St John the Baptist Church in Ditton Priors will be holding their annual Christingle Service on Sunday 3rd December at 4pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Our box of poppies has been delivered and is in Reception if anyone would like to purchase a Poppy. We have some of the new all paper poppies alongside the tradition ones and sticky ones for the children. There are some crosses for graves which are being kept in the office if you would like one of these.

Laura has asked us to let you know that the preschool staff will be outside Little Explorers from 3pm tomorrow selling disco tickets if you wanted to purchase one. The disco is being held in the village hall and is for children age 2 to 11 (they must be accompanied by an adult). The tickets cost £5 and include drinks and snacks. There will be pumpkin carving on the night at a cost of £1.

The Admissions Team at Shropshire Council have asked us to share this message –

The closing date for secondary applications is 31 October 2023 which falls in the half-term holidays. If you have not already done so, we encourage you to submit an application as soon as possible but before the deadline date. This will ensure that if you encounter any problems, you can be supported/helped and to submit your application on time. There is no grace period for late applications. The link for the website is – Transferring to secondary school | Shropshire Council

The School Admissions Team strongly encourage parents to name three preferences, particularly if you reside in the Shrewsbury area. Please see the Parents’ Guide to Education in Shropshire Booklet for further information. The link to the document is Parents’ guide to education | Shropshire Council

If you have already made an application and wish to add additional preferences please contact school-admissions@shropshire.gov.uk

We have been informed that some jumpers went missing after the cross country event yesterday afternoon. Please could you check that your child brought the correct jumper home and if not return it to school. Please could we ask that all items of uniform are clearly labelled with your child’s name. Thank you.

We have received a link to the NHS website which contains guidance about when your child is too ill to attend school. This gives advice on coughs and colds, high temperatures, Chickenpox, Cold sores, Conjunctivitis, Ear Infections, Hand Foot and Mouth, Impetigo, Ring Worm, Scarlet Fever, Sore Throats, Slapped Cheek Syndrome, Vomiting and Diarrhoea as well as guidance if your child has Covid. The link to this website is below.

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/

We have been asked to let you know about a Pet Service which is being held at Wheathill Church on Sunday 17th September at 6pm Please bring along your children, with their pets (not the wild or poisonous ones, thank you!)

This service of Thanksgiving and Blessings is for our very Special Companions. Refreshments will be available after the service and all are welcome to attend.

If you would like any further information, please call Joyce on 07437 481034.

Due to the number of events which have taken place in school and at the Church this week, Well Done assembly tomorrow will be for the children only. They will be given their certificates and will be able to bring these home.

Pippa has asked us to advise you that there will be changes to the menu next week.

Unfortunately, her delivery of Jacket Potatoes did not arrive so there will be no jacket potato option on the menu next week and this will be replaced by a vegetarian pasta bake. If you have booked a jacket potato for your child and they do not want the pasta alternative, please could you log onto ParentPay by tomorrow to change the choice of meal.

On Tuesday, there is a special menu of Hot Dogs or cheese and baked bean plait. We are unable to change the menu in ParentPay, therefore, if your child would like a hot dog please select option 1 and if your child would like the baked bean plait please select option 2. Both options will be served with chips and peas and carrots. Sandwiches will also be available to pre-book. The pudding options which the children select on the day are chocolate muffin, yoghurt or fruit.

On Thursday, there is a special menu of Chicken Goujons or Cheese Pasta Bake. We are unable to change the menu in ParentPay, therefore, if your child would like a Chicken Goujons please select option 1 and if your child would like the Cheese Pasta Bake please select option 2. Both options will be served with peas and sweetcorn, bread or pasta. Sandwiches will also be available to pre-book. The pudding options which the children select on the day are Fruit flapjack, jelly, yoghurt or fruit.

Please find below a link to the Shropshire Holiday Activities provided by Shropshire Council and their partners. Children in receipt of Free School Meals can access this activities for free using the unique code which has been sent home today.

Many of these activities are also open to other children not in receipt of Free School Meals for a fee. The link gives details of how to book and whether the activity is open to all children.

https://next.shropshire.gov.uk/media/dxapffsp/haf-summer-2023-whats-on-guide.pdf

The children have arrived safely back in school following their residential in Arthog. They have all had a lovely time.

There will be no Well Done Assembly this Friday 7th July as Mr Harley is on a residential trip with Years 5 and 6.

The children have arrived safely at Arthog and are excited for the next few days.

A group of parents are organising a disco evening before the end of term as they did last year. It will be held on Monday 17th July at Ditton Priors Village Hall. The disco for KS1 children (Reception, Year 1 and Year 2) will be from 4.15pm to 5.45pm. The disco for KS2 children (Years 3 to 6) will be held from 6pm to 7.30pm. More details will follow shortly.

We have found a pair of glasses on the school field today after sports day. They are in the school office, please call by if you think they could be yours.

If your child requires a school meal, please could you log onto ParentPay and book these as there have been several children this week who have not had their meals booked meaning that staff have had to ask them their menu choice in the morning ensuring that they had a meal they enjoyed. You can book meals 48 hours in advance and it is possible to book up until the end of term. If you do forget to book a meal, please call the school office as we have the facility to book these on the day.

If you need an activation letter for ParentPay please contact the school office who can arrange for this to be e-mailed to you.

https://app.parentpay.com/public/client/security/v2/#/login

Thank you for sending the children into school this morning looking so smart and ready for their photographs. Unfortunately, Chris, is unwell today and has not been able to come into school to take the photographs. We have arranged a new date and Chris and Jo will now be in school on Monday 19th June in the morning.

As today, please could we request that ALL children wear the Active P.E. Uniform please, so that everyone is wearing the one type of uniform – and this will be the only one that ALL children have due to the transition.

Chris and Jo Maddox will be in school to take the Class and Leaver’s photographs on Monday 5th June, the first day back after half term. Please could all children wear their Active (PE) Uniform on this day as school uniform.