Winter Holiday Activities and Food Programme - for eligible free school meal children

Dear all 

The Winter Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) will be available for children eligible for benefits-related free school meals. 

This HAF round we will be sending out a letter to parents/carers of children who were receiving benefits-related free school meals on 7 November 2022.  The letter confirms a child’s eligibility and gives unique HAF Code for the parent to use when registering for a place.

We hope that this letter will widen participation from families.  However, we continue to ask for your help to reach children who may benefit from this programme. 

Eligible children can register to attend one HAF programme over winter holiday and they will also receive a healthy lunch each day that they attend.

There are over 60 programmes taking place across the city for parents to choose from.  The dates, times and age suitability will differ by provider.  

Spaces will be allocated on a first come first served basis to children and young people who meet all of the following criteria:

• live in Leicester City
• are receiving benefits related free school meals
• are in the age range for that programme

Please distribute the list of programme providers to parents/carers.  Parents/carers can also find details directly from families.leicester.gov.uk/haf.

Do encourage parents and carers to book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. 

Registration will close on Sunday 4 December 2022.

The city council is again working with Samworth Brothers to support families with food over the October half term.  There will be six pop-up venues across the city that will give parents of free school meals for children and those needing additional support, the opportunity to collect food for the half term.

Parents must register for a venue by Tuesday 4 October, using the online form found within the information sheet.   The registration window closes early to allow Samworth Brothers enough time to arrange supplies for the events. 

Places at the food pop up shops are limited and will be offered on a first come first served basis.

Food vouchers will not be issued for free school meal children this half term.

Afterschool Care Club 

Our aim is to provide a happy and welcoming place at the end of the school day where our working parents can leave their children, knowing that they will be well looked after by our qualified staff. This club is to alleviate the pressure many working parents face when looking for a suitable and affordable child care facility. The club is only open to Medway pupils and will run from 3.10-5.15pm.

The children will be collected by the Afterschool Care Club staff at 3.10pm and taken to a designated area where they will be given some food and where they will be able to partake in play and learning activities. Parents must promptly collect their children at 5.15pm. For every 15 minutes after this time, there will be a charge of £2.50.

Please view our Afterschool  Care Policy below to find out further information. 

Easter Holiday Activity Fund (HAF) Programme

Dear Parent/Carer, 

Leicester City School Sport & Physical Activity Network (SSPAN) is working in partnership with the Department for Education and Leicester City Council, to run a Free Easter Holiday Activity Fund event for children eligible for Free School Meals (FSM).

We would like to offer your child the opportunity to attend this programme, which will run on Tuesday 19th – Friday 22nd April and will consist of a range of activities including a hot meal at the venue.

Please note that the event is only available to Leicester City residents in years 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 who are eligible for free school meals. Please note that pre-event checks will be made by Leicester City Council to check eligibility.

Location: Crownhills Community College

Date: Tuesday 19th – Friday 22nd April

Timings: 09:00 - 14:00 (Each day)

Eligibility: Pupils in years 3 – 8 (aged 7 – 12 years)

Eligible for Free School Meals

Leicester City resident.

We anticipate a high demand for this event and would encourage you to book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Places are strictly limited and will be offered on a first come first served basis. The deadline to book a place Thursday 24th March

To book your place, please visit: https://families.leicester.gov.uk/family-information/activities/holiday-activities-and-food-programme/holiday-activities-and-food-programme-providers/school-sport-and-physical-activity-network/

Or scan the QR code below:

Thank-You,

Emma Hooton

Health, Wellbeing & Community Manager – Leicester City School Sport & Physical Activity Network ehooton@crownhills.leicester.sch.uk

Cool Milk Price Increase from 01/01/22

We wish to make you aware that for deliveries from 01/01/22 onwards, Cool Milk will increase the price of a portion of milk for children aged 5 or over. Under-5 children will continue to receive milk free of charge.

The new price is driven by recent increases in the prices that Cool Milk pays their dairy partners and also by ever-increasing overheads. Food prices have increased nationwide as farmers and distributors strive to maintain a sustainable business whilst confronted by significant increases in the cost of their feed, fuel, packaging supplies, and general operating overheads.

This means that Cool Milk will adjust the prices that they charge for over-5 milk as: 

Milk paid for by parents - price increase from 23p to 24p per child per day. 

Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact their dedicated customer service team on 0800 321 3248.

Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF)-  For our Free School Meal and Pupil Premium Children only. 

Just a reminder to parents of children who are eligible for Free School Meals to take advantage of the HAF options available to them over the Christmas period.  Registration closes on Friday 3 December, however there are still spaces available for children and young people who: 

• live in the city; 
• are receiving benefits related free school meals;  
• have not been allocated another programme place  
• are in the age range for that programme.

A list of programme providers to parents/carers.  Details are also available at families.leicester.gov.uk/holiday-activities-and-food-programme . 

Household Support Fund 

We would like to encourage you to access the support for food, energy and water bills through the self-referral route. Families can self-refer through the Household support fund website https://www.leicester.gov.uk/your-council/coronavirus/coronavirus-support-for-residents/household-support-fund/ or for those who are digitally excluded by visiting Citizens Advice. The nearest Citizen’s Advice is 1st Floor Leicester City Council Customer Service Centre 91 Granby Street, Leicester, LE1 6FB.

4th January 2022

 Tuesday 4th January 2022 will now be an INSET day for the school. The school will be closed on this day, Pupils will be expected to return to school as normal on Wednesday 5th January 2022. 

Our New School Uniform

We will no longer be stocking our school uniform in school.  You will be able to buy it in store from Uniform Direct, Humberstone Gate, Leicester. You can order online if you wish.  Please click on this link to take you directly to the page you need. https://www.uniform-direct.com/acatalog/Medway-Community-Primary-School.html

We still have some old stock with the old logo on, in school which we are selling at half price which you can buy from school now (subject to stock levels on certain sizes) or buy online through your Scopay account

Contact-less paying system

We use SCOPAY Online Payment system at Medway which replaces the cash system. This system will allow you to view balances and pay for school lunches, milk, Breakfast Club and school trips online.  You will not need to send cash, cheques into school or pay by debit card.  You can pay online instead.

You can use the same online account to link yourself and any children you have at this school and to link children at other schools using the SCOPAY secure system. 

You can request a Welcome letter  from the office, giving you a link code to register an account with SCOPAY.  Please follow the instructions on the letter.  There will be some Parental Guides to help you.

School Nurse Services

The school nurse will be available on

Tuesday 19th March 2019 from 9.00am-10.30am (in the old Cork room).

The nurse will be giving a talk on 'Positive Parenting' followed by a drop

in session to discuss any issues/concerns parents may have about their child.