Welcome to our St Mary's Weekly Newsletter!
Let us Pray- Gweddiwn
The month of September is traditionally dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows; the Feast day being on Sunday 15th September
Start of Term whole school Mass- Friday 20th September in school
Today, Fr Nicholas celebrated our new year school Mass in school. Our wonderful Messengers of Christ led the Mass readings and were commissioned by Father to undertake their very special role during Mass. They were also presented with crosses blessed by Father. We are looking forward to seeing how they all work with Mrs Wilkinson to develop and enhance the Catholic life of our school this year. Da iawn pawb.
Meet our new Messengers of Christ :-
Penguins- Valentina, Parrots- Anwaar, Dryw- Lucja, Robin Goch- Noah & Lucja, Tylluanod- Anaisha, Clywedog- Blossom, Conwy- Tommy, Alyn- Dylan Gwenfro- Ashley, Dyfrdwy- Gabriel H, Gwaun- Fabian S
Pupil Voice
Thank you for all nominations for the Pupil Voice Elections. Online voting will take place on Tuesday 24th September.
Curriculum Summary document
Please click on the Link to access our updated Curriculum, Teaching and Learning Policy and statement
Governors' Annual Report to Parents 2023-24
We are pleased to share our Governors' Annual Report to you. Please click on the link to access the report.
Year 5 & 6 Gresford Mining Disaster 90th Anniversary concert
This afternoon, Mrs Gillett and I are taking a group of Year 5 and 6 pupils to St Giles' church to attend a special community opera based on the Gresford disaster story to mark 90th anniversary. The performance will last an hour and will include music from the opera performed by NEW Sinfonia (professional orchestra), NEW Voices (community choir) and a cast of professional singers. There will also be some historical context mixed in and opportunities for the children to ask questions to our musicians and cast. We are looking forward to learning about this tragic part of our local history.
Please see LINK to a video about the disaster that occurred on 22nd September 1934
Friends of St Mary's (Parent Teacher Association Committee -PTA) Annual General Meeting- Monday 23rd September 15:30 in school
Everyone is welcome- parents, grandparents, carers and friends of the school
Come along to help us review last year's events and hear about the funds we raised. Share your ideas on how we can come together to fundraise and bring our community together this year. We would love to hear your ideas and work with you to support our school!
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ECO Request to all families
We’ve got some exciting news to share with you!
Parentkind – a charity that supports school PTAs - have teamed up with Asda, who is making millions of pounds available to donate to primary schools across the UK through their ‘Cashpot for Schools’ initiative. To support our PTA, all you have to do is opt-in through the Asda Rewards app, choose our school, shop and scan in store or shop online at Asda.com.
Between 2nd September and 30th November 2024 – every time you shop with Asda using your Asda Rewards app, Asda will donate 0.5% of the value of your shop to your chosen Primary school. Also, every time somebody opts-in to support our Primary school, Asda will give an additional £1 to the school Cashpot. Plus, it doesn’t stop there – Asda are also giving £50 to every school to get them started.
The supermarket has joined forces with Joe Wicks to support the initiative – look out for the TV advert, radio ads and social media coverage!
It’s as easy as 1,2,3
1. Download the Asda Rewards app, register and opt-in to Cashpot for Schools (make sure you have the latest version of the app installed)
2. Choose our Primary School – either searching by name or postcode
3. Shop instore across Asda and George, or online at Asda.com and start filling your Cashpot as you shop
Asda does the rest, all money raised will be donated to schools to spend on the things they need the most. We are aiming to spend our donations on school equipment.
Remember, anyone can sign up – so start spreading the news and raising funds for our school.
This initiative is on top of the existing Asda Rewards benefits you get as a shopper – so you won’t lose out on any of your own earnings or Cashpot, so everyone is a winner!
For more details, click on this link
St Mary's Cathedral Fundraiser
Safeguarding of all children
Teachers and school staff are responsible for 'handing over' children to parents/ carers or other pre- advised adults/ older siblings. It is vital that parents inform the school office, if a different person is collecting your child at the end of the school day.
