Friday Update 05.11.21

Dear Parents and Carers

I hope this weekly update finds you well and in good spirits.  As with all schools we will continue to have a small number of children who must remain at home as they have tested positive for covid.  Whilst it is reassuring that the medical specialists are keen to stress that young children do not develop serious symptoms it is nevertheless our collective responsibility to do everything that we can as a school community to keep these numbers as low as is possible.  That is why we will continue to keep our current control measures in place which include all children washing their hands before school and again at appropriate times throughout the day.  The children are aware of their responsibility but we all know that young children will naturally mix at play times and lunchtimes.  Can I thank you for continuing to be vigilant around your child’s general health and this must be seen as a significant factor in helping us to keep the school attendance as high as possible.  Clearly the message of common sense continues and you know your child better than anyone else.  If your child is sick they should stay at home, if you feel a lateral flow test is appropriate then it is the sensible thing to do.  As we see continued large numbers of new cases and sadly daily deaths all we can do is our best to try to keep our children in school where they should be learning and playing with their friends.

Little Church - I have been asked to remind you that Children’s Liturgy (Little Church) will recommence this Sunday 7^th November at 11.00am.  I am sure that there will be appropriate control measures in place. 

Friends of St John Bosco - Thank you to the Friends of St John Bosco for organizing our first post covid Bingo.  A great night was had by all who attended and an amazing total of £1113.20 was raised with a matched fund of £1000 which will go towards replacing our school mini bus. 

Operation Christmas Child – It has been wonderful to see the children coming to school in the mornings with their filled Christmas Boxes.  I would like to thank all the families and their children who have returned their Christmas Shoe Box and we now have over 40 which is fantastic.  The collection date is Friday 19^th November and I would love to be able to take our special photograph on Thursday 18^th November when we write Happy Christmas with all the shoe boxes we have collected. 

Harvest/Local Food Bank Collection – As the falling leaves remind us that Autumn is well and truly with us our children would like to collect food for our Harvest Collection where our School Councillor’s, Head and Deputy Head Boys and Girls will be able to take any contributions that we are able to give to our Local Food Bank where we know they will be distributed to those in need at this challenging time.  To this end if you are able to donate any foods that are non-perishable such as tins, dried, packet etc would you please allow your child to bring them in to their class where they will make their class harvest collection.  We shall then transport them in the school mini bus as we do each school year.

Infant Nativity Production – We are now able to have are infants present their Nativity Play and in order to maintain sensible control measures the following dates have been arranged: -

Reception Parents – Monday 13^th December at 2.00pm in the school hall

Year 1 Parents – Tuesday 14^th December at 2.00pm in the school hall

Year 2 Parents – Thursday 16^th December at 2.00pm in the school hall

The Junior children have begun to learn and sing their Carols and we remain hopeful that we may be able to present them to you.  This will of course take place after school and I shall inform you after consulting with Fr Grant.

It just remains for me to thank you all for your continue support and in particular our Just Giving Fundraising for our school library.  It seems unbelievable that we have already reached half of our target within a few hours.  As a school who freely give to others perhaps it is appropriate that at this time we should collectively give to our children as the gift of reading and enjoying reading is so special.  Please feel free to share with your wider friends and families and I would like to thank them on behalf of everyone at school for their generosity.

Yours sincerely

Mr D MacAreavy - Headteacher