Please be aware that the Child Psychology Parent Drop In Service within the Renfrew YMCA will be closing on the 15th December 2021 until 12th of January 2022.
All posts by Mrs McAllan
Park Mains Recruitment Event
We’re very sorry for any inconvenience caused but public safety is our priority while we are still in a pandemic situation. We’ve worked closely with Renfrewshire Council Health and Safety service and the Head Teacher at Park Mains High School and, in line with recent Covid-19 advice, we are all in agreement that this is the best course of action.
Any applications submitted will still be processed and virtual interviews will take place as soon as possible. New applications are still being accepted through the MyJobScotland website (https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/councils/renfrewshire-council/jobs).
A new date will be confirmed in due course. We apologise again for any disappointment.
Christmas Mass Booking for St. Bernadette’s Church and St. John Bosco Church
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation there will be strict capacity limits for the Christmas Masses in St John Bosco and St Bernadette’s.
Access will be by pre booking only.
For more information regarding the times of Mass and booking arrangements, please click on the link below.
Blessing of the Crib at St. Bernadette’s Church
Everyone is welcome to the blessing of the crib.
The representation of the scene of the nativity is a tradition that is almost a thousand years old. In the year 1223, St Francis decided to celebrate the feast of Christmas in a new way. His aim was to help people to better call to mind the poor surroundings in which Jesus was born and to make the wondrous event of the incarnation more real to the people of the time.
Christmas Event on Gaudete Sunday in St John Bosco Church
Free School Meals Payment
By Friday 17 December, Renfrewshire Council will make two payments to parents and carers of primary-school children who are entitled to a free school meal on the basis of low income.
The first payment of £160 per child is part of the Scottish Government extending the Scottish Child Payment to children aged six to 16.
The second payment of £22.50 per child is in place of free school meals over the Christmas break.
That means a total of £182.50 will be paid into bank accounts in December.
These payments will only be made to parents of children eligible to receive a free school meal on the basis of low income.
Children who receive a universal school meal (those in P1, P2, P3 and P4) will only receive a payment if:
- your child is entitled to receive a free school meal on the basis of low income;
- you have applied for free school meals.
If you have already applied for free school meals this school year (August 2021 to June 2022), you do not need to apply again.
If you haven’t applied for free school meals, you can do so now using the MyAccount form on the council’s website. You can also check if you qualify to apply. See free school meals payments during school holidays for more information.
Nursery children are not eligible for a payment because they are already entitled to the Scottish Child Payment. You can apply for additional benefits on the Social Security Scotland website, including:
- Scottish Child Payment – a four-weekly payment to help with costs for children under six (for qualifying parents and carers);
- Best Start Grant – a one-off payment for children between two and three and a half years old (for families with certain benefits).
You can also speak to our helpful Advice Works team who can give you free and confidential help and support on debt, money and other worries you may have. Search ‘Advice Works‘ on our website.
Kids Church – 3rd Sunday of Advent
Welcome to the 3rd Sunday in Advent – Gaudete Sunday or Joyful Sunday. In church this week, you will see lots of people wearing their Christmas jumpers. Will you be wearing yours???? Come along and join in this joyful celebration.
It’s time to learn new hymns so check these out below and there is also a video about the life of John the Baptist.
And after all that, go onto Kids Church on the website and complete the activity sheet and the picture for this week.
Have a great week and if you have registered for Formed you will be able to see some films and cartoons together.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JntW-WlUTVA
https://www.catholicerskine.website/kids
Kids Church – 2nd Sunday of Advent
SAVE THE DATE
19th January is a special date for all parents and carers. ALPHA begins at 7pm. Watch this space and the Parish website for more details.
Today we hear about John the Baptist and how he gave a very clear message to everyone. He wanted them to be prepared for the coming of Jesus. Are you getting prepared? Come to Church and find out some more about Advent.
Take some time this week to look at Formed. There are great stories, a cartoon by Brother Francis each day and lots of films to help you get prepared. Check it out.
If you would like to sing, come and check these out. The last video tells you about the Advent Wreath. Enjoy and spread the word and the link for Kids Church.
Primary 5 Children to Receive Free School Meals and Menu Update
From Wednesday 6 January 2022, all Primary 5 pupils will be able to receive a universal school meal and it won’t cost parents a penny.
P5s will join P1, P2, P3 and P4 in receiving a universal school meal as part of the Scottish Government’s expansion of healthy meals to all primary pupils.
New school meal menus will also go live in January, providing children with some of the food they love while still keeping within the new food and drink in schools legislation.
Thanks to parents and pupil feedback, some favourites returning will be:
• Chicken poppers
• Sandwich options
• Hot dogs
• Vegetarian sausage rolls
Vegan and vegetarian options will be available, and we will continue to provide medical diets as required.
School meals still need to be balanced to ensure they meet the new food regulations, but children will get their favourites as part of the new menu, just not all the time.
Elizabeth Moore, our school menu and nutrition coordinator, says ensuring that the new school meal menus find the balance between foods that children love while also providing health benefits is important.
“It’s clear that children and parents missed some of their favourites when we launched our new school meal menus in August. As a team, we have worked hard to ensure that children can still get something they like while also ensuring that they are eating balanced meals.
“When you introduce something that is classed as less healthy in the regulations, it means we need to review other things we provide in our menus so there is that balance. We also look at other ways of providing the same meal, like using healthier alternatives.
“The new menus will give children more of what they love while also being healthy overall, and I hope they enjoy it.”
The new school meal menus will go live on our website by Thursday 23 December (once schools close). Search ‘school meals’ on our website for more details.
Trinity High Virtual Information Session for P7 Parents and Carers
On Wednesday 8th December, at 6pm, Trinity High School will host a Virtual P7 Information Session with Mr Marshall and Miss Parker. We will issue letters with more information about the session to our P7s this week.
The presentation will be shared afterwards for anyone who was unable to join.
