Coronavirus Update 13.05.20
Dear parents/carers and wider community of St Bernadette’s,
This week there was an initial formal announcement on the relaxation of lockdown rules. The Government also laid out some plans on Sunday regarding schools reopening from June 2020. I know this will cause many questions and some anxieties…please don’t worry!
School reopening
I know from the conversations I have on a weekly basis that many staff, parents and children are excited about a return to school but some will also feel nervous.
When we do start reopening to larger numbers, it will be a very different school initially. There are many things to consider in reopening our school: which staff are available in school to work; what times will we offer; how will we arrange lunchtime and break time; what will we do about moving the children round the school; where will we teach the children; how many children/adults are allowed in each class; where will children leave their coats; what equipment will use etc I will be working on providing clarity to your questions in the coming weeks.
May 2020
Over the next few weeks there will be no changes to home learning and school life. School will remain open only for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers next week. I would ask that if you need to go to work to support the country’s fight to tackle coronavirus to contact myself, Miss Brady or school office by 3pm THURSDAY 14th MAY to request a place in our school for wb 18.05.20.
We will be also be open over the May half term holiday. I appreciate many of you may have taken annual leave, however where it is not possible to take this leave please let myself or Miss Brady if you require a place for your child during half term: wb 25.05.20 by 3pm THURSDAY 14th MAY.
June 2020
From the week commencing Monday 1st June, the Government would like us to begin welcoming back limited numbers of children in set cohorts (namely EYFS, Year 1 and Year 6). We will also continue to provide education in school to children of critical workers only. The Government ambition is to bring all primary year groups back to school before the summer holidays and this will be kept under review.
I will communicate clearer details on this phased return from 1st June in the coming weeks. At this stage we are still awaiting full guidance from the Government as to whther all these year groups will start on June 1st or whether it will be a staggered start. We will be guided by government guidelines and will put in place robust risk assessments to ensure we keep our staff and your children safe.
I have included some initial guidance for parents on the reopening of schools at the bottom of this letter.
Home learning
I hope you were able to enjoy and even relax over the bank holiday weekend. I hope you have enjoyed joining in some of the VE class learning and community celebrations safely. Thank you for all you are doing to maintain the children’s basic skills whilst trying to work from home yourselves. I am well aware that we are all living and working in a unique situation. I would like to reiterate the importance of making sure you get the children’s work balance right and look after your and their mental wellbeing: balance is everything at present!
Next week we will provide home learning materials as normal but please note there will be no formal learning uploaded to the class pages over half term (wb 25th May). I am asking staff to try to relax a little where they can! Resources for home learning will again be updated after this for year groups not in school.
NEW READING PROJECT – WHOLE SCHOOL: ‘Recreate a book cover challenge!’
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss
This week and next week, Mrs Stoker wants to set you a Reading challenge: ‘Recreate a book cover.’ To ensure we continue to develop essential basic skills we want you to share your favourite book you have read since school closure. It could be a book the children have read independently or one you have read together. Please could you send your photos to Mrs Stoker ([email protected]) by Friday 22nd May. We will adorn the photos in our library as a lasting memory of our school love of reading!
‘Y1-6 Times Tables Rock Stars Tournament’
Next week, we will be competing in a ‘Times Tables Rock Stars Tournament’ against our friends at St. Augustine’s in Coulby Newham. In what promises to be a very exciting week of frenetic times tables practise, both schools will compete to become the highest scoring school! All correct answers on any game that the children take part in will count towards our overall total (so they can play garage, studio, soundcheck, festival and it all counts!). We really hope that the children from year one to year six embrace the challenge and improve their skills whilst they are at it!
The competition runs from 8am on Monday 18th May to 4pm on Friday 22nd May. Only games played between 8am and 4pm on those days will count – we are conscious of too much screen time! Each night, we will tweet the current score. In all seriousness, St. Augustine’s and ourselves value TT Rock Stars very highly and it has made a huge difference to children’s time table knowledge since both schools began using it. So, regardless of the outcome (it is a friendly tournament after all!), any extra practise that the children take part in will only be a good thing. Look out for further reminders on our Twitter page!
Class videos
Teachers have been contacting you with details of a special project we would like all children to engage in. Each class teacher will be making a video – we are hoping to feature all of the class. The videos will serve as a keepsake for the time children have spent away from school. Please send all short clips to individual class teachers on their chosen themes by their deadline date.
Nursery, Reception and Year 3 class videos have been shared it via parentmail and Twitter. Year 1 will be sharing their video soon and other classes are being prepared!
Staff baby photos
Just for fun….this week the Year 3-6, office staff and our music specialist Mrs Beaumont’s baby photos have been on @stbernadettesm. Did you correctly identify the little cuties: Mrs Stoker, Mrs Davies, Mr Bourner, Mrs Lumley, Mr Lynn, Mrs Simpson (teaching staff), Mrs Smith, Miss Cole, Mr Conway, Mrs Simpson (office), Mrs Day, Mrs Beaumont.
