Coronavirus Update 15.07.20
Dear parents and wider St Bernadette’s family,
As I reflect on a year I never imagined I would lead, I am filled with great pride and gratitude.
- I am proud to be the leader of our school.
- I am proud to lead such a dedicated group of passionate and caring individuals (administrators, teachers, teaching assistants, lunchtime supervisors, caretakers, cleaners, kitchen staff).
- I am proud of how you, our families, have supported our children at home
…. and finally I am proud that our school is slowly emerging from this crisis with its head held high.
Thank you all!
Mike Headley
I am sorry to inform you that Mike Headley died this week. Mr Headley was the second headteacher of St Bernadette’s. He may have been headteacher to some of you! Many of our staff still have so many fond memories of him. Our children for many years visited his retreat centre in Wycliffe as part of their First Holy Communion preparation. He was such a kind and gentle soul. We give thanks for his impact on our community. May he rest in peace.
Staffing 2019-20
A reminder of staffing for next year:
- Nursery – Mrs Andrews-3 days / Miss Lumley -2 days
- Reception – Mrs Harris until Mrs Whitfield returns from Maternity leave
(Miss Brady will continue to support the EYFS team as appropriate)
- Year 1 – Miss Simpson
- Year 2 – Mrs Pennick
- Year 3 – Mrs Smith
- Year 4 – Mr Lynn
- Year 5 – Mr Bourner
- Year 6 – Miss Cuff (Mrs Stoker will revert to her maiden name from next academic year)
Thank you in advance to the warm welcome you will give our new members of staff. On Friday, we bid farewell to Mrs Mannion – once again thank you for your classroom commitment and leadership duties. You have been an amazing teacher and friend and will be missed by all.
Mr Mullins, our Foundation Governor, will be leaving our Governing body at the end of this academic year. He has been a Governor since 2012. Since which the school has encountered many significant changes (changes of leadership, moving to academy status etc). Mr Mullins has always passionately championed our school cause and fought for the best for the good of St Bernadette’s. On behalf of the Governing body and the school family, thank you Paul.
Transition plans (Nursery to Year 6 September 2020)
We plan for ALL children to spend their first few days back in school (Wednesday 2nd September to Friday 4th September) with their current teachers before transferring to their new teacher wb 7th September.
This period will also allow a short period of familiarising the children with new year group routines as well as a short settling back into school amongst familiar surroundings.
Transition plans (Reception September 2020)
We are planning for the Reception 2020 children to have an extended transition week commencing on Monday 7th September – half days for one week. In this first week of transition they will meet their new class teacher.
We would ask that you collect Reception children at 12.15pm each day. Traditionally, we have found that this half day transition week really helps the children settle into school life and eases them into the new changes. We also plan to proceed with a New Starters Parent meeting on Monday 7th September, 10.30am in the school hall.
The Reception 2020 children will begin full time schooling from wb 14th September. They will begin in two groups (Monday 14th September or Wednesday 16th September). They will be in school all day from this point – you should have received this information in the last 24 hours.
School dinners
Our full kitchen service will resume from September providing hot and cold options. Reception -Year 2 meals will be provided for free as part of the Government Universal offer. Year 3-6 school dinners will be available at a cost of £2.10 per day.
Recovery Curriculum
From Monday 7th September, Nursery-Year 6 will with their new teachers. At this point, teachers will begin an individual class ‘Recovery Curriculum.’ The primary focus of the recovery curriculum is to ‘help children to recover from their loss of routine, structure, friendship, sleep, opportunity and freedom’ by focusing on key basic skills (Literacy/Numeracy); understanding new rules and our school values; restoring children’s mental wealth and rebuilding the resilience of our pupils to allow them to become effective learners again by.
School’s In/Out
Please note that we plan for our School’s In service to begin again from September. We will open as usual from 8am on Wednesday 2nd September. School’s Out will also be available 3-6pm.
From November 2020, we hope to adjust our School’s In/Out timings from 7.45am-5.30pm.
We will not convene Maths Club in the initial weeks as we need to assess how our Wraparound service operates following full reopening of school. Maths Club will resume once we feel we have the staffing and space to accommodate this.
General
Year 6 leavers
I cannot praise highly enough our leaving Year 6 cohort. They have been perfect role models throughout their time in school. We are so sorry they missed many of their rights of passage as school leavers but the way they ALL returned is testament to the mature, confident individuals they are. We will miss you greatly and at an appropriate time we will invite you back to school celebrate properly. Good luck and thank you!
End of year reports
You should have all received your child’s end of year report for parents on Friday 10th July (Nursery leavers – Year 6). They were emailed individually to all parents. If you did not receive a report please inform school.
Socially distanced picnics
It was so heart-warming seeing our children for their socially distanced picnics over the last two weeks. We hope this experience lessens some children’s anxiety about returning to school and allowed opportunity to engage positively and in person with their peers and their teachers.
Summer holidays
A reminder that our school will not be open over the six weeks holiday.
FSM
Those in receipt of FSM vouchers will be receiving your voucher over the next week for the full six week period.
SVP support
A reminder that St Bernadette’s Parish SVP have provided school with emergency funds. I have vouchers in school available for any families (FSM or not) who are concerned about providing necessary provisions for their families over the summer. Please reach out if you are in need of any support financially and we will help immediately.
Uniform
To order uniform for September please visit our school website or contact Motiv8: https://www.motif8.co.uk/schoolwear/primary-schools/st-bernadette-s-primary.html
If anyone is struggling financially please contact Emma Dacey on [email protected] for support with school uniform.
Foodbank
You have all been so generous during this period to ourselves and our wider community – thank you. Please find attached details of foodbank support – if anyone needs any support over the holidays please access these foodbanks or contact me via my school email.
And finally,
We can almost touch the rainbow! In September we will welcome back all our children. We cannot wait to be together again as one (staff, governors, parents and children) and I am grateful to how we have all stayed united for the good of our community.
There will be difficulties ahead but I have no doubt that we will continue to rise to these challenges. School will look different for a period of time in September and it is likely we will need to have staggered times (start and finish times, break and lunch times etc) throughout the day. I give you fully up to date information and guidance on how a fully open school will look in late August. This information will also be inclusive of our wraparound provision. At this time I will also share appropriate risk assessments and attendance expectations.
Wishing you all the best for the Summer holidays. God Bless and thank you – we are truly blessed to be amongst such supportive and loving families,
Mr P Conway [email protected] / [email protected]
St Bernadette, Patron of our School, Pray for Us and Help Us
Blessed Nicholas Postgate, Pray for Us
Wider school opening (Dfe guidance)
Please find below the latest Government guidance on wider school opening so you are fully aware of how we are planning this return.
A closing prayer for this academic year from Joe Hughes, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Nicholas Postgate Trust
For the Nicholas Postgate Community
Dear Lord,
Keep us under the shadow of your mercy at this difficult time.
Be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation.
We commend our children and young people and their families, our schools and their staff and our governors to your loving care and protection.
Amen
