29th April 2020Paul Conway

Coronavirus Update 29.04.20

 

Dear parents/carers,

I hope you are all keeping your spirits up and keeping as active and healthy as possible.  You are all in our thoughts and prayers each day.

 

General financial reminders

A reminder to apply to free school meals if anyone thinks they may be eligible as a result of changing circumstances send your applications to school as soon as possible.   A successful application will ensure you can access Government funding.  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.

The 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 so please reach out if you are in need of any support financially and we will help immediately.

 

School closure

School remains open only for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers next week (including bank holiday Friday).  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 30th APRIL to request a place in our school for wb 04.05.20.

 

Home learning

I hope the children are enjoying and engaging well in their learning.  Teachers are informing me following their phonecalls with you of all the wonderful learning and new skills the children are developing.   I am loving seeing on Twitter/Learning Platform your pictures and videos.

 

Be safe! Keep Children Safe Online During Lockdown

Cleveland Police are warning parents to be vigilant when allowing their children to use mobile phones and tablets unattended during the lockdown period.   Children are likely to be reliant on the internet to keep in touch with friends on different apps, however, offenders will be exploiting this opportunity to target children.  We know parents are concerned about some disturbing video content online, for example, on You Tube and You Tube for Kids.

Watch a short clip from Cleveland Police’s Cyber Crime Team on how to keep your child safe:   (https://bit.ly/2VRGQ2p ) Please let me know if the content in this is blocked  and I will contact our IT provider to resend.

You can also visit www.nspcc.org.uk or www.nationalonlinesafety.com

 

Hope project-Art

A reminder that we holding an Art project this week.   Using our children’s artistic abilities, we are hoping to create a ‘Wall of Hope’ across the railings at the front of school to display our children’s hopes and aspirations for the future. We invite all children to create a colourful, vibrant piece of artwork to showcase their hopes and dreams for the future.  If your child wishes to participate, please photograph the artwork and email directly to Mrs Stoker, our Y6 teacher ([email protected] )   Mrs Stoker will tweet the picture of hope and share it with our school community via our ‘Wall of Hope’ at the front of school.  Please do not put names on the artwork but inform Mrs Stoker of the name/class your child/children are in via email.   Please ensure all entries are received by Friday 1st May.

 

Y1/2 Staff baby photos

Just for fun….this week the Y1/2 baby team photos are on @stbernadettesm.  Can you identify the little cuties: Mrs Kemp, Mrs Wildbure, Mrs Pennick, Mrs Mannion, Mrs McAvoy, Mrs Walpole, Mrs Cunningham and Mrs Braithwaite. Answers will be revealed in a few days!

 

Fun ‘Do it yourself’ Music ‘activities

Tees Valley Music service (TVMS) have provided school with some online music lessons.  They have sent a variety of engaging activities to lift the spirits as well as continue musical learning.  Below are links to a set of activities developed by Phil McFarlane, TVMS lead coordinator, which can be done at home and attempted by pupils, whether it be with hands on laps, pots/pans/buckets/spoons/found sounds etc.  Have a go and share your learning with your teachers!

 

Monsignor’s birthday

It is Monsignor Hogan’s 70th Birthday on 11th May and as a school we would love to help him celebrate by creating a special video to wish him well.   Please could you send Miss Brady a video of your family or child/ren wishing him a Happy Birthday to [email protected]  (Just a short message 5-10 seconds long).  Miss Brady will put all of the videos together to make a special clip for him to cherish forever. If she could have your videos before Monday 4th May then she will have plenty of time to piece it together. During these strange times it is so important that we remember to reach out to each other and stay connected,

 

And finally…

Keep engaging with us through phonecalls, your photos/videos you are sharing with us on Twitter/Learning Platform/Tapestry and thank you for all you are doing to support your children at present.

Look out for more staff photos; staff prayers and a special song for the month of May (the month of Mary) in the coming weeks!  Keep safe and stay positive.

 

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

To keep abreast of the latest Coronavirus information or to access Trust support services please refer to our school website (https://stbernadettes.npcat.org.uk ) and click the red link (NPCAT Schools Latest COVID-19 Information) at the top of the page.

 

 

Children’s reading about Coronavirus

I came across these books recently which you may already be aware of.  They are both really useful books to share and discuss together for children who are confused or worried about the current situation:

  • Coronavirus: A book for children by Elizabeth Jenner, Kate Wilson & Nia Roberts and illustrated by Axel Scheffler (within our newsletter section)
  • My Hero is You, Storybook for Children on COVID-19 developed by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings (within our newsletter section)