Parent Governor Election

Dear Parent / Carer,

ELECTION OF PARENT GOVERNOR – NOMINATION PAPER

We have 1 vacancy for Parent Governor that needs to be filled.

Being a Parent Governor is an important and responsible role.  There are three meetings of all Governors each year as well as other ad hoc meetings with specific delegation and terms of reference.  Full induction and training on becoming a governor will be provided.

Governors are strategic leaders of the school and have a vital role to play in making sure every child gets the best possible education.  Your focus will be to ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction of the school and it’s leaders.

As a Governor you will be asked to sign up to a code of conduct, to work in accordance with the Governance Handbook and Competency Framework (where appropriate) and be willing to undertake a minimum amount of training.

If you become a Governor, you would be expected to serve for four years.

To put yourself forward as a Governor please click and complete the section A link below, no later than noon on the 27th June 2025.

If you complete section A please include biography (pen portrait) outlining your skills and how these would contribute to effective governance.

You may wish to nominate another parent, please click and complete the section B link below.  Please ensure that you have their consent to put their name forward before doing so.

If we have more people come forward then we have vacancies, we will hold an election. 

Please complete either Section A Or B

Section A – Self Nomination – https://forms.office.com/e/7ZsjZYtJbz

Section B – Nomination of another Parent – https://forms.office.com/e/00qLassX5e

NOTES

1. A) Would candidates please return a brief biography with the nomination paper outlining their skills and how these would contribute to effective governance? This will be circulated to parents with the voting paper should an election be necessary.
2. B) Nominations received after the closing date will not be considered.
3. C) If you require assistance in completing the nomination form or would like further information on the role of the Governing Board and work of a parent Governor then please contact the Head Teacher.

DISQUALIFICATION CRITERIA FROM SERVING ON SCHOOL GOVERNING BOARDS             

I declare that I am not disqualified from serving as a school Governor and that:

I am aged 18 or over at the date of this election or appointment;

I do not already hold a governorship of the same school;

I have not been detained under the Mental Health Act 1983;

I have not had my estate sequestrated (temporarily repossessed) and the sequestration has not been discharged, annulled or reduced, or the subject of a bankruptcy restriction order, an interim order, a debt relief restrictions order or an interim debt relief restrictions order;

I am not subject to

• a disqualification order or undertaking under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986,
• a disqualification order under Part 2 of the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 2002,
• a disqualification undertaking accepted under the Company Directors Disqualification (Northern Ireland)Order 2002, or
• order made under section 429(2)(b) of the Insolvency Act 1986 (failure to pay under county courtadministration order).”.

I have not been removed from the office of a charity trustee or trustee for a charity by an order made by the Charity Commissioners or the High Court on the grounds of any misconduct or mismanagement or, under section 7 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990, from being concerned in the management or control of anybody;

I am not included in the list kept under section 1 of the Protection of Children Act 1999(list of those considered by the Secretary of State as unsuitable to work with children);

I am not subject to a direction of the Secretary of State under section 142 of EA 2002 (or any other disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in such a direction);

I am not barred from regulated activity relating to children in accordance with section 3(2) of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006;

I am not disqualified from working with children under sections 28, 29 or 29A of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000

I am not disqualified from registration under Part 2 of the Children and Families (Wales) Measure 2010 for child minding or providing day care; or disqualified from registration under Part 3 of the Childcare Act 2006.

I have not, in the five years prior to becoming a governor, received a sentence of imprisonment, suspended or otherwise, for a period of not less than three months without the option of a fine;

I have not, in the twenty years prior to becoming a governor, been convicted as aforesaid of any offence and has had passed on me a sentence of imprisonment for a period of not less than two and a half years;

I have not, at any time, had passed on me a sentence of imprisonment for a period of not less than five years;

I have not been fined, in the five years prior to becoming a governor, for causing a nuisance or disturbance on education premises;

I am not subject to a disqualification order under the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000.

The nature of the work for which you are applying means that you are exempt from Section 4 (2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

You are not, therefore entitled to withhold information about any cautions or convictions which for other purposes are “spent” under the provisions of the Act and, in the event of you being appointed to the post, any failure to disclose such convictions could result in the removal of your position of Governor from the board.

As a result of amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (exceptions) order 1975 in 2013 and 2020, some minor offences are now protected (filtered) and should not be disclosed; those responsible for your appointment to the board cannot take these offences into account.

