Happy New Year Weekly News 7th January 2022
Dear Parents and Carers
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” Matthew 5:16
I hope everyone had a peaceful, restful Christmas and I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy and prosperous new year.
The children are all excited about being back at school and it is always good to hear them sharing their good news of how they spent Christmas and the presents that they have received.
The children in Key stage 2 joined Fr Hans at St Simon’s Church to celebrate The Feast of the Epiphany. The Epiphany celebrates the visit of the “Three Kings or Wise Men” to the infant Jesus bearing the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
The children’s behaviour and singing at Mass was excellent. Well done children.
Next week the children will be taking part in our Multicultural Fortnight when they will be looking at different cultures and religions so that they can learn and appreciate other people’s beliefs and way of life.
On Monday 10th January at 3:15p.m Kent Police will be visiting the school to carryout security marking of bicycles and scooters. Security marking helps the police to return rediscovered bikes should they be stolen and dumped.
If your child has had a new bike for Christmas or has an existing bike why not bring this along at 3:15p.m and have it security marked. The service is free of charge to anyone connected to the school.
While Kent police are at the school they will also carry out an audit of the school site to help us with suggestions for keeping the school site safe.
Unfortunately, we have seen an increase in people from across the school testing positive for COVID 19 so could I remind everyone to remain vigilant and take care with following Government guidance.
Today we said farewell to Kwado and Christabel as they are moving out of the Ashford area and joining new schools. I am sure you will join me in wishing the children and their family the very best of luck in their new home and new school. We will keep them in our thoughts and prayers.
This week we welcomed Jordan into Year 2. I am sure that everyone will make Jordan and his family feel most welcome at the school.
I would like to remind parents and carers that Monday 17th January is the deadline for applying for reception places for September 2022. Parents need to apply online: https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/school-places/primary-school-places
Parents applying for a place at St Simon’s will also have to complete our school Supplementary Application Form which can be found here:
https://www.st-simon.kent.sch.uk/admissions/
This Year the school will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary we are at the present putting planning into place as to how we will celebrate this very significant date in the life of the school.
We are looking to gather any special memories, photographs etc. that people may have so that we can use these in our celebrations.
If anyone has any suggestions or ideas for how we celebrate this historic event these would also be greatly appreciated and can either be emailed to me: Peter.McCabe@st-simons-ashford.kcsp.org.uk or handed to myself at the school gate.
With best wishes
Peter McCabe