Newsletters

Newsletter 21st October 2022

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Message from the Headteacher 

 Dear Parents/Carers, 

Many of the staff attended a refresher course today on Read Write Inc. Read Write Inc is the program we use to teach phonics and reading. I have put a few links below to help you at home. Next half-term your child's phonics teacher (who may not be their class teacher) will start to share videos to support your child's reading at home. Please look out for these on ClassDojo. 

What is Read Write Inc. Phonics?

https://schools.ruthmiskin.com/training/view/Sagw5BPu/gYge1LAy

Understanding Phonics

https://schools.ruthmiskin.com/training/view/31Y9dJUl/zLgUGg1y

10 things to think about when you read to your child

https://schools.ruthmiskin.com/training/view/H4uJ5CbD/ogywnWFj

The journey to learning to read is a very exciting one, and we want to empower you to help your children in any way we can, so please do ask if you want further help or information. 

Next half-term is one of my favourite times of year, as we build up to the magical time that is Christmas. With so much political, and economical uncertainty surrounding us, you can be sure of one thing at St Johns we will make sure your children have plenty of fun and make memories to treasure. 

Have a great break,

Kerry Devane 

 

Christmas Cards 

CHRISTMAS CARDS - Fundraising opportunity

Your children have been working very hard to create beautiful designs for Christmas cards.
We are using Cauliflower Cards again this year who can print your child's design onto a range of items that you can order for Christmas.

If you would like to order any items, please follow the instructions on the artwork form to place your order.

Please RETURN the artwork back to School, no later than Friday 4th November, so that we can send it off for printing.

Thank you for your support.

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Dates for your Diary  

First day back after October break - Monday 31st October. 

Glastonbury Frost Fayre 26th November.

Holy Thorn Wednesday 14th December @ 10am on the Church grounds. 

Carol Service Thursday 15th December @ 2pm in the Church.

Reminder: Friday, October 21st is an Inset day. 

PTA News 

We had our first meeting of the term and successfully appointed a new chair and secretary. Thank you to those who attended. 

Plans were discussed for events to raise much needed funds next term, watch this space.

If you would like to email the PTA with any ideas or enquires please do so. 

stjohnsinfantspta@gmail.com

Thank you for your support, 

Esme Salter  (PTA Chair)

Attendance 

Our target for attendance is 95%

This week it was 88% 

There have been lots of nasty bugs around the last few weeks,hopefully this will improve next half-term. 

Parenting Tip 

We have had an increasing amount of children arriving after registration has closed at 9am. I wanted to share with you how important the first 20mins of school are for a child to give them a happy start to their day. 

8.35am Children play and connect with their friends before the doors are open. 

8.40am Doors are opened and children are greeted by their class teacher.

8.45am Children spend time putting their belongings away and connect with peers and other adults that work in their classroom. Register is taken, and the child is greeted for the second time by their teacher. 

8.50am Children walk to assembly and are greeted again by the teacher taking the assembly. News and stories are shared, songs are learnt and values are explored. Children are told about events happening that day or week. Assembly concludes with a song and prayer. 

9am Children walk back to their class and KS1 children walk to their phonics group. 

It is really important to us that every child has these opportunities to check in and connect and be part of a consistent morning routine at school. If you are struggling with getting your child to school on time please do speak to your child's teacher, and we can explore how we can support you.  

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Artist of the Week

Vincent Willem van Gogh  was a Dutch post-impressionist painter. His work had a great influence on modern art because of its striking colours and emotional power. When he was a young man, Van Gogh worked for a company of art dealers. He travelled between The Hague, London and Paris. After that, he taught in England. Which is your favourite Van Gough painting? Mine is his beautiful Sunflowers. 

https://www.tate.org.uk/kids/explore/who-is/who-vincent-van-gogh

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School Prayer 

 

Dear God,

Thank you for loving us and teaching us how to love, persevere and respect each other in everything we do. 

Amen

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