Dear Parents, Carers and Children,
Half term is nearly upon us. We hope you find the following updates useful:
May attendance
Attendance for May was 97.1% A special well done to Year2 who have all achieved really high attendance this month (98.6%). Thank you for your support with attendance.
Uniform
We are delighted to inform you that we have a new addition to our uniform – tank tops! We appreciate on warm days children often remove jumpers but other schools have commented on the fact that they are less likely to lose this style of attire. For future uniform orders please see our school website: https://stbernadettes.npcat.org.uk/school-uniform/
Ipad feedback
Thank you so much to the 35 Year 2/3 parents who responded to our questionnaire relating to the possibility of leasing Ipads. We really appreciate your engagement in our consultation. We have taken on board the many positive comments you made but also your alternative suggestions or concerns. As a result of the feedback we have decided not to pursue the option of leasing individual ipads. We will seek other ways of purchasing ipads to support the children’s learning such as fundraising events. We will organise events and communicate further information next academic year.
E-safety
A few home related e-safety incidents have been brought to our attention recently. As the children have had more time independently on electronic devices please be ever vigilant to what apps they are using and monitoring their use.
We have been asked by Middlesbrough Council safeguarding team to share information regarding the following apps: ‘Coco’ / ‘Up Live.’ Adult grooming activity has been reported on the apps with requests for explicit images from children. If you need any support applying restrictions to your home devices for children please contact school.
1st Holy Communion
Like schools, guidance for Church events has not significantly altered as a result of easing of COVID restrictions in May. In this respect, it remains difficult for Monsignor Hogan to plan for the outstanding Year 5 Communions. Monsignor Hogan is keen to progress the current group who have not completed their programme and will issue instructions to relevant Year 5 parents as soon as Government guidance clarifies information on wider gatherings.
As communicated last month, Monsignor Hogan will contact current Year 3/4 parents about next year’s programme from September.
Islam
As part of our learning in all Catholic schools it is so important we develop a deeper understanding and respect of people of all faiths. Last week learnt about Islam. These experiences enrich our children’s understanding of life in multicultural Britain.
Relationships and Sex Education
This week, our healthy relationships programme ‘Life to the full’ has been taught across the whole school according to age and stage.
Volunteers
We cannot wait until we can once again welcome volunteers into school, but unfortunately due to current guidelines and restrictions we are not able to do this at present. We are hopeful that in September we will be able to do so once again so if you think you would be able to give up your time to support the school in any way please contact the school office.
COVID updates
A reminder that as things stand we will not be making any imminent changes to our risk measures. Thank you for your support and punctuality with our staggered timings and continuing to wear face coverings on drop off and collection. We will reassess our risk measures as June guidance is issued to school from the Government.
COVID symptoms
The rules for people with COVID / COVID symptoms are also still in place – if you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus, you must get an official PCR test as soon as possible. If someone in your household develops symptoms, you and anyone you live with, should stay at home until you get the test result – only leave your home to have a test. Anyone in your support bubble should also stay at home if you have been in close contact with them since your symptoms started or during the 48 hours before they started. Please inform school immediately if you or anyone in your household has COVID symptoms – you must not come to school. A LFT is just for asymptomatic people. If you have a symptom please use the official PCR test.
Self isolation and Google classroom
If you test positive for coronavirus, your self-isolation period includes the day your symptoms started (or the day you had the test, if you do not have symptoms) and the next 10 full days. Any close contacts will also need to self-isolate at the same time (this includes household/class bubble members). As this stands, this still means class bubbles may have to isolate from time to time. Please continue to access homework and additional activities through Google classroom so you remain familiar with this platform in the event of a bubble closure. If anyone is isolating for more than one day as a result of COVID symptoms they can access live lessons through our lesson link on Google Classroom. Please contact the school office or class teacher if you need support with this.
On weekends or holiday time please inform school of any positive COVID cases via [email protected] / [email protected] If you do not receive a response please contact Mr Conway directly via: [email protected]
Holiday destinations
For the safety of our school community, if anyone is going abroad over half term you must inform school so we are aware of your travel arrangements. Please refer to Government guidance in relation to green/amber/red countries and associated quarantining as appropriate.
Absence due to Illness
A reminder that if a child is absent from school with an illness (non COVID related) lasting more than 2 days, we will require a letter from the parent/carer. Please continue to phone daily also. For information, we may also ask our Trust attendance team to make welfare visits if the absence is more prolonged.
Enrichment
Enrichment experiences such as day trips can now take place in consistent bubbles so classes may begin external curriculum experiences. We will inform you where such events are arranged.
Collection and walking to school
At present we expect a designated adult to collect children. This would be our expectation most evenings. On occasions if children are being collected by another parent, we must be informed prior to collection.
