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
June- Month of Sacred Heart of Jesus
In the Catholic Church, June is traditionally dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The month is a time for special devotion and reflection on Jesus's love and mercy, particularly as symbolised by his heart
Jubilee Pledge day
Year 6 Diocesan Mass
We are delighted that once again our Year 6 pupils will be attending the Diocesan Year 6 Leavers’ Mass at St Winefride’s Catholic Church in Holywell, where they will join other Year 6 children from across the Diocese. This Mass is a wonderful opportunity for our pupils to come together in celebration, prayer, and thanksgiving as they prepare for the transition to secondary school.
Following the Mass, we will visit St Winefride’s Well, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Wales. This visit is particularly significant as we are currently celebrating the Year of the Jubilee 'Pilgrims of Hope' , a special time for spiritual renewal, reflection, and deepening our journey of faith. It will be a meaningful opportunity for our Year 6 pupils to connect with their Catholic heritage and take time to pray and give thanks as they prepare for the next chapter in their lives.
ECO NEWS
UNIFORM GIVEAWAYS!
On Wednesday 18th June, before and after school, there will be another UNIFORM GIVEAWAY on the junior yard. Please help yourselves and provide a donation to the school if you can. Many thanks!
Stay and Play for new Nursery Children
On Monday 16th June, our second group of new Nursery children are invited to a Stay & Play session in the Nursery class. It will be great to meet the children and their parents. All children will join together for a Teddy Bears' Picnic on Monday 23rd June. We are all very excited!
Safe and happy playtimes for all at St Mary's - New procedures KS 2 yard
A big thank you to Miss Edwards and the PLAY TOGETHER team for organising a new safe and inclusive playtime for all Key Stage 2 children. So far so good! The playtimes are going really well and we will continue to monitor the situation and make 'tweaks' where necessary.
REFUGEE WEEK- Community
Next week, we will be marking Refugee Week in school which will be a special time to reflect on the power of community, kindness and connection.
This year’s theme celebrates the everyday ways we build and strengthen community: through shared moments, simple acts of generosity, and the friendships that bring us together.
Throughout the week, classes will take part in a range of activities that encourage listening, learning, and laughter. From storytelling and creative projects to class discussions and shared experiences, we will explore what it means to welcome others and to be part of a caring, inclusive community.
At a time when so many around the world are forced to flee their homes, Refugee Week reminds us that we all have the power to make others feel seen, safe and valued.
Foundation Phase- Years 1 & 2 to visit Ty Pawb
Years 1 and 2 are very excited for their upcoming trip to Tŷ Pawb next week, which is part of Woodland Connections Week 2025, organised by Wrexham Forest Partnership.
During the visit, the children will take part in a variety of creative workshops, including a "Me-Tree" drawing activity where they will explore the importance of trees in our daily lives. They will also visit the rooftop garden to learn more about tree roots and leaves and take part in a textile printing and stencilling session to help create a large class artwork that will be displayed in Tŷ Pawb's public spaces.
We are looking forward to a fun and inspiring day!
BOOK FAIR- NEXT WEEK!
Happy National Blood Donor Week!
Please see article below shared with us from Welsh Blood Service
This week (9-15 June) is National Blood Donor Week, with World Blood Donor Day falling on Saturday 14 June.
We're proud to be supporting the Welsh Blood Service as they not only celebrate those who already donate but encourage new donors to come forward.
We're taking this opportunity to encourage everyone in our school community to donate blood if you can or if you are aged 16-30 or 16-45 and from a black, Asian, mixed or minority ethnic background to consider joining the Welsh Bone Marrow Donor Registry.
One donation has the power to save up to three lives and we would love for our our school community to be part of the Welsh Blood Services community of lifesavers!
The case study of Tonyrefail teacher, Shula Gunter perfectly highlights the impact blood donation can have on a school, but also the impact a school can have. You can read her story here.
You can find more information about donating blood, National Blood Donor Week, eligibility criteria, how to book, and more via the Welsh Blood Service website.
If you're unable to donate, please consider sharing their messages via social media. The Welsh Blood Service has got plenty of content throughout the week on its channels, Facebook (ENG) (CYM), Instagram (ENG) (CYM), and Twitter/X (ENG) (CYM).
