Dear parents,
During these very challenging times we will update you with the latest education and Government headlines and school/Trust messages.
Thank you for your support over the last few days – we have been heartened by your responses. Thank you and your children for your resilience, fortitude and solidarity in a rapidly changing situation. We realise that the events taking place are unsettling for all of us.
School closure
The government has resisted closing schools until now, but in the face of the rapidly rising numbers of cases across the country and intense pressure on the NHS, they now need to use every lever to reduce all contacts of COVID-19 and reduce transmission as much as is possible.
The latest guidance published late last night clearly states that during the period of national lockdown, schools and colleges should only allow vulnerable children and the children of critical workers to attend. Children with at least one parent or carer who is listed as a critical worker are eligible for a school place.
In order to reduce transmission of the virus and maintain a safe environment for all pupils and staff, NPCAT schools will remain open for all vulnerable children and the children of critical workers from nursery upwards. Nursery provision will be offered to key workers in line with your usual 15 or 30 hour arrangements.
Key worker children
The Prime Minister has confirmed that schools and other settings will remain closed for the foreseeable future – except for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers. We understand the importance of our school being open for critical workers and their families. It is hoped that schools will reopen in full following the February half term. In the meantime, if you need to go to work to support the country’s fight to tackle coronavirus, please contact school via our emails or phone school by 3pm each THURSDAY to request a place in school the following week. Please inform us also if your child requires Schools In/Out or a school lunch.
Please can all parents requiring critical worker or vulnerable child provision over the coming weeks complete the following Google form link https://forms.gle/cXZWfmyPDY5vznmc7
School day arrangements
As stated yesterday, we can confirm that children in school will continue to be taught by their current staff. At present, we will keep our current consistent bubbles and we will update relevant families on a daily/weekly basis should this need to change. Autumn term arrangements and staggered entry and exit times and entry points will be the same. Although PE will still be timetabled times may be altered so it is best that all in school children come into school in uniform/trainers. Currently, Schools In and Out will be available for key workers but this may change depending on future staffing pressures. you prefer, your child can bring a packed lunch. In this interim period, we will not change books in school so please source your own reading resources from home.
FSM
We have a limited kitchen team however both hot and cold meals are available for in school children. For FSM pupils, meals will be available on request to collect from school at 12 noon each day.
Home learning
This unprecedented time has led us to whole school ‘distance or home learning’. Thank you in advance so much for your dedicated support in helping your children – it makes a massive difference. Should any of you be having any issues at all, please contact your child’s teacher. Please mix up formal learning on Google Classroom with other activities such as: baking, exercise or learning new skills. Teachers can provide exercise books as necessary.
LIVE LEARNING TIMETABLE
For children working from home, we have set up a live learning daily schedule. Please can all children access the morning learning at their allocated times. Teachers will place weekly the expected daily learning on Google Classroom but each day will explain learning in their morning session. Children can stay on line or leave and work independently following the teacher input. The afternoon session is an optional drop in session for children/parents who need further support/clarification from their teachers.
Links to each session have been sent to your child’s email address. We are hoping by staggering the timings of the lessons all children will have enough devices at home to access live lessons. However, if you are having difficulties logging on or need to loan an additional device please contact school and we will endeavour to solve this. Home learning and school learning will be mirrored as much as possible and there will not be additional homework at present. Please note that we have updated the Y3/4 timing meets from the original email.
| Class | Morning Live lesson | Afternoon drop in |
| Nursery | 10am | – |
| Reception | 10am | 1.30pm |
| Year 1 | 9.30am | 1pm |
| Year 2 | 9.30am | 1pm |
| Year 3 | 9.30am | 1.30pm |
| Year 4 | 9am | 1.30pm |
| Year 5 | 9am | 2pm |
| Year 6 | 9am | 2pm |
And finally,
Please continue to keep abreast with official school communication and support via email/Twitter/Facebook/School Website/Learning Platform.
As a proud member of the St Bernadette’s community, we know that we will come through this! Despite the overwhelming challenges we are facing, we will adapt and cope as best we can. We will emerge from this even stronger.
God Bless,
Mr P Conway and Miss S Brady
St Bernadette, Patron of our School, Pray for Us and Help Us
Blessed Nicholas Postgate, Pray for Us
