Dear Parents and Carers

There are quite a number of items to bring to your attention this week and I do hope that you find them useful.  Before I begin, can I remind everybody that the school photographer will be coming to school next Wednesday 23^rd November where she will take individual and family group photos. 

As yet we have not received an official visit from Ofsted although we are still overdue and expect this to take place at any time.  As part of the Local Authority School Improvement Board, I arranged for a visit from a serving Headteacher who is also an Ofsted Inspector to visit our school on Tuesday.  She spent four hours observing how our children are taught to read, paying particular attention to our phonics approach and resources for our Infant children.  She also interviewed several members of staff including myself to gauge a picture of where she felt we were as a school.  I shall share some details when we receive the report but we were all delighted that she felt that we should simply continue with all our current arrangements and that she felt we were more than ready for any impending inspections.  Clearly this has helped to suppress some of the natural anxieties that staff feel when placed in this position and I do know that the continued support and kind comments that you give them are appreciated.

After discussion with the governing board can we please ask that parents do not knock on windows in the morning when the children are settling down to their morning routine.  As we are trying to develop our children’s independence I have asked the teachers from Year 3 & 4 to instruct their children to enter school through the girls and boys toilet/cloakroom doors.  They can then put their belongings into their personal locker and make their way into their classroom as they do throughout the school day.  If you have a genuine concern please forward this to the school office which will then be directed to your child’s teacher who can pick this up at the end of the school day when the children’s education is not disrupted.  As I have said in a previous newsletter, schools are being instructed to start at 8.45am and we ask that you use this interim period to prepare both yourselves and your children.  Tailored work is prepared by each teacher for the children and clearly those who arrive at 8.45am are at an advantage.  I do hope you understand and I thank you in advance for your support in this matter.

A big thank you to all of you who have been able to return a shoe box.  We now have quite a few in our link corridor which look a little like bricks and we have called this our Wall of Love.  I have finally managed to complete my boxes and I ask that any more are returned next week as they will be picked up on Thursday morning. 

Although the weather has been pretty grim our children have continued to enjoy their timetabled PE and Sports Activities and again having a school hall and polytunnel have proved to be more than useful.  Many congratulations to our amazing Year 6 Swimming Team who put in a superb performance last Friday coming fourth out of fourteen schools. I was so proud of the way that they supported each other and they thoroughly deserved their amazing achievement.  Our Year 2 children enjoyed an equally exciting afternoon at Maricourt where they took part in a multi skills tournament with other primary schools.  It was wonderful to see them engaging in so many different activities and the smiles on their faces said it all.  I hope that our Year 3 & 4 DodgeBall Team have an enjoyable afternoon today when I take them to Chesterfield High School.  Our Girls Football Team will be welcoming St Gregory’s Girls after school this evening.  I have had the pitch cut and marked out as a special treat and do hope that the rain stays off.  It amazes me to see how many children are taking part after school on a Friday and I think this says a lot about our school and what we try to provide for as many children as we can.

One of our Grandparents has informed the school that The Whitechapel Centre in Liverpool is collecting children and adult coats to distribute to those in need over the winter.  This may be an opportunity to clear your wardrobe from unused coats and give you a bit more space.  I have certainly got a couple that I have never even worn.  The coats can be dropped off at school or at Alastair Saville Estate Agents at the square.

The whole school will be going to see Red Riding Hood at the Everyman Theatre on 6^th December, can I remind you that the payments are on Iris Parentmail under shop.  Could infants please return their sandwich choice for the school meal on this day as soon as possible.  Christmas Dinner – can you please inform the school office if your child would like a Christmas Dinner or whether they are bringing a packed lunch on this day.  Please contact Mrs Greenwood on admin.stjohnbosco@schools.sefton.gov.uk

In order to celebrate England’s opening game at the World Cup, children can come to school on Monday in their football kits or red, white and blue clothes as they will be able to enjoy supporting the team in the afternoon.  I appreciate that there are strong and justified views around the choice of this World Cup but this is simply something for the children to enjoy and remember for years to come.

We now have some amazing prizes for our boys and girls football kit World Cup Raffle.  The raffle will take place throughout the duration of the World Cup and tickets are £1.00 or £5.00 for a strip.  All proceeds will go towards buying the girls and boys a brand-new kit which they have asked for.  Any remaining money will go towards purchasing more indoor PE Equipment to further enhance your children’s enjoyment during what will undoubtedly be a cold, wet winter period.  Can I ask that you inform any friends and family as the more participation the better, tickets will be on sale from Monday and this will be organized by Charlie and Holly, our sports leaders in Year 6.  At the moment the prizes are 4^th Prize – Football, Third Prize - £50.00 JJB Voucher, 2^nd Prize – Chris Kirkland (Ex Liverpool and England Signed Goalkeeper Gloves, First Prize – Jordan Pickford (Everton and England Goalkeeper) Signed Goalkeeper Shirt. 

A reminder that our Christmas Bingo will take place on Friday 25^th November in the school hall.  The previous bingo was enjoyed by many and raised valuable funds.  This year the children have asked if we can buy some more Lego bricks ready for their Lego clubs which will take place during the winter months of January and February.  It would be good if we were able to add to our current Lego stock as all the children love using this creative resource.  Doors will open at 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start, as yet we do not have a caller, so if anybody would like to do this please contact myself or the school office.  The Friends of St John Bosco would like to thank those who have already sent donations for prizes and ask that any further bottles of wine or chocolate be sent to school in time for them to make up the hampers on Thursday 24^th November.

Our School Nurse Ruth Swanson will be available from 8.30am on Wednesday 30^th November in the Family Room to discuss any health-related issues that you may have.

I do hope that the weather improves a little for the weekend and that you have a peaceful and happy few days with your children.  Thank you for your continued support and kind words which are always appreciated.

Yours sincerely

Mr D MacAreavy - Headteacher

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