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St Michael in the Hamlet
Newsletter October 2021

We have had a busy and brilliant half term, a great start to the academic year!  Please find below all the latest updates from school:

 School Lunches

 As mentioned in previous correspondence children will be returning to eating in the hall from a new menu following the half term break.  When children return to the hall they will access the hall as a year group, they will sit with their classmates in line with our Covid-19 risk assessment. Numbers accessing the hall at any one time will be greatly reduced, all tables/equipment cleaned thoroughly between sittings and hall areas will be well ventilated.  Children will be accessing an updated menu, meaning we are able to offer more variety due to meals being served directly from the school kitchen.  Please be assured that staff will support all children with this transition and all appropriate safety measures (Covid-19) have been considered and are in place.   The new menu will be available to view on our school website very soon.

Also, as we are now half way through autumn term, please check you ParentPay account and bring any outstanding items up to day.

Walk Once a Week Challenge (WOW)

We are continuing with the ‘WOW’ school challenge for the 2021 – 2022 academic year. Children in year 1 to 6 will continue to log their daily journey to school on their class travel tracker and those that walk at least once a week earn a badge, with 10 to collect across the year.

If travelling by car please remember to park at least 5 – 10 minutes away from school to ensure your child has the opportunity to increase their physical activity, and earn their badge. The safety of our children is paramount and by doing this we will create a safe environment for our children coming in to school.

Let’s swap those school runs for school walks!

For more information about the programme please visit www.livingstreets.org.uk/walktoschool

Parent/Carer Meetings

Thank you to all of you who have engaged with teaching staff during Parent/Carer week.  The relationship between school and home is integral to your child’s school journey, thank you for your support.

Playground-before and after school

This issue has been raised several times; we have had several injuries involving children on our playground equipment when they have been dismissed. We also have a large number of children on the equipment during this time and it is not safe.  Please do not use playground equipment before or after school.  I would also like to remind you that children should not be using bikes or scooters on the playground.  This is to ensure the safety of your children AND our whole community.

Christmas Events

As a school team we are currently working on plans for our festive performances/ events.  In line with current local and government guidance we are very much hoping to devise a plan that allows you as families to attend a ‘live’ performance this year in class groups.  As I am sure you can appreciate we are working within an ever changing landscape so we will make an informed decision based on information/guidance nearer to the time.

 

COP26 Climate Conference-SMITH Patches

Andy James (member of our local community) and his friends are taking part in the Camino to COP – a long walk to Glasgow before the COP26 Climate Conference. World Leaders will be meeting there in November to decide how they plan to tackle the climate emergency. It’s really important that people let their governments know what they think they should be doing before the conference. Andy is planning on talking to lots of people on his walk to find out how climate change is affecting them already and what they think could and should be done about it.

Children from across the school sent messages and pictures, on small fabric patches, to express what they care about and to wish Andy well on his journey.

Andy has sent us a further update. He is currently close to Lockerbie and has informed us our children’s patches have been sewn inside the “Coat of Hope”.  Once at COP the coat will be offered to delegates to wear, to feel the weight of the messages, and thereby generate an emotional response. We hope the children’s patches will not just get to Glasgow but will get to the conference itself-go SMITH!  Further updates from Andy can be found on our school website-eco team page.

Parent Governor Vacancies

Parent governors are a core part of our governing body.  It is a role that comes with responsibility, but with huge rewards in terms of contributing to school development and seeing the school and children flourish as a result.  We will soon be advertising two parent governor positions.  The successful candidates would be starting the role in January 2022. Information packs and nomination forms will be available after half term-details to follow.

 Important Dates

Please find below important dates for the half term ahead:

Monday 1st November-School INSET day-school closed

Thursday 4th November-Thoughtful Thursday-children welcome to wear pyjamas/something comfy on this day and we will be doing lots of Philosophy for Children activities throughout the day and thinking about the half term ahead-suggested donation £1

Friday 19th November-Children in Need-Spotty Day-merchandise will be available to purchase in school prior to the event

Wednesday 22nd December-End of autumn term-School closes at the earlier time of 1.30pm for all-No Haven available on the last day of term

Finally, I would like to take the opportunity to say a huge thank you to all for you for your support, encouragement, positivity and trust.  The world continues to be a very challenging place for a whole variety of reasons, as a community we have continued to move forward and your little people continue to thrive and grow in their school home.  They have shown yet again such a wonderful determination to the challenge of a new school year; we are excited to see them develop as the academic year progresses!

Have a safe and happy half term break!

 Kind Regards

Miss L Moreton

Headteacher

Newsletter 22.10.21

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