The Link Newsletter #63

Friday 28th February 2025

Dear Parents and Carers,

I am writing this following the second of our two Parent Evening sessions this week. As I moved around the school or welcomed parents arrive in the front office, I was pleased to see everyone's commitment to working with the school and meeting with the teaching team to learn more about the progress made by your child and how you can help and support from home. Many parents commented how busy it had been which is very much how it should be. If the two evenings had been quiet, we would have been worried! Thank you to everyone who has attended. If you have not been able to make an appointment, a reminder email will be sent to you urging you to make an appointment after school over the next two weeks directly with the class teachers. I would like to thank the office team and teaching staff for their commitment this week in facilitating the appointments and meeting with you. Watching the children's beaming and proud faces as they walked out of school was a particular highlight.

POTENTIAL BREAKFAST CLUB PROVISION

One of my ambitions after the completion of the kitchen project is to create a breakfast club provision. Before further work goes into creating this provision, we need to determine whether there is sufficient demand for the club. Clearly the provision will need to be cost effective so that is does not impact on the school budget and that the provision is financially viable. 

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Parents have brought the following two concerns to my attention. Please could you take note.

1. DOGS ON SITE AND CLEARING UP AFTER THEM

I continue to see a good number of dogs accompanying you and your child on their walk to and from school. What a lovely way for your child to start or finish the day! Just a reminder to be mindful that not all children are as confident around dogs as you are and it is respectful everyone to keep all dogs on a close leash to either side of the car park as you approach the school gates. This maintains a clear walk way for our children to navigate on their arrival at school. Many of you do and thank you! Dogs are not permitted on site, either walking on in your arms.

There have been a number of occasions now where children have walked in dogs faeces on their way into and from school. I am sure that you are all responsible owners and pick up after your dog, but a reminder to everyone of our duty to keep paths and verges clear of dog faeces. What better way to model to our young people how to be a responsible pet owner than for them and children close by to see you picking up and disposing of faeces appropriately. Thank you.

At the end of the day, please could I remind parents to keep passageways as clear as possible. This is especially true for parents waiting for children in Year 4, 5 and 6 on the bottom playground. Please could parents wait on bottom playground, rather than the link walkway between The Barn and the school building. It has become very congested here recently. Moving further onto the bottom playground where there is plenty of space would eliminate this. Thank you.

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SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS

FOOTBALL
The boys football team played a friendly against High Beech on Wednesday 5th February. Throughout the majority of the match, the two teams were drawn and it was set to finish 8-8. Unfortunately in the closing minutes of the game, High Beech scored twice in quick succession leaving us with a 10-8 loss. Whilst this was an unusual and disappointing end to the match, St John's remains top of the football league.

NETBALL
In contrast, the girls netball team secured their first win against High Beech on Wednesday 12th February with a score of 19-0. This has given our girls a much needed confidence boost and will take this result into their next match knowing that they can play and score well and be successful. Well done to the girls netball team and coach Victoria.

INDOOR ATHLETICS 

Children in Year 5 & 6 represented St John's at the Sportshall Indoor Athletics event. The children took part in both track and field events and worked hard to run their fastest and throw and jump their furthest. We were up against some strong teams in our side of the draw and we finished fifth. Some work still to do. Thank you to Mrs Aarons and the teaching staff for organising and accompanying the children to this event.

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NEWS FROM THE INCLUSION TEAM

WELLBEING COFFEE MORNING
Thank you to all the parents that attended the wellbeing coffee mornings just before half- term. I am pleased to say that the slides are now on the school website under the Parents and Carers tab, https://www.st-johns-school.com/Wellbeing-Coffee-Mornings/ If you have an opportunity to take a look through I would recommend this because there is advice and various links to help support your children and ensure that they are mentally healthy. 

As you know the wellbeing and mental health of children across the country has become a national concern and we at St John’s take this very seriously. As a result the provision that we have for our children has increased and now includes, a full-time ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant), a play therapist, and a children's counsellor. We are also able to offer various interventions, such as art therapy and targeted groups to support friendships and social interactions. Mind in West Essex are now working at St John’s once a week to offer sessions to support children and our families during the school day. 

