This year we are striving to achieve the Wellbeing Award for Schools. Supporting wellbeing and good mental health has long been a priority at St Matthew's and this process will help us to evaluate and improve what we do. Parents, pupils and staff will receive a questionnaire to complete in the next few weeks to help us assess what more could be done.

 

During the first two weeks of term every class throughout the school used the Oliver Jeffers book 'Here We Are' to promote discussion about how the world has changed recently and what we can do to support each other as a community.

 

Remember that Miss Moss, our new Family Support Worker, is usually by the school entrance at the end of every day if you wish to make an appointment to talk to her. Mr Gates and Mrs Cameron are also around if you need advice. 

We look forward to welcoming pupils back to school on Thursday 3rd September.

 

EYFS, Years 1 and 2:   8.45am - 3.00pm

Years 3 and 5:              9.00am - 3.10pm

Years 4 and 6:              9.00am - 3.15pm

 

If you are buying new school uniform, please remember that the revised guidance is now compulsory. All pupils should wear a St Matthew's jumper or cardigan with the light blue lines, rather than a plain navy version. Trousers, shorts, skirts and pinafore dresses should be dark grey. No summer dresses please. Thank you.

If your child is in EYFS, Years 1 or 6, and you are still thinking about sending them back to school this term, you must contact the Headteacher by Thursday 25th June at midday. Your child would then return the following Monday. There are a limited number of spaces left in classes due to social distancing measures.

 

If not, we look forward to welcoming all pupils back to school in September. Further details to follow once the government has issued more detailed guidance. Thank you.

Please follow the link to read a letter about the Prime Minister's recent announcement and how this affects schools. 

 

Government Update

School closed on Friday 20th March until further notice. Guidance about 'Learning at Home' can be found on the year group pages of this website. Teachers are also sending home regular dojo messages to offer advice and support with learning.

We will continue to provide childcare for vulnerable pupils and the children of key workers. If you are able to make other arrangements with family or friends, or you do not wish to send your child to school, this would help us to cater for the most needy. Please be wary of leaving children with elderly family members.
 

We will continue to share any government updates via dojo and this website. Take care of yourselves.

School will close until further notice at the end of the day on Friday 20th March. This is part of the government's plan to delay the spread of the virus.

There will be some provision for the children of key workers and vulnerable pupils, but we await further guidance as to who this will include. Please wait for advice and do not just assume it includes your child. Families currently self-isolating for 14 days will need to continue with this.

We will distribute ideas about how to support your child's learning at home on Friday. You will be able to access this via dojo or our website if your family is already self-isolating.

Year 6 pupils should not worry about their SATS tests as the government has suggested that exams will not take place. I will continue to update dojo as and when there is new information to share. Thank you.

Living Well Week is underway and there are lots of different things planned to get us moving. The children will have access to a climbing wall, skipping workshops, physio, Boogie Bounce and their usual PE lessons as well as thinking more about our mental and emotional wellbeing. We will be supporting Sport Relief on Friday by bringing in £1 and dressing in sports kit for the day. Thank you to Miss Cooper for organising such an exciting and active week.

Please follow the link for further information about the Coronavirus. 

https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

We won Virgin Radio's '12 Schools of Christmas' competition with a song called 'Christmas Everyday'. A huge thank you to Mr Warren who wrote and recorded the song with the children in Year 5. As part of our prize, Chris Evans came to St Matthew's on Friday 20th December and broadcast his Breakfast Show live from the school hall. It was an amazing day... something we will never forget!

The well known children's author, Nick Butterworth, visited our school and talked to the pupils in Years 1 and 2. He showed us how he creates his illustrations and talked about the inspiration for his many books, including Percy the Park Keeper and Q Pootle 5. The children loved meeting him and had lots of interesting questions to ask. Thank you to those who attended the book signing.