Dear Families,

As the days get lighter there are many great opportunities in our borough. We will be sharing these when we can in the newsletter – please see below for key links.

In light of continued budget restraints we are focussing on making savings where we can to ensure our school continues to grow and prosper and that our funds are focussed on ensuring thsat the educational experience is varied and rich for all children.

We have moved to electronic communications for all newsletters, trip letters and surveys to name just a few. Marvellous Me is the parent communication app we use that is free and easiy to access on smart phones for parents. Last week’s newsletter had some tips about how to use and on the 8th May we have a coffee morning to help all parents become confident. Here is the link to the Marvellous Me info we have on our website.  

Please also spread the word to friends and neighbours if they have children who are 2 and 3 years-old – applications are now being considered. Apply quickly for 2 year-old and 3 year-old Nursery places if your (or their) child was born between Sept 1st 2020 and 31st Aug 2022.

All applications are now easier as they are online and with the new funding outlined by the government more parents can access FREE 2 year old and 3 year old Nursery places. Here is the link to apply.

A safety notice has been shared saying that around Brittania there have been phone thefts so please do be vigilent.

Have a lovely weekend,

Toni Mason

Attendance is a Priority at St John the Baptist

Good attendance should begin as soon as children start school, whether this is in pre school or Nursery or in Reception classes. Missed learning time means knowledge and skills are missed.

Good habits and high expectations start here!

Absence from school

We record details of pupils’ attendance and absence at school. We do this at the beginning of morning and afternoon sessions meaning that each day your child receives two half day marks.

If your child is going to be absent from school, (e.g. for an unavoidable appointment) then you should let the school know as soon as possible. If your child has been absent due to an unexpected event such as bereavement or illness then you must also let the school know on the first day of absence in line with our attendance policy.

We will then record the absence. If you fail to tell the school as to why your child has not been present then the school may record that period of absence as being unauthorised.

Attendance in figures

We will advise parents of a child’s attendance levels at least once a year. This will usually include a percentage attendance figure.

Achieving 90 per cent in an exam or test is a fantastic result but if your child is at school for only 90 per cent of the school year then they will have missed 19 days – almost four whole weeks of school. For primary-age children, this can mean almost 120 guided learning hours. This is a big gap for any child to make up.

The expected level of attendance for Hackney school children is at least 95%. Our school target for attendance is 96.5%.

Because attendance is so important, we check attendance each month and will  let you know by text message as soon as your child’s absence falls below 95%.

Pop-up Book Hut

Please remember to come in and visit our Pop-Up Book Hut in the office foyer. Please feel free to borrow a book to take home to read. There are lots of different books to choose from and we update them every week.

What’s on in Hackney

Click here for events and information – Many free events across the borough.

Hackney’s Art Activism Festival! – Celebrate Hackney’s art activist history

Join ‘If Mi Nuh Laugh Mi Cry!’ from 27 April for a 10-day sound and visual art festival in celebration of Hackney’s art activist past, present and future. Highlights include a free outdoor exhibition in Gillett Square, a film screening of ‘Injustice’ at Rio Cinema and a comedy fundraising event at Rich Mix with Nish Kumar and Nabil Abdulrashid. All ages. Free-£25. Various Hackney locations. Click here for more information. 

Upcoming Coffee mornings:

Wednesday 1st May – 8:45am Speech and Language Team – Social Communication

Wednesday 8th May – 8:45am Using Marvellous Me and Parent Pay

Wednesday 23rd May – 8:45am How we teach RSE (Relation and Sex Education) and PSHE (Personal, Social Health Education) at SJB.

In the news this week…