Spring No. 7, Friday 26th February 2021
Gospel of the Week
(The Second Sunday of Lent - Year B)
Jesus with Moses and Elijah
Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John and went up on a high mountain. They were all alone there. While these followers watched, Jesus was changed. His clothes became shining white, whiter than any person could make them. Then two men appeared, talking with Jesus. The men were Moses and Elijah.
Peter said to Jesus, “Teacher, it is good that we are here. We will put three tents here - one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
Peter did not know what to say, because he and the others were so frightened.
Then a cloud came and covered them. A voice came from the cloud. The voice said, “This is my Son, and I love him. Obey him!”
Then Peter, James, and John looked around, but they saw only Jesus there alone with them.
As Jesus and his followers were walking back down the mountain, he commanded them, “Don’t tell anyone about the things you saw on the mountain. Wait till the Son of Man rises from death. Then you may tell.”
So the followers obeyed Jesus and said nothing about what they had seen. But they discussed what Jesus meant about rising from death.
Mark 9:2-10
Back to School
As you are aware school will reopen to all children from Monday 8th March 2021. We are incredibly impressed with the work the children have been doing at home but are delighted that we will be welcoming them back soon. Please click here to see the letter sent out this week with more information about school reopening. There will also be the opportunity to talk about arrangements and ask questions about reopening at the parent/carer zoom session next week - see below for details.
Parent's Zoom Session on the Children's Return to School
On Thursday 4th March we will be hosting a short Return to School Parent/Carer Zoom session at 5.00pm. If you have any questions about your children's return to school please log on to the session, details below:
You are invited to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Return to School
Time: Mar 4, 2021 05:00 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89406338046?pwd=Z0l6UHNCb0NTZUhlclJMQXQrUjNuQT09
Meeting ID: 894 0633 8046
Passcode: A6Ci05
Going Back to School Workshop
Newham Health Champions have arranged a 'Going Back to School' workshop for parents and carers also on Thursday 4th March at 6.00pm. If you would like to attend please go to :
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/going-back-to-school-workshop-with-parent-tickets-143077808577
St David's Day
Next Monday is St David's Day so we would like everyone in St David's House to wear an item of YELLOW to celebrate, you will be awarded a St David's Badge if you do. If you are at home don't forget because your teacher can see you on Zoom and will still award you your badge! The children will also be learning all about St David on Monday.
World Book Day
Next Thursday is World Book Day so we would like everyone to take a picture of themselves reading their favourite book. If you want to, you may also dress as a character from the book! Please take pictures in Landscape Mode (see below).
There are lots of activities available on the World Book Day Website.
Remote Learning Raffle
Remember every time you 'Turn In' a piece of work you are entered into the 'Remote Learning Raffle'. There is a chocolate filled basket for each class and your teachers will draw out their winners live on Zoom next Friday!
A huge thank you goes out to our Parents for supplying the prizes.
Great St Winefride's Bake Off
The entries for the Great St Winefride's Bake Off have now been judged! We will announce the winners in the first week back in school. Every entrant has been sent a badge on MarvellousMe. If you didn't receive a badge please let your teacher know on Monday and we will send one to you.
Well Schools
Well Schools have published an open letter to the children of the UK, telling them how proud of them they are. Click HERE to read the letter and also take a look at the Well Schools Website.
CAFOD Lenten Appeal
This year CAFOD are raising money to help provide water to communities that do not have a steady supply. You can see the CAFOD assembly video below. There is also an interactive Lenten calendar which may be accessed by clicking here.
For more information please go to the CAFOD Lent 2021 page.
Keep Active during Lockdown
One of our parents, Jason Abraham, works as the fitness manager for ActiveNewham at Atherton leisure centre in Stratford. ActiveNewham have come up with a free online fitness/active timetable for at least the next 12 weeks which is aimed at trying to keep everyone as fit and active as possible. The timetable consists of wide-awake activities from yoga, tai chi, over 60s keep fit, HIIT classes as well as kids dance. All classes live but are recorded and uploaded onto the ActiveNewham YouTube channel.