Competition time: Trust Faith competition
Members of the Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust family of schools are being invited to take part in a special competition that celebrates faith in troubled times. Inspired by the words of chapter 35 verse 35 in the Book of Exodus, Project 35:35 is an invitation to use our artistic talents to respond to the challenge of the coronavirus outbreak by giving glory to God.
In Exodus – which tells how God delivered the Israelites from slavery the people were called upon to use their gifts to adorn the tabernacle that was built as a pace of worship before they reached the Promised Land. He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers – Exodus 35:35
The Trust are asking children to create a piece of original art, a poem, a song or a dance. Add a short explanation of your piece. Bronze, silver and gold prizes will be awarded within each category.
To submit your work, please email a picture or video of the piece, along with your commentary, to [email protected]. The closing date is Sunday May 31.
Please state the category you are entering.
- Category 1: EYFS and KS1
- Category 2: KS2
- Category 3: Years 7–9
- Category 4: Years 10–13
- Category 5: Extended family of NPCAT, open to staff, parents, grandparents, parish members and all associated with NPCAT.
Work will be displayed online via our NPCAT Twitter/website and included in an exhibition when life is back to normal and we can all celebrate together as one family.
General
Northumberland refunds
Regrettably, in view of Covid19 we have had to cancel the Year 6 residential visit to Northumberland. We are able to provide a full refund in respect of this trip. By accessing your ParentPay account, you will be able to see the amount you have paid. Last week Mrs Simpson shared a Refund Request Form with Year 6 parents. Once you have completed the form, the Trust finance team will be able to process your refund. If you are unsure, or have any questions regarding the refund process, please email Mrs Simpson via the school enquiries email [email protected]
FSM
We have had a handful more applications for FSM (Free School Meals) as a result of changing circumstances. Thank you. One successful applicant commented, “You just need to fill in details like name and address, you and your partner’s National Insurance number and the children’s date of birth. You don’t have to show any other evidence at that point. The school does the rest.”
Successful applications ensure you can access Government funding immediately. Full guidance is via the red link (NPCAT Schools Latest COVID-19 Information) on the school website https://stbernadettes.npcat.org.uk or please contact me directly to discuss further.
SVP support
The St Bernadette’s Parish SVP have also 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. Please reach out if you are in need of any support financially and we will help immediately.
Step Up 7 (Year 5 transtion)
To assist the Trust’s pupil placement planning, we are requesting that all Year 5 parents complete a short survey to identify which of secondary school meets your child’s future needs. By choosing an NPCAT secondary school you can be assured of quality schooling from the age of three to 19. With us, your family’s values and your expectations for your sons and daughters can be realised in a rich and unique schoosl that recognise the individuality of every child and offers education and care that is carefully tailored to his or her needs.
And finally…
Please stay connected at this time and keep abreast of all communication systems:
- It is vital you read this weekly parental update (usually on a Wednesday). These updates contain all up to date school, local and national developments. If you change your email address/contact details, please let us know straight away.
- Our School and Trust website is refreshed regularly with support documentation and regular updates
- Twitter is constantly refreshed to inform and celebrate joy amidst the crisis. If you are not already following us on Twitter, please send a request: @stbernadettesm
- St Bernadette’s Parish have a Facebook page. This page has regular updates from Monsignor Hogan, Diocesan Mass links and parish/Diocesan/National notices – the group is called ‘St Bernadette’s RC Church, Nunthorpe’. If you would like further information on this, please contact myself or Joe Harrison, group administrator and parishioner: [email protected]
- Staff are regularly contacting you to check you are all safe and well. Please continue to engage in these calls – we love hearing what you have been up to.
I am very proud of the school’s response to this current crisis. When I reflect, it really is amazing what we, as a community of people, have achieved; you are: supporting and sharing home learning; engaging with the teachers/myself via phone calls; accessing and contributing to class learning platforms, sending Tapestry and social media posts; contributing to school/Trust HOPE projects AND alongside this, you have also have your own wider family and work concerns. Thank you for all you are doing.
God Bless,
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
Latest Official Guidance
Opening schools and educational settings to more pupils from 1 June: Government guidance for parents and carers:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers/reopening-schools-and-other-educational-settings-from-1-june
Reflection
All Things Pass-Lao-Tzu
All things pass.
A sunrise does not last all morning,
All things pass.
A cloudburst does not last all day,
All things pass.
Nor a sunset all night,
All things pass.
What always changes?
Earth…sky…thunder…
mountain…water…
wind…fire…lake…
These change.
And if these do not last,
Do man’s visions last?
Do man’s illusions?
Take things as they come,
ALL THINGS PASS!
