Coronavirus update – School Closure – Provision for Vulnerable Children and Key Workers – Monday 4th January, 9.30pm
Dear parents,
As you will most probably be aware the British Government has announced tonight at 8pm that all English schools must close from tomorrow, Tuesday 5th January. I am sure tonight’s announcement presents you with many concerns and questions. We share your concerns. Over the coming days we will communicate guidance fully to clarify everything as we understand it and its impact on your child’s ongoing education.
It is clear that Coronavirus will continue to present us all with huge challenges in the coming months at homes, for our families and at work. We all need to continue to do all we can to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The most recent scientific advice on how to further limit the spread of COVID-19 is once again. If children can stay safely at home, they should, to limit the chance of the virus spreading.
In school provision
As communicated on Sunday we fully intended to open school for all children from tomorrow, however now guidance has changed. From tomorrow, as directed by the Government we will support in school learning in the coming weeks for families of key workers and all vulnerable children (Nursery-Y6). All other children are requested to stay at home. It is hoped that lower class numbers will rapidly reduce the spread of Coronavirus. Under Government guidelines, during the period of school closure, parents who do not have jobs classed as Key Workers are expected to support home learning for their own children.
The St Bernadette’s staff are an amazing team, who care deeply for all of your children. As frontline workers, school staff are willing to sacrifice being with their own families to support the provision of our school children where we can. We know you will all be appreciative of this. We can confirm that children in school will continue to be taught by their current staff. At present, we will keep our current consistent bubbles and we will update relevant families on a daily/weekly basis should this need to change. Autumn term arrangements and staggered entry and exit times and entry points will be the same. Although PE will still be timetabled, times may be altered so it may be best if all in school children come into school in uniform/trainers. As things stand, Schools In and Out will be available for key workers but this may change depending on future staffing pressures. We have a limited school kitchen service from tomorrow, therefore if you are bringing your child into school tomorrow please inform school if you require a school lunch – if possible please provide a packed lunch.
Live learning
Tuesday 5th January
On Tuesday 5th January we will proceed with our planned ‘A Hope and a future’ project. We will be having a special retreat day. As such, Miss Brady will deliver an assembly tomorrow for all children to join. Children in school will do activities as planned within their classes. Children who will be at home will be sent a link to join the assembly at set times throughout the morning via their Google mails. Following each year group assembly, relevant resources will be uploaded to the Google classroom for children at home to access.
Google video assembly times:
- Y5/6 9am
- Y3/4 9.30am
- Y1/2 10am
- EYFS (Nursery and Reception) Assembly
A reminder of how to access Google Meet/Classroom will be sent following this letter.
Wednesday 6th January
From Wednesday 6th January we will be delivering live learning for children as per an agreed timetable at home and this will exactly mirror in class timetables. This will be communicated tomorrow afternoon once timetable have been finalised with class teachers and weekly resources have been uploaded.
And finally,
Could we thank you in advance for all your support, your friendship and your understanding in these changing and worrying times. Last term, we were so proud of the way our children thrived since our full school return in September but your children are resilient and we all ensure they bounce back again after this set back.
We hope to see you all again in school in the not too distant future. We have ran through the storm before and we will do it again. We look forward to seeing you in person again when the rainbow starts to appear in the not to distant future…
Please keep abreast of official school communication via email/Facebook/Twitter/School Website/Google Classroom. We will regularly update you with Government updates. As soon as we have an official date to re-open, we will communicate this with you.
We are here for you
Please keep in touch in the coming days/weeks with our school leadership team: myself ([email protected]); Miss Brady ([email protected]) or Mrs Pennick ([email protected]) 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.
God Bless
Mr Conway and Miss Brady