Criw Cymraeg- Non- negotiables
We are progressing well towards achieving the next level of the Cymraeg Campus award. However, in order to help us further, the Criw Cymraeg are setting some 'NON NEGOTIABLE' language patterns to use instead of speaking in English. The NON- NEGOTIABLES we are encouraging everyone to use are
Wedi gorffen- I'm finished Dioch- thank you Croeso- You're welcome Bore da- Good morning P'nawn da- good afternoon
Parents can also help our efforts at school by using these patterns at home, by the school gate and with your friends and families. Diolch for your continued support!
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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 98.9%
Dosbarth Palodau- 93.3% Dosbarth Parotiaid- 94.9%- Dosbarth Pengwiniad-92.1%- Dosbarth Robin Goch- 97.3% Dosbarth Tylluanod- 98.9% Dosbarth Dryw-87%
Key Stage 2 winners this week are :-
Dosbarth Dyfrdwy with 100%
Dosbarth Clywedog-97.7% Dosbarth Conwy- 95.2 % Dosbarth Alyn-90% Dosbarth Gwenfro-95.3% Dosbarth Dyfrdwy- 100% Dosbarth Gwaun- 95.6%
WHOLE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE TARGET- 96%
THIS WEEK'S WHOLE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE -94.6% - an increase- YAY!
Forthcoming events and dates for your diary
Monday 16th June-Stay and Play Session- Grp 2- New Nursery children
W/C 16th June- Refugee Week
Tuesday 17th June- Diocesan Year 6 Mass- St Winefride's Holywell
Thursday 19th June- Robin Goch Assembly
Monday 23rd June- New Nursery Teddy Bears' Picnic
W/C 23rd June- Year 6 Rocket Transition week at St Joseph's
Thursday 26th June- Transition day- visit new classes
Friday 27th June- Monday 30th June- Year 6 Cardiff Trip
Class Assemblies 2024-25
Today's class assembly was led by Dosbarth Tylluanod on the theme- TALENTS. It was a wonderful 'show' celebrating the gifts and uniqueness of all children. Apologies once again, for missing the afternoon assembly. You will all be blown away by the children's confident performances. Enjoy!
Next week's assembly is Robin Goch- Thursday 19th June
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-Tadi had a super time visiting his grandparents in Kent. He had such a lovely time that he didn't want to come home! Emiy, Alex and Luca had a great time at Finley’s birthday party. Valentina had a sleepover at her aunty’s house, George D went to the ice cream farm, Finley is very excited to celebrate his birthday and enjoyed his birthday party at the weekend with his friends. Zofia has had a new kitten called Phillip.Elodie, Harrison, Cora and Tahlia went to the Cathedral to celebrate the special mass for Fr. Nicholas.
Years 1 & 2-Seth made his Beavers promise,Chinua is starting football practice. Jiyanna went to a birthday party. Zera went to a party and saw Jiyanna. Lena went to Airhop. Enzo is starting football sessions after school. Olivia went to a new church and she had a good time .Ines went to the beach with her family, Willow has a new baby cousin called Rosa. Loura is having a new baby brother or sister.
Years 3 &4-Matti is going to Poland this week for his cousin's first Holy Communion. Katlyn has had her ears pierced. Ariana’s aunty is having a baby on Thursday! Zuzanna had a new cat - no name yet! Lilianna had a new Leopard Gekko - no name yet! Aditi is excited for her gymnastics competition. Nicolas won second place at a Motocross weekend. Franek celebrated his First Holy Communion in Poland. He is also joined his uncle’s restaurant business. Rene went to Comicon. Paulina and Scarlett went to a fair. Dylan completed a four hour swimming session with Jamie Ingram and Jessica Calderbank- Wow, what a fantastic experience! Julian is celebrating his birthday party on June 14th. Akain went to his friend’s birthday party. Rene, Scarlett, Tony and Paulina went to the Balloons and Beats festival. Vanessa went to Erddig and found a frog. Andy has two new rabbits. Rupert went to Liverpool to meet his baby cousin.
Year 5 & 6-David and the Wrexham under 10s rugby team completed a sponsored bike ride from Llandudno to Prestatyn (20 miles) raising money for his team! Da iawn David, Andrea’s mum is in Paris celebrating her birthday. Daniel has baby fish. Niamh made a confirmation cake for Phoebe’s celebrations
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 julaszka - "Cute girl playing with paints" • 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"