Welcome to our St Mary's Weekly Newsletter!
Let us pray...
Gweddiwn...
We are learning to pray the Hail Mary in Welsh - Click on the link to pray yn Gymraeg
Year 6 Retreat- Friday 14th July
Today, we enjoyed a wonderful day of retreat and reflection with our Year 6 children. We discussed our hopes and dreams for our futures and shared our worries and concerns about taking the big step to high school in September. Fr Nicholas spent some of the day with us and led us in prayer. It was a really beautiful occasion and made even better by a delicious pizza lunch! Thank you to all children for their engagement and honesty. Mr. O'Toole, Mrs Hall and I thoroughly enjoyed spending this precious time with you today. Diolch.
Year 6 Leavers' Beach Party
On Wednesday 19th July between 5 pm and 7 pm, our Year 6 children are invited to a Leavers' beach party on the school yard. There will be food, drink, music, dancing and LOTs of fun! We look forward to a final St Mary's PARTY together and hope you can all join us!
AMAZING NEWS!
In a heartwarming display of compassion, some of the girls in Dosbarth Alyn have embarked on a remarkable mission to support the Shooting Star Unit at the Wrexham Maelor hospital. Their dedicated efforts in making and selling bracelets have raised an astonishing £185! As we celebrate their outstanding achievement, we cannot help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride. These girls have proven that age is no barrier to making a difference. The Shooting Star Unit will undoubtedly benefit greatly from this generous donation. The new breast cancer machine will enhance the unit's capabilities and provide vital support to patients and their families during their challenging journey. Let us join together in applauding Ivy, Evie, Ella, Matilda, Snoor and Alexandra for their extraordinary efforts. Their compassion, resilience, and commitment to helping others serve as an inspiration to us all.
Getting ready for September
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.
School Uniform- High Standards
Please read carefully before purchasing new items for September. Diolch
PLEASE NOTE:- PUPILS IN FOUNDATION PHASE DO NOT NEED A PENCIL CASE
PLEASE NOTE:-SCHOOL CLOSES FOR THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS ON THURSDAY 20TH JULY AND REOPENS ON MONDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER
Annual Progress Reports to Parents
Today, all children will be receiving their annual progress report from their class teacher, together with their attendance record for the year and any national assessment results (Years 2-6). Please click on the link to provide us with a comment on your child's report. Please do take this opportunity, wherever possible.
On Monday 17th July, between 3:30 and 5 pm, teachers will be available in school should you wish to discuss any aspect of your child's report.
End of Term Family Picnic
What a wonderful family picnic afternoon we all had on Wednesday afternoon! It was amazing to see so many of our school community coming together- the weather was kind to us and everyone looked like they were having lots of fun eating and drinking and taking part in the games and activities on offer! Ardderchog! Thank you so much for joining us! We raised an INCREDIBLE £710.40 which will go towards buying some new school P.E. benches and outdoor picnic tables. Diolch pawb! We greatly appreciate your support and look forward to the next time we can come together!
END OF TERM ICE CREAM VAN TREAT!
On the last day of term, all children will be treated to an ice-cream from Snoor and Dylan's dad's ice-cream van. Diolch to the Friends for paying for this well-deserved treat! We have had a SUPER year! Da iawn pawb!
VACANCY IN SCHOOL
Attendance Matters
St Mary's Attendance Race
This week's Foundation Phase- Winners are ...Penguins with 94.8%
Puffins-91.7% Parrots-87% Penguins-94.8%
Robins-94.3% Owls-94.2% Wrens-94.3%
Key Stage 2- Winners are ...Gwenfro with %
Clywedog-93.9% Conwy-89% Alyn-98.4%
Dovey-90.8% Gwenfro-100% Dyfrdwy-92.5% Gwaun-95.4%
ATTENDANCE RACE LEADER BOARD
FINAL RESULT & REWARDS
THE FOUNDATION PHASE WINNERS ...
Penguins- who will be having a children's entertainer
KEY STAGE 2 WINNERS...
Gwenfro who will be going to the Odeon cinema
CONGRATULATIONS AND WELL DONE ON SUPER ATTENDANCE THIS YEAR!
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 primary aged 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
Criw Cymraeg's Brawddeg Yr Wythnos
The Criw Cymraeg’s ‘Patrwm yr Wythnos’ (Phrase of the week) this week is: Beth sy'n bod? What's the matter?
See VIDEO LINK
Makaton Signs of the Week is classroom
Click on the LINK
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.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @stmaryswxm
Credits:
Created with images by thekopmylife - "hand and jesus at sunrise nature background" • Syda Productions - "travel, seascape and nature concept - tropical beach with palm tree and two sunbeds in french polynesia" • Evgeniy Kalinovskiy - "small schoolchildren with colorful school bags and backpacks run to school. Back to school, education, elementary school." • Pixel-Shot - "Composition with frisbee disk and beach accessories on sand" • Rawf8 - "Summer vacations - Bucket on a sandy beach" • StockPhotoPro - "Summertime picnic" • Vasyl - "Children having fun" • nali - "the winner is in red background and golden stars" • WavebreakmediaMicro - "Children having lunch during break time in school cafeteria" • coco - "fleur de jonquille sur fond jardin" • gpointstudio - "Teacher during the lesson with the kids" • Maya Kruchancova - "cupcake with sparkler on old wooden background" • Li Ding - "Decoration for the party" • nito - "coffe and news" • Rawpixel.com - "Children Friendship Togetherness Playful Happiness Concept"