Dear Parents and Carers
We are now coming to the end of what was our designated Easter holiday. I hope you have been able to have some positive family time in these unusual times. I hope you are all well and keeping safe. You will have seen on the news yesterday that the lockdown is to continue and as such schools will remain closed. So I am writing to you with some current updates.
Easter Opening
Our school has been open for the last two weeks for the children of our critical workers. The sun shone for virtually the whole time, enabling the children to enjoy some fun activities outside as well as those inside the school.
Our school will continue to be open from 8am on Monday April 20th for vulnerable children and those from critical worker families. Once again, thank you to all of our families where there are critical workers carrying out a range of work to ensure we are safe and to support us in accessing vital services. We all appreciate it.
Home Learning
On Monday, we will be returning to our systems for remote learning, particularly Google Classroom for those who are able to access it.
Our staff are preparing work for your child to tackle each day, in the same way as before the holiday. Please can you prepare your children over the weekend, so they know that the official holiday period is over and it is time to recommence learning. Please try and get back into a routine to support the children in making that transition. Remember Joe Wicks is a good way to start the day! [for children and adults!]
We appreciate there may be some increased challenges with remote learning, as a result of the Easter break and the continued lockdown. Our staff are on hand to support this process, so please continue to communicate with them and ensure the children know that you are in touch with their teacher.
Although we know many of your children have been using Google Classroom we are aware that others have been using paper resources. This alternative remains, so please contact college if you would like further paper resources or if you would like to start using these.
Free School Meal Vouchers
Vouchers for those families in receipt of free school meals continue to be distributed. Please contact us if you have any issues accessing them.
Communication and wellbeing
If you feel your child would benefit from speaking to a member of staff over the phone, please let us know. Phone calls are being made to support individual children and to reassure them that we are still here and are able to help.
It will be important to continue to consider ways to ensure the children’s physical and mental well being is supported. Communication is important for this, as is regular exercise and a healthy diet. If you would like any support with any aspects of your child’s physical and mental wellbeing, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
We post regular ideas and resources to help with this on our Twitter and Facebook pages. Please use them.
Our Staff
Our staff are generally well. We keep in touch and there is a good network of support for everyone. As you may know, some of the staff have young families or elderly parents themselves to support at home. All eligible staff are on a rota to come into school to support critical worker and vulnerable children.
Please be aware that not all staff are available immediately should there be any communication delays with you. All of the staff have appreciated your understanding with this and your positive responses to the work set before the break.
When will school return?
There has been a lot of talk in the press regarding the end of the lockdown and schools reopening. I know that many of our families and the staff have expressed the hope that we will return before too long and definitely before the summer holidays. We do not have any additional information to share with you relating to this. As soon as we do, we will of course let you know. In the meantime please try and keep positive and focus on a day at a time. We are here if you need us.
Please continue to look after your children, yourselves and your wider family and community.
Kind regards
Tony Boyle
Headteacher