Please read the information https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-filtering-guidance/dbs-filtering-guide before answering the following questions. If you are unsure whether you need to disclose criminal information, you should seek legal advice or you may wish to contact Nacro or Unlock for impartial advice. There is more information on filtering and protected offences on the Ministry of Justice website.

Nacro – https://www.nacro.org.uk/criminal-record-support-service/ or email helpline@nacro.org.uk or phone 0300 123 1999

Unlock – http://hub.unlock.org.uk/contact/ phone 01634 247350 text 07824 113848

The provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 apply and successful applicants will be required to declare any previous criminal convictions and your appointment will also be subject to the satisfactory receipt of an enhanced DBS clearance.

A confirmation of your appointment will be made in writing once these checks have been made and satisfactory results obtained.

Summer Fair

Artist of the Month – Mary

80th Anniversary of VE day

On Friday 9^th May we will be marking 80 years since the official end of World War II in Europe.

We need your help!

We would like each family to decorate one piece of bunting and return it to school to be displayed.

You could complete this as a family with pictures, messages, writing…however you want.

You will need to return it to school on Tuesday 6^th May so that it can be displayed around school.

To mark the day each class will also participate in a workshop linked to VE day;

EYFS: Dressing for VE Day

Year 1: Travelling for VE Day

Year 2: Eating on VE Day

Year 3: Buckingham Palace on VE Day

Year 4: VE Day Locations

Year 5: VE Day Babies

Year 6: Hopes for VE Day

Thanking you in advance

Budgeting advice and benefits checks.

As part of our Thrive project we are offering free benefits checks and budgeting advice, based in school.

Every third Monday  from Monday 3rd March

9:30am – 11:30am.

To book an appointment – or for more information – contact the school office and ask for Mrs. Brooks or  Mrs. Gillan, e-mail us at thrive@caritassalford.org.uk, or give us a call on 0161 205 2754.

WoW Walk to School Challenge

This term, as part of the Walk to School Challenge we have recorded a total of 9465 active trips, of which 4425 were walking all the way trips. This equates to 32% walking trips, a 58% increase from our baseline. Not only this, but this term our school has seen a 56% decrease in car trips from baseline, too. Congratulations everyone! Your hardwork is making a difference.

Charge Safe

Artist of the Month

Pupil Premium / Free School Meals

During these challenging times that we are currently experiencing, your financial circumstances may have changed and your child may be entitled to free school meals.  You can quickly check your eligibility by visiting the following website, https://pps.lgfl.org.uk/    You will have to click create new account, although no account is actually made, then select St. Vincent’s school and you will see this message;

The selected school is not yet participating in the fully-integrated Eligibility Checker service.

You can still run a one-off check against the Department for Education’s Eligibility Checking Service to see whether you are entitled to Free School Meals.

If you are eligible, then you will be able to download a certificate that can be provided to your child(ren)’s school(s) in support of your application for Free School Meals.

Please continue, accept the terms and complete the form below;

You will receive a message straight away informing you of your eligibility.

If you are eligible you will need to apply via Rochdale Council by clicking on the  link below

http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/schools-and-education/Pages/free-school-meals.aspx

Your child’s eligibility will attract additional funding for school known as a Pupil Premium Grant. This money helps school to improve the education provided and will entitle your child to free:

• School trips
• Music lessons (at Year 3)

PE Kit Reminder

PE lessons will start from Monday 9^th September so please send your child into school on their PE days wearing their correct PE kit.

Proper clothing and footwear are essential in all PE lessons and games for reasons of health and safety and comfort. PE kits should be plain and contain no large logos/pictures or captions. Children who are not wearing the correct PE kit will be given spare kit from school to wear.

Full PE uniform consists of:-

Indoor PE Kit

Plain White T-shirt

Plain Black shorts

Black pumps (pumps can be left in school on your child’s coat peg)

Outdoor PE Kit

Plain White T-shirt

Black sweatshirt & black jogging bottoms/leggings

Trainers

Please ensure that your child’s name is on all their uniform, PE kit and coats, as well as other items brought into school, such as book bags, packed lunches and water bottles.

Important Safety Reminder for the Church Car Park and playgrounds

Dear Families,

It deeply concerns me to inform you that this morning, a child was nearly involved in a serious accident within the church car park. A vehicle, reportedly speeding down into the car park, narrowly missed hitting the child. Thankfully, no harm was done, but this incident serves as a serious reminder of the potential dangers caused by careless drivers.

As responsible members of our school and church community, it’s imperative that we prioritise the safety and wellbeing of everyone, particularly our children. With this in mind, I kindly urge you to exercise extreme caution and mindfulness when navigating the church car park.