Staff will not 'hand over' a child to another adult if school has not been informed. This is to ensure that all children are safeguarded in our care. Many thanks for your support and understanding.
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 Parotiaid with a fantastic- 99.6%
Dosbarth Palodau- 93.3% Dosbarth Parotiaid- 99.6%- Dosbarth Pengwiniad-99.2%- Dosbarth Robin Goch- 95.9% Dosbarth Tylluanod- 94.8% Dosbarth Dryw-96.4%
Key Stage 2 winners this week are :-
Dosbarth Dyfrdwy with 99%
Dosbarth Clywedog-98.9% Dosbarth Conwy- 94.3% Dosbarth Alyn-97.3% Dosbarth Gwenfro-96.9% Dosbarth Dyfrdwy- 99% Dosbarth Gwaun- 93.1%
WHOLE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE TARGET- 96%
THIS WEEK'S WHOLE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE - 96.7%
Forthcoming events and dates for your diary
Year 5 Brownies' Bake sale for JUNIOR CHILDREN ONLY- Thursday 26th September
First Tocyn Enfys draw- Friday 27th September
Police & Fire Service Visit- Years 1 &2- Monday 23rd & Tuesday 24th September
European day of Languages- Wednesday 25th September
First Full Governing Body meeting- Wednesday 26th September 6pm
Family School Clean Up afternoon- Wednesday 2nd October
Please download the school calendar or access it via the school website
LINK TO WEBSITE & INSTRUCTIONS
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)
Being mindful of this, we ask that parents/ carers do not arrange to contact the office or pick up your child/ren between these times, as we are unable to guarantee that anyone will be available to attend to the gate. Should there be an emergency and you are unable to contact the office via telephone, please contact your child’s teacher via Seesaw.
Whilst we recognise that this may be inconvenient, we really do not have any other option at this time and ask for your patience, kindness and understanding.
School Dinner orders
Please ensure that school dinners are pre-ordered at home. Teachers should not be ordering meals in school, as previously advised by WCBC. Thank you
Patrwm Yr Wythnos
The Criw Cymraeg’s ‘Patrwm yr Wythnos’ (Phrase of the week) this week is: Croeso/ Welcome
See VIDEO LINK
Nursery & Reception-Maxine went to a wedding party, Luca went to a Lego place and George D went to the ice- cream farm.
Years 1 & 2- Mia is going to the park at the weekend, Jacob is going to his brother's birthday party, Marcelina is going to the park, Nathan saw Elliott at the weekend, Lucja's tooth is wobbly, Nelly and her Mum are going bowling, Noah went swimming, Jan's tooth is wobbly and Nancy is getting a new scooter. Neave has had her ears pierced, Chinua is going to Winsford to see his cousin, Joanna is getting a desk for her bedroom, Patrycja has started swimming lessons and Blake has learnt to ride his bike.
Years 3 &4-Alfie won the para endurance championships for his class AND completed a grand total of 63 km over the weekend on 2 ponies. Melanie has a new puppy called Pep, Blossom has become an auntie and Dorian has a new cat called Kevin. Rene had a football match, Dylan moved to Gold in swimming and came first in three of his races, Abigail has started Cubs, Arthur's brother is going on a trip to Chester Zoo, Clara went to a duck race with her grandma, Saoirse's parents are climbing Snowdon so she's going to her nan's for a sleepover, Araina has had a new puppy called Milo, Lauren went to Llangollen, Nazif and Nicolas are being graded in Taekwondo.
Year 5-Noah has moved house, Joia is going for her first ever fencing competition and Rozalia is also attending the same event! Cody has started learning Spanish, Thomas' grandparents are getting a new car, Gabriel visited the ice-cream farm with his dad and siblings and Dylan played football on Wednesday against a team in Chester.
Year 6- Aimee has a new dog called Rosie, Pati is hoping to get a bunny if she learns her times tables and Lois has medals for great skills in cricket. Ricky has moved to Wave 5 and Alexandra has passed Wave 3
Please email / Seesaw with any special good news or remind your child to tell their class teacher so that all good news can be shared on 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)