Mr Thomas' Blog

Please click on the link below for access to our September Newsletter!  It is packed with information, updates, dates for your diary and some reminders for you to help us with the smooth running of our school.

Also, if you scroll further down THIS page, you will see other updates we have sent to our Parents/Carers about the ongoing Industrial Action which is happening next week (our school is expected to be open) as well as information about how to order your child’s School Photographs.

September 2023

Dear parents/carers,

You may be aware that Unite the Union has notified the council that its members who support the running and operation of primary schools, secondary schools, ASN schools and early years establishments, will be striking between 26-28 September 2023 in relation to the proposed pay award.

It is anticipated that the St. John Paul II Primary School & Nursery Class  will remain open over the above dates and children should attend as normal.

This is a situation that may be subject to change and you will be contacted directly if information is updated.

PLEASE NOTE:  FRIDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER & MONDAY 25TH SPETMEBR ARE BOTH HOLIDAYS – All schools will be closed for the September Weekend on those dates.

It is anticipated that our school/nursery will reopen on Tuesday 26th September as normal, including Breakfast Club at 8:15am.

Further information on the Industrial Action can be found on the council website.

www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/industrial-action

Our photographer has all of the School & Nursery photos (Individual & Family) live online and ready to view/order.

The batch order deadline for free delivery to the school is 30^th September.

After this date, orders can still be placed, however, these will be shipped directly to a chosen address for an additional charge.

Please follow the link below to order your photos:

HTTPS://ORDER.CHRISMCINTYREPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK 

You will need your access code to enter the site, the children were given this on a card on the day of their photo. There is a separate code for sibling group photos.

If you need a replacement code, please contact the school office.

The majority of children are already coming to school on PE Days with their PE uniform on, but for those who are managing to do this, here is a bit of a reminder.  Support is available if you need help to purchase anything.

If your child is due to make one of the following Sacraments in this school year:

First Confession (P3)

First Communion (P4)

Confirmation (P7)

Please click on the link below for information about the forthcoming Enrolment Meeting.  This meeting is an important start to the preparation journey and we would encourage at least one adult to attend on behalf of their child or children.  Children need not attend unless you have a childcare issue.

If you have any questions, please contact Mr Thomas directly, or your Parish Priest.

Sacramental Enrolment Meeting 2023

Please see the image below for all the information you need for our school photographs this coming Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

If you have still to register for Sibling Photos, you still have time to do so by following the link below. Registration Deadline is 02/09/2023 at 23:59

Chris McIntyre Photography Sibling Photography Request Form John Paul II Primary School (office.com)

We are very fortunate to have an active Parent Council at St. John Paul II, but the start of a new school year is an ideal time to drum up some more support and volunteers!  To find out more about the Parent Council and what they do, click HERE and this will take you to their web page.

The Parent Council are always looking for volunteers.  Even if you cannot attend all of the meetings (or any of them), perhaps you would be willing to support the events and help with supervision?

If you would like to volunteer for the Parent Council—please click HERE to share your details or just come along to the next meeting.  Meetings always take place in the school Dining Hall at 6pm on the specified dates.

Meeting 1:  Tuesday 5^th September at 6pm

Halloween Disco:  Thursday 26^th October

Meeting 2:  Tuesday 7^th November

Meeting 3: Tuesday 16^th January at 6pm

Movie Nights: Thursday 1^st February (P1-3)

Tuesday 6^th February (P4/5)

Thursday 8^th February (P6/7)

Meeting 4- AGM: Tuesday 23^rd April at 6pm

Beach Party:  Thursday 13^th June

We have previously given Parents/Carers the option to OPT OUT OF HOMEWORK.  There are a number of reasons for this:

• Family circumstances
• Time constraints
• Stress levels (for you and the children)

We obviously do not want to contribute unnecessary stress to family life, therefore, if you DO NOT wish your child to receive homework, please click on the link below.  Only complete if you DO NOT wish your child to receive homework.

If you do not complete this form by Friday 25th August, we will presume you wish your child to receive homework and that you will support them and the school by monitoring it and ensuring that it is submitted when appropriate.  Homework will begin week beginning 28th August 2023.

Click HERE to opt out of homework.

You will be aware that we use our school Facebook/Twitter accounts, as well as our newsletters to share information and photographs of events and activities.  If you DO NOT give permission for us to use your child’s photograph or video clips for these purposes, please click on the link to let us know.  If you have not completed the form by Monday 28th August, we will presume that you give permission for your child’s photograph to be used.

Once again – you need only complete the form if you DO NOT WANT YOUR CHILD’S IMAGE TO BE USED.

This ensures that we are keeping everyone safe and that we are adhering to the wishes of our Parents/Carers.

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE FORM