Friday 5th March Update
Dear Parents,
I am really looking forward to seeing the children back to school on Monday (8th March): it will great to have the whole school buzzing again. I have clarified some of the Covid procedures below and I have outlined the new end of day system, which will be in place from Monday. Please read all the information carefully. All the procedures will be in place until Easter, when everything will be reviewed in line with the national road map plan and new guidance.
All children will be able to return to school. Attendance for children in Reception to Year 6 will once again be mandatory, and normal attendance policies and procedures will be reinstated. Please note that children will be marked as late if they arrive after 9am.
Bubbles. We will have five bubbles in school made up of each phase.
Nursery (both Little Winners and Little Stars)
Reception
Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2)
Lower Key Stage 2 (Years 3 and 4)
Upper Key Stage 2 (Years 5 and 6)
Social Distancing. Bubbles will not mix with other bubbles in school, reducing the amount of contact between children in school. All adults will be encouraged to continue socially distancing when on school grounds, particularly at drop off and collection times. Staff will socially distance from each other.
Handwashing. Everybody in school will be washing their hands frequently and all resources/equipment will be sanitised at the end of each day. Thorough cleaning will take place each evening.
School Uniform. All children will be asked to return to school in uniform in line with our guidance as set out on the school website, this includes the requirement to wear black shoes. If your child has long hair, it is advisable that this is tied back.
PE Days. On the days that the children have PE we will allow them to come to school wearing their school PE Kit. It is recommended that the children wear jogging bottoms instead of shorts as the majority of PE lessons will take place outside. A school jumper should be worn over the PE Kit on these days. Your child’s class teacher will inform you what days the children will have PE.
Masks. Children will not wear masks in school, this is in line with government guidance that children under 11 do not need to wear masks on transport or in enclosed spaces, including shops and schools. (If your child has a medical condition and a doctor has recommended that they should wear a mask in school, please contact me via the “Contact Miss Goodson” button.) Staff will wear masks, particularly when administering first aid or changing nappies. Some staff might wear masks more frequently, if they have an underlying medical condition and/or they are in a situation where 2m social distancing cannot be maintained. Parents are encouraged to wear masks at the end of the day when they collect their children.
Personal Items. Children will be encouraged to bring minimal items into school. They should bring in a labelled water bottle and a snack if required (there will be no tuck shop available). Children can bring in their own hand sanitiser if they wish, but please make sure that this is clearly labelled.
Books and Bags. If your child needs to bring a bag to school, we would appreciate it, if it was as small as possible and was able to be cleaned. A carrier bag would be ideal! Bags will be kept in the cloakrooms at school and will be wiped down regularly. Your child WILL be sent home with a reading book, however when the book is returned to school, it will be cleaned and put into quarantine, before being sent out again.
I know some of you are concerned of what will happen if your child (or a member of the household) shows Covid symptoms. Detailed information can be found here, but I have summarised below.
What if my child displays Covid Symptoms? They should stay at home and take a test (these can be booked on line). Share the test results with the school and more information about next steps will be discussed with you.
What if someone in the household displays Covid Symptoms? Your child should stay at home and take a test (these can be booked online). Share the test results with the school and more information about next steps will be discussed with you.
If someone tests positive, those who have been in close proximity to that person will be informed, although their identity will not be revealed.
You will not be informed if someone goes home with symptoms, but you will be informed if their result is positive.
School will be taking part in the governments “Track and Trace” scheme.
School will continue to remain open full time to all pupils, unless Public Health England deems it unsafe to do so.
Dropping Off and Collection Times
There will be a slight change to collection times, please read the information below carefully.
In the morning, the doors to the main building and nursery building will be open from 8:40am, in preparation for a prompt 9am start. This also encourages a natural staggered start in the morning.
At the end of the day, the school gates will unlocked at 3:05pm.
If you are only collecting children from Nursery, Reception, Year 1 or Year 2; you should collect them between 3:05 and 3:10pm.
If you are only collecting children from Years 3, 4, 5 or 6: you should collect them between 3:15 and 3:20pm.
If you are collecting children from both the lower part of the school (N, R, 1 and 2) and the upper part (3, 4, 5 and 6): you should collect them between 3:10 and 3:15pm.
Older children (Years 3-6) will not be dismissed before 3:10pm - therefore please do not arrive too early or too late.
Please collect your youngest child first.
Please exit through the nearest gate to avoid congestion.
Please adhere to social distancing.
Please wear a mask where possible.
Where possible, only one adult should collect.
Please leave the school grounds as quickly as possible to avoid congestion.
Laptops
If you borrowed a school laptop to complete your remote learning, please return it to the school office on Monday 8th March. You will be asked to sign a form, to confirm that it has been return.
New Beginnings by Gertrude B. McClain
It's only the beginning now
...a pathway yet unknown,
At times the sound of other steps
...sometimes we walk alone.
The best beginnings of our lives
May sometimes end in sorrow,
But even on our darkest days
...the sun will shine tomorrow.
So we must do our very best
Whatever life may bring,
And look beyond the winter chill
...to smell the breath of spring.
Into each life will always come
A time to start anew,
A new beginning for each heart
...As fresh as morning dew.
Although the cares of life are great
And heads are bowed so low,
The storms of life will leave behind
...the wonder of a rainbow.
The years will never take away
Our chance to start anew,
It's only the beginning now
So dreams can still come true.
All households with children of school age to get 2 rapid COVID-19 tests per person per week
Whole families and households with primary school, secondary school and college age children, including childcare and support bubbles, will be able to test themselves twice every week from home as schools return from 8 March. Please follow the link to order your tests. https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests
Miss Whitley Update
I am delighted to tell you that Miss Whitley, is well on the road to recovery following her stroke. So much so, that her doctor has said she is well enough to return to school, on a phased return basis. Therefore, from Monday, you may see Miss Whitley back in school for small amounts of time. Mrs Claxton and Mrs Cox will still oversee Year 1 until Miss Whitley is back to full recovery.
Stars of the Week
Reception Bubble
Cameron - for fantastic learning behaviours
George - for his interesting stories and chats
KS1 Bubble
Ellie - for being kind and helpful in school
Maddison - for counting in tens
Sky - for trying hard at everything she does
Liam - for his kindness and thoughtfulness
Y3/4 Bubble
Michell - for being positive about her learning
Kaitlyn - for supporting others and always being ready to learn
Scarlett - for her maturity and sensible attitude
Y5/6 Bubble
Alaina - for her beautiful presentaton and attentiveness to her work
Finnley - for independently writing his adventure story
Jenna - for always working hard and trying her best
Remote Learner Star of the Week
Piran: for his resilience and determination to keep working hard during lockdown
Stay Safe… and help keep everyone safe
See you on Monday.
Miss Goodson
