Welcome to our St Mary's Weekly Newsletter!
October- Month of the Rosary
"To pray the Rosary for children and even more with children, training them from their earliest years to experience this daily 'pause for prayer' ...is a spiritual aid which should not be underestimated" Pope John Paul II
Attendance Matters
Please note school starts 08:55 and finishes at 15:15.
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.
As you are aware, the school's Educational Social Worker monitors the school attendance every half term in line with the local authority and school's attendance policy. They are also monitor persistent lateness and calculate the total amount of minutes that children are late coming into school.
Over time, persistent lateness often equates to many hours of missed education and can be very distressing for children to enter the classroom when the register has been taken and everyone has started their learning for the day.
Please support us to ensure all children are in school on time to receive their education as long as they are fit and well to do so.
Please note that the Welsh Government are reverting back to issuing fixed penalty notices for unauthorised non- attendance at school.
Any questions, please ask. Diolch yn fawr.
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.
St Mary's Attendance Race
The St Mary's Attendance race is back on!
Each week during our whole school assembly, the weekly attendance figures for each class will once again be announced and displayed on the attendance race display in the school hall and reported in the weekly newsletter. The classes in Foundation Phase and Key Stage 2 with the highest overall weekly attendance will be awarded the prestigious attendance trophy or shield to keep for the week.
Our Whole School Attendance target is 96%
W/E - 23/9/22-This week's whole school attendance is 94.1% (an increase in 1.4% since last week!)
Foundation Phase- Winners are Owls with 97.9%
Puffins-86.4% Parrots-90.5 % Penguins- 94.5%
Robins- 94.6% Owls-97.9 % Wrens-92.7 %
Key Stage 2- Winners ONCE AGAIN are Gwenfro with 98.1%
Clywedog-95.9 % Conwy- 94.7% Alyn- 92.8%
Dovey-89.3 % Gwenfro- 98.1% Dyfrdwy-93.1 % Gwaun 97.9%
At the end of the school year, the winning class will have the opportunity to go to the cinema for a well-deserved treat! In addition, on an individual basis, ALL children with consistent 100% attendance for the year will receive a special 'GOLD' medal.
As I explained to the children in assembly last week, children should not worry about having to stay off school if they are poorly. Children should only attend school if they are fit and well enough to do so. Routine appointments, holidays during term-time, days off for birthdays however, are not valid reasons to stay off school.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding with this very important matter.
St Mary's School Family Clean Up Day
A HUGE thank you to everyone- children, parents, staff, grandparents, extended family members who joined our 'Clean up day' team last Saturday. We were overwhelmed by the wonderful support we received to tidy up the school grounds. Thank you so much!
It was great to chat to so many families and have the opportunity to come together as a school community once again!
Together we weeded, swept, dug, scraped, brushed, levelled paths, jet washed, tidied storage containers, planted, put up screens... - you name it, we did it! The school grounds look amazing and we are so grateful for everybody's contribution. DIOLCH O GALON!!!
The bacon butties and warm drinks were a welcome snack to maintain our energy levels, but I think by Saturday evening, we were all shattered and ready for a well- earned rest!
This is another wonderful example of our amazing St Mary's team! Da iawn pawb!
Safeguarding all children
I would like to take this opportunity to thank parents and carers for your continued support during drop off and collection times in the mornings and after school.
From 08:55 until 15:15, the school gates remain locked and the school site is secure. At quarter past three, the gates are opened by school staff and each class teacher supervises safe handover of each child to their parent/ carer.
The school gates are not opened before this time in order to prevent any unauthorised personnel entering the school site and to safeguard all children and staff on the school site.
I understand that parents may need to wait for a short while to enter the site however, I am sure that you will agree that the safety of all children and staff must come first.
Once the children are safely in their parents' care, we are more than happy for parents to have a chat with other families on the school playground as there are now no Covid restrictions in place preventing parents from gathering / chatting on the school site.
May I politely appeal to all parents to try not to arrive too early so that you are not waiting too long and whilst waiting, please continue to be mindful of our neighbours.
Your continued support and cooperation is always very much appreciated. Diolch yn fawr.
Extra Curricular Clubs
We are delighted to see the return of our extra- curricular clubs and thank all staff for volunteering their time and skills for the benefit of all our children.
Please make sure that all children are collected at 4:30 from the intercom gate. Teachers will hand over children to their parent/ carer. Diolch.
Year 3 and 4 Book Swap
On 20th October, Years 3 & 4 are holding a book swap cafe to promote the value of reading and involve and inform parents about how reading is taught and developed in lower juniors. It promises to be a wonderful session and another opportunity to invite parents into school once again.
