Home > School News > Newsletter | 14th Feb 2020

School News | Friday 14th February 2020 – Valentine’s Day

The Year of the Word

We are currently in the Year of the Word and we continue to send home Matthew’s Gospel from each class so that our St John’s families can share in our exploration of scriptures.

The Year of the Word marks the tenth anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI’s Apostolic Exhortation, Verbum Domini, (The Word of the Lord) and the 1600 years since the death of Saint Jerome – who translated the Bible into Latin.

The year started on the Feast of Saint Jerome, 30 September 2019, and runs until 31 December 2020. During this year we are called to explore and celebrate the Word of God through the Scriptures, share the Word with others and respond to the “God who speaks” in the way that we live.


Tots on Tyres

The week beginning the 24th February, Reception Class will be taking part in the Tots on Tyres programme. The sessions help Reception aged children to gain the skills and ability to ride a bike.

This is the second year that St John’s have run the programme and we are sure it will be a great success. We hope the children have lots of fun too.


Diary Dates:

  • Half-Term Closure | Mon 17th February – Fri 21st February
  • Ashes Service in School | Wed 26th February
  • Class 2 Assembly | Fri 28th February | All welcome
  • Class 7 Assembly | Fri 6th March | All welcome
  • EYFS Learning Journeys | Mon 9th March
  • Stations of the Cross | Wed 11th March

Ashes Service in School

On Wednesday 26th February, Ashes Mass will be held in School at 9.30am with Father David. Friends and family of St John’s welcome.


Reception Heights and Weights and Vision Screening 

On Monday 24th February, Reception Class will have their Heights and Weights check by the School Nurse. Please see letter going home this week.

On Tuesday 25th February, Reception Class will have their Vision Screening check. Please see separate letter. 


PTFA Disco

A big thank you to the PTFA and members of staff who helped make the Valentine’s disco a success.

A good time was had by all who attended and a total of £150.00 was raised for the School Fund.


Parish Hikes

On Sunday 23rd February there will be a Parish Hike around Wycoller. The hike is graded moderate.

If you would like to attend please bring walking boots, waterproofs and food and drink – meeting at St Mary’s car park at 12.30pm. For further information please contact St Mary’s on 01282 422007.


Sports Relief

Sports Relief is on Friday 13th March this year. There will be lots of events and activities happening in School – further information to follow.


Weekly Winners

Class Winners:

C1 – Lucy Thomas
C2 – Benjamin Walker
C3 – Patrick Bajek
C4 – Conner Davies
C5 – Tianna Sturgeon
C6 – Sienna Wilson
C7 – Harrison Peat
C8 – The Whole Class!
C9 – Kenzie Ismael

Writers of the Week:

C1 – Haider Ally
C2 – Arek Skraba
C3 – Danielle Cavanagh
C4 – Dion Lopez
C5 – Faseeh Shahid
C6 – Angel Dillon-Hartley
C7 – Maizey Flanagan
C8 – Ocean Hayton
C9 – Jasmine Whittle

Best Attendance – C1

House of the Week – St David

Golden Boot – CL 1 & 4

Healthy Eater – Alfie Marlborough

Headteachers Card – Leona Pendlebury


Information on Wuhan Coronavirus

Information about the virus 

A coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. 

Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease. 

Novel coronavirus (2019-nCov) is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China. 

UK Situation 

The first cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the UK, with two members of the same family infected. 

If you have recently travelled to a high-risk area – or if you’ve been in contact with somebody who has – and you develop symptoms, you should contact NHS 111 for advice. 

You should not go to the doctor or to hospital, as if you have the virus, you may risk spreading it to others. 

Advice for travellers from Wuhan 

If anyone in the UK has returned from travel to Wuhan in the last 14 days they should 

· Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with other flu viruses 

· Call NHS 111 to inform them of their recent travel to the city 

Even if they do not have symptoms of the virus they should still follow the above advice. 

People are being asked to take simple, common-sense steps to avoid close contact with other people as much as possible, like they would with other flu viruses.