Weekly News 25th February 2022
25th February 2022
Dear Parents and Carers
It was good to welcome back the children after the half term holiday although the storms at the end of the week meant that it didn’t end that peacefully. I hope that all weren’t too severely affected by the weather and that any damage caused was only minor.
Government Lifting of All COVID Restrictions
The Government has announced that it is lifting all remaining COVID 19 restrictions, in effect this won’t make that many changes for us as a school.
We will still require pupils and staff to self-isolate if they test positive for COVID 19 in agreement with government guidance.
We are keeping in place our arrangements for drop-off and pick-up as this is preferred by the children and many parents have expressed that this is an improvement on what we used to do.
Children will still not be able to return to school for forgotten items as we are trying to help develop their independence.
We will keep up our increased cleaning and hand washing/hand sanitizing routines to help keep everyone safe.
We will however be able to welcome people back into school for liturgy/assemblies and for school events.
Our school office is now open again from 9:15a.m-2:45 p.m. and from 3:30p.m until 4:00p.m.
Many thanks to all for continuing to be very sensible during what has been a difficult time.
Ash Wednesday
Next Wednesday 2nd March is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent when the Church prepares for the celebration of Easter. The children in Key Stage 2 will be joining the parish for Mass at 9:30a.m in the Church. The children in EYFS and Key Stage 1 will be taking part in a Lenten Liturgy in the school Hall at 2:30p.m.
I am very pleased to inform you that you are all very welcome to join us for these liturgies.
Lenten Charity Fund Raising
During Lent the children raise money for charities chosen by our school council. The children this year are raising money as shown below:
Water Aid Crazy Hair Day Friday 11th March
Save the Children Dress Red Day Friday 18th March
Pilgrims Hospice Sponsored Walk Friday 25th March
World Wildlife Fund Year 6 Activity afternoon Friday 1st April
More information will be provided closer to the events.
World Book Day Thursday 3rd March
Next Thursday is World Book Day and the children will be taking part in various book activities throughout the week.
On Thursday we are asking the children to come into school in their pyjamas for a Pyjama Day.
They are also asked to bring in a “Shelfie” a picture of themselves in front of a bookshelf at home or holding their favourite book. The pictures will then be put together to create a fantastic display.
If you do not have any means of printing off your pictures please send them into me via email: peter.mccabe@st-simons-ashford.kcsp.org.uk but please only send them to me if you genuinely have no way of printing pictures off my mail box has got only a certain amount of capacity and I need the space for all the junk mail I get sent!!!
Trim Trail on Key Stage 2
Plans are well underway for the installation of a Trim Trail on our Key Stage 2 side of the field. Our School Council are fully involved in all stages of the planning to date.
We are funding the Trim Trail by using some of our Sports Funding rolled over from previous years and by using some of the funds that the children have raised during Christmas Fayres etc.
The children must be congratulated for their hard work to date.
Countdown to Our 50th Anniversary
Our 50th Anniversary is approaching very quickly so can I remind the children about sending in their designs for a 50th anniversary Logo. The deadline for returning Logo designs is Monday 28th February.
If parents and carers have any ideas for how we can celebrate, your ideas are greatly appreciated.
We will also be looking for volunteers to help in the run-up to the event. If you have any ideas, please pass these on to a member of staff or contact me via the office or by mail: peter.mccabe@st-simons-ashford.kcsp.org.uk
Parent Evening
We are holding our next two parent evenings on Tuesday 8th March and Thursday 10th March from 3:30 until 6:00p.m. These will be held face to face in the school hall. Appointments can be booked on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday before and after school next week.
Prayers for Peace
I am sure that many of you are particularly worried about the situation that has developed in Ukraine and of the potential this has for greater instability in the whole of Europe. Let us all remember to pray for peace and for the people of Ukraine.
“The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26
With best wishes
Peter McCabe