Jason thought this may be of interest to all parents and the wider school community. Below is a timetable and useful links please feel free to share.
Link to all of the classes:
www.eventbrite.com/d/online/active-newham
ActiveNewham YouTube channel:
ActiveNewham Instagram name and link:
ActiveNewhamCommunityTeam
Remember all the sessions are absolutely FREE!
Supporting Children During the Pandemic
Newham Council is offering advice and help to its residents during the pandemic. Please see the message below:
Dear Newham Parents, Carers and Young People,
Need some support for yourself or your family during lockdown? Not sure where to start? Join us for our weekly workshops taking place every Thursday, 4pm-5pm on Zoom and we will inform you of the support that is available to you in Newham.
We want to make sure that every family in Newham knows about the amazing support on offer, especially during this difficult time. This includes support for wellbeing and mental health, finances, housing, befriending and much more. Click the link below to join our workshop!
Phone one-tap:
United Kingdom: +442034815240,,95579486838# or +442039017895,,95579486838#
Meeting URL:
Meeting ID:
955 7948 6838
Upcoming Workshops:
Supporting children during the Coronavirus pandemic: Thursday 11th February 2021, 4-5pm
Taking care of yourself during the Coronavirus pandemic: Thursday 18th February 2021, 4-5pm
Support for children and young people with additional needs: Thursday 25th February 2021, 4-5pm
Immigration support for families: Thursday 4th March 2021, 4-5pm
How to protect your children online: Thursday 11th March 2021, 4-5pm
Keeping children and young people safe in their community: Thursday 18th March 2021, 4-5pm
Join by phone
If you do not have Zoom on your phone or computer, you can still join by phone.
Call the below number on your phone (if the first one does not work please try the next one along)
You will be instructed to key in the ‘Meeting ID’ (below)
Then press ‘#’ and you will be let in to the meeting!
Dial:
United Kingdom:
+44 203 481 5240 or +44 203 901 7895 or +44 131 460 1196 or +44 203 481 5237
Meeting ID:
955 7948 6838
Newham Parents, Carers and Young People
Newham are offering support to families on a wide range of subjects, from supporting children, teenagers and yourself during the coronavirus pandemic to general support for children and immigration help too. Please click here or on the picture for more details.
Their email address is:
strengthening.families@newham.gov.uk
The weekly Zoom session is on Thursday, 4.00pm - 5.00pm the link is:
Meeting ID: 955 7948 6838
Documents required to apply for a place at
St Winefride's
To apply for a place at St Winefride's you need to complete or provide the following documents:
Common Application Form (CAF) this is available online on the Newham Website, click HERE to go to the application page.
Supplementary Information Form (SIF) is available on our website or at the school office, click HERE to go to the SIF.
To apply for your Certificate of Catholic Practice, please send your child's name, date of birth and address to:
manorpark@dioceseofbrentwood.org
We will also need proof of your child's:
Date of birth - Birth Certificate.
Address - Council Tax Bill, Housing Benefit Form, Tenancy Agreement.
Also a utility bill dated within the last six months - Gas, water, electricity, telephone bill, bank statement etc.
For more information on how to apply for a place at our school please go to our Admissions Page and the Newham Primary School Admissions page.
There is also a guide on how to set up your eAdmissions account which may be accessed HERE.
This information is all available on our website: www.st-winefrides.newham.sch.uk on the Admissions Page.
Message from Newham about Free School Meals
Please click this link to see a recent communication from the London Borough of Newham about why parent/carers should apply for Free School Meals.
If your child is eligible they will currently be entitled to much more than a free lunch at school, it also includes:
Food vouchers or parcels
Free places at council school holiday activities
Additional support at school to raise attainment
Please click the link for more information.
Newham Educational Psychology Service
The Newham Educational Psychology Service is offering free sessions to help if you would like to discuss any concerns you have about your child's mental well being. Places are limited so please click on this link to see the full details of the offer.
COVID-19 Health Champions
Keeping Newham Safe during COVID-19
Here at St Winefride's Mr Savin is our COVID-19 Health Champion.
