Weekly News - Friday 7th January 2022

ISI Inspection Report

We hope that all parents have now had an opportunity to read the report from the ISI Educational Quality inspection which took place towards the end of last term. We are sure that, in doing so, you share our pride in the pupils, staff and parents who make St. Helen's College such an amazing community. We were delighted that the inspectors found so much evidence of the superb work and excellent pupil progress at St. Helen's College, and were equally delighted that they were able to include so many examples in the final inspection report. The report is available on the website here and has also been featured by IAPS, ISC and Attain magazine.

We will be producing a printed booklet containing the inspection results and will send one home to each family when this is ready. If you have a local business or anywhere else to share more booklets with the community and would like some more copies, please just let us know by contacting the school office and we will be pleased to provide more.

Internet Safety Day Information

Next Tuesday, 11th January, will be an Internet Safety Day here at St. Helen's College. We will be joined at school once again by Paul Hay from PCLS Training. All classes from Reception to Year 6 will have specific lessons/workshops on Internet Safety, staff will receive a twilight training session and there will be an evening Zoom session for parents too. Information about this has been emailed directly to parents and is copied below.

Keeping your Child Safe Online

Tuesday 11th January 2022 7.00 p.m. – 8.00 p.m.

Our children live in the Internet Age. They love to use technology and play the latest games. However, it is not always easy for parents and carers to understand what they are doing and how we can help to do the right things to keep them out of danger.

It is important that parents are also involved so they are able to help their children when they are at home. We would like to invite you to an online talk, which will be delivered by Paul Hay, a specialist in internet safety. Paul will be spending the school day with the children and staff and will then present to parents in the evening.

He will tell you :

• How young people use the Internet.
• Show how children use programs such as Moshi Monsters, Minecraft, Roblox, Instagram, SnapChat and Tik Tok.
• Describe how information young people post can be misused by people who are not their friends. 
• Explain what you, as parents, can do to help keep them safe.  

Above all it will give you as parents and carers the confidence to help your child get the most benefit and enjoyment from the internet while keeping safe. 

Topics will be discussed in language we as parents understand. No technical or computer knowledge is required or expected. 

To attend this session, please join Zoom Meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85069890558?pwd=WUc1d0p5a1NOQi9KUGk5SGk1Tm15dz09

Meeting ID: 850 6989 0558         Passcode: 813801

We look forward to you joining us. You may join on the night but it would be useful if you could complete this short form if you intend to attend.

Ducklings/Nursery/Reception Parents' Evenings

Parents' evenings will take place for Ducklings, Nursery and Reception on:

Thursday 27th January 2022 (5.00 - 8.00 p.m.) - remote.

Tuesday 1st February 2022 (4.00 - 7.00 p.m.) - in school.

To book your appointment(s), please use the following link: https://sthelens.schoolcloud.co.uk/ 
Bookings will go live from 6.30 p.m. on Friday 14th January 2022.

For parents who chose to have a remote meeting last time, it would be lovely to see you face-to-face in school this time if you can make it.

Full class names should be used to access the system: Ducklings Kindergarten, Robins Nursery, Wrens Nursery, Owls, Kingfishers.

Year 5 Transfer Meetings

Mrs. Drummond will be holding individual meetings with Year 5 parents next week to discuss senior school transfer. If you have a child in Year 5 and have not yet booked an appointment with Mrs. Drummond, you can do so by following the link on the email sent out this week via SchoolsBuddy.

Co-Curricular Activities - Spring Term

Co-curricular activity sessions for spring term clubs will begin from Monday 10th January, apart from any clubs which take place outdoors at the end of the school day. These will begin from Monday 17th January (which will allow for more daylight as the days get longer).

RSPB Bird Watch Week 2022

We continue to encourage families to enjoy the outdoors and sign up for the annual Big Garden Bird Watch which will be running from 28th - 30th January 2022.  Please see the link here on how to sign up.  

Happier January Calendar and Happiness Jars

As per the Head's Blog this week please see the link here to download your Happier January Calendar. We look forward to hearing about the 'happiness jars' that your children are creating at home. You may wish to join them in this lovely gratitude/happiness activity. 

Class Assemblies

We will not be having our usual annual Exhibition Day this year but instead parents will be invited to to view pupils' work back in the classroom following your child's class assembly.  You may therefore wish to schedule in a little more time to spend at school on the morning when you attend your child's class assembly.  

Covid-19 PCR Tests

Confirmatory PCR tests following a positive lateral flow device (LFD) test result are to be temporarily suspended from Tuesday 11th January. This will mean that anyone who receives a positive LFD test result will be required to self-isolate immediately and will not be required to take a confirmatory PCR test.