Weekly News 26th May 2023
Dear Parents and Carers
“The extraordinary outpouring of Pentecost continues. The Holy Spirit transforms us and wants to transform the world.” Pope Francis
This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday this is the feast of the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church – a gift which we now receive at Baptism, Confirmation and at Mass.
On Friday we celebrated the feast of St Simon of England and the anniversary of the opening of the school at a special Mass in our school hall. I must congratulate the children on their excellent behaviour and fantastic singing.
IMPORTANT NOTICE INFECTION CONTROL
In the school we have two children who are extremely vulnerable to infection. If they contract a case of diarrhoea or vomiting or come into contact with virus’ such as chicken pox or measles this could have very serious health implications for these children.
Therefore, if your child has a bought of sickness or diarrhoea we need the children to stay off school for 48 hours (which is already our school policy) if your child contracts chickenpox, measles or a similar condition please alert the school so that we can keep these children safe.
Year 5 Kent Test Registration
The Kent Test is for children who wish to apply for a Kent Grammar school place for September 2024. Registration for Kent Test opens on 1st June and closes on 3rd July 2023.
To register Parents and Carers will need to go to kent.gov.uk/kenttest and create an online account.
Parents and Carers will then need to add their child’s details to their account to start the registration process. When you have completed and submitted your registration you should get a confirmation email. If you do not, the registration may not have been completed correctly. (Tip: Please check junk/spam folder for the email)
If you need any help regarding this process please do not hesitate to contact me at the school or by email peter.mccabe@st-simons-ashford.kcsp.org.uk
Play Policy
In St Simon’s we are introducing “Opal Play” to help develop more engaging and better play times for the children. This means that they will be able to engage in more physical activities at playtime such as “pallet and tyre play”. Unfortunately, this type of activity is not without some element of risk children will perhaps receive the odd bruise or scrape as they participate in more adventurous activity. We will do our best to help pupils manage this risk and show them how to keep themselves safe. For more information please check out our Play Policy which can be found here: https://www.st-simon.kent.sch.uk/policies/
Football and Netball at St Anslem’s
I am very pleased to inform you that our Year 6 Girls and Boys teams performed brilliantly at the St Anselm’s Girls and Boys Football and Netball tournaments.
The girls team came first in the football competition and both the boys and girls came third in the netball and boys 3rd in the football. Well done to our teams and well-done Mr Hunt and Mr Macdonald for accompanying and coaching the children.
St Simon’s Has Got Talent
The auditions are now complete and we are all looking forward to “The Live Show” on Thursday 8th June at 2:00p.m. Parents and carers are welcome to come along and support the children.
New Intake Meeting
We are holding a New Intake meeting for parents of new reception children on Wednesday 14th June at 6:00p.m. The purpose of this meeting is to give parents and carers information on our transition arrangements for our new children in September.
Staff Training Day Monday 5th June
Next week is the half term holiday so there is no school for children please note that the children do not return to school until Tuesday 6th June as the Monday is a staff training day.
With best wishes for a restful half term holiday
Peter McCabe