26th April 2024
Dear Parents and Carers,
This Week in School
It was a little less sunny this week after a glorious weekend of sunshine, but the children made up for it with their bright smiles and boundless enthusiasm!
I had a visit from two of our PCSO’s this week, Mark and Jack, who have offered to come into school this term to support us in talking to our Year 5 and 6 pupils about online safety. Children are having access to mobile phones and tablets at an increasingly early age, and there are of course positives and negatives to this.
On the positive side, if monitored appropriately online access can help children to stay connected to friends and family and can provide them with access to educational resources and age-appropriate entertainment.
On the other hand, online access that is not age-appropriate or well-monitored can leave children open to cyber-bullying, screen addiction, sleep disturbances, reduced physical activity, reduced face-to-face contact and the development of self-esteem issues.
We have had some issues reported to us in Upper Key Stage 2 around children’s online behaviour. We would therefore encourage parents to place age-appropriate restrictions on their child’s phone/tablet and to monitor their messages and what they are accessing online. It is often a lack of understanding on the child’s part that can lead them to doing or saying unkind/inappropriate things online. Our PCSO’s are going to deliver an age-appropriate presentation around online safety and answer any questions the children may have. We feel this will be very beneficial and having met the PCSOs, they are friendly, approachable and keen to support our pupils in a positive and encouraging manner.
On Friday afternoon, we held our St George’s Races event and it was, as always, a fun and exuberant occasion. I can happily report that many a princess was rescued and many a dragon was slain! We finished the event with the traditional offer of ice-lollies all around. As you can imagine, this was very popular with the children and despite the lack of sunshine, they were enjoyed by all in the warmth of the classrooms.
We are delighted to inform you that the wonderful Miss Roberts will be teaching in Year 3 next year while Mr Lake completes his sabbatical year. Miss Roberts taught for a year in Class 1 during Mrs Crocker’s Maternity leave and currently teaches in Year 2, covering management time for Mrs Carpenter. She also teaches elsewhere across the school as our supply teacher. She is a much-loved member of our teaching team and we are delighted that she will continue to motivate and inspire the children in her care.
We were pleased to have two familiar faces return to St George’s this week. Mrs Bullock, who worked at the school as a SENco for many years, returned to volunteer her support in KS1 on Wednesday. We are grateful for her time and as a reward, she was very pleased to see Year 1’s Class Assembly. It was a wonderful celebration of what the children have been learning this year, and enjoyed by pupils, staff and parents alike.
Also returning this week was the wonderful Mrs Spence, who retired in February. She is a regular visitor to the school and the children in Year 5 were very pleased to see her returning to support in class.
I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend with your families.
Wraparound Care – Breakfast Club and Afterschool Club
We are now up and running with our new online booking system. As you might expect, replacing a paper system for an online one sometimes comes with a few teething problems here and there. We would ask parents to get in touch with the office if this is the case, and they will be happy to help you resolve issues as they occur. Thank you for your patience with this.
Reminder – Swimming and PE
As you might recall, we made a small change to the Swimming timetable due to Mr Chidgey being on paternity leave. Can we remind you that this week, all children (both Stingrays and Seahorses) will swim on their swimming day. Therefore, all children should bring their swimming kit and also wear their PE kit on their swimming day this week. This would allow a PE lesson to take place should we experience problems with the pool. Normal service will resume on the week beginning 7th May, when it will be the turn of the Seahorses group to swim. Thank you for your assistance with this.
Family Mass – Sunday 12th May 2024
You are all warmly invited to our ‘family Mass’ on Sunday 12th May at St George’s Church, at 9.15am. This will be a Marian themed Mass in celebration of Our Lady, and the choir will lead the hymns. If your child would like to take part, there are a small number of reading parts available. Volunteers must commit to practicing their part so that they are confident to stand up in front of the congregation and read with confidence. Please do ask your child to let me know as soon as possible if they are interested. I will send letters home with the children who have expressed an interest, for parents to sign and agree that they are available to attend the Mass, arriving just before 9am so we can prepare.
Date Change – KS2 Sports Day
Due to a diary conflict, please can we ask you to amend the date we have given you for the KS2 Sports Day? It will now take place on the afternoon of Monday 17th June, from 1.30pm to 3.15pm. We look forward to welcoming you to the event.
St George’s Summer Fete
Our Summer Fete will be returning this year and I am very pleased to say that we have already some kind offers from parents to assist in organising the event. We are currently recruiting parent volunteers to lend their ideas and support. Please let the office staff know if you would like to get involved. You can email the school office or speak to Mrs Gordge or Mrs Bradshaw in person and they will add you to the sign-up sheet. It is a wonderful opportunity to support the school and to get to know some familiar faces from the school run. We will email parents soon with further details and look forward to running what promises to be an exciting event.
CAFOD Lenten Campaign
We are pleased to announce that the total raised by our ‘small change’ CAFOD Lenten Campaign this year was an impressive £177.80. We are delighted with this and are humbled, not only by your generosity, but by the significant impact this money will make for those receiving the benefit of it. Thank you for your kindness and support.
Best wishes,
Edwina McDonnell
Upcoming Dates:
Wednesday 1st May – Year 3 – Class Assembly – please arrive at 2.50pm for a 3pm start.
Friday 3rd May – French ‘Wow’ Day for pupils to celebrate all things French! Info to follow from Mrs Earp
Monday 6th May – Bank Holiday – SCHOOL CLOSED
Thursday 9th May – Ascension Day Mass in Church, 9.30am – parents welcome
Sunday 12th May – Family Mass at St George’s Church – 9.15am (Marian theme)
Week beginning Monday 13th May – Key Stage Two SATS Week
Thursday 16th May – Reception Class (EYFS) trip to Axe Valley Wildlife Park
Saturday 25th May – Start of Half-Term – SCHOOL CLOSED
Monday 3rd June – INSET DAY – SCHOOL CLOSED
Tuesday 4th June – SCHOOL REOPENS
Wednesday 5th – Friday 7th June – Year 6 Woodlands Residential Trip
Thursday 13th June – KS1 Sports Day – 1.30 – 3.15pm. Parents welcome.
Thursday 13th June – Leavers’ Mass in Clifton for Year 6 pupils.
Monday 17th June – KS2 Sports Day - 1.30 – 3.15pm. Parents welcome.
Thursday 4th and Friday 5th July – Year 4 Residential Trip to Pinkery
Wednesday 17th July – Year 6 Leavers’ Mass in St George’s Church – 9.30am. Parents welcome.
Friday 19th July – Year 6 Leaver’s Assembly – details to be confirmed.
Saturday 20th July – SCHOOL CLOSED for Summer Holidays
