Over St. John's CE Primary SchoolHead Teacher Blog: Friday 14th May 2021
Date: 14th May 2021 @ 11:31am
It was with great joy that we were able to take the class photos earlier this week as the weather was kind to us and we were able to do them outside. We had careful cleaning of the chairs between classes and I had a photo taken on my own that will be photoshopped onto all classes to make it look like I was stood next to the children – a touch of normality!
The Senior Leadership Team at Over St. John’s have been thinking about what September will look like should we have the opportunity to return to ‘normal.’ Whatever the road map looks like for 21st June, we have decided that we will most probably keep things the way that they are for the remaining four weeks of the year. However, if we are able to, things will change for September and not necessarily to how they used to be before the pandemic. Although things have been difficult for everyone, there have been many positives to the way school life has changed that we can learn from and develop going forward. The biggest difference for yourselves will be the drop off and collection routines each day, which will most probably be at different times to how they are currently and in a different format. This is still at work in progress for us at the moment, but we will keep you informed of the changes when we know if we are able to make them.
As always, the class teachers for each class will be shared on this blog next half term and which class your child will be in will be shared on their end of term report.
Relocation of Winsford COVID Testing Centre
Winsford’s no symptoms (asymptomatic) COVID-19 test centre moved from Winsford Lifestyle Centre to The Dingle Centre, High Street, on 10 May. It is open from 9am to 7pm Monday to Friday and from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays. The centre is available for people to pop in, without needing an appointment, to get tested for free. Free kits to test at home are also available to collect.
The facility is for people who show no symptoms of COVID-19 but it is also important to remember that everyone can test themselves twice a week regardless of whether they have been vaccinated or not by accessing the free test kits from the site.
One in three people with COVID-19 do not have any symptoms, so asymptomatic tests help to identify positive cases and prevent people from spreading the virus unknowingly. Together we can contain the virus, keep our families safe and bring our lives back to normality.
Anyone who has any symptoms of the virus should book a PCR test or call 119.
Change of Rules from 17th May
Like me, I am sure that you are all looking forward to the further relaxation of COVID restrictions on Monday. It will be a welcome relief to go and visit friends and family in their homes after sitting outside in all this rain that we have been having! However, it is important to say that as a school, we are still operating on the same risk assessment that we have done previously and as such, we still need to follow the restrictions in line with our plan as published on our website which includes the use of masks on the premises and social distancing whilst waiting to collect etc. Many thanks for your continued co-operation with this as I appreciate that it can be very frustrating.
School Attendance
The DfE has asked schools to remind parents and carers that school attendance continues to be mandatory for all pupils and the usual rules on school attendance apply. This includes parents and carers duty to ensure their child regularly attends school and schools and local authorities ability to issue sanctions, including fixed penalty notices, for poor attendance.
The DfE expects schools and local authorities to continue to communicate clear expectations around attendance to families, identify pupils at risk of disengagement and develop plans to re-engage them.
As restrictions begin to lift, we know some families may be looking to take holidays during term time. As usual, parents and carers should plan their holidays around school breaks and avoid seeking permission to take their children out of school on holiday.
#WakeUpWednesday
Many people have found the Covid-19 pandemic to be a severe test of their mental health. Lots of us have responded to that challenge by turning to nature. Going for walks was a popular coping mechanism in lockdown, with research by the Mental Health Foundation revealing that 45% of people felt that visiting green spaces had been vital for their mental wellbeing.
To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, this week’s edition of our #WakeUpWednesday guide brings you some top tips for incorporating nature and digital tech into your daily routine – helping you to lift your mood and reduce your stress levels. National Online Safety have compiled some simple suggestions that you could follow either by yourself or with the whole family!
Confirmed Dates for the Summer Term 2021 – new dates are highlighted
Tuesday 25th May Parents Evening from 3.15pm to 5.15pm via Microsoft Teams
Thursday 27th May Parents Evening from 3.15pm to 5.15pm via Microsoft Teams
Friday 28th May School closes for half term at usual bubble times
Monday 7th June School opens at usual bubble times
Saturday 26th June Delamere Street Festival involving Hatchmere – more details to follow and subject to current COVID roadmap restrictions
Friday 16th July School closes for summer with bubble closure times as follows:
Blakemere at 1:45pm
Linmere at 1:45pm
Oakmere at 1:50pm
Delamere at 1.55pm
Sandymere at 2pm
Hatchmere at 2.05pm
Have a lovely weekend.
Mrs E Snowdon