Welcome to our St Mary's Weekly Newsletter!
Let us Pray- Gweddiwn
Happy New Year! Blwyddyn Newydd dda!
Our Deepest Sympathy
We ask that you keep Mrs Ruth Edwards (Tylluanod & Alyn) and her family in your prayers following the death of her much loved father over the Christmas holidays. We are thinking about and praying for you Mrs Edwards. Take care and God bless.
Eternal rest grant unto him oh Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
Jubilee Year 2025
Many of you will be aware that 2025 is a Jubilee Year in the Catholic church. On 24th December, to officially launch the Jubilee year, which only occurs every 25 years, Pope Francis opened the usually bricked up Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica- ‘Porta Sancta’ in the Vatican, and was the first ‘pilgrim of hope’ to pass through the door. Pope Francis tells us that 'hope does not disappoint' and asks us all to be signs of hope for others by caring for our common home and by supporting our brothers and sisters who are experiencing war, hunger or poverty.
The theme of our whole school staff-led Mass today was hope, and all the readings, prayers and hymns were specially selected to help us focus on how we can be pilgrims of hope this year. The official launch of the Jubilee Year for children takes place on 24th January and this will begin our year of striving to share Jesus' mission to spread peace, love and hope as a St Mary's family through our words and actions.
We look forward to sharing with you the many ways we will celebrate this Jubilee Year together.
Click on the LINK to watch a video to find out about the Jubilee Year 2025
Parent Testimonials
As part of our continuous cycle of development and improvement, we are looking to update the parent testimonial section of our school website. In this section, we have on display a number of statements provided by our parents. Please click on link to view LINK
If you have a few moments and are willing to provide a short statement to help us continue to promote and celebrate our school on the website, please email the school at mailbox@stmarys-wxm-pri.wrexham.sch.uk Please state how you would like us to display your name. Many thanks for your continued support.
New Year School Uniform Giveaway
After school, on Tuesday 14th January, we will be holding a 'Preloved School Uniform Give-away' in the dining room. Please come along and help yourselves! If you have any donations to contribute to the 'giveaway', please send them into the school office. Many thanks.
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Attendance Matters
Please note school starts 08:55 and finishes at 15:15.
St Mary's Attendance Race 2024-25
Please remember that 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.
Foundation Phase winners this week are:-
Dosbarth Tylluanod with 95%
Dosbarth Palodau- 85.7% Dosbarth Parotiaid- 87.3%- Dosbarth Pengwiniad-93.8%- Dosbarth Robin Goch- 94.4% Dosbarth Tylluanod- 95% Dosbarth Dryw-91.1%
Key Stage 2 winners this week are :-
Dosbarth Gwaun with 97.5%
Dosbarth Clywedog-85.4% Dosbarth Conwy- 91.8% Dosbarth Alyn-94.7% Dosbarth Gwenfro-90.9% Dosbarth Dyfrdwy- 93.3% Dosbarth Gwaun- 97.5%
WHOLE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE TARGET- 96%
THIS WEEK'S WHOLE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE - 92.2%-down on last week.
Forthcoming events and dates for your diary
Weds 15th January- Year 6 School Journey Meeting for Parents 6pm in Junior Hall
Tuesday 21st January- Nursery Open Morning 09:30-11am
Tuesday 21st January- Year 5 Dangerpoint trip
Friday 24th January- Jubilee Year Launch- Red/ Yellow/ Green/ Blue colour dress up day
Tuesday 28th January- Glan Llyn Trip Information Evening for Parents 6pm
SCHOOL OFFICE HOURS
Please be aware that there is no cover in the school office between these hours:-
08:30-09:00 (mornings)
11:45-13:15 (lunchtimes)
15:10-15:20 (afternoons)
School Dinner orders
Nursery & Reception- Eliza and Cora have had their ears pierced, Elodie had a phone and a ticket to Disneyland for Christmas, Aimee went to see Sonic at the cinema and Chloe went to the fair and enjoyed watching fireworks on NYE. Micah's baby is 1, Carlota had lots of presents, Father Christmas brought gifts for everyone, George S had a Lamborghini for Christmas, Mariana went to a trampoline party, Juwel saw a snowman, Luca played games on his tv and Valentina went to Portugal for Christmas.
Years 1 & 2-Lucja is going to Poland, Zofia's brother and sister are coming to stay from Poland, Willow is getting a new sofa and carpet, Abigail went to watch Wrexham match, Isabella has had her ears pierced, Mia went to the playground on Sunday, Freya is going to Nancy's house, Alice's mum helped deliver a baby, Jacob went to Oliver's party and they all had a great time and Kiki has ben swimming.
Years 3 &4-Florence is playing Dorethy in Delta show- Wizard of Oz, George enjoyed sledging with his Grandad, Rene went to Germany for New Year, Julian and Szymon enjoyed celebrating Antoni's birthday at TenPin, Rupert went to his great auntie's for New Year, Julian went to Liverpool to an indoor funfair, Akain has started a new business making decorations and has moved house, Pola went to a funfair, Cassiephea's grandad had a successful heart transplant and our prayers are with him. Vanessa went to London for New Year's Eve and Scarlett's nephew Arlo had his first Christmas. Katlyn has had her ears pierced, Oyintaena has a new motorbike, Dorian is going on holiday to Portugal, Daniel has a new watch, Melanie's family is coming over from Portugal, Santa called Hannah over the holidays, Jaden went to a party at his neighbour's house. Alfie Jay went snowboarding and won some trophies, Jack started swimming lessons, Gabriel went to the reindeer lodge, we have two new friends Amthika and Christo, Lucia is going to Disneyland, Dillan went on the Euro train to France and then drove to Switzeerland to go sledging.
Year 5 & 6- Grace moved to Sharks in swimming and Niamh moved to silver. Sophie's new show is the Addam's family Musical, Joia and ashley sang with St Mary's choir over Christmas and performed our Little Town of Bethlehem song with other St Mary's children Thomas' mum has a new choir, Paul celebrated his grandmother's birthday over the weekend, Eli got a monster truck with a controller for Christmas and Daniel's grandma visited over Christmas.
Please email school/ Seesaw class teachers to share good news for our weekly newsletter. Thank you.
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" • Maya Kruchancova - "cupcake with sparkler on old wooden background" • 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"