents and families of our school to offer your support and assistance. Without a Friends' committee, we will not be able to hold future events such as discos, bingo, quizzes, summer fairs, talent nights etc.

This would be such a terrible shame, especially as our children have missed out on such a lot of lovely experiences over the past couple of years.

Friends' Discos - Thursday 23rd June

What a super evening! Thank you to everyone who helped organise and run the FP & KS 2 discos last night. It was so wonderful to come together for a 'social' and fundraising event at long last! We all had lots of fun despite being a bit hot in the hall! I cannot believe that we raised over £1,000!! This is incredible and will go directly to support and enhance the resources and provision for our children.Thanks to 'DJ Tooley Turntables' and Y6 helpers, and to all the Friends for coming along to help.

As previously mentioned, we really do need to grow our Friends' group and are looking for any offers from parents/ family members to join this very, very small group who work so hard to organise events that will benefit all of our children. Please get in touch if you can offer your support, however little. Diolch

Our School First Holy Communion Mass

We have managed to change the date of our school First Holy Communion Mass from Wednesday 29th June to Monday 4th July as children who attend St Anne's parish are not making their First Holy Communion until Sunday 3rd July.

As previously advised, all children who have made their First Holy Communion this year (or last year) may come to school dressed in their Holy Communion clothing on this day. Please bring school uniform to change into after the Mass so the children do not spoil their beautiful dresses/ clothing.

First Holy Communion children will have a little party with cake and a drink after Mass. A big thank you to the Friends for providing the cake which is being made by Mrs Courtney.

Congratulations

Congratulation to Miss Maddock who has secured a new permanent teacher position in Ysgol Rhostyllen, to commence in September. We will really miss Miss Maddock who has been an amazing class teacher in many of our classes over the past few years. We wish her all the best!

Our loss is Ysgol Rhostyllen's gain!

Congratulations also to Mrs Wright (Robins' TA) who will be finishing school in July to start her maternity leave. We look forward to hearing her baby news over the summer holidays.

Classes for September 2022

Next Thursday 30th June morning, all children will be having an opportunity to visit their new classes and meet their new teachers. Please see class organisation below, including just a few changes for next year.

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) -awaiting replacement teacher appointment

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

Advance Notices

Year 6 Leavers' End of Term Mass

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. Further information to follow nearer the time.

Y6 Leavers' Beach Party

Thursday 14th July

5pm-7pm in school

Further information to follow

***Special Occasion*** ***Diary Marker***

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!

Fun with the Beebots and outdoor learning in Nursery, a Y4 trip to Xplore, the Cathedral and the museum, coding fun in Years 1 & 2 and learning about fractions and year 5 designing and creating and testing their own bridges and writing prayers of hope for Refugee 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

PARROTS & PENGUINS' RECEPTION CLASS ASSEMBLY

Friday 24th June

Unfortunately, as I am attending Catholic Headteachers' meeting today, I was unable to watch this morning's Reception class assembly all about fairy tales. However, I had my own 'personal' performance on Wednesday and I know that the whole school will thoroughly enjoy watching it. The children were fantastic!

We are very much looking forward to welcoming our class families to watch the assembly during the afternoon at 2:30. Mummies and Daddies are in for a real treat! Apologies for not being in school to be able to welcome you all! Thank you to Mrs Jones for standing in for me. Diolch.

Dosbarth Alyn Assembly- NEXT WEEK -Friday 1st July

Please contact Miss Gillett via Seesaw to book a seat to help us with seating/ distancing arrangements. Diolch.

Brawddeg Yr Wythnos

Mae hi'n heulog

It is sunny

Makaton Sign of the Week

This week's sign is FRIEND

Click on the link

Penblwydd Hapus i ti!

Happy birthday wishes to ...

Foundation Phase children- Kiki, Rylie, Max, Szymon, Grace

Key Stage 2 children- Zac , Phoebe

Look who has good news to share this week!

Early Years-All Reception are excited for their first disco, Logan has a new house and Alice is going on holiday.

Years 1 & 2-Max is going to the Anfield stadium tour as a birthday treat and Rene scored 5 goals for Llay. Mohith has a new baby cousin, Noah is going to Sri Lanka, Pati is starting gymnastics, Mitchell's second tooth has come out, Ariana, Dylan and Andy are starting football lessons and Florence has a new bedroom.

Next Friday, Years 1 & 2 are going on a trip to Liverpool World Museum!

Years 3 & 4 - Fabian and Bartosz are in a football tournament in Bolton, Ivy made her First Holy Communion and Andrea is making hers on Sunday and Xavier is going camping. Joseph came third in a horse riding competition, Eleanor got 100% in her modern dance exam and 84% in her ballet exam!

Years 5 & 6-Zuzanna is going to Greece on holiday, Alfie, Brandon & Harvey got end of season football trophies, Ryan is in a football tournament on Sunday and Ella passed her diving lesson and Jasmine moved up to life-saving club, Lola went to a horse show, Harry is making his First Holy Communion,, Nikodem won a football tournament Wislakrakow, Eva and Mia are in a gymnastics competition in Pint Acrobatic and Thomas rode in the Cheshire County Show finishing 7th.

Best wishes and every blessing on all our children who are making their First Holy Communion this weekend in Chirk and Connah's Quay and to those who made theirs in Llay last week. God bless you all on this special occasion.

Llay- Molly, Eleanor, Ivy, Ana, Violet.

Chirk- Sophie, Matilda, Sam and Joseph

Connah's Quay- Harry

Andrea

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)

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 Artur - "Conceptual hand writing showing We Need You. Concept meaning asking someone to work together for certain job or target Colored clothespin papers empty reminder yellow floor office" • ibreakstock - "Disco neon sign" • irontrybex - "small children are waiting for the first holy communion" • JennDoesStock - "Congrats Letter Tiles on colorful background" • 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" • 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" • magann - "blue sky with sun and clouds background" • Ermolaeva Olga - "Corgi puppy hugs a British kitten on the floor in the house" • 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"