Everyone who lives in Newham is being encouraged to take a Covid-19 test. Book by calling 119 or online at www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test. Choose the 'My council has asked me to take a test' option.
Newham are releasing statistics each week to show the current state of the pandemic in the borough.
The latest dashboard is shown below and was published on 24th February with information for the week 14th to 20th February. There has been a drop in the number of positive cases but the number is still very high.
Please click here or on the picture of the statistics to download a copy of the dashboard for 24th February 2021.
This week the dashboard shows a decrease in the number of cases, the rate of cases and also the rates of daily tests. However the numbers are STILL very HIGH.
Advice from the London Borough of Newham is:
"For the past few weeks, and this week, the positive COVID-19 rate keeps decreasing as well as new cases falling substantially which is good news.
Also 45,040 first dose vaccines have been given .This has been an increase of over 8,000 since last week which is really great.
However we are not out of the woods yet because community transmission continues and the new strain of Covid-19 is highly transmissible. As usual we need to follow all the advice and guidelines to ensure the Covid rates are as low as possible. That is the best way we can protect our community and get back to more normal life.
-Please ensure your face is covered when going to shops or other indoor places.
-Ensure you isolate if you have symptoms, test positive or are a contact. Support is available.
-Tests yourself regularly if you leave the house for work or caring.
-If you have been invited for a vaccination please take it up."
Please click the links for more information on vaccines:
Vaccine Background Information
Remember:
HANDS - wash your hands often, for 20 seconds with soap and water.
FACE - wear a face covering whenever you’re inside a public space.
SPACE - stay 2 metres apart from people you don’t live with.
House Points - This Week
Back to winning ways for St Andrew this week, but well done to everyone for earning nearly 2000 house points between you all!
Don't forget you are able to check your MarvellousMe account to see when your child receives any House Points or Gold Letters so remember to keep an eye on the app!
Gold Letters
Another great week for Class 3G, who now have well over 200 Gold Letters between them!.
If your child is awarded a Gold Letter you will receive a message in the MarvellousMe app (MMe). If you are yet to download the MMe app please do so as soon as possible as all Gold Letters, House Points and messages etc. from the school will be sent via the MMe app.
National Online Safety Posters
To see the latest Online Safety Guides please go to: https://nationalonlinesafety.com/guides.
Below are some of the more popular guides. This list will be updated weekly but all of the guides are available on the above link.
This week's safety poster concerns an Apple app named Clubhouse. Although an audio app only there is no age verification and also open chatrooms and insufficient safety protocols.
This Week's Prayer
Father,
Help us to be willing to take up our cross and follow Jesus.
We know it won't be easy, but it will be worth it.
Amen.
God Bless You,
Mrs Brosnan
Head Teacher
Useful Information from Previous Newsletters
Class Email Addresses
To help make communication between the class teachers and the school community easier we are introducing individual email accounts for each class. If you would like to email your child's teacher please use the following email addresses. You may email at any time but the teachers will only respond during working hours, Monday to Friday. We hope you find this extra way of communicating with the school helpful.
Class RW - Mrs Whitehorn - classreception@st-winefrides.newham.sch.uk
Class 1D - Mrs DaCosta - class1d@st-winefrides.newham.sch.uk
Class 1/2H - Miss Husemann - class12h@st-winefrides.newham.sch.uk
Class 2B - Mr Brown - class2b@st-winefrides.newham.sch.uk
Class 3G - Miss Grima - class3g@st-winefrides.newham.sch.uk
Class 3/4P - Mr Porritt - class34p@st-winefrides.newham.sch.uk
Class 4H - Mr Hussain - class4h@st-winefrides.newham.sch.uk
Class 5F - Mr Fox - class5f@st-winefrides.newham.sch.uk
Class 5/6M - Mr McAteer - class56m@st-winefrides.newham.sch.uk
Class 6H - Mr Harris - class6h@st-winefrides.newham.sch.uk
How to access Google Classroom via Xbox and PS4
If you have an Xbox or PS4 you may access Google Classroom if you follow the attached instructions. However be careful to monitor your children as they may be tempted to play games!