NURTURE PROGRAMME
We are pleased to announce that Karen Bowden, our Family Support Worker, will once again be running the Nurture Programme. The sessions deal with the various challenges that most parents face at times. It is a tried and tested programme with many past St John’s parents having attended. As the programme is open to all parents of children who attend a school within our trust, it is an opportunity to meet other parents and make new friendships.The sessions will take place at The Bloom Room in Alderton Junior School (Alderton Hall Lane, Loughton, IG10 3HE) They will start on Friday 25th April  and run until Friday 11th July 2025, making a total of 9 sessions. If you are interested in this please call or email Karen to reserve a free place on 07570438103 or kbowden@facss.efspt.org

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5 STARS FOR THE KITCHEN

An officer from Epping Forest District Council made an unannounced visit to the kitchen during lunchtime on Tuesday. After a thorough check of the kitchen, training and practice, the officer awarded us with a 5-star rating for cleanliness and food safety practices. Well done to Mrs O'Neill and her team for demonstrating such high standards and satisfying every requirement and all whilst cooking and serving Shepherd's Pie, baguettes and jacket potatoes!

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NEWS FROM THE PTA

The PTA have developed over the past few years into a well organised and established team. Mrs Moody has been the Chair for the last two years and has led the team brilliantly. Mrs Moody's daughter will be leaving this year and therefore Mrs Moody will naturally step down from the PTA and the role of Chair. Thankfully, with the organisation that Mrs Moody has put in place, the two Vice Chairs, Mrs Vincent and Mrs Pharoah are prepared to step into the role of co-Chair. This leaves a vacancy for Vice Chair(s).  

Secondly, Mr Snaith has made a decision to step down from the role of Treasurer. Since taking up the role two years ago, the accounts and processes are in a very healthy state making the transition to the new incumbent much simpler. Whilst Mr Snaith is not stepping down until the end of this year, I would like to thank him for his time, dedication and support in making the finance operation work incredibly smoothly. Thank you Mr Snaith.

If either of these two roles are something you feel you can offer or would like to find out more information about in terms of time commitment, please speak to Sue Moody,Mrs Vincent or Mrs Pharoah in the first instance. You can also email pta@stjohns.efspt.org

CALLING THE ST JOHN'S WIDER WORKFORCE!

The purpose of this survey is to better understand the amazing talents and skills our parents, carers and friends of St John's School bring to the table, and to see how we can work together to make our school community even stronger. 

Please take a few moments to complete this survey – your input will help guide our planning for events, activities, and volunteer opportunities that benefit both our children and the school. 

No skill is too small, and every bit of involvement is appreciated!

WEAR WHAT YOU LOVE DAY

The PTA would like to thank parents for their donations on Where what you love day. Your contributions on the day raised over £500 for the PTA which will support various projects that the school is working towards.

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PIANO AVAILABLE FOR FREE

This piano is looking for a new home. If anyone would like this, please let the office know and we will put you in touch with its current owner.

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Children’s Oral Health Experiences in West Essex

On behalf of the NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB), Healthwatch Essex have launched a project focusing on ‘Children’s Oral Health Experiences in West Essex’. As part of our project, we have designed a survey to find out about your child’s experiences of using local NHS dental services.

• What are your experiences of visiting a dentist with your child?
• What could be done to improve these services?
• What ideas and suggestions do you have?

To take part in the survey, scan the QR code on our leaflet or visit our webpage and click the pink box on the right:

https://healthwatchessex.org.uk/2025/02/childrens-oral-health-experiences-in-west-essex/  

Following the survey, participants can also share their experiences in an optional one-to-one interview. Anyone can sign up to take part via our contact form through the webpage above.

(All participants will be kept anonymous and any information you provide is strictly confidential. To be able to participate you must live in or near West Essex.)

If you have any questions or would like to discuss any aspects of the project further, please don’t hesitate to contact me at lily.boag@healthwatchessex.org.uk. 

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GET INTO TEACHING WITH WEST ESSEX SCITT

Are you interested in training to become a Primary School Teacher?

We have Initial Teacher Training vacancies to begin training at the beginning of September 2025. We are looking for people who have a degree, a passion for education and teaching and want to inspire young people to fulfil their potential.

We would be very interested to hear from you if you are thinking of becoming a teacher, or know someone who is. 

This is not a drop in event so please book your place now by emailing vsmullen@efspt.org

We welcome the opportunity to meet and talk to you about the exciting teacher training opportunities available. Susan Marbe, the West Essex SCITT Director can be contacted at smarbe@efspt.org or please call one of our team on 02085042934 option 6. We can also provide you with support and guidance on your DfE APPLY application form

For any further information on what becoming a teacher might involve more generally, you can visit http://www.westessexscitt.co.uk/ or https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/

You can find and apply for our Initial Teacher Training courses via DfE FIND

AND FINALLY....

THE ST JOHN'S TIMES
Three children in Year 6 (Zoe, Holly and Lilly) have begun work on a pupil powered school newspaper. The first edition is planned for launch on Monday 10th March. Each edition will cost 50p so please could children bring 50p into school on this day if they wish to buy a copy of the newspaper. I am hopeful that lots of children will support this excellent initiative.