Welcome to our St Mary's Weekly Newsletter!
A very special Christmas List to share with your families this Christmas.
God gave us the most precious gift of His Son at Christmas. Let us all be a gift to each other and share time, care, love, support with each other and with those in need.
End of Term thanks
On behalf of all the staff, may I express our sincere gratitude for all the support, care and kindness shown to us all this term. It has been very special to enjoy a 'more normal' term in school and in particular, to welcome families to share in a range of events, Masses, celebrations, concerts etc.
Thank you for all your kind words, Christmas cards and very generous gifts. We are all very grateful and feel very blessed as a school family.
We would like to wish you all a very happy, peaceful and blessed Christmas with your loved ones and every happiness for the New Year ahead- 2023.
Nadolig Llawen and Blwyddyn Newydd Dda.
ECO TEAM- Reverse Advent calendar
Our gift of love
Thank you for all the wonderful and very generous donations. We have been overwhelmed by the response once again. All donations have been given to Wrexham Homeless Charity and they are very grateful for all our support.
Parrots and Penguins Travelling Crib
Parrots and Penguins have enjoyed taking the travelling crib home to share the nativity story with their families. Look at the beautiful photographs.
Toy swap event
All remaining toys, games and cuddly toys have been donated to YAB in Wrexham to support families in need this Christmas. Thank you for all your support and kindness.
Advent Mass- Thursday 22nd December
Thank you to Fr Nicholas and Deacon Michael for celebrating Mass in school with us today. It was a beautiful Mass where all year groups participated in the readings, prayers, offertory and singing. Da iawn pawb. A wonderful way to finish another busy and successful term.
Christmas Mass Times
St Mary's Cathedral
St Francis of Assisi Llay
St Anne's Church
Erddig Rotary Club- Year 5/6 Ty Pawb Concert
This week, we have been presented with an incredible £500 donation from Erddig Rotary Club. This money was raised through the sale of Yr 5/6 concert and raffle tickets and will be used to fund additional resources for our children. Diolch and well done everyone!
Friends of St Mary's- Diolch
A big thank you from the Friends of St Mary's. As of yesterday, a wonderful £777 has been raised during the Christmas events! Diolch pawb.
Christmas Concert Film Link
PLEASE NOTE- UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE LINKS FROM THE VIDEO COMPANY AS YET. THEREFORE LINKS WILL BE SENT IN THE NEW YEAR.
Apologies for an disappointment!
Updated information- As you are aware, we are not selling concert DVDs this year, instead we are selling links to all the professionally filmed Christmas Concerts. Therefore, if you have more than one child in school, you only need to pay once to access links to all concerts you wish to view.
You can still pay £10 for the link on ParentPay up to the January 9th. We will assume that you only want access to the concerts that your child/ children are performing in and those links will be emailed to whoever is contact number one on your child's school in the new year. If you wish to receive links to other concerts, please email the school office and this can be organised as soon as possible.
Please note, parents should download the links onto their own devices or save a hard copy onto a memory stick etc. Any queries please do not hesitate to contact school on the mailbox email address.
Rainbow Ticket winners- November & December
Well done to David, Sophia, Dylan and Seth!
'Nearly New' Bike Raffle- Thank you to everyone who bought tickets. All proceeds are going to Nightingale House Hospice
The winner is THEO (Year 4)
Notice from Mrs Roberts- Year 2 Owls
This is a heartfelt request to our Polish families to share this message with friends and family. Diolch, dziękuję.
Diocesan Family Prayer Group Notice
Would you and your children like to connect with other families across the Diocese? The Marriage and Family Life Commission are starting a new Family Prayer Group, to run fortnightly from Monday 23rd January 2023. Online via Zoom from 6:00pm - 6:45pm. Come and join us as we explore our faith in the home as a family, through the sharing of our favourite faith traditions, reflections on scripture, hymns and prayers. For more information and to sign up, please contact Jeanie at mfl@rcdwxm.org.uk , telephone: 07542 268728, or at ‘Marriage and Family Life, Diocese of Wrexham’.
Attendance Matters
Please note school starts 08:55 and finishes at 15:15.
From September, please DO NOT book routine appointments or holidays within term-time. The governors of St Mary's will not authorise holidays taken within term-time.
Please support us to ensure all children are in school on time to receive their education as long as they are fit and well to do so.
From September, gates will be locked at 08:55 by which time ALL children should be in class and ready to begin their school day.
Following the WCBC policy, arrivals after 09:15 when the registers close, should be marked as an absence.
Attendance Letters to Parents
A number of parents have received letters regarding pupil absences this week. In line with the WCBC attendance policy, schools are now required to inform parents using template letters when pupil absences hit certain triggers, regardless of whether absences are authorised for illness or not. This is to ensure that parents are kept informed about the current levels of attendance and to ensure that schools have appropriate measures in place to monitor absences and safeguard all children.
As a school, we ask that parents keep us informed about the reasons behind any absences and any underlying health/ medical conditions that could affect attendance.
