Dear Parents and Carers

I hope you enjoyed the half term break and were able to share some special time with your children.  Having just about recovered from a fantastic week at Kingswood, I am looking forward to the children being able to enjoy some warmer and drier weather as we move towards Spring.  A number of exciting developments are taking place within school which I hope will further improve our provision.  A big thank you to two of our parents who are helping to barcode the books in our new library which is nearly ready for our children to enjoy.  We continue to invest in some of the latest assessment technologies which will identify potential areas where individual children will benefit from tailored support.

A number of teachers are now able to enjoy training courses for their subjects that they support throughout the school and this has meant that we have welcomed a number of supply teachers who have all freely commented about our wonderful facilities but more importantly about the excellent attitude that our children have towards their learning.  This does not simply happen in a good school like ours but builds on and is supported by you and the interest that you take in your child’s education.  This partnership is something that has always been special to our school and I would like to thank you on behalf of the Governing Board for your input and interest in your child’s education.

As further covid restrictions have been removed as of yesterday, the school will maintain its current controls until the Easter Break.  The children are now able to enjoy greater freedoms within their school and much has returned to how things were in pre-pandemic times.  Children will continue with the same drop off and pick up arrangements and they will be expected to wash their hands before school and continue to be mindful of personal hygiene.  As we are all well aware the virus has not vanished, and I ask that you continue to behave in a responsible way as you have done to date.  If your child is ill please continue to keep them at home and if you suspect it may be covid simply check with a lateral flow and inform the school office should it be positive.  By doing this we can all play a part in keeping our school healthy for all our children and staff. 

Parents Evenings – these will take place on google classroom w.b. 21^st March 2022.

World Book Day – takes place on Thursday 3^rd March and I am aware that you have already been informed that the children can come to school dressed as a character from a book that they have read or are looking forward to reading.

I have been asked once again to appeal to a small number of drivers who are simply driving too fast on their approach to and from school.  Can this please stop as I do not want to be calling an ambulance for one of our children who after all are completely innocent of this behaviour.

I am delighted to be able to take some of our Year 1 children to a Multi Sports Competition at Chesterfield High School and I hope that the improved climate and continued favourable health data will allow further activities to take place. 

After School Clubs have remained the same throughout this term and can I ask you to encourage your children to take part and give something new a try. 

We celebrate our first week with our own dedicated after school facility.  Numbers are increasing and as the weather improves the children will be able to enjoy our extensive outdoor facilities.  Our after-school club leader, Wendy, has asked if you would inform her of any cancellations giving as much advance notice as you can as this helps with her organisation.  She has also asked to inform you that she would be delighted to speak to any families considering using this facility now or in the future.  Simply see her at the front of school in the family room.  The Booking email is Stjbkizone@sjbschool.uk phone number 07753374969 (this phone number used to be the school mobile number and is now only for the use of Stjbkidzone After School Club).

As the sun begins to shine and the skies slowly turn blue, I would ask you to keep the frightening developments that are unfolding and the families that live there in your thoughts and prayers.

And so, to finish this week celebrating your generosity at a time when many of us are feeling the pinch.  Our MacMillan Cancer Support totalled £1012.00 and our NSPCC Maths Day Challenge amassed £468.72.

What can I say other than thank you so much as I know these two charities are under even more pressure at the current time. 

I wish you all a happy and healthy weekend.

Yours sincerely

Mr D MacAreavy - Headteacher