September Newsletter 2020
Dear Parents/Carers,
Welcome
Wow – what resilient children you have! We are so proud of how your children have returned after what has been 6 months for many! We have been delighted to welcome the children back to school this week. It is a privilege to teach your children and we are taking every possible precaution to ensure the well-being of your children.
This week children have been in their new classes which has really helpful in helping them settle, understand new school systems and get ready for their new teacher next week.
Next week, children will transit to their new classes.
- Nursery – Mrs Andrews-3 days / Miss Lumley -2 days
- Reception – Mrs Harris until Mrs Whitfield returns from Maternity leave
- Year 1 – Miss Simpson
- Year 2 – Mrs Pennick
- Year 3 – Mrs Smith
- Year 4 – Mr Lynn
- Year 5 – Mr Bourner
- Year 6 – Miss Cuff
Our new Reception children will have an extended transition week next week. We would ask that you collect Reception children at 12.15pm each day from the main side gate as usual. We will still have a New Starters Parent meeting on Monday 7th September, at 9am in the school hall. We would ask for one parent per family to attend to allow adequate social distancing. The new Reception children will begin full time schooling from w/b 14th September. They will begin in two groups (Monday 14th September or Wednesday 16th September).
Collecting children from school
Thank you for dropping and collecting children at the staggered times we currently have in place. Please note the timings/zonings for next week as children move up to the next class.
| Nursery | Reception | Y1/Y2 | Y3/Y4 | Y5/Y6 | |
| Drop off time | Morning: 8.30-8.40am
Afternoon: 12.15-12.30pm |
8.30-8.40am | 8.40-8.50am | 8.50-8.55am | 8.55-9.00am |
| Collection time | Morning: 11.15-11.30am
Afternoon: 2.30pm-3.15pm
From class/EYFS playground
|
2.30-2.40pm
From class/EYFS playground |
2.40-2.50pm
Y1 – Zone 1 Y2 – Zone 2 |
2.50-3pm
Y3 – Zone 3 Y4 – Zone 4 |
3-3.10pm
Y5 – Zone 4 Y6 – Zone 3 |
To manage social distancing guidance we would like prompt drop off and collection times. There are lines on our paths as a reminder to distance from each other. Parents/children are encouraged to walk/cycle/scoot to school where possible and only one parent should drop off/collect their child. To maximise curriculum time and minimise disruption to lessons, families with multiple sibling links should arrive at the earliest sibling time slot. All siblings can enter school at the same time. Parents should collect at the latest time slot therefore please collect oldest children first and proceed to younger children’s exit points.
Walking to/from School
All children must be collected by a designated adult and are not permitted to walk to/from school alone or go home with other families. Therefore there will not be a need for children to have a mobile phone in school.
Uniform
Despite our temporary trainer concession, the children have returned ‘as smart as carrots!’ – Thank you. Please could we ask that particular attention is given to the following:
- All uniform is clearly labelled with the child’s name.
- Ties to be worn with shirts.
- Long hair must be tied back.
- Small plain bows can be worn.
- Skirts should be of an appropriate and modest length.
- Shirts/blouses to be tucked in.
- Haircuts to be appropriate (no tramlines, patterns or sculpting).
Bags
Please can we ask you to provide small bags for the children as they only need limited items for school. There is no need for them to bring their own stationary next week (except coloured pencils if you have them). Next week teachers will begin to issue reading books.
We will also set up homework log ins via the Learning Platform – we will write any relevant passwords via the Reading Records. Please ask your child’s class teacher if you need any support with this. As a result of current COVID rules it will be more practical for homework books to be checked at home and not returned to school or completed electronically.
Earrings
Only small stud earrings are suitable for school. This is to prevent accidents as children are very active at playtimes. Earrings must be removed for PE. Children who have recently had their ears pierced will be given tape to cover their ears before PE lessons. Staff cannot be held responsible for lost earrings. No other jewellery is permitted for school.
School Lunches
Our staggered lunches are beginning to take shape with lunch being served from the hall and in the classroom. Please keep discussing menu choices with your child as the teachers will ask them what they would like each week in advance. The menu is available to view on our school website. School will of course still cater for specific dietary requirements; if you want to discuss this further please contact the school office. School dinners cost of £2.10 per day. Dinners must be paid for in advance by ParentPay. If you have forgotten your log in details, or don’t have one please see the office staff.
Please can we remind you that the school needs two weeks’ notice if your child changes from school dinners to packed lunch.
Parking
For those coming via cars, please can we ask that you continue to park your cars respectfully around the school area (including Skiddaw Court). You are not permitted to park before or after school over drives and on the yellow zig-zag lines.
Twitter/Facebook
If you have a Twitter/Facebook account, please find and follow us. We have a private twitter account you can access easily through the school website or Twitter. To protect the safety of the account only parents, family and known friends to the school will be accepted on our Twitter account. We share a variety of class pictures via Twitter. Our Facebook page will be used to share information so it is more accessible.
School Nurse
Should anyone have any new or regular medical concerns with their children such as bed wetting, nits etc. Please inform the school office who will make contact with our school nursing team. Our website also contains relevant generic health advice.
Future events
PTA
We will plan our Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the PTA in the coming weeks but many of our traditional events will need to be cancelled as a result of current restrictions. More details of this and subsequent future events will be provided following the AGM.
Parent Teacher Consultations
In November we will hold our Parent / Teacher meetings. However, we will not be able to offer face to face meeting so we will conduct either phone call or video calls. These will take place during the week in mid-November; further details will follow in future newsletters.
Christmas Productions
It is unlikely that Christmas events and productions will go ahead this year but we hope to produce something for you to celebrate this special time.
School Calendar and events
Please find attached the school calendar showing some of major events for the coming year. The planned events are limited. Provisional events will only go ahead if guidance changes. These events will be preceded by a ‘P’ on the calendar. When events are scheduled during the year, you will receive more detailed information through our monthly newsletters, our website and our schools messaging services. On occasions we may have to change some of these dates due to unforeseen conflicts but will inform you if this happens.
Those parents new to school will be issued with a unique code and instructions on how to register to eschools and how to use our Learning Platform. If you need any support with this please contact the school office
Curriculum and Religious Education newsletters will be sent out towards the end of September. To keep fully informed of all our communication please can you ensure the school office have your up to date information. If you are not receiving emails please contact the school office.
And finally,
Thank you so much for your support this week. Attendance has been fantastic and it is a real credit to you all that despite our worries you can see the positive benefits of our children returning to school. We have loved seeing you all again and look forward to the school continuing to thrive in the coming year.
Please do not hesitate to contact teachers, office or myself should you wish further clarification with anything or on how to support your children further.
Yours sincerely
Mr. P. Conway Miss S Brady
Head Teacher Head of School
