Welcome to our St Mary's Weekly Newsletter!
Let us Pray- Gweddiwn
Jubilee Year 2025
“For all of us, may the Jubilee be an opportunity to be renewed in hope.” Pope Francis
First Holy Communion Mass
We were blessed to celebrate a truly special First Holy Communion Mass in school, marking a significant step in the spiritual journey of our children. The Mass was beautifully celebrated by Bishop Peter, with Deacon Michael also joining us, making the occasion all the more memorable.
We were delighted to be joined by our dedicated catechists - Mrs Schoonjans, Miss Thompson and Ms O’Connell who have guided and supported the children throughout their preparation with such care and devotion. It was also an honour to welcome Sister Jacqueline to school to attend Mass and join the celebration
The children participated with reverence and joy, from their readings and prayers to the beautiful singing, which filled the school with a spirit of peace and celebration. It was a truly moving occasion and a day the children, and all of us, will remember with warmth and pride.
We are so proud of all the children who received the Sacrament of Holy Communion for the first time this year, and we continue to keep them in our prayers as they grow in faith.
Getting Ready for September
We pride ourselves on the excellent standard of our children's uniform and presentation in St Mary's. We expect that all families follow our consistent rules to ensure that these high standards are maintained. Please see below the information from our school prospectus before purchasing new uniform, shoes and before visiting the hairdressers or barbers ready for September 2025. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.
Please note:- Trainers are NOT part of the school uniform and children MUST wear black SCHOOL SHOES not trainers please.
Key Stage 2 (Y3-6) Stationery and Resources needed for September
Years 3-6 only- Please provide your child with the following items:-
* Pencil
* Blue handwriting Pen
* Pencil HB
* Colouring Pencils
* Glue Stick
* Jotter/ Note pad
* Rubber/ Eraser
* Sharpener
* Ruler
* Felt tip pens
* Highlighter pens
PLEASE NOTE:- PUPILS IN FOUNDATION PHASE DO NOT NEED A PENCIL CASE (Nursery- Year 2)
School Annual Reports to Parents
Next Friday, all children's annual progress report from their class teacher, will be uploaded to the new MCAS Parent App together with a link to their national assessment results (Years 2-6). Attendance data is available on the App in real time to enable parents to monitor their child's current and cumulative attendance.
On Monday 14th July, between 3:30 and 5 pm, teachers will be available in school should you wish to discuss any aspect of your child's report.
Attendance Race Results
Next, Thursday we will be announcing the winners of our attendance race for this year. We look forward to hearing the results!
Year 6 Leavers' School Journey
A big thank you to the staff and children who attended the Y6 residential trip to Cardiff last weekend. We all had a fabulous time; the weather was perfect and the children were well-behaved. da iawn pawb!
Archie Fest and Summer Picnic
Change of plan! The summer picnic will go ahead next Wednesday 9th July after school on the junior playground. Our ARCHIE FEST- Football crazy day will take place the following Wednesday 16th July during the school day. Lots of fun activities planned to raise money for Archie's chosen charity. More details to follow on Monday.
New School Dinner Menu
ECO NEWS
St Mary's Cathedral Youth Group
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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 Palodau with
Dosbarth Palodau- 97.1% Dosbarth Parotiaid- 88.1%- Dosbarth Pengwiniad-95.8%- Dosbarth Robin Goch- 92.7% Dosbarth Tylluanod- 88.9% Dosbarth Dryw-90.7%
Key Stage 2 winners this week are Dyfrdwy with 98.7%
Dosbarth Clywedog-92.3% Dosbarth Conwy- 97.6% Dosbarth Alyn-92% Dosbarth Gwenfro-82.3% Dosbarth Dyfrdwy- 98.7% Dosbarth Gwaun- 98.1%
WHOLE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE TARGET- 96%
THIS WEEK'S WHOLE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE -92.7% - another decrease this week!
Forthcoming events and dates for your diary
Weds 9th July Summer Picnic (after school)
Friday 11th July- Reports to Parents/ Leavers' Retreat day
Monday 14th July- EY trip to Xplore/ Report feedback evening (optional)
Tuesday 15th July- Year 6 Leavers' Mass (cathedral) Parents of Y6 invited
Weds 16th July- Archie Fest & Leavers' party
Friday 18th July- Last day, Own clothes day, Leavers' assembly
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 Dinners- please remember to pre-order meals at home each day
Nursery & Reception
Years 1 & 2-Elliot has passed a grading in Taekwondo.Yellow belt. Antoni has got a green belt. Lily Rose is going to Explore on Saturday with Brownies.
Years 3 &4-Jaden was player of the month in football. Blossom’s auntie is having a baby. Dorian went to Chester Zoo on the weekend. William is going to a sleepover at his best friends house. Evelyn passed badge 7 in gymnastics. On Saturday it is Lilianna’s party. Madison came second in Morris Dancing at a comp in Southport. Alfie has started riding a new Arab called Ben.Lucia went to Haven.David had his green belt in Tae Kwando.Lucia won a dance competition at the weekend. Veronika went to the circus at the weekend. Florence competed in a dance competition and came 2nd, 3rd,3rd and 4th and a super 1st place in her quartet. Julian and Zion passed their Taekwondo grading and have moved up to the next belt. Sophie learnt a new skill on big vault in gymnastics.Andy’s team beat Wrexham Foresters 8-0 and they also beat Coedpoeth 2-0. Sophie was awarded a ‘New Skill’ card in gymnastics.
Year 5 & 6-Theo has moved up to Silver Rookie Lifeguard.
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.
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.
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"