Latest News
Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
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Update 1.10.21
Fri 01 Oct 2021It has been so lovely to see a number of our families in school this week for our assemblies. Thank you so much to you all for your generosity – whether that is providing cakes for the coffee mornings, goods for our harvest collection for the Foodbank or buying cakes and drinks. At the last count £229.15 has been raised for Macmillan Cancer Support. This morning Rector Martin joined some of our Reception families for their Welcome Service. Well done to the pupils for bravely standing up to say hello. Next Monday after school we welcome Mr Dawson and Mr Peachey and some of our past pupils from St. Mary’s High School. This will be a Q & A session for our families in Years 5 & 6. Please book a place via enquiries@admin.astleysaintstephens.wigan.sch.uk. Also after school on Monday we have a year 6 team taking part in a hockey competition. Good luck to them. Next Friday, 8th October, is Hello Yellow Day, World Mental Health Day. We will be using this as an opportunity to discuss mental health and wellbeing . On this day we are inviting the children to wear something yellow with their uniform – for example socks/ a bobble/ t-shirt etc. It is not a non-uniform day – more a day to add something yellow (if possible) to what they wear on Friday. Have a lovely weekend.
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3.9.21
Fri 03 Sep 2021Good afternoon,
Herbie and I are looking forward to seeing everyone next week. Remember, the gates open from 8.45am and close at 8.55am. See you then. Have a great weekend everyone!
Mrs Southern & Herbie
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Attendance at school
Thu 02 Sep 2021Good morning,
We are all looking forward to seeing the children back in school next week. Please can I remind you that it is still important that children and adults do not come to school if displaying any symptoms of coronavirus:
• High Temperature
• New continuous Cough
• Loss of taste and smell
If a child becomes unwell with symptoms of coronavirus whilst in school, parents will be contacted to collect their child and book a PCR test for them. Please note that lateral flow tests are still not recommended for primary pupils. The children will be washing/ sanitising their hands regularly throughout the day and we will be reminding them to use tissues to ‘Catch it, bin it, kill it!’. These measures are in place for everyone’s protection. A copy of the risk assessment for the start of term is available on our website – under the Covid-19 section.
Take care,
Mrs Southern -
Some reminders
Wed 01 Sep 2021Good afternoon everyone,
A couple more reminders before the start of the new term. It was agreed and shared with you in the final newsletter before Summer, that the children will continue to come in to school in their P.E. kits on the days they have P.E. Your child’s class teacher will let you know the arrangements for P.E. this year. We do expect the children to follow the school dress code at all times. Ear-rings must not be worn for school. The children can bring a bag to school if required. In the Infants we ask that the red book bags are used. A small bag can be used in the Juniors - but please note that storage can be an issue.
School uniform is as follows:
Grey trousers/ skirt or pinafore
Red and white cotton dress
Red jumper/ sweatshirt or cardigan
White polo shirt
White socks/ grey socks/ grey tights/ red tights
Black school shoes (flat heels, not boots)
PE KIT
Navy blue shorts/ PE skirt/ Navy blue tracksuit (plain blue jogging pants and sweatshirt)
White t-shirt or St. Stephen’s logo top with blue short sleeves
Pumps/ trainers
Mrs Southern
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Start of term September 2021
Tue 31 Aug 2021Good morning everyone,
I hope you are well, and that the children are looking forward to their return to school next week. All pupils from Y1-6 return on Monday 6th September. The children are asked to arrive between 8.45 and 8.55am. At this point they will be able to walk into their classroom to prepare for the day. The one-way system will remain in place outside school, and again it would be appreciated if just one parent / carer could accompany each pupil, leaving promptly so that we can limit the number of adults onsite. The carpark remains out of use for parents. The gates will be closed between 8.40am and 9.00am, and later between 3.10 to 3.30pm. Families are asked to contact Mr Clark (enquiries@admin.astleysaintstephens.wigan.sch.uk) if access is required within these times for exceptional circumstances. We are looking forward to meeting our Reception pupils and their families. Appointments have been made for them to come into school on Monday and Tuesday next week.
See you soon,
Mrs Southern
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Update 9.7.21
Fri 09 Jul 2021Good afternoon everyone,
Thank you to everyone for another good week in school. A few things to bring to your notice about this week. On Wednesday Mr. Ford started to measure our Y3 pupils for their brass instruments next year. As previously mentioned, it has been necessary to organise sports day differently this year. The children are enjoying the different events with members of their class. Everyone looks great today, and there is much excitement and anticipation ahead of the final on Sunday.
