Dear parents,

As you will be aware the British Government has announced that all English schools must close from Monday 23 March to help stem the spread of Coronavirus. I appreciate that school closures and the outbreak of Coronavirus has presented us all with huge challenges in our own homes, our families, our work and with our wider networks. As a country, we all need to do what we can to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. That is why the government has given clear guidance on self-isolation, household isolation and social distancing. The most recent scientific advice on how to further limit the spread of COVID-19 is clear. If children can stay safely at home, they should, to limit the chance of the virus spreading.

 

From Monday, attending school should be the last resort! However, the Government has announced that schools should, where feasibly possible, continue to support childcare in the coming weeks for families of key workers and all vulnerable children only. All other children will need to stay at home, so we ask that you do not send your child into school from Monday onwards. If workers think they fall within the critical categories they should confirm with their employer that, based on their business continuity arrangements, their specific role is necessary for the continuation of this essential public service.

 

Over the last 24 hours we have been inundated with requests to school to support the care of your children in the coming weeks. Thank you also to those of you who completed the Trust survey last night.

 

Firstly, please understand that we would love to keep the school open for as many children as we could, however this is not legally nor logistically possible. Unfortunately for many, this provision does not apply according to current Government’s guidelines. Under Government guidelines, (see below new link if you think this applies to you) during the period of school closure, parents who do not have jobs classed as Key Workers are expected to care for their own children. This has left school leaders in the awful position of ‘turning down’ places where jobs are not classed as ‘key’ under Government instruction. As it stands (9am on Friday) we have used the most recent criteria identified by the Government to assist us with this task. We currently understand that this will include the likes of: NHS staff, police, community support officers, prison officers, social workers, probation service staff and supermarket delivery drivers who need to be able to go to work to support the country’s fight to tackle coronavirus. If you have already contacted us, I will call you today. If we believe your child is eligible for a school place next week, I will discuss logistical arrangements with you in person.

 

Where we are not able to offer you a place, I am extremely sorry. I appreciate that this may cause you additional stress at what is already such a difficult time. Again, I will personally speak to all parents today who have called school to request a place in school next week. If I do not call/email by 3pm today please make contact with me. Please respect the decision we have had to make in order to protect the wellbeing of the children and staff who must attend school next week. We must all now adhere to Government instruction on social distancing and self isolation in our bid to reduce the spread of Coronavirus and without putting further people at risk.

 

Please be aware, there are several members of staff who are now having to self isolate as per the Government guidance and this puts an obvious stress on our intended provision in school, therefore our offer of support will be assessed on a weekly basis. The St Bernadette’s staff are an amazing team, who care deeply for all of your children. Like many of you in the coming weeks, as part of the Government’s request for school staff to be frontline workers, those who are fit and well, are willing to sacrifice being with their own families to support the provision of our school children where we can. I know you will all be appreciative of this. We hope to continue as long as possible to provide support for identified children in school, however there may come a time when this provision has to be centralised by the Trust. I can confirm next week that identified children will be cared for at St Bernadette’s school, by St Bernadette’s staff. I will update relevant families on a daily/weekly basis should this need to change.

General Information

 

Our Year 6 children are booked to attend Minsteracres in June 2020. Due to these very challenging times I regret that this residential will have to be cancelled. We will look into how refunds can be applied for all parents in the coming weeks.

 

Many thanks for your support in providing Easter Eggs and selling raffle tickets in recent weeks. It has been suggested by a few parents that donated eggs could be distributed through our food bank collection. If you are agreeable, I will also donate monies collected to School PTA funds. All PTA funds are spent directly on the children. A reminder that this year PTA money has been used to purchase ipads; provide further basic classroom resources; subsidise school trips and provide transport and refreshments for the Christmas pantomimes. If you would like a refund on your donated money, please contact the school office today and we will arrange this.

 

And finally,

Finally, we do not know when schools will reopen fully to all pupils. We hope to see you all again in the not too distant future. I know this will present many questions and some children/parents will be disappointed about the cancellation of future events – again I am sorry. Should anyone be personally struggling or know anyone struggling for basic provisions at this time I would ask you to directly contact school so we can help.

 

I recognise these are extraordinary times in our country, our local area and for our wonderful school. I am proud of the way our children, our staff, our parents and our Parish community is coping under unprecedented circumstances. Could I thank you for all your support, your friendship and your patience with us.

 

Please keep abreast of official school communication via email/Twitter/School Website/Learning Platform. I will regularly update you with education and Government headlines. As soon as we have an official date to re-open, we will communicate this with you.

 

Please keep in touch. We are here for you! Please keep in touch in the coming weeks with our school leadership team: myself; Miss Brady or Mrs Pennick via our emails. We are here as you need us for: prayers, provide updates, food provisions, childcare needs etc. and we will endeavour to access support where we can. A reminder all learning is available via the Learning Platform and in homework books. Teachers are happy for you to contact them to discuss and review learning until our return to school.

 

We would like to offer our very best wishes to you all until we meet again and hope that anybody affected by this unprecedented virus makes a speedy recovery.

God Bless
Mr Conway

 

Latest Official Government Guidance
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

A message of hope from a truly inspirational leader Pope Francis:

“Tonight before falling asleep, think about when we will return to the street.
When we hug again, when all the shopping together will seem like a party.
Let’s think about when the coffees will return to the bar, the small talk, the photos close to each other.
We think about when it will be all a memory but normality will seem an unexpected and beautiful gift.
We will love everything that has so far seemed futile to us:
Every second will be precious; Swims at the sea, the sun until late, sunsets, toasts, laughter.
We will go back to laughing together.
Strength and courage.
See you soon! “