Newsletter - Monday 9th May 2022
Thank you to those of you who completed the Parent Carer Survey last term. I have analysed what you have said, shared your positive and complimentary feedback with staff and governors and taken on board your suggestions and concerns. As the survey was anonymous I am unable to talk directly to those parents who had specific concerns and so would encourage anyone who is unhappy about something to contact me directly so I can deal with the issues. I have actioned a number of issues raised in your feedback: You said: Online parents evening is not long enough. We did: We hope to return to face to face parents evenings following Covid restrictions. We know that 10 minutes twice a year is not long enough to share all that we know about your child. We encourage you to come into school to as many activities as possible. Starting in June, we will have open classrooms after school each Wednesday from 3.20pm – 3.45pm. Please feel free to come into school and see what your child has been learning. You said: School has taken a long time to get back to normal following the pandemic. We did: As the country was opening up we continued to keep social distancing in place as we were struck by further ‘waves’ of Covid amongst pupils and staff. Our risk assessments will always look at the health and safety for this school. Other schools make their decisions following their own risk assessments for their setting. During the Spring Term we had a number of staff absences due to covid and other illnesses, we managed to cover this amongst ourselves and not close classes. Since Easter we have been able to invite parents into school for more activities. We thank you for your patience and will continue to assess the risk as we go forward into the summer term. Please do join us in school for Friday Celebration at 9.10 each week. Further in school activities are shared on our school newsletter. Some positives include: The teachers and staff have done an amazing job throughout Covid. Thank you. My child loves school. The school have really helped me as a parent. Thank you. If you have further concerns, questions or feedback please get in touch via contact-us@skertonstlukes.lancs.sch.uk Mrs Armistead
Confirmation
St Luke’s and St Chad’s are holding Confirmation Classes throughout the summer term for anyone in Year 5 and above. Confirmation classes will start in school on Wednesday 11th May at 3.30pm. The Confirmation Service with the Bishop of Lancaster will be held on Sunday 26th June. Reverend Caitlin is happy to chat with any parents who would like to know more about confirmation and what this means for children and adults. If you are interested in finding out more or signing up to take part, please contact Rev Caitlin on 07377657391 or email revdcaitlin@gmail.com
Boys Brigade and Girl's Association
Would you like to join in the fun? We meet on Thursdays each week in Skerton Community Centre.
Juniors (8-11 years) 6.00pm-7.30pm
Company (11-14 years) and Seniors (14-16 years) 7.30pm-9.00pm.
Interested? Please contact John Walker for more details on 07886656930.
School Uniform
Children MUST wear full uniform including black school shoes, except on PE days. On PE days we encourage children to come to school in PE clothes (school t-shirt, track pants or shorts and trainers)
No rucksacks or other bags. Book bags, lunch boxes and water bottles only please. Long hair MUST be tied back and all jewellery must be removed.
Please ensure all items are labelled with your child’s name.
PLEASE NOTE: Hair must be tied back if longer that shoulder length. Children are not permitted to have their hair dyed or have lines or designs cut into their hair.
Communication
We have a number of ways that we communicate with you and for you to communicate with us. Some people are getting a little confused by what to use when and what to use it for.
ParentApp – PA Connect – all newsletters, forms, information and letters will be sent out via ParentApp as a push notification, text message or email. All parents need access to this as it sends you the latest messages etc.
Parent Pay – all trips, residential, music lessons, clubs, school dinners, night owls and early birds are to be paid for using Parent Pay. In paying for the activity, you are also giving consent for your child to attend the activity. We MUST have this permission for activities that take place outside the local area of the school. All parents need access to Parent Pay.
CONTACT US – Any information that needs to be shared with the teacher, office staff, Mrs Armistead, our SENCO or Pastoral Team can be emailed to contact-us@skertonstlukes.lancs.sch.uk. Someone will endeavour to reply to your email within 1 working day of receiving it.
Telephone – You can call school anytime on 01524 65445. During the building works the phone may not be manned at all times. If there is no one available to take your call, please email school using contact-us
CLASS DOJO – This is specifically used to share learning including homework and home learning during periods of isolation. Parents are encouraged to see their children’s learning and the whole school pages where we share whole school information. It is very easy to message staff using Class Dojo but all too easy for staff to miss these messages.
PLEASE DO NOT MESSAGE STAFF USING DOJO.
Please call or email contact-us@skertonstlukes.lancs.sch.uk . We will endeavour to reply to your messages within 1 working day of receiving them. It is NOT ok to expect a member of staff to reply before 8.00am, after 5.00pm or at weekends.
In person – Staff members are always in the playground before and after school, as are members of SLT. If you need to pass on a message, we ask that you email or ring and only talk face to face in an emergency. If you require a longer discussion with a member of staff, please telephone or email to make an appointment.
SCHOOL CLOUD – Web based video calling that we use for Parent-Teacher meetings. All parents must register following the email link sent to you from school cloud. Parents Evenings are offered in November and March. An extra meeting may be offered following the end of year report in July.
I hope this stops any confusion around how to make contact with a member of staff in school. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the school office on 01524 65445 or email contact-us@skertonstlukes.lancs.sch.uk. A member of staff with endeavour to reply to within 1 working day of receipt of your message.
| Diary Dates | |
|---|---|
| 09/05 – 12/05/22 | End of KS2 SATs week |
| 12/05/22 | Dental Assessment for 5 year olds am & Year 5 to Morecambe Bay Academy for music pm |
| 13/05/22 | Celebration Worship – parents welcome |
| 16/05/22 | Year 6 Bike Ability |
| 17/05/22 | Year 6 Bike Ability |
| 18/05/22 | 6.00pm Induction meeting for new Reception starters |
| 19/05/22 | Year 5 to Morecambe Bay Academy for Music |
| 20/05/22 | Sports Day: KS1 9.30am - 11.30am & KS2 1.00pm - 3.00pm |
| 23/05/22 | Year 6 to Isle of Man |
| 27/05/22 | Year 4 Sharing, Celebration Worship – parents welcome School Finishes for Half Term |
| 06/06/22 | School back |
| 08/06/22 | 9.10am Family Group & Jubilee Lunch – Garden Party Dress Up |
| 10/06/22 | Celebration Worship - parents welcome |
| 15/06/22 | 3.20pm - 3.45pm Open Classroom |
| 17/06/22 | Year 3 sharing, Celebration Worship - parents welcome |
| 22/06/22 | 3.20pm - 3.45pm Open Classroom |
| 23/06/22 | Festival of Learning (more information to follow) & 3.15pm – 5.00pm Family Fun |
| 24/06/22 | Celebration Worship – parents welcome & Year 5/6 visit to MBA for French |
| 26/02/22 | 11am Confirmation at St Luke's Church |