We now have a week and a half left of the school year. Whilst we heard earlier in the week that all restrictions will remain in place nationally up until Monday 19th July, all current measures will remain in place until the end of the term (Wednesday 21st July). Wigan is still an ERA (Enhanced Response Area) due to the prevalence of cases in the borough. We are seeing the impact of this in school, with an average of 10% of pupils and staff absent daily. With this in mind, we will continue to operate in class bubbles up to and including Wednesday 21st July. It is hoped that by doing this we will minimise any risk of illness ruining the beginning of summer for everyone.
I ask that parents continue to wear masks at drop off and pick up, and that contact is minimised on the school site. It is hoped that in September we will be bubble-free and operating as close to normal as possible.
Take care everyone and have a lovely weekend.
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Update 2.7.21
Fri 02 Jul 2021We come to the end of another week in school, and are fast-approaching the end of term. Our last day in school is Wednesday 21st July – just two and a half weeks remaining of the term. We have had a frustrating situation in Y2 with a member of staff testing positive on lateral flow test and subsequently negative on PCR test. This has resulted in a disruptive week for the Y2 pupils – and I really appreciate everyone’s understanding and support over the week. It is hoped that this situation doesn’t continue, and I am liaising with Public Health regarding it.
The children are still working hard in school. On Tuesday our Y6 pupils spent the day at Bispham Scout Estate. A fun-filled day of grass sledging, axe throwing, archery, making a tie-dye t-shirt and den-making. The day finished with toasting marshmallows. On the same day our Y2 pupils were out in the community on a kindness mission, spreading joy. Thank you Y2. On Wednesday morning our Y4 pupils recorded a brass concert. Well done to them all for working so hard on this. Next week our Y3 pupils will be matched to a brass instrument to learn as they move into Y4 in September.
Just to re-iterate the message sent out earlier. Some of our pupils were seen riding their bikes without helmet, weaving in and out of traffic this morning. We have talked about the importance of staying safe on the roads, and I’m sure you will talk to your child about this too.
Take care, and have a lovely weekend.
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Update 11.6.21
Fri 11 Jun 2021We have had a super first week back in school. The children have worked so hard. On Wednesday our Year 3 pupils had a music workshop with Helen Minshall in her role as Brass Bands England Youth Development Specialist. They had so much fun, and Helen was really impressed with them. Yesterday I did my first assembly in the hall with our Reception class. They sat beautifully as we talked about God’s creation, and how we can care for it and keep earth a good place to live. Next week we look forward to all watching virtually a performance from the staff at Wigan Music Service, and will then share information about music lessons in the Juniors ahead of next year.
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Update 28.5.21
Fri 28 May 2021Today is the final day of a busy half-term. Thank you so much to everyone for their support and hard work. I've added a few photographs from this week. Year 2 had a lovely day on Wednesday on their Kenya day. They started their day with a cup of tea and a fruit kebab. They listened to African music, tasted African doughnuts and bread and produced lots of African art. They all looked great in their t-shirts. Thank you to everyone for joining in with our Summer-themed day today, and special thanks to Sharon and Johanne for our lunches.
Things will remain the same when we return to school on Monday 7th June, with the staggered times for the class bubbles. The latest risk assessment has been uploaded to the website for your information.
We all hope you have a lovely break, and we will see you on June 7th.
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Update 26.3.21
Fri 26 Mar 2021Thank you to everyone for all their hard work this week. Over the last 3 weeks we have been settling the children back in to the routines and carrying out assessments. All the information we have gathered will then be used to plan the support needed next term.
We have spent some time in school this week reflecting on the last 12 months, and our hopes for the future. Yesterday our Year 3 enjoyed a Roman Day.
Next week is the final week of this term. We are in school up to and including Wednesday 31st March. Thank you so much to everyone who has entered the Easter Draw, and to everyone who provided the eggs for the draw. Special thanks to Helen Ashworth (Helen.ashworth@travelcounsellors.com) for the hamper. On Tuesday the Easter Draw will take place and will be made available for all the pupils to see. Y4 are busy organising the Easter Service, and we will be able to watch that on Wednesday.
Have a lovely weekend.
