Welcome to our St Mary's Weekly Newsletter!
Lent prayer- 3rd Sunday of Lent
“When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her ‘Give me a drink.” John 4:7
Industrial Action- Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th March
On Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th March, strike action is being taken by members of the National Education Union (NEU). Please see arrangements about which classes will remain open and which classes will close on each day below:-
Snow Days- Closure of School 9 & 10th March 2023
Thank you for your support, patience and understanding over the past couple of days due to the enforced closure of school as a result of the weather conditions and associated health and safety concerns. As you are aware, the decision to close school is never taken lightly and it is always a very difficult call to make based on many factors. We very much appreciate how this decision has a direct impact on the whole family and on parents' ability to go to work, and I sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Despite any disruption, it has been a joy to see all of the wonderful photos of children's home learning in the indoors and outdoors. Thank you for sharing your learning and fun with us all! Diolch.
Please see a few gorgeous photos below:-
You can also Click on the Padlet link to view a slideshow of beautiful photographs, videos and images shared by the children themselves. Da iawn pawb!
IMPORTANT SCHOOL UNIFORM/ HAIRSTYLES AND JEWELLERY REMINDERS
We have always been so very proud of the high standards of presentation in our school, and our uniform and excellent standard of dress is always complimented by visitors to the school and when we are out on school trips.
Recently, a number of children have come to school wearing clothing and having haircuts that are not in keeping with our consistent and high standard of dress i.e children wearing trainers instead of BLACK SHOES, jogging bottoms instead of SCHOOL TROUSERS and jewellery/ accessories instead of a SINGLE PAIR OF STUD EARRINGS.
Trainers, jogging bottoms (other than for PE) and jewellery/ accessories are NOT part of the school uniform and should not be worn to school please.
Also, in support of our school uniform policy, we ask that ALL hairstyles are kept sensible and in line with our excellent standard of dress. Shoulder length hair should be kept tied back at all times.
Shaven heads (including extreme variance in hair grades and shaved lines in the hair), hair colours, tramlines, excessive spikes, fancy designs etc. are not acceptable and are not part of our school uniform policy.
Any questions, please ask.
(Please see images below.)
Thank you for your continued support and understanding
OUR NEW SCHOOL PROSPECTUS
We are absolutely delighted to share our new digital prospectus with you all. Please click on the LINK to view it.
A big thank you to Mrs Claire Davies (Foundation Governor) and her colleagues at Umbrella Marketing for creating the prospectus and to Mrs Kamila Kosior (parent of former pupils) for the wonderful photography. We are very grateful for their generous donation of their time and expertise! Diolch o galon.
Please do share it with friends and family.
Parents' evenings
Please see Google Form links shared via Seesaw to book your in- person appointment to visit your child's teacher IN SCHOOL for the first time since before lockdown etc. We can't wait to welcome you all back into school again!
SAVE THE DATE
FRIENDS EASTER BINGO
Thursday 30th March Eyes down-6pm in school
Additional INSET day 2022-23
Welsh Government have approved an additional INSET for this academic year. Our additional staff training day will be MONDAY 5th JUNE 2023
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.
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.
Following the WCBC policy, arrivals after 09:15 when the registers close, should be marked as an absence.
Attendance Letters to Parents
A number of parents have received letters regarding pupil absences and attendance levels recently. In line with the revised WCBC attendance policy, schools are now required to inform parents using template letters when pupil absences hit certain triggers, regardless of whether absences are authorised for illness or not. This is to ensure that parents are kept informed about the current levels of attendance and to ensure that schools have appropriate measures in place to monitor absences and safeguard all children.
As a school, we ask that parents keep us informed about the reasons behind any absences and any underlying health/ medical conditions that could affect attendance.
We do appreciate that there have been a significant amount of 'bugs' going around that have affected many of our children. Please do not hesitate to contact school if you would like any further clarification or information. Diolch.
St Mary's Attendance Race
APOLOGIES- NO ATTENDANCE DATA THIS WEEK - It will be shared next week!
Our Whole School Attendance target is 96%
Our current whole school target is %.
Foundation Phase- Winners are ...
Puffins-% Parrots-% Penguins-%
Robins-% Owls-% Wrens-%
Key Stage 2- Winners are ... with
Clywedog-% Conwy-% Alyn-%
Dovey-% Gwenfro-% Dyfrdwy-% Gwaun-%
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.
ATTENDANCE RACE LEADER BOARD UPDATE
THE FOUNDATION PHASE WINNERS SO FAR...
1ST PLACE- ROBINS (8) 2ND- OWLS (6) 3RD- PENGUINS (5) 4TH- PARROTS (1) JOINT 5TH- PUFFINS AND WRENS (0)
KEY STAGE 2 WINNERS SO FAR...
1ST PLACE- GWENFRO (6) 2ND PLACE - ALYN (5) 3RD-CONWY (4) 4TH- CLYWEDOG (3) 5TH- GWAUN (2) JOINT 6TH- DOVEY AND DYFRDWY (1)
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
Criw Cymraeg's Brawddeg Yr Wythnos
The Criw Cymraeg’s ‘Patrwm yr Wythnos’ (Phrase of the week) this week is: What are you doing? Beth wyt ti'n wneud?
See VIDEO LINK
Good news!
Early Years- Harry and Alfie have started swimming lessons, Kharis and Fiadh have both started dancing classes, Elena has been playing in the snow and Seth is getting a new puppy.
Year 1 & 2- Bobby has lost his first tooth, Veronika has started gymnastics, Franek's baby brother has started to sit up on his own and Okedinachi has joined a tennis club. Franek is starting football and Nathan is starting basketball. Saoirse is excited to go to see Wrexham play in 2 weeks, Andy won his first futsal match and Scarlett and Sophie are starting gymnastics on Saturday
Years 3 and 4- Niamh has got into Wxm swimming club, Julia M has a new dress for her First Holy Communion and Sandy is going to London to see the sights and she has also started piano lessons. Daniel's sister has invited him to go to Portugal, Joia's mum is coming back for a visit soon, Natalia is excited to go to Legoland, Bianca and Pati are going ice-skating, Jeremiah is going to London and Dylan received a trophy for football. Ivy and Evie are having a birthday sleepover, Sabrinah is going for a photoshoot with her mum, Erin is now Wave 4.
Year 5- It's Albert's mum's birthday soon, Evelyn now wears glasses, Gracjan has made the Wrexham swimming team, Issy is in a play, Amelia J might be getting a puppy and Maja is happy because it has been snowing. Violet's aunty had a baby boy, Maja got into Wxm swimming club, Matthew's football team won all their matches last weekend and he scored two goals.
Year 6-Nataniel has qualified for the national fencing championship in Sheffield and Natasha has won her first tennis competition. Alicja, Natasza and Natasza made it into Wxm swimming club and Seren is currently at her final audition for ballet school in London.
WCBC SCHOOL TERM DATES
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 Ivan Kmit - "Fantastic winter landscape with snowy trees. Carpathian mountains, Ukraine, Europe. Christmas holiday concept" • Pixel-Shot - "Sweet chocolate Easter egg on wooden background" • vegefox.com - "danger risk" • phonlamaiphoto - "Gold star trophy" • Kenishirotie - "Checklist on clipboard" • WavebreakmediaMicro - "Children having lunch during break time in school cafeteria" • coco - "fleur de jonquille sur fond jardin" • 4Max - "Child girl with mother playing and making a snow angel in the snow. Top flat overhead view" • Maya Kruchancova - "cupcake with sparkler on old wooden background" • Li Ding - "Decoration for the party" • nito - "coffe and news" • 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"