We do appreciate that there have been a significant amount of 'bugs' going around that have affected many of our children. Please do not hesitate to contact school if you would like any further clarification or information. Diolch.
St Mary's Attendance Race
Our Whole School Attendance target is 96%
W/E - 16/12/22-This week's whole school attendance is 88.6% (Lots of illness in school again this week. Fingers crossed we will reach our target soon!!)
Foundation Phase- Winners are Robins with 91.4%
Puffins-81.7% Parrots-87.9% Penguins- 78.7%
Robins-91.4% Owls-79.7% Wrens-83%
Key Stage 2- Winners are Clywedog with 97.2%!
Clywedog-97.2% Conwy-91.7% Alyn- 91%
Dovey-94.2% Gwenfro-95.6% Dyfrdwy-87% Gwaun 86.1%
At the end of the school year, the winning class will have the opportunity to go to the cinema for a well-deserved treat! In addition, on an individual basis, ALL children with consistent 100% attendance for the year will receive a special 'GOLD' medal.
Children should only attend school if they are fit and well enough to do so. Routine appointments, holidays during term-time, days off for birthdays however, are not valid reasons to stay off school.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding with this very important matter.
Friends' Children's A3 Calendar 2023- Fundraising
THERE ARE REMAINING CALENDARS ON SALE
If you wish to purchase a calendar, please send on £8 in a sealed envelope marked with your child's name and class. Diolch
Free School Meals- Are you eligible?
May I remind all families who are eligible for free school meals to make an application via the link ‘Free school meals | Wrexham County Borough Council. This will not only provide your child with a daily free meal in school but will also allow parents the opportunity to apply for a Pupil Development Grant (PDG) | Wrexham County Borough Council to help with the cost of uniforms, resources, equipment and devices etc. By making your application, school will also receive the correct amount of funding from Welsh Government.
Please note:-
Your child is eligible to receive free school meals if you or your child receive the following...
• Income Support (IS)*
• Income Based Jobseekers Allowance (IBJSA)*
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Income-related Employment Support Allowance (IR)
• Child Tax Credit - providing you’re not entitled to Working Tax Credit with an annual total income below the HMRC set limit
• Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• Working Tax Credit 'run-on' - the payment someone may receive for a further four weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit - if you are working you must be earning less than £7,400 per year (£616.67 per month) to qualify for free school meal
From September 1st, all Reception children in Wrexham can have a free school meal as part of the WG universal offer. However, if you are in receipt of the above benefits, please remember to make an application via the links above as well to ensure access to the PDG and to enable school to receive the additional funding.
I urge all families to take up this wonderful universal offer. Diolch
School Dinner orders
Please ensure that school dinners are pre-ordered at home. Teachers should not be ordering meals in school, as previously advised by WCBC. Thank you
Good news!
Early Years-Sasha and Arseni are excited to see their daddies soon!
Year 1 & 2-Dorian and Zoja are going to Poland. Madison is going to the film festival in Chester, Julian is going to Poland on Wednesday. Dylan went to feed the reindeer, Ariana's mum has started a new job, Maya is going to see Santa, Veronika's family are visiting for Christmas, Matti's family friend is visiting from Poland for Christmas and Artur has moved to Wave 4
Years 3 and 4- Ivy is going to play golf on Christmas Eve and Sophie is singing a solo in Mass on Christmas Eve. Joseph has come second in a horseriding competition today
Year 5- David's grandad is coming from Poland on Christmas Eve, Matthew played football against Gresford, Noble's new home was blessed by Fr Nicholas and Izzy G's baby niece can now say a few sentences.
Year 6-Natalia is starting gymnastics and Natasza passed Rookie lifeguard silver
Local Support for Families
At this difficult time of austerity, please see some information about local services that are available to provide support to families in need.
Please contact school if you find yourself in a difficult situation and need some help/ support to signpost you to an appropriate service. Your requests will be handled in confidence and with sensitivity. Diolch. Mrs Acton.
If you need help from our foodbank there are a few simple steps to follow. THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP IS TO GET A FOODBANK VOUCHER.
In order to provide the most appropriate help for the circumstances of your situation we work with local agencies. If they feel you are struggling to put food on the table, they will issue you with a foodbank voucher. The local agency can also provide long term support if needed to help address some of the issues behind the reasons for your crisis. Agencies we work with include: Citizens Advice, housing support officers, children’s centres, health visitors, social services and some local charities.
1. GET IN TOUCH WITH US.
If you call or email our foodbank we can talk through your situation and put you in touch with a relevant local agency.
2. ARRANGE A VISIT TO THE REFERRAL AGENCY.
They will discuss your situation and supply you with a foodbank voucher where appropriate.
If you can’t afford food, you can call 0808 2082138 (freephone) to speak to a trained and independent Citizens Advice agent (Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm). Please note this number is for people who do not have enough money for food – if you are a local organisation or charity that works with people who might need the food bank, please contact us directly.
