Ysgol Gynradd Santes Fair- St Mary's Catholic Primary Cylchlythur wythnosol-Weekly Newsletter -30th June 2023

Welcome to our St Mary's Weekly Newsletter!

Let us pray...

Gweddiwn...

First Holy Communion Celebration Mass in School

Yesterday we celebrated the Feast of St Peter and St Paul. Father Nicholas came to school to say a special whole school Mass for all our children who have made their First Holy Communion in their own parishes this year. It is important that we mark this very special day by gathering together in prayer as a whole school family. It was lovely to see all of the children together in Mass and they all looked wonderful dressed in their First Holy Communion clothes. The children participated in the Mass by leading the readings, offertory and prayers and did so with such reverence and confidence- da iawn. In the afternoon, the children had a little party with a special cake to celebrate this wonderful occasion.

A big thank you to all the catechists in all parishes for preparing our children to receive this beautiful sacrament. Diolch o galon.

Year 6 School Journey to Cardiff

We're off! Today, Mrs Acton, Mr O'Toole, Mrs Hall, Mrs Sinclair and Mrs Gillett are taking our Year 6 children on school journey to Cardiff. We have a wonderful itinerary of fun-filled activities to enjoy over the weekend, ranging from visits to Big Pit, the Principality stadium, Royal Mint and Barry Island Beach to a thrilling speedboat ride, visiting the swimming pool and going Ten Pen Bowling! What fun we are going to have! Keep a look out for photos and posts on our usual social media channels.

A very special word of thanks to all our wonderful teachers who are giving up their weekend to facilitate this amazing trip for our children. Diolch o galon!

Joiners/ Carpenters, can you help us, please?

We need a new WELCOME / CROESO sign for our Puffins' Nursery building wall, could you help us by donating your time and any spare wood to make us a new one please? Contact the school office if you are willing and able to help us! Diolch.

Important Reminders- Hairstyles and school shoes (uniform)

I have spoken with a number of parents recently regarding some pupils' extreme hair cuts. Shaven head hairstyles and extreme fade haircuts are NOT permitted in St Mary's. Please do not allow your child to have these haircuts going forwards to comply with our strict uniform and presentation code. Similarly, a number of children have been wearing black trainers to school. Trainers are NOT part of our school uniform therefore, from September, all children must wear black school shoes and not trainers please. Thank you for your understanding.

FANTASTIC NEWS! WE'VE ACHIEVED THE BRONZE RIGHTS RESPECTING SCHOOL AWARD!

The School Council and Super Ambassadors have worked hard over the year working towards achieving the bronze: rights committed award. We completed questionnaires and held some rights days and activities throughout the year. We have also completed an action plan to help us move towards achieving silver. We have lots of exciting ideas ready for next September! Diolch to Mrs Robertson for all her hard work!

Pupil Voice- Friday Tuck Shop

Well done to our Pupil Voice groups for organising a weekly tuck shop to continue to raise funds to buy new PE and outdoor benches and tables. So far we have raised a super £529.12 excluding anything raised in our tuck shop today.

Please see items below that we are raising funds for. PE benches cost £220 each (we need 4-6 new benches), picnic tables cost £475 each (we would like 3 more) and outdoor benches cost £ 316 each (we would like 3 more.)

WCBC SCHOOL TERM DATES

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.

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