Here are a few crucial reminders for adults picking up or dropping off children:

1. Drive carefully: Please exercise caution while driving within the car park premises. Speeding vehicles pose a significant threat to the safety of pedestrians, especially our young students.
2. Respect disability parking spaces: Disabled parking spaces are designated for individuals with disabilities who possess a blue badge. I ask that you show respect and consideration for those who genuinely require these facilities and refrain from parking in these spaces unless you are entitled to do so.
3. Park responsibly: Avoid parking on the footpath or in areas that are not marked as parking spaces. Blocking pathways not only causes inconvenience but also poses safety hazards, particularly for pedestrians, including our children.

Can I also remind adults coming onto the school grounds that smoking or vaping is not allowed and that dogs (even if being carried) should not be brought onto the school premises under any circumstance, excludes Assistance Dogs.

Thank you for your continuous support these matters. I would appreciate it if you could also share this message with other family members/adults who regularly pick up or drop off your child at school. Together, we can create a safe school community, where everyone feels valued and protected and shows care and consideration to others.

__

Uniform for All

OUR GOLD STAR SCHOOL AWARD GOES TO

St Vincent’s primary school Norden

Thank you to all the staff who encourage our school uniform recycling.

Thank you to all the families who donate and reuse .

Let’s all be part of

THE SOLUTION

FOR WASTE

NOT THE PROBLEM.

Well done everyone .

Remember if you buy new have 1 new and 1 recycled.

Give it a try save money.

www.uniformforall.co.uk

Holidays Term Time

Holidays

I would like to remind parents that the law gives no entitlement to parents to take their children on holiday during term time. As head teacher I do not have the authority in law to authorise absences for holidays or related activities, unless there are ‘exceptional’ circumstances. I am not expected to class any term time holiday as ‘exceptional’. This being the case, any requests for term time holidays will be declined and any absences will be recorded as unauthorised.

The Education Welfare Service will issue fines for holidays in term time. The fine is £60 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days, increasing to £120 per parent per child if paid within 28 days from the date of issue. Unauthorised leave for 10 sessions (5 school days) or more will qualify for a fine unless it is classed as exceptional circumstances. ‘Exceptional circumstances’ can be described as rare, significant, unavoidable, short and that the absence could not reasonably be scheduled at another time. Penalty notices will also be issued when a child has 10 days of unauthorised absence (20 sessions) across a 12 week period. These may be used in a range of situations where unauthorised absence occurs, including holidays during term time, inappropriate parentally-condoned absences, persistent late arrival at school and where no reason for absence is provided.

Mrs Mary Brooks

Clothes Bank

Would you like to help save the planet, whilst providing affordable clothes and support for our local Saint Vincent De Paul ( SVP) Society ?

Then please do use the new Clothes Bank which has just arrived in the church car park near the school .

The Bank will be emptied regularly and items taken to the SVP shop in Bury town centre.

The Clothes Bank can take any clothes plus shoes, curtains, towels, belts and blankets. Please bag up clothes and other items.

Please do support this great local charity.

Charge for Lost Books

Dear families,

After half term, we will be introducing a charge for lost reading books.

Due to the rising pressure on our school budget, if your child misplaces or loses a school reading book, we will be required to issue a charge of £5 per book.

Many thanks for your continued support,

Mrs Mary Brooks

Measles Update

Measles Update

Click on link below

Measles Update PDF Document

Monkhouse Uniform Update

Dear Parents,

We have been advised by Monkhouse (our uniform supplier) that they will be closing their Rochdale store at the end of the year.  You will be able to purchase our school uniform either via their website or from their Bury store:

Mill Gate Shopping Centre

86 The Rock

Bury

BL9 0PB

School Website Uniform Information

https://www.st-vincents.rochdale.sch.uk/general-information/other-information/uniform/

MMR Guidance – NHS

Please see information below from the NHS.

Measles is highly infectious and if left unvaccinated nine out of ten children in a classroom can catch the disease if just one child is infectious.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/nhs-vaccinations-and-when-to-have-them/?msclkid=9df15083b5ab11ec890d081689933c03

Parent Information

Who to speak to in school

How can you help your child poster

No Nuts or Sweets in School

There are a number of children in school who have severe nut allergies.

Please can we remind you not send your child into school with nuts of any kind, or food that may contain nuts i.e. chocolate spread, etc.

We also ask that you do not send any sweets into school as we are a healthy eating school.

Thank you for your understanding and support in this matter.

Mrs M Brooks