Alternatively, please call 0300 330 1178 to speak to Wrexham’s Citizen’s Advice Bureau, who will be able to issue you with a food bank voucher if necessary.
3. BRING YOUR FOODBANK VOUCHER TO YOUR NEAREST FOODBANK CENTRE.
You can find a list of our local centres and opening times here. When you arrive, we’ll welcome you with a warm drink and our trained volunteers will chat with you about your situation. We’ll also discuss any dietary needs you may have and exchange your foodbank voucher for a parcel of three days of emergency food. We’ll also help to support you in any other ways that we can. Most of our foodbank centres offer a cafe style environment and our aim is to provide non-judgemental support at the point of crisis.
If you have any further questions our FAQ’s page may help, or feel free to give us a call.
Yellow and blue (YaB group ltd) is a social enterprise non profit project. Underpinning community projects including positive pathways, food provision and social isolation beating events and activities. With a digital vision within the community - we aim to support vulnerable groups whilst creating a vibrant, supportive and uplifting experience. Creating moments, chances and smiles when people need it most.
Please get in touch by emailing:- info@yellowandblue.org
Pupil Development Grant
The Welsh Government funded Pupil Development Grant is available to help towards the costs of a child’s school uniform and equipment, for those on a low income. Any child eligible for free school meals in the year groups listed below are eligible. However, those receiving free school meals due to transitional protection arrangement would not be eligible.
Depending on the school year your child will be entering in September 2021 you could receive a grant of £125 or £200. Link
Anyone eligible for free school meals and in the following year groups will qualify for the grant: Entering reception class in primary school, Entering school years 1 to 11, In a special school, special needs resource base or pupil referral unit and are aged 4 to 15.For any looked after children of compulsory school age who are not receiving free school meals, please email uniformgrant@wrexham.gov.uk for an application form.
Welsh Courses for Parents
Are you interested in becoming a volunteer in school?
Here at St Mary’s we are very keen to involve parents, grandparents and family members in the life of the school. We are always looking for volunteers to help out a wide range of activities such as school trips and walking the children to sporting events. We are also very happy to invite volunteers to share special skills, interests or experiences to enhance the children’s opportunities or provision e.g. gardening, sewing, sharing job skills/ experiences etc.
If you would like to be involved in any volunteer work for the school, please click on the link and complete and return the forms attached.https://stmarys-wxm.co.uk/about-us/forms/volunteer-form-2/
Please note:- All volunteers will be subject to DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance. Thank you
Many thanks.
Welsh Government Announcement
Physical punishment of children is now illegal in Wales. Children have the same protection from assault as adults. This is to protect children and their rights. To find out more visit: http://gov.wales/EndPhysicalPunishment
Support the Friends of St Mary’s
to raise much needed funds for the benefit of all our children Friends of St. Mary’s School are now registered with easyfundraising, which means you can raise FREE donations for us every time you shop online. Over 4,000 shops and sites will donate to us when you use easyfundraising to shop with them – at no extra cost to yourself!
These donations really mount up and make a BIG difference to us, so we’d really appreciate it if you could take a moment to sign up and support us. It’s completely FREE and only takes a moment.
Do it today- Sign up by clicking on the link below
Please encourage your family and friends to do the same.
Keeping everyone safe- Covid 19
Local Authority advice remains that all children and staff who are displaying symptoms of illness or testing positive on an LFT or PCR test should not come to school and continue to isolate.
In addition to the 3 classic symptoms of a cough, high temperature and loss of taste or smell, we are noticing that many children who are testing positive are also displaying some of the following symptoms :- vomiting, headaches, runny nose, sore throat (symptoms similar to the common cold)
Thank you for your support and understanding.
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Created with images by dizain - "Thank You Love Heart Word Cloud in different languages with marker, concept background" • arinahabich - "New Year Eve party" • Pixel-Shot - "Woman making heart with her hands on white background" • R. Gino Santa Maria - "First Christmas With JEsus on a Manger" • pongmoji - "Blue sky with rainbow" • phonlamaiphoto - "Gold star trophy" • tatomm - "close up of calendar on the blue table, planning for business meeting or travel planning concept" • arybickii - "Christmas nativity scene of baby Jesus" • WavebreakmediaMicro - "Children having lunch during break time in school cafeteria" • coco - "fleur de jonquille sur fond jardin" • Stanisic Vladimir - "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year greeting card with cute train toy on snow with green background and a lot of snowflakes." • Stanisic Vladimir - "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year greeting card with cute train toy on snow with green background and a lot of snowflakes." • Maya Kruchancova - "cupcake with sparkler on old wooden background" • Rawpixel.com - "Group of puppies wearing Christmas costumes" • nito - "coffe and news" • Rawpixel.com - "Children Friendship Togetherness Playful Happiness Concept" • Irina Schmidt - "Adoralbe little toddler girl with rainbow and heart painted with colorful window color during pandemic coronavirus quarantine. Child painting rainbows around the world with the words Let's all be well"