Hot School Meals

You will see from our letter emailed to you on 9^th November that we are again able to start providing a hot school meal for children from 30^th November.  We are delighted about this, as we are sure you and the children are, especially as the weather is now getting colder and it is good for children to have a lovely hot meal during the day.  Just a reminder that children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a Universal free school meal provided by the government (but parents/carers still need to order these meals) and children in Years 3,4,5 & 6 can purchase a meal at a cost of £2.45 each day.  If your child is entitled to the Free School Meals element of Pupil Premium funding (please refer to the information later in this newsletter regarding this) then the meals are free for your child, whichever year group they are in.

The deadline for ordering the meals to commence from 30^th November is 3.00pm on Tuesday 24^th November.  Please keep a close check on your ordering – you are able to order at least 2 weeks in advance.  As always, we are unable to provide a meal for a child unless you have ordered one for them - we only receive the exact number of meals required for each day from The Farm Kitchen.  At present, we are unable to provide the packed lunch choice of meal, but you can, of course, provide your child with their own packed lunch from home if they do not wish to have a hot meal.

Why not give the hot meals a try?  They are delicious and nutritious.  The Farm Kitchen have very specific guidelines they have to adhere to so you can be assured of a good quality, well balanced meal.

Is your child eligible for Pupil Premium Funding? This funding is available for children whose parents are in receipt of certain benefits.  It entitles your child to free meals during KS2, free milk, 50% discount on school trips (including residential trips), discounted music tuition, additional teaching support, and help with purchasing uniform and equipment.  If you think your child might be eligible, or if you would like further information, please call into the school office in confidence.

Starting School in September 2021 - If you have a child who was born between 1^st September 2016 and 31^st August 2017, they will be due to start school in September 2021.  You need to apply for a place in a school for them—please do not assume that because they have a brother or sister in our school, or your child goes to Wygate Foundation Nursery School that you will automatically get a place in our school—this is not the case.  Unfortunately, due to the current situation, we are unable to hold our usual Reception Open Day but if you take a look on our school website you will be able to see a Virtual Tour of our EYFS area and our school. Information regarding applying for a place is available on our website or please call into our school office to pick up a leaflet.  If you are applying for a place and have a brother or sister who currently comes to our school, please make sure you put this information in the relevant place on the application form.  This could make the difference between you obtaining a place in this school or not.  The application process opens on 16^th November 2020 and closes on 15^th January 2021. 

Contact Information   Please make sure that you keep us up to date with changes to telephone numbers, email addresses, house addresses, medical requirements and any other information that may be relevant for your child.  If you have any changes to make, please call into the office.  It is absolutely essential that we hold your correct information so we can make sure we are able to contact you in the case of an emergency and so we can keep you in touch with everything happening within school. Thank you.

The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal

Thank you to those of you who supported this worthy cause.  We will let you know in due course how much we raised.  Thank you.

Flu Vaccinations

If you have not already registered your child for the flu vaccination, please do this as soon as possible.  If you need a further copy of the letter please contact the school office. The vaccinations will take place within school on 3^rd December.

Christmas Nativity

We are sorry to mention it, but Christmas is just around the corner!!!  Understandably, things will be quite different within school this year – Reception children will not be able to perform their usual nativity for their parents/carers in the school hall, but we have plans for them to perform a virtual nativity via Zoom.  Unfortunately, we have to ask you NOT to bring Christmas cards into school for children and staff.  We are pleased to tell you that we still plan on putting up our Christmas tree in the hall.  Children will still have the opportunity to have a ‘hoop day’.  Once made, the hoops will hang in the school hall in the usual way but unfortunately this year we will not be able to invite parents/carers into school to help with this activity. We will still be able to take part in the Christmas Jumper day on 11^th December which raises money for Save the Children.  It is suggested that a donation of £2.00 is given for the privilege of wearing your Christmas jumper. All money raised will be donated to the charity. We will keep you informed of any other Christmas activities we plan to do with the children.

Tests - Advance Notice –

The SATs tests will take place as follows :-          

Year 2 Puzzle Books - w/c 3^rd May 2021

Year 6 SATs– w/c 10^th May 2021

It is absolutely essential that all children are in school for these important tests.  Please do not arrange routine medical appointments for these weeks.  Thank you.

Wygate Foundation Nursery School – Nursery Assistant

Would you like to be an assistant in our Outstanding Nursery and Kids’ Club?  Wygate Foundation Nursery School are looking for dynamic, reliable and flexible staff to join our already successful team.  It would be desirable to be qualified to NVQ level 3 or above.  We anticipate hours of work would including working in all or any of the following areas :

• In our Breakfast Club from 7.15am to 9.00am
• In our Nursery during the day
• In our After School Club from 3.00pm to 6.00pm
• In our Holiday Club from 8.30am to 5.30pm

Appointments will be initially for 1 year and will then be reviewed according to the needs of the Setting.

Further details can be obtained by contacting Wygate Foundation Nursery School on 07590 034490

Closing date: Wednesday 25^th November 2020.  Interviews will take place w/c 30^th November 2020.

Wygate Foundation Nursery School is committed to the Safeguarding and Welfare of children and this post requires an enhanced DBS check and suitable references.

Wygate Foundation Nursery School currently have spaces available in their Playgroup.  Children must be 2 years of age.  If you would like further information please contact Mrs Rainsley on 07590 034490

Term Dates

Term 2           2^nd November 2020 – 17^th December 2020

Term 3           4^th January 2021 – 12^th February 2021

Term 4           22^nd February 2021 – 31^st March 2021

Term 5           19^th April 2021 – 28^th May 2021

             (bank holiday Monday 3^rd May 2021)

Term 6           7^th June 2021 – 21^st July 2021

The first date listed against each term is the first day of the new term and all children should be in school on this day.  The second date listed is the last day of term and again all children should be in school on this day.  

Attendance Percentages for Term 2

If your class achieves the highest attendance for the whole of Term 2, then there will be a special non-uniform day reward.  There are two rewards, one for the Reception & KS1 classes and one for the KS2 classes.  Try to be at school every day and help your class win the reward.  Please take a look at our Attendance Policy on our website.