Dear Parents and Carers,
The time has finally arrived, and it is a lucky coincidence that March’s Focus Value is Patience, for we have had to be very patient indeed whilst waiting for schools to reopen to all children. We are gearing up for some very excited pupils – and their parents and carers – who have been waiting to see their friends, see their teachers and support staff and get settled back into a familiar routine that involves being sociable. As Joni Mitchell sang, ‘you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone’, and lots of children realised that going to school meant more to them than they thought it did, but I know that there are many parents and carers who will not miss the loss of home schooling for even a second!
The challenge for us now as a school community is to keep protecting ourselves and each other so we don’t have to close again. Schools reopening may threaten the improvements made by lockdown, so it is really important we persevere.
I have written to tell you about how we are implementing the latest Government Guidance until Easter, and these arrangements are also summarised in this Newsletter. Public Health England is concerned about increased virus transmissibility between adults, which is why guidance on adults wearing face coverings has changed:
All parents, carers and visitors need to wear a face covering from 8 March in all areas of the school premises including playgrounds. Unless you have evidence of exemption, please ensure your face covering is in place over your nose and mouth before coming through the school gates. Plastic visors or shields can be worn in addition to, but not instead of, a face covering.
I thank you in advance for your co-operation and support of this measure, which is at the moment in place for the short term. Staff will wear face coverings in all communal areas and corridors, and continue to test themselves twice a week with Lateral Flow Tests at home.
Please look out for booking information on EventBrite this week about Parents’ Evenings, which are being held online on 25 and 26 March. They were a great success last term, and this term we want to see even more parents and carers to discuss your children’s progress and how well they are catching up with their learning. We look forward to seeing you at the following times and places:
This Newsletter’s not just about COVID – there’s lots of other information including our upcoming Science Day on 12 March, part of British Science Week celebrations, and the opportunity to help on our allotments. We keep calm and carry on.
With best wishes for a safe and healthy fortnight ahead
Susannah Bellingham, Head Teacher