Older children (Y5/6) may begin to walk home alone but only if consent is given via Arbor. Children walking home alone in Y5/6 are permitted to bring a mobile phone into school but this must be handed in to the school office or class teacher on arrival into school. Consent for your child to bring a mobile phone to school can also be found on Arbor.
June/July Extended Schools Clubs Timetable
It has been great to witness our many lunchtime and after school bubble extended clubs again this half term. Our staff are once again freely giving their time next half term to provide clubs and we are supplementing this with some external delivery. At this stage extended clubs are continuing to take place within bubbles.
Please see below the extended school provision for June/July. Any new clubs will begin w/b 14th June. Any clubs that are continuing will start w/b 7th June.
| Extended school clubs June/July 2021 | ||
| Day | Lunch | After-school |
| Monday | Orienteering (Y5) | |
| Drama (Y6) | ||
| Tuesday | Basketball Teesside Lions (Y1-3) | |
| Basketball Teesside Lions (Y6 on the green) | Running Club (Y4) | |
| Wednesday | Sign Language (Y1) | |
| Multi sports on the green mat (Y4-6) | ||
| Friday | TT Rock Stars in classroom (Y3) | |
| Singing/Reading in classroom (Y1) | ||
| Mini Vinnies in classroom (Y2) | ||
| Multi sports on the green mat (Y4-6) | ||
PE days (June/July)
There are slight variances to PE days next half term (see below) Please could children wear kits for the full day on their PE days: purple hoodies, house t-shirt, shorts/joggers.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| Reception
Year 2 Year 5 Year 6 |
Year 4
Year 5 Year 6 |
– | Year 1
Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 |
Year 1
Year 3 Year 6 |
Summer events
PTA Uniform stall
At our PTA meeting last week, it was suggested that we hold a uniform stall. Because of COVID school closures many children have outgrown items of uniform and several items are ‘nearly new.’ Please could we ask if you have any unwanted quality items of school uniform that you donate them to school wb 7th June. We will then display all items for you to peruse on wb 14th June. There is no charge for the uniform, all we would ask is to leave a small voluntary donation in the tubs next to the stall. If you could support with putting the uniform out at the beginning of the day (8.20am or collecting it back in at 3.15pm) we would be extremely grateful.
PTA School merchandise
We discussed some possible school merchandise fundraising ideas and in June we will be displaying possible items for you to purchase from school such as St Bernadette’s bracelets, St Bernadette’s placemats and even a few unicorn related merchandise! Further details will be provided in weekly reminders following half term and orders will be made via Parentpay.
Sports day
Please note we have decided to separate Sports day across 3 days this year because we are hopeful we may be able to invite parents. At this stage the events will be for children only but if guidance allows we will invite parents so pencil in the dates. We will confirm arrangements nearer the time:
- Y1-3 Sports day: Tuesday 22nd June, 1.15pm-2.30pm
- EYFS Sports day: Wednesday 23rd June, 1.15-2.30pm
- Y4-6 Sports day: Thursday 24th June, 1.15-2.30pm
Nursery to Year 5 Class Parties (Wednesday 14th July)
Unfortunately we cannot plan with any clarity a Summer Fayre this year so we have decided to cancel it. Instead, it was agreed that we have class parties instead. On Wednesday 14th July, children can wear their own clothes for the day and will play some fun games (in class and out of class) in their bubbles on the morning. In the afternoon they will enjoy some snacks and a film (U/PG). We would ask for a £3 donation towards school funds and any associated costs for the activities for the day’s events. This day will be for children only.
Please note Year 6’s will have their class party on Thursday 15th July (as detailed below)
Year 6 events
Last week we communicated some dates regarding some Year 6 leavers events. We do hope to invite parents to the leavers liturgy depending on restrictions so you may want to pencil some of the following dates/times:
- Year 6 Drama performance – Wednesday 7th July, 6pm (provisional)
- Pizza/McDonalds and movie evening (outdoor cinema) – Friday 9th July, 6-9.30pm (Further details to follow- children only)
- Y6 Party day and Silent Disco – Thursday 15th July (children only)
- A celebration ‘Leavers Liturgy’ – Thursday 15th July, 9.30am
Y5/6 Summer club
NPCAT Sport are holding a Summer club and inviting Y5/6 children to partake in it (July 19th -23rd, 9-3pm). It is free and is hosted at Trinity. It is a full week of various activities – to register your interest click the below link and register your child.
Please find a letter to parents and carers from our CEO.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/126TZoN3YHSS-j52ggJHBWsVZImrccWCW/view?usp=sharing
And finally,
Have a wonderful and restful half term. Now things are beginning to open, we hope you enjoy some lovely days out with close friends and family. We look forward to seeing you on Monday 7th June from 8.30am.
Yours sincerely,
Mr.P.Conway and Miss.S.Brady
