WIGAN ST ANDREW’S CE PRIMARY SCHOOL
NEWSLETTER 7
REMINDER OF PUPIL ABSENCE NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE – IMPORTANT NOTICE
Can I please remind you of the procedure which is triggered by your child’s absence from school:
If your child is absent and we do not receive an explanatory phone call from you by 9.15am, we will begin calling all the emergency numbers that we have on file for your child(ren).
If we cannot make contact with you on any of the emergency numbers you have supplied, a senior member of staff will attend your property to verify that your child is safe.
If we cannot make contact at your property we will call the police to request a welfare check.
We all have a duty of care under Safeguarding Regulations to establish and maintain the safety of all of our children. A parent could have met with an accident, be unconscious or incapacitated and not able to care for their child, and it is with regard to this concern, amongst others, that we have to enforce this procedure.
Thank you for your cooperation
(Mrs Massey)
HOLIDAYS IN TERM TIME
You will be aware that up until now I have been prepared to authorise up to ten days’ absence per academic year for exceptional circumstances. Regrettably I must now reduce this figure to five days’ absence. This will take effect from September 2019.
Local Authority advice suggests schools refuse to authorise all such absences, but I feel that sometimes circumstances and life events can be extremely hard, and it is then that family time is most important and most precious. Please be clear on the application form as to why you require the absence. Examples of leave granted in exceptional circumstances includes ‘family wedding’, ‘serious illness of family member’, ‘employer refuses to grant leave within school holidays’ etc (please note that in this final category, a letter of confirmation from your employer is required to support your application).
Thank you for your understanding
(Mrs Massey
ADVANCE NOTICE – MONDAY 12TH NOVEMBER IS ‘ODD SOCKS DAY’
As part of our Respect Week activities we are holding ‘Odd Socks Day’ on Monday 12th November. All the children have to do is wear a pair of odd socks to school on the day to help raise awareness of anti-bullying. It is an opportunity for the children to express themselves and celebrate their individuality and what makes us all unique.
During the rest of the week our children will take part in special assemblies, lessons and nurture activities to gain a greater respect to each other both face-to-face and online.
(Mrs Davies)
ST ANDREW’S PRAYER SPACE
This month Remembrance Sunday falls on the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. To remember those who served in those earlier wars and those who serve today to keep us safe, we will display a large poppy made from cobbles on the church drive.
The various groups or organisations that St Andrew’s young people belong to will join with the prayer team in painting the cobbles red. We will then place them on the grass to form the shape of a poppy.
The Prayer Team are offering extra prayer space. Church will be open to everyone for prayer space on Saturday 10th November from 11.00am to 3.00pm.
A few simple prayer stations will be available to offer support in focusing our prayers on those brave men and women who continue to serve in the armed forces today, both at home and abroad to keep us safe.
(J Donnellan)
BRITISH LEGION POPPY APPEAL
We are selling the following items on behalf of the British Legion.
- Pencil Sharpener 50p
- Eraser 50p
- Ruler £1.00
- Poppy Keyring 50p
Items can be purchased from the school office. Many thanks.
(The Staff)
SCOUTS AND CUBS
If you are interested in being a Cub or a Scout we are looking for new recruits. Scouts, 10-14 years of age and Cubs 8-10 years of age. We meet in the Scout Hut Headquarters in Delph Street, off Park Road and meetings take place of Tuesdays, 7.30pm-9.00pm. Subs are £2.50 per person.
We are also looking for leaders in both Scouts and Cubs from anyone 18 years and upwards. For more information contact Dave Eastham on 07762 222900. Great fun and lots of adventures/learning!
Many thanks
St Andrew’s Staff