Photomath
We know how difficult it can be helping the children with their home schooling so we would like to share some good news, We have been made aware of an app that helps you solve mathematical questions called 'Photomath'. It is available for both apple and android phones and may be downloaded from the Apple store and the Playstore. It works for a variety of calculations, for free, but please be aware that it does ask you to buy the 'advanced' version.
It will, hopefully, make explaining how to calculate the answers to some of the maths questions much easier!
Library Computers
Newham Libraries are making their computers available for use by residents during the lockdown. Click this link or the picture for full details
St Stephen's Food Bank - Update
We are delighted to let you know the St Stephen's Food Bank is still providing a much needed service to the people in the parish. Please click on this link or the picture to see the accompanying leaflet.
Here is an update from the church about the Food Bank:
Thank you to those of you who have been supporting our food bank with your kind and generous donations. The Food Bank is now serving more than 60 families per week
The food bank will continue to operate during the lockdown apart from the last Sunday of every month and you are welcome to drop your donations off to us when we are operating on Sundays at 11.30am or you can drop your donations off during the week to the parish office.
The Parish Office hours are (Monday 10.30 am – 5:30 pm, Thursday 10.30 am – 3.30 pm and Friday 10.30 am – 1 pm).
You can also donate online through this diocese link: https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/donations/?parish=manor-park by marking ‘other’ as ‘food bank’.
If you would prefer to give a cash donation then you can do so through Father Sean’s letterbox but please mark the donation clearly as ‘food bank’. If you have any queries on how to donate please contact us on 020 8478 1895.
The items that we are most in need of at the moment are:
Tinned foods, Breakfast cereals, Baby formula, Nappies, Wipes
Small cooking oil Flour Sanitary Towels
Coffee Rice/pasta Toiletries
Tea bags Biscuits Sugar
Of course whatever you are able to donate is much appreciated.
Thank you for your continued support in helping us feed those in need in our local community.
Queries and Complaints Procedure
We are noticing an increase in parent/carers coming into school and asking for immediate face to face appointments with members of staff.
It should be remembered that class teachers are only available outside of teaching hours. While some members of staff that you may wish to speak to may not be class based they also have many meetings and deadlines that have to be met. Having said this we will always do our best to arrange an appointment as soon as it it possible to do so.
While in 'normal' times we would be happy to book you an appointment to see the member of staff you wish to see, at the present time this will not be possible and all appointments will be via the telephone.
We do have a structure that we would ask every parent/carer to follow if they would like to raise a query or a concern about their child at school. In the first instance the person you should ask to speak to is your child's teacher, they are best placed to deal with any queries you may have.
So if you have a query or complaint, please follow the procedure shown in the accompanying flow chart. During these times of uncertainty with the COVID-19 Pandemic we are trying to minimise the number of people entering the school premises, so all queries and complaints will be dealt with via telephone for the foreseeable future. If you would like to read our Queries and Complaints Policy please click on either the flow chart or the link above, or go to the Policies page on our website.
Barnardo's Supported Lodgings Scheme
Barnardo's charity run a scheme called the Supported Lodgings scheme where a host family help a vulnerable young person. By welcoming a young person into your home, you can provide emotional support and help them learn the everyday, practical skills they will need for adult life. If you are interested and would like more information please follow this link, where you will find all the information you need.
Blood Donations
A message from the NHS Blood Transfusion Service:
We are working hard to increase the number of people giving blood and for this we urgently need your help.
The pandemic means fewer people are travelling into city centres to work and shop. That means our donor centres have more appointments available than usual.
Your NHS urgently needs more donors at Stratford Donor Centre.
To keep your NHS supplied with plenty of lifesaving blood during a potentially challenging winter, could you help us by:
By building blood stocks now, we can all help the NHS through the critical winter period and a second wave of covid-19.
If you are able to, please donate blood at the Stratford Donor Centre. Book your appointment at blood.co.uk
Old Newsletters
If you would like to check back on previous newsletters just click this link.
Parent View
Parent View is the ideal way to tell everyone how great you think St Winefride's is. Follow this link to the Ofsted Website and let them know just how outstanding the school is!