Dear Parents and Carers

As we prepare to close tomorrow for our summer break, looking back at our final full week pretty much summed up how much of normal school life we have been able to give our children throughout the year.  School lessons continued as normal and after school clubs including morning cricket were well attended and the fantastic final day last Friday saw the school field covered in our infant children and our junior girls enjoying their final after school club of the year.  It was a most fitting end to a busy week which began on Monday when our summer musical concert took place after school.  Many thanks to Miss Briscoe and Miss Rogers who organized a wonderful afternoon celebrating our children’s musical skills.  Parents and family were treated to our school choir, violins and piano which saw children across our year groups performing individually and collectively.  A special thanks to Mrs Healy and Mrs Harvey who took time out to help with the violins and piano.  They wished to pass on their thanks to the children and they look forward to continuing their musical tuition in the new school year.

On Tuesday and Wednesday evenings our Year 6 children presented two performances of their production ‘Porridge’.  Again, the school hall was packed and I am sure you will agree the children’s effort and enthusiasm resulted in two outstanding performances.  Once again thanks to Mrs Bretherton and Mrs Rigby for helping to prepare the children.  It was amazing to see just how much confidence they have gained particularly in the last few months of the school year.   Well done Year 6.

On Wednesday evening Mr Mainwaring took our Year 5 Sports Awards Winners to the Annual Celebration at Maricourt High School.  Unfortunately, our Year 6 Winners were unable to attend as they were performing their play.  The Year 5 children collected Year 6 medals as well as their own and they will be given out at our final assembly tomorrow morning.  The children collected a number of awards and when I look back at the considerable level of participation that our children have taken it shows just how much we have been able to offer our children and we look forward to building on this in the new school year. 

On Thursday we welcomed Fr Grant to lead the children in Year 6 in their Leavers Mass.  It was a beautiful service and I was particularly proud of the way that the children and indeed the congregation conducted themselves.  It was a most reverend atmosphere and yet it had that little special St John Bosco style to it, that helped everyone relax and enjoy this important spiritual memory.  Poor Fr Grant sounded dreadful and I know that you will wish to join me in sending our very best wishes.  The Year 6 children then went home to prepare for their party at Maghull Cricket Club.  I popped in on the way home to say hello and was quickly roped in to giving out the children’s hoodies and gifts from their parents.  I must say I was most impressed with the party that had been prepared for them.  The parents of Year 6 children have certainly excelled and it was a lovely atmosphere which again highlighted the special effort that we go to on behalf of our children. 

On Friday the Year 6 children returned to school to enjoy a day of den making, playing rounders, enjoying a special barbecue as well as playing with their reception chummies.  It was a most fitting end to an extremely busy week whilst at the same time being incredibly enjoyable. 

And so, to our final week.  Clearly the weather is likely to be hot and you have already been given instruction for today and tomorrow.  Children will not be allowed to play football on the fields during break and lunchtime.  Teachers will ensure that the children are regularly hydrated and that they sit in the shade.  We are extremely fortunate to have large areas of shade where the children can sit and chat.  I have also put out our parasols to increase the amount of shaded area further. 

Our final assembly will take place tomorrow morning when the school hall will be cooler.  We shall be presenting our sports winners with their medals as well as our usual certificates and the class St John Bosco Awards.  We shall once again say thank you to Mrs Whittle, Miss Hornby and of course to Mr Mainwaring and wish them every happiness and success in their future. 

A huge thank you to the Friends of St John Bosco who have helped raise valuable funds throughout the year and although we have been limited in what we can do, our bingo’s have been successful and the amazing summer fair has raised over £3000.  It is my plan to replace our school mini bus in the near future which will enable all our teachers to use this facility and enrich their children’s learning experience even more. 

Before I close can remind you that the governors continue to have a policy whereby earrings are not considered appropriate.  This has been further endorsed by the Local Authorities Swimming Co-Ordinator who has sent quite a strongly worded letter insisting that earring cannot be worn.  We have been asked that you help us by ensuring that your children does not wear earrings to school and if they have had their ears pierced they are removed before school and then reinserted when they go home.  As we are unable to remove earrings we would have no option but to ask you to come into school to do this. 

And before I wish you a happy and safe summer break can I please ask that all your child’s clothing and footwear are clearly labelled.  I have hundreds of pounds worth of school jumpers, cardigans, coats and even shoes and I am simply unable to reunite them with their owners which is most frustrating.  Iron on printed labels are the best and really work.  Children who have used these have not lost one item of clothing throughout the year.

And so to end sitting in the office completing this final newsletter, looking out at the beautiful blue sky and school grounds that our children enjoy I cannot help but feel that the past year has been incredibly successful in all aspects of our children’s learning and I am already looking forward to developing other areas for our children to enjoy. 

Yours sincerely

Mr D MacAreavy - Headteacher