30th May 2022

Dear parents and carers,

As the summer half term draws to a close, I would like to share some information about support available in the holiday period, for families.

The council have been unable to provide supermarket vouchers to schools during May half term due to a change in central government guidance. However, support continues to be available for fuel, food and other emergencies through the council’s Help in Emergency Scheme.

The scheme is available throughout the whole of half term week (including the two bank holiday days) between 9am – 5pm and can be contacted by phone on 0300 123 7065 or by email at help@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Food support for all residents is available all year round, including during the school holidays, through the Council-backed Welcome Network. Local community groups, currently providing food and support across the borough, have been mapped on the Welcome Network website, http://www.welcomenet.co.uk/get-support.html so that residents can access the information in one place.

Groups that have chosen to access funding for May half term are listed below with a short description of what is being offered:-

• Rudheath and Witton Together: recipe bags for picnic lunches
• Blacon Beacon: Jubilee picnic lunch
• Chester Cathedral: ingredients and recipe for 2 slow cooker meals and 2 sandwich lunches
• Friends of Lache: picnic lunch for activity day to celebrate the Jubilee
• GGO Community Group: food for Jubilee event
• Soul Kitchen: food packs for children/families in temporary accommodation
• Elton Community Centre: vouchers for food for families to use at Jubilee Day
• Save the Family: Jubilee picnic and packed lunches for the children for the week
• Westminster Families: Wezzy Wednesdays lunch for children and families who are apart of Westminster Families community group

The Council’s plans are well under way for a significant Holiday Activity Fund programme this summer incorporating the Household Support Fund. This will be used to provide supermarket vouchers to those in receipt of Free School Meals during the summer break alongside maximising the wider reach of the Household Support Fund to residents who need it.

As soon as I receive further information on this, I will circulate it to you, along with details of the summer activities available at Blacon High School.

I would like to remind everyone of our uniform policy and ask that parents ensure that all skirts are knee length for our return after half term. We appreciate that many of our young people have grown but need to ensure that the skirt length is appropriate when students are walking up stairs and across balconies, in order to protect their dignity. Your support in this, is appreciated.

I wish all of our Year 11 students well with their studies as they continue to sit their GCSE examinations and congratulate them on their hard work so far. A reminder that students are expected to attend school for all revision lessons and examinations after the half term.

The following revision sessions are being held during half term;
Monday 30th May – 9.30 – 11.30
English with Miss Illingworth

Wednesday 1st June 10 - 12
Maths with Mr Pedder, Mr Downie, Mr Slade, Miss Price and Miss Richards

Please remind Year 11 students to sign in and out of reception if they attend any of the revision on offer. Teachers will be informing students of them through Google Classroom.

It has been a pleasure to welcome parents and carers into school for the end of term rewards assemblies and to congratulate all of those students who consistently uphold our high standards through their conduct, effort and achievements each day, along with some reward lunches and overnight residential trips.

I wish you all the best for the half term and Jubilee weekend and we look forward to welcoming students back into school on Monday 6th June at 8.45am.

Regards,
Rachel Hudson