Croeso to our St Mary's Weekly Newsletter!
Let us Pray- Gweddiwn
Year 6 Retreat- Friday 12th July
Today, we enjoyed a wonderful day of retreat and reflection with our Year 6 children. We discussed our hopes and dreams for our futures and shared our worries and concerns about taking the big step to high school in September. Fr Jaspher spent some of the day with us and led us in prayer. It was a really beautiful occasion where we also had the opportunity to reflect and thank God for Mr O' Toole's dedicated service for the past 34 years. We even had a delicious pizza lunch! Thank you to all children for their engagement and honesty. Mr. O'Toole, Mrs Hall and I thoroughly enjoyed spending this precious time with you today. Diolch.
Family Summer Picnic
Well, despite the weather being against us yesterday, we all managed to enjoy a fantastic family picnic event within the school building. It was a joy to move around the school and see families and friends sitting together, sharing some wonderful picnics, laughing and chatting and joining in with the activities and games- there was a really lovely family feel! We are so grateful to Mrs Astbury, Miss Green and the fabulous team of very willing 'Friends' and staff of St Mary's for all their hard work behind the scenes to plan and organise the event, and adapt everything at the last minute due to the inclement weather. Da iawn pawb!
We raised a phenomenal £1000! FANTASTIC! ARDDERCHOG! DIOLCH O GALON PAWB
We hope to draw the raffle after school on Monday, weather permitting. A huge thank you to everyone who contacted local businesses for some fantastic raffle prizes! We are grateful for everyone's support for our school.
Year 6 Leavers' Mass for Y6 parents and family members- Tuesday 16th July 10am in the cathedral
We look forward to celebrating our leavers' Mass in the cathedral at 10 am. Could all Year 6 parents/ family member arrive and be seated at the back of church by 09:50. Many thanks.
Year 6 Leavers' Disco & Beach Party - Weds 17th July 4:30-6:30 in school
On Wednesday 17th July, our Year 6 children are invited to a Leavers' beach party on the school yard. There will be food, drink, music, dancing and LOTs of fun! We look forward to a final St Mary's PARTY together and hope you can all join us!
Last day of term - Own Clothes day and Leavers' whole school assembly- Friday 19th July
Getting Ready for September
School Uniform- High Standards
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 2024. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.
PLEASE NOTE-Trainers are NOT part of our school uniform therefore, from September, all children must wear black school shoes and not trainers please. Thank you for your understanding.
PLEASE NOTE:- PUPILS IN FOUNDATION PHASE DO NOT NEED A PENCIL CASE (Nursery- Year 2)
Help for Parents through the Welsh Government
Please click on the link for information to access financial support
Annual Reports to Parents
Today, all children will be receiving their annual progress report from their class teacher, together with their attendance record for the year and any national assessment results (Years 2-6). Please click on the Link to provide us with a comment on your child's report. Please do take this opportunity, wherever possible.
On Monday 15th 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. There is an option via the link above to request an appointment. Any questions, please ask, Diolch
St Mary's Family Support & Information Group
Important - No cover in the office between these hours
08:30-09:00- Mornings
12:00-13:30- Lunchtimes
15:10-15:20- Afternoons
Please note- School closes for the summer holidays on Friday 19th July and the children return to school on Tuesday 3rd September 2024
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:- Robin Goch with 96.8%
Dosbarth Palodau-88.5% Dosbarth Parotiaid-83.8% Dosbarth Pengwiniaid-93.9%, Dosbarth Robin Goch- 96.8%, Dosbarth Tulluanod-94.6%. Dosbarth Dryw- 94.8%
Key Stage 2 winners this week are:- Clywedog with 92.7%
Dosbarth Clywedog-92.7% , Dosbarth Conwy-90.6%, Dosbarth Alyn-90.3%, Dosbarth Dyfi-88%, Dosbarth Gwenfro-92.5%, Dosbarth Dyfrdwy-88.9%, Dosbarth Gwaun-83.6%
WHOLE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE TARGET - 96%
WHOLE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE- 90.7%- a slight dip again sadly!
Please help us achieve our target next week!!
Attendance Race Results
DOSBARTH PENGWINIAID
DOSBARTH GWENFRO A DOSBARTH DYFI
All three classes will be enjoying a special treat next week. Da iawn pawb
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
Early Years- Willow and Isabella enjoyed performing at the Stiwt, Maria is going to see her babcia, Olivia went to Cardiff with Loura and Akia, Yemi is going to play basket ball with his brothers, Nelly performed in the productioon Tangled with Willow, Lucjais going to Poland to see her babcia, Noah went to see his mum sing in her choir in Llangollen, Freya is going to visit her baby friend Alfie
Years 1 and 2- Hanna won a trophy for kick boxing, Fiadh received two medals for dancing, Kharis and Daniel are going to Blackpool, Lena D is having a scooter, Kiki is going on holiday and Zera is having a new scooter and LOL toy. Maria had a super taekwondo party for her birthday, Mariana went strawberry picking, Zoja has a new hamster called Gio, Blossom celebrated her sister's baby shower and Evelyn had a wonderful time in her dance show.
Years 3 and 4- Aiden finally got a drone, Julia M and Amelia are moving to Poland in August which si very exciting but we will miss them very much. Julia m is going to London, Niamh to 5 seconds off her PB in swimming, Pati has moved up yo Level 3 in gymnastics and Jeremiah is going to Maduari in India.
Year 5-Anabelle is going to join a football club, Sophie went to a concert in her mum's school and Sophia went to see Katherine Jenkins at the Eisteddfod in Llangollen and said she was amazing. Evie is going to London to see her baby cousin Marley, Snoor & Evie are going to Freedom next weekend, Matilda is excited for the end of school, Rodrigo's mum's birthday is this week, Molly is excited to sell the beads she has been making to raise money for the children's ward, Amelia is going to Poland on 17th and Daniel is excited for his birthday party.
Year 6- Maks and Gabriel are going to Blackpool and Ola is going to Poland to visit family. Matthew won a football tournament for Llay and Rhema's mum got a 5 star rating for her food business.
WCBC School Term dates
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