Newsletters

Newsletter 26th January 2024

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Message from the Headteacher

Dear Parents/Carers,

Thank you to the parents that attended the Phonics workshop that they were invited to yesterday. Supporting your child at home with their reading has a really positive impact. We will be running more workshops next half term so please look out for those.

You can also find lots of helpful advice on the following websites....

https://www.ruthmiskin.com/parentsandcarers/

https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/

I can't stress enough how important it is that you read to your child at home every day. They will learn so much from the stories you read to them, and it is also a precious time for 5/10 minutes of quiet and reflection. Join the library, scour the charity shops and fill your homes with children's picture books. They really are quite wonderful.

https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/our-recommendations/100-best-books/

Thank you for your support,

Kerry Devane

Dates for your Diary

Friday 26th January 3.10-4pm - PTA Meeting

Tuesday 30th January 2-3pm - Curriculum Open Afternoon. All welcome.

Friday 2nd Feb - Special Chinese New Year lunch

Thursday 8th Feb 3:10 - 4pm - Year 1 Disco

Friday 9th Feb - Non uniform day for Children's Mental Health Week.

Mon 12th - Fri 16th Feb - Half Term break

PTA News

Please come along to our PTA meeting tonight. A crèche will be available for your child(ren) for the duration of the meeting.

Our first event of this year is our Disco for Year 1 on Thursday 8th February. If any parents are able to help at the Disco, please let us know.

If you would like to email the PTA with any ideas or enquiries, please do so on: stjohnsinfantspta@gmail.com

Thank you for your support.

Next Meeting Friday 26th January 3.10-4pm.

Attendance

"Moments matter, Attendance counts"

Our target for attendance is 95%

This week it was 88.2%

Year to Date we are currently at 93.9%

18% of our children are classed as 'persistently absent' which is defined by attendance of less than 90%.

Top class this week is Hedgehogs with 92.4%

Top year group this week is Reception with 92%

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Celebration Assembly

We would like to invite the parents of the following children to join us for celebration assembly on Monday 29th January at 8:50am, in the hall, just after drop-off.

This week's shining stars are:

Hedgehogs - Alfie & Hunter

Rabbits - Robert & Jamie

Woodpeckers - Layton & Romilly

Otters - Kai & Bronwyn

Foxes - Ruben & Freddie

Owls - Iris & Bethany

We look forward to seeing you then!

Tips for Parents

One of the main complaints I get back from the teenagers I work with is that their parents 'never listen' to them. When I ask what they mean, they usually state their parent is either too busy or doesn't understand what they are trying to say.

Effective listening is a skill best started early and includes these steps -

give your full attention to your child
make eye contact and stop other things you are doing
get down on your child’s level
and reflect or repeat back what s/he is saying and what s/he may be feeling to make sure you understand
don't dismiss feelings as unimportant and don't try to problem solve. Just really try to hear what your child is saying

PFSA (Parent Family Support Advisor)

School Prayer

Dear God,

Thank you for loving us and teaching us how to love, persevere and respect each other in everything we do.

Amen

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