Dear Parents and Carers

The heavens have literally just opened as I write to inform you of this week’s events in school and any other information that we may feel appropriate or helpful. 

Due to your amazing generosity we continued to treat the children to a cake during the early part of this week.  Although we do promote healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle we certainly felt it was worthwhile to continue this until all your gifts had been sold.  Looking at the children running around at playtimes and lunchtime and the fantastic take up of after school physical sporting activities I am sure they burnt off those few extra calories in no time at all.  I would like to thank the teachers and support staff for helping to organize your children and we can announce a grand total of £830.00 which has already been sent to the MacMillan Cancer Support Fund.  It was clear from talking to several children that they were able to articulate the importance of what they were doing to help families who are struggling with their cancer diagnosis or indeed the support that they continue to give to those living with cancer.

Miss Wood and I went to the Archdiocese Education Centre in Liverpool on Monday for a full day's training to update our school self-evaluation document.  This is an important self-reflection on where we see ourselves as a school identifying our many strengths as well as areas that we would like to further improve.  We are now overdue for our next School Inspection which will be undertaken by Ofsted and although this brings a certain amount of stress and anxiety we all feel that our school continues to be a very good educational establishment and we are always looking for ways that we can further enhance our provision.  The many positive comments that you share with teachers and myself are a great source of support and we know how much you value and appreciate all that we do for every child in our school.   To this end I hope that the parent’s evenings meet with your approval as the vast majority of parents indicated a preference for a face-to-face meeting.  Those of you whose circumstances meant that an online meeting was more convenient shall be given appointments by your children’s class teacher.  The majority of classes' parents evening will take place on Monday 17^th October from 2.10pm.  In order to accommodate this school will close at 2.00pm.  The Dance Club will take place with Mrs Boynton in the Polytunnel and I understand that she has communicated this to those families.  Year 2 Teachers, Mrs Stockwell and Mrs Meehan have arranged to see their children’s parents on Wednesday and Thursday due to the nature of their job share and I understand that this has been well received.  Unfortunately, this will mean that our Year 2 class will also finish at 2.00pm. I would like to thank you for your cooperation and hope that your parents evening is a celebration of your child’s effort and attitude toward their learning and indeed all aspects of school life.

This week’s whole school collective worship was led by our Year 4 children and their focus was on Harvest Time and thinking of those in our communities that do not have the very basics that we sometimes take for granted.  There are some lovely pictures posted on Twitter for you to look at.  I intend to take your incredibly generous harvest donations to our local food bank as well as the Central Sefton Depot where they will be distributed to the neediest families living in our community.

All of our children enjoyed a visit from Laura Ashcroft who helps to coordinate Sefton’s Children’s University Programme.  The children enjoyed an assembly in which they were able to see how the Children’s University works and the kind of activity centres that contribute toward credits in the Sefton area.  An information newsletter has been sent via the school app and Iris Parentmail and you may purchase your child’s passport as directed.  We are currently waiting for the delivery of new passports.

Our Year 6 class continue to enjoy swimming and Mr Parry and Mrs Boynton are delighted that every child is now in the deep-water pool.  This week the children’s time trials showed just how much progress they have made. 

National Poetry Day on Thursday was celebrated within each class and our Year 5 children have produced a wonderful display of poetry inspired by Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes. 

The Upper Junior Children were treated to a fencing demonstration on Friday morning and they will be given an opportunity to take part in this after school club which will take place after half term on Friday’s after school in the school hall.  Each child has been given a leaflet and a first come first serve system will be in operation. 

A group of boys and girls from our Year 4 class will be enjoying a multi skills tournament this afternoon at Chesterfield High School.  This is always a very closely fought competition and I hope that the children who are representing our school will have a great time.

Can I finally remind all parents that all our school staff will be receiving their annual safeguarding training next Wednesday and as a result the After-School Club that was arranged by Mr Parry will not take place.  Active Soccer and Stjbkidzone After School club will take place as normal.

May I wish you a happy and peaceful weekend.

Yours sincerely

Mr D MacAreavy - Headteacher