Friends of St Mary's
***Advance notice- Family Bingo Night - Thursday 17th November***
Appeal to local / family businesses- We are looking for special prize donations for our bumper bingo raffle. Please contact the school via email or send your special prize into school with your child. diolch yn fawrr
Friends' Disco- Reception - Y6- Wednesday 26th October- more information to follow
Super Ambassadors' Conference
Year 3 Visit to Hilbury House
On Wednesday, Mrs R Edwards took a group of Year 3 and 4 children to visit the residents of Hillbury House residential home. It is over 2 1/2 years since we have seen our friends due to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic.
Mrs Edwards was so proud of all the children and despite a few pre-visit nerves, the children had a wonderful time and could see how their company, conversation and games cheered up the residents. Da iawn pawb!
We hope to make this a regular weekly visit which be a wonderful opportunity to engage with our local community and spread our joy and love with others.
Key Stage 2 Mixed Martial Arts Sessions
A big thank you to Russ Williams for coming to school to provide Mixed Martial Arts taster sessions to our Year 5 classes this week. We look forward to Year 6 having their turn next week. Diolch to Miss K Edwards for organising this super opportunity. LINK
Tempest Photography are coming to school on Monday 10th October to take Individual and Sibling Photos
Friday 7th October- Dyfrdwy Class Assembly
Free School Meals- Are you eligible?
May I remind all families who are eligible for free school meals to make an application via the link ‘Free school meals | Wrexham County Borough Council. This will not only provide your child with a daily free meal in school but will also allow parents the opportunity to apply for a Pupil Development Grant (PDG) | Wrexham County Borough Council to help with the cost of uniforms, resources, equipment and devices etc. By making your application, school will also receive the correct amount of funding from Welsh Government.
Please note:-
Your child is eligible to receive free school meals if you or your child receive the following...
• Income Support (IS)*
• Income Based Jobseekers Allowance (IBJSA)*
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Income-related Employment Support Allowance (IR)
• Child Tax Credit - providing you’re not entitled to Working Tax Credit with an annual total income below the HMRC set limit
• Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• Working Tax Credit 'run-on' - the payment someone may receive for a further four weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit - if you are working you must be earning less than £7,400 per year (£616.67 per month) to qualify for free school meal
From September 1st, all Reception children in Wrexham can have a free school meal as part of the WG universal offer. However, if you are in receipt of the above benefits, please remember to make an application via the links above as well to ensure access to the PDG and to enable school to receive the additional funding.
I urge all families to take up this wonderful universal offer. Diolch
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
Good news to be shared next week!
Early Years- Willow had an ultrasound in the hospital on Saturday and stayed very still. She was perfect for the nurses and was given a sticker for being a good girl. Alice is going swimming and Mason is going to Blackpool to see the lights.
Years 1 and 2-Mitchell scored a goal, Szymon had a football trophy, Julian scored lots of goals and Leon scored a goal too. Dylan has enjoyed creating his own Van Gogh inspired art and Franek is enjoying Polish school.
Years 3 and 4- Jeremiah is starting piano classes, Natalia is going to Poland in 2 weeks, Bianca is going to London for Halloween, Isabella is starting clubs next week and is excited, David is going to Liverpool this week and Pati is now Level 2 in gymnastics. Lois is moving up to Wave 5 and Grace has moved to Wave 5 too. Matilda passed Wave 8, Evie is having a new cousin in April, Diego is going to a football match on Sunday, Rodrigo's baby sister is getting her first teeth, Joseph has joined Borras Park Rangers' team, Gethin's cousin has said her first words and Sophie is doing a big show 'A Christmas Carol' in November (poster below!)
Year 5- David is going to London and Ben has moved to Wave 5, Kourtney's mum passed her driving test, Matthew's football team beat Gresford last Saturday and Anna and Violet are having a sleepover.
Year 6-Maja is in a swimming gala in Holywell, Renato's grandfather is undergoing cancer treatment so would like everyone to keep him in their prayers. Matthew has joined Dyfrdwy and everyone is enjoying having a new member in their class.
Rainbow Ticket Draw winners will need to be announced next week- apologies again!
Foundation Phase winner-
Key Stage 2 winner-
St Mary's Pre-School Christmas Fair
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 phonlamaiphoto - "Gold star trophy" • Africa Studio - "Plants and gardening tools on wooden background" • WavebreakmediaMicro - "A row of children standing together" • LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS - "Multiethnic children raising hands up together in gym" • bogdandimages - "Old photo camera" • coco - "fleur de jonquille sur fond jardin" • nito - "text good morning on a cup of coffee or tea" • LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS - "young man holding sad balloon in front of face, isolated on yellow" • Maya Kruchancova - "cupcake with sparkler on old wooden background" • nito - "coffe and news" • pongmoji - "Blue sky with rainbow" • Rawpixel.com - "Children Friendship Togetherness Playful Happiness Concept" • 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"