Croeso to our St Mary's Weekly Newsletter!
Let us Pray- Gweddiwn
June- Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Diocesan Sports Day
What a fabulous afternoon we all had at the Diocesan athletics competition. After a wet start, the sun came out and our amazing children shone like superstars on the athletics field! Their behaviour and conduct at the event was exceptional, and the support that our children gave each other was second to none- AMAZING! I cannot express how proud, Mrs Worsnip, Mr O'Toole and I were of each and every one of our children and we cannot thank our incredible parents and family members for coming along to support our school. I'm not sure who was shouting and cheering the loudest?!! The atmosphere was wonderful! What a way to end your career Mr O'Toole on one of your favourite days in the school calendar!
Class organisation for September 2024
Year 6 Residential to Cardiff- Friday 28th June to Monday 1st July
Next Friday, Mr O'Toole, Mrs Gillett, Mrs Hall, Mrs Robertson/ Mrs Sinclair and I will be taking our Year 6 classes on school journey to Cardiff. We have an action packed schedule of activities planned, including a trip to Big Pit, a visit to Cardiff castle and the Senedd, as well as a speed boat ride, bowling, swimming and a day at Barry Island beach. Fingers crossed the weather stays fine for us. Letters have been sent with final arrangements for drop off, clothing requirements etc. Please ensure that all slips are returned regarding application of sun cream and make sure all medication forms are completed after school on Thursday 27th. We are all very excited for a trip of a lifetime!
Teddy Bears' Picnic for new Nursery children-Tues 25th June
We look forward to seeing all of our new nursery children at the Teddy Bears' Picnic on Tuesday at 1:45. Don't forget to bring your teddy!
Friends' Summer Sing-A-Long- Thursday 20th June
Diolch to the Friends for organising this fun event yesterday. Everyone had a super time with lots of fantastic singing!
Local event
Dates for your diary- seeing us to the end of the school year
Year 6 Rocket Week in St Joseph's - Monday 24- Fri 28th June
Common Transfer day for all children to visit their new classes and meet their new teachers- Thursday 27th June
Friday 5th July- Whole school Holy Communion Mass in school for all children who have made their communion in their parishes this year. Children are invited to wear their Holy Communion clothes to school and bring a change of clothing for a little party in the afternoon.
New Nursery Parents' information Evening-Wednesday 10th July - 5-6pm
Friends' Summer Family Picnic- Thursday 11th July after school on the playground
Thursday 11th July- Attendance race assembly where winners will be announced!
Frday 12th July- Year 6 Leavers' Retreat in Parish Hall and takeaway pizza lunch & Annual School Reports distributed to all children
Monday 15th July- Annual Reports to parents discussion evening 3:15-5pm
Year 6 Leavers' Mass for parents and family members- Tuesday 16th July 10am in the cathedral
Year 6 Leavers' Disco & Beach Party - Weds 17th July 4:30-6:30 in school
Last day of term - Own Clothes day and Leavers' whole school assembly- Friday 19th July
Whole school photograph
On Wednesday, Tempest photography took a professional photograph of the whole school. The children were amazing and we look forward to receiving the proofs in the next week or so. Da iawn pawb!
Attendance Matters
Please note school starts 08:55 and finishes at 15:15.
Please remember, 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:- Tyllunod with 95%
Dosbarth Palodau-88.5% Dosbarth Parotiaid-88.8% Dosbarth Pengwiniaid-89.6%, Dosbarth Robin Goch- 93.5%, Dosbarth Tulluanod-95%. Dosbarth Dryw- 92.2%
Key Stage 2 winners this week are:- Gwenfro with an unbeatable 100%
Dosbarth Clywedog-91.3% , Dosbarth Conwy-92.9%, Dosbarth Alyn-98.1%, Dosbarth Dyfi-95.2%, Dosbarth Gwenfro-100%, Dosbarth Dyfrdwy-99.6%, Dosbarth Gwaun-90.4%
WHOLE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE TARGET - 96%
WHOLE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE- 93.7%- a dip again sadly!
Please help us achieve our target next week!!
Class Assemblies 2023-24
Today's assembly is the last of our class assemblies for this academic year and it has been led by Dosbarth Tyluuanod. The children were amazing and shared their learning with us all. It was great to hear about the history of our school and hear about how much the children prefer St Mary's today than what it was like in the past! Parents will love watching the assembly this afternoon
Early Years- Noah went to Chester Zoo after hours and saw the lions and went in a police van, Loura is going to Cardiff, Nancy held a chick at the zoo, Nelly has moved to Wave 3, Lennon went to Spain, Yemi and Nathan are going to the cinema, Abigail went to the cinema with Willow and Jacob is going to stay at his uncle's house.
Years 1 and 2-Hanna had a visit from the tooth fairy, Matthew lost his tooth, Elliot enjoyed celebrating his cousin's communion day, Sahasra's daddy visited his new office in London and Hania went to McDonald's. It's Lily's mum's birthday this week, Nazif, Oyintaena and David are being graded in taekwondo on Sunday and David is going to watch the new movie Inside Out 2. katlyn passed Wave 1 and Lily M is having a party in the mosque
Years 3 and 4-Alfie came 3rd in a horse riding 40 km endurance ride on Saturday, Abigail, Okedinachi and Vanessa M have made their Holy Communion and Vanessa K has started swimming.
Year 5-It's nearly Matilda's mum's 40th birthday and they will be having a garden party, Janelle, Tomasz, Mollie and Matilda are feeling proud for winning relay races at the Diocesan athletics, Molly's brother Zak turns 12 this week and they're going to Nando's for tea, Jian is happy that India and England have qualified for the Super 8 for the twenty twenty World cup, Iris made her first Holy Communion, it was Diyon's brother's birthday and he was 3, Noah made a bird home at scout camp, Annabelle is hoping to join a football club, Sophie's show is going ahead in a few weeks time and Alexandra doesn't need glasses any more!
Year 6-Alicja is going to Cornwall on Saturday, Sewaa's uncle has bought a new house
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