School News 

Donations for Christmas  Hampers

There is still time to donate non-perishable food or Christmassy items suitable for a Christmas hamper, which St Vincent de Paul Society will collect at the end of term. Please think about those people less fortunate than ourselves and pop an extra item in your trolley when you are shopping. Items can be placed in the labelled box near the front office, opposite the library door. 

A Note from Emily

There are lots to be grateful for as we lead up to Christmas. Over the past week we have run a few activities with the students to teach them a little bit about the importance of gratitude at Christmas. That it's not about what we want or what we get, but about what we are grateful for. When I was young, my family always taught myself and my brothers about gratitude during Christmas. We would also always find practical ways to help others who were less fortunate over the Christmas season, through volunteering to gift wrap, donations, Christmas boxes and hampers, and sending our sponsor child a gift.  We can so often get caught up in the things and the rush of Christmas, that we forget why we give gifts and have a meal together. I encourage you all this festive season to spend time with your families and think about how you can support those around you. This could be through a simple gesture, making something delicious, paying it forward, donating to a cause. Your small gesture can be someone’s greatest gift this Christmas.

I want to wish you all the best in this busy season as we move into the new year. Stay safe and enjoy the time with your families. I look forward to seeing you all next year for what 2022 has to bring. 

Merry Christmas! 

Emily Morgan, Pastoral Care Worker 

P&F News

Dear families, the Parents and Friends are doing a call out for second hand uniform donations. Please drop them to the front office during the first week of Term 1 as we will be holding another second-hand uniform sale at our 2022 acquaintance evening. Thank you.

Uniform reminder 

We have noticed students wearing a few items that really aren't part of our school uniform: 1. Leggings are ok to wear under dresses, but not on their own, as part of our school uniform. Students can wear navy track pants or any other plain navy pants. 

2. Coloured hair accessories are not part of the uniform - school colours only please. 

3. Boots and lightweight sandals are really not suitable for school wear. Sneakers are the best choice for school, since classes participate in physical activity every day.  

We understand it is a busy time of year and it's not always easy to find alternatives,  so organising these changes for the beginning of next year is fine. Thank you! 

COVID restrictions

Some COVID restrictions have now been lifted. Yay! 

Here are the current recommendations from the Department for Education:  

• Parents, volunteers and visitors are welcome in schools and preschools providing COVID safe measures are in place and followed.
• All parents and visitors are required to COVID-Safe check in when entering buildings and practise physical distancing from other adults.
• It’s recommended that parents and other visiting adults wear masks when entering school or preschool buildings. This includes volunteers.
• Masks are not required outdoors if adults can physical distance. This is consistent with community mask use requirements.

What does this mean for us? 

Pick up and drop off

• In the morning please continue to drop children off at one of the entrances to the school grounds, and allow them to make their own way to their classrooms. If you need to speak to your child’s teacher, please make contact through the SeeSaw app.
• You are welcome to come to the front office at this time for school business (with the COVID restrictions outlined above), but please do not visit teachers or students in their classrooms so they can get ready for the school day ahead.
• As long as you socially distance from others as outlined above, you are welcome to come back into the school grounds to meet your children at the end of the day, and children are now once again allowed to play after school until you come to collect them.

Assemblies 

• We are now able to invite all parents to attend our assemblies.  Please wear masks, physically distance from others and QR code as above.

 As always, students and staff must stay home if they are unwell. Please err on the side of caution. 

Students are being asked to fill up their drink bottles from taps in preference to drinking directly from the taps, so please make sure they have a labelled bottle every day.