I would like to start by congratulating and celebrating the many successes and achievements of our year 11 and 13 pupils.  Once again there have been some fantastic results.  I look forward to seeing many of our year 11 pupils return to St John Plessington sixth form and wish the year 13 class of 2023 well as they move on to pastures new. 

I would like to remind and share with you some key information below:

September 2023 - Return to school

We are starting the new school year with a staff development day on Monday 4th September 2023 (A day on which only staff attend).

Tuesday 5th September

Year 7, 12 and 13 will return at 08:30.

We begin by inviting Year 7 initially to allow them to have some time in school before the other year groups join them.

Wednesday 6th September

Year 8 & 9 will return at 08:30

Year 10 will arrive to school at 09:40

Year 11 will arrive to school at 11:00

Open Evening / Mornings 

This year our Open Evening is very early into the new term.  Open Evening will take place Thursday 7th September 2023 from 6pm.  To support staff to set up for this event, school will finish for all pupils at 2pm. Please note school buses will not be available at this time.  Should you need supervision for your child on this day until 3:10 please contact your child’s Head of Learning. Open Mornings, for prospective parents only, take place on Wednesday 13th and 20th September from 9am - 11am.  Please spread the word and let people know to come along and see the great opportunities on offer at St John Plessington.

Attendance & Punctuality 

Attendance has the greatest impact on achievement.  If your child is absent through illness, please notify the school on the first day of absence by telephoning school early in the morning.   I must remind you that holidays should not be taken during term time.  Taking children out of school during term time could result in an Education Penalty Notice being issued. The government has identified attendance as a key focus for schools following the pandemic.  It is therefore vital that students have high levels of attendance and good punctuality to both school and lessons.  Failure to do this may result in an Education Penalty Notice being issued.  All students must be on the school premises by 8:35 am and attend all lessons on time. Where this does not happen students will be issued with detentions. 

More information can be found here and here.

Uniform

Students should return in full uniform in September.  The uniform also clearly outlines expectations on footwear, which must be plain black shoes of a material that can be polished, with no sports logos.  A reminder of our uniform list and PE kit list can be found here.  Our uniform policy also clearly states that there should be no false nails, no false eyelashes, facial piercings or earrings.  School skirts are designed to be worn knee length please ensure that this is the case. 

Thank you for your support in ensuring that our high standards of uniform and appearance are maintained and allow us to remove barriers to learning.  Should your child wish to have a piercing we would ask this be done in time before they return to school so that they are able to remove it during the school day.  Any children who do not have the correct uniform on the first day back will require a parental meeting.  Should you have any concerns about uniform please contact your child’s Head of Learning.

Parent Teacher Association

Many thanks to parents who have registered an interest in our PTA.  If there is anyone additional parents who would like to become involved please email schooloffice@stjohnplessington.com with your details. 

I will update you with further key updates in the coming weeks.

As always we continue to ask for your support on attendance, punctuality and attitudes to learning while your child is at school.  Should you have any queries or concerns please do not hesitate to contact your child’s Head of Learning. 

Kind Regards

Mr P McLoughlin

Headteacher