Friday 16th December 2022

Dear Parents and Carers,

The much needed Christmas holidays are upon us and after this past week of disrupted learning caused by snow, ice and freezing temperatures, we will all gladly look forward to the positively tropical weather next week!

However, we must not let the snow and ice be our lasting memory of December. Instead let's remember the fabulous events that have taken place over the last few weeks of term.

Nativity performances took place last week. The children in Foundation, Year 1 and Year 2 really did do themselves, the staff and parents proud by putting on an amazing performance. All of this against a backdrop of sickness and ill health, although perhaps we should leave that memory in 2022!  I want to show my appreciation once again to all the staff involved in writing, casting and supporting the children to perform at their best. I often comment about the direct comparison between the confidence that children demonstrate on the stage to their confidence when working in the classroom on maths, reading or writing. We will continue to promote the opportunities drama, music and dance provide for all children throughout the school.

Our Christmas Bazaar was also a tremendous success. Whilst it was a bitterly cold day (little did we know what was to come!) it was also a very busy day with what seemed like a constant stream of visitors through the school gates. It was so wonderful to see past, current and future pupils join us for the afternoon.  The PTA committee deserve full recognition for organising such a well-run event which provided fun for the children and a much needed fundraiser for the school. We raised £4,958.15 at this event alone. Thank you to the staff team and parent volunteers for your help in making the day a success.

Squirrel Class performed their assembly yesterday. Whilst I wasn't able to see the final show, the dress rehearsal was most enjoyable especially knowing that the assembly had been written by the children themselves. Under the guidance of Miss Tallowin, the assembly really did live up to expectations. Well done Squirrel class and well done to all the adults involved.

Yesterday, the children who sit on the School Council visited the Palace of Westminster. We were treated to a full tour of the House of Commons and House of Lords. Fortunately, both Houses were sitting which meant that we could watch proceedings from the public gallery. It was fascinating to sit and listen to the debate particularly at the point when the lack of school funding was discussed in the House of Commons. I was not asked to comment, sadly. The children finished the trip to London with a pizza lunch. The children's care for one another was a stand out moment for me. The oldest children looking after our youngest, holding their hands throughout as they walked and talked. Parent helpers, Mrs Togwell, Mr Noetzel and Mr Hollingsworth made sure that everyone was kept safe on and off the Tube; thank you parents and thank you to Mr Whale for organising a very well run and interesting day out in London.

EPPING FOREST FOODBANK IS SUPPORTING FAMILIES THIS WINTER

Over 90% of the food distributed by foodbanks in The Trussell Trust network is donated by the public – that’s why food donations are absolutely vital to their efforts in giving everyone referred to them a balanced and nutritious three-day supply of food.

St John's CE Primary School will collect for Epping Forest Foodbank.  Donations can be brought to school, for information on what is currently needed please see the website: https://eppingforest.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-food/

For more information please contact Mrs Radley. Donations can be left in The Helping Hand room in January.

ADMISSIONS FOR SEPTEMBER 2023

A reminder to parents that the closing date for submitting your application for a school place for September 2023 is 15th January. Please see the Essex Admissions page for further details.

WE ARE RECRUITING

The Phase Leader and Class Teacher role advert has now been placed on the Essex School Jobs website and the St John's website. If you know of anyone interested in this role, please share widely and invite them to apply.

TERM DATES 2023 / 2024

We have uploaded the Term Dates calendar for 2023 / 2024 to our school website. Please study this closely so that any commitments or holidays are booked outside of the school term. Term time holiday is not permitted and parents may be fined if holidays are taken during the school term. Likewise, appointments should be booked well in advance so they can take place during the school holidays.

Please note that we have added two of the six non-pupil days to the end of the academic year, 22nd July and 23rd July. It might be that holidays are cheaper with an earlier get-away than most other schools.

...AND FINALLY...

On behalf of the whole staff team, may we thank you for your kind words, cards and gifts. Your thoughtfulness is always appreciated by the staff team.

We would like to wish all of our children and parents a happy and peaceful time this Christmas. Thank you for everything that you have done and continue to do in supporting the school and your children. We are truly blessed to be working in partnership with you.

The children return to school on Wednesday 4th January 2023.

Our Advent Calendar continues to help us with the count down to Christmas. http://advent.st-johns-school.com.  

Jonathan Furness
Head Teacher