Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
Published at 7.50am - Friday 22nd December
We are still planning for both groups of children to walk to the cinema today. There are still some strong winds and we might get wet, so please come in coats, but, at time of writing, there are no weather warnings in place.
Year three children and Hartington class from year 2 will go this morning.
Year one children and Glossop class from year 2 will go this afternoon.
Weather update – published at 10am – Thursday 21st December 2023
Due to the strong winds and yellow weather warning in place today we have unfortunately postponed the cinema trip for this afternoon. Year 1 children were due to go with Glossop class from year 2. The safety of the children is always our first concern and in a yellow weather warning for wind the MET office advise that we stay indoors as much as possible.
Many thanks to the staff at the Ritz cinema for helping us re-arrange the trip to tomorrow afternoon.
Therefore, on Friday 22nd December children in year 1 and Glossop class in year 2 will be able to go to the cinema for their PTFA funded Christmas treat. The times will be the same. The children will leave school at about 12.45pm to start watching the film at about 1.15pm. They will return to school before the end of the day at 3.30pm.
If you were due to walk to the cinema this afternoon, we will assume that you are able to still help tomorrow unless you contact us otherwise. If you were not helping and are now able to please contact the school today and we’ll let you know as soon as possible if we need your support.
We apologise for the changes in plans and appreciate your understanding in this.
Published on Tuesday 12th December 10.45am
Nativity tickets update
On Friday 1st December we shared that all children would be given two tickets to each performance. Tickets then went home on Friday 8th with a letter about ordering extra tickets. CLICK HERE.
All parents that ordered extra tickets online over the weekend will be able to have what they ordered. All extra tickets ordered will be going home today. No further tickets will be issued.
All performances start at 2.30pm.
Due to the number of tickets issued we will have to be strict with adults turning up without tickets. The doors will open for each performance at about 2.15pm. Adults in the queue without a ticket will not be allowed in until just before the play starts at 2.30pm, so that we can ensure that all ticket holders have a seat.
If you are bringing any pre-school children with you, they do not need a ticket but will need to sit on your lap for the production. Pushchairs will need to be left outside as we will not have enough space in the hall.
The nativity plays will finish at about 3pm. Children will then go back to classrooms to get changed and can be collected at 3.30pm as usual from the normal places on the playground. Children can not be collected at 3pm at the end of the nativity play.
Our PTFA will be selling refreshments during the afternoon and adults are welcome to stay in the hall from 3pm to 3.30pm, enjoying a cuppa, before collecting their children from the playground. All funds raised go to the PTFA. Many thanks to the volunteer parents for organising this.
Christmas festivities at St. John’s
Now it is December, and we move into the final three weeks of term it is appropriate to share how we will help the children enjoy this exciting time of year.
Today and next week Christmas decorations have and will go up at school.
St. John’s postal service. To help with the sending of Christmas cards we ask children to use the school postal service. These will be open from Monday 11th December. Children need to deliver their cards in the post boxes with the name and class of the child that the card is going to written on the envelope. Using this service means that cards are given out at the best time of day for the teachers, our post office monitors learn how to manage this exciting role and we can keep any rubbish to a minimum as cards are opened in the classroom rather than on the playground.
Our infant, nursery and reception nativities begin on Wednesday 13th December. All of the dates for the nativities are on our online calendar. CLICK HERE. Next week we will begin to distribute tickets for these, each child will be given two tickets for each event.
Thursday 14th December 5.30pm. PTFA Christmas fair for all families, with Father Christmas.
Monday 18th December 7pm. Our traditional carol service at St. Peter’s church, featuring our school choir and Heage brass band. All children, friends and families are welcome – no tickets are required.
Week beginning Monday 18th December. Annual, PTFA funded, cinema trip for all children in year one to year six. The dates when your child will be going to the Ritz cinema in Belper are on the online calendar. CLICK HERE. If you can help us walk safely to the cinema, please let your child’s class teacher know your availability. The teacher will then let you know if this help is required.
Wednesday 20th December. Christmas dinner day and Christmas jumper day. Children are invited to wear a festive jumper instead of their normal school jumper.
Thursday 21st December. PTFA funded Christmas party for reception and nursery children, with Father Christmas.
As we did last year, we ask parents and children not to purchase gifts for any staff at St. John’s. We have published a letter sharing why we ask for no gifts to be sent into school. CLICK HERE.
Finally, during the last week of term we look forward to children wearing any Christmas themed accessories such as festive headbands and tinsel ponytails. However, until Monday 18th December please help us keep excitement levels to a minimum by continuing to support our uniform policy.