Over St. John's CE Primary SchoolHead Teacher Blog: Friday 2nd October 2020
Date: 2nd Oct 2020 @ 10:37am
I would like to say a huge thank you to everybody for adapting so well to the new protective measure of wearing a face mask on the school premises – everyone has been fantastic. I realise that some people will be exempt from wearing face masks and that is not a problem – a couple of people have had a private word with me and therefore they will not be challenged by myself on arrival.
Sadly, we had a phone call from a member of the public yesterday who phoned concerned that there were a number of people at the front of school who did not appear to be social distancing at the end of the day. I know that we are all trying really hard to follow the guidelines and I am very proud of the way that we have all adapted. However, being the Wicked Witch of the West is definitely not in my job description and something that I am finding difficult, so it is in everyone’s best interests to follow the safety measures that have been very carefully thought out:
- Do not arrive earlier than 5 minutes before your child’s collection or drop off time
- Please leave the premises, including the grass area, the cross and the pavement outside school promptly.
- You must observe the social distancing markings on the ground.
Please help me to keep everyone safe by following these guidelines – if someone different is coming to collect or someone who doesn’t normally read this blog, please point them in the direction of it so that everyone knows the expectations.
I would once again just like to inform you that we have not had and do not have any positive COVID cases in school. As I have said before, we do not get involved with speculation around any suspected cases as this is not helpful to anybody. We would contact parents and carers directly of those who would need to know of a confirmed case and would not rely on word of mouth from either pupils or parents.
Parents Evening
As a school, we have been thinking very hard about how we can carry out our Parent’s Evening in a COVID-secure way this year and we think that we have a solution:
- Parents Evening will be carried out over 4 shorter sessions this year from 4pm – 5pm (dates to follow) instead of 2 longer ones to limit the amount of visitors over each period.
- Only one adult can attend and no children.
- Face masks must be worn at all times.
- Adults will enter the playground and wait on the socially distanced markings until they are called in by myself via the door at the far end of the playground where the children come out at the end of the day. Please be prompt for your booking – do not arrive early or late.
- Staff will finish all appointments promptly so as not to overrun – please do not be offended if a conversation has to be brought to a close.
- Hand sanitiser must be used on entering the building
- Adults will leave via the door next to Sandymere classroom.
- In the classroom, a plastic chair will be available for the staff member and the adult at greater than 2 metres apart. No one will sit at tables.
- The staff member will clean the chair as the adult leaves, ready for the next person.
- All external and internal doors and windows will remain open.
- Unfortunately, we will not be able to share children’s books on this occasion to reduce the amount of people that are touching them and the time spent in school.
Hopefully the weather will be kind to us as we wait outside! More details will follow as to when the Parents Evenings are and how to book via the school website.
Home Learning
We have now finalised our plans for how learning will look in the event of families having to self-isolate or we have to close a class due to a positive case. Mrs Bettley has put together a guide with different scenarios, what you can expect from school and how to stay in touch with the class teacher. This guide is attached below, so do please have a read.
World Mental Health Day
Saturday 10th October marks World Mental Health day, which although incredibly important, has become even more so during this pandemic. We will be carrying out activities in school on Friday 9th October and we are also asking the children to come into school in non-uniform on that day, wearing yellow items of clothing. All items do not have to be yellow – perhaps a t shirt with yellow on it or a yellow jumper or yellow leggings?
#WakeUpWednesday
This week, National Online Safety have put together a free online safety guide about Amazon Alexa, an artificial intelligence (AI) software assistant created by Amazon in 2014 through which smartphone, tablet and smart device users can issue voice commands and ask questions. Download your free guide below.
Applying for Secondary and Reception Places for September 2021
If you have a child in Year 6, the application round has now opened for you to apply for a secondary school place. It is very important that you do this before the deadline which is 31st October, otherwise your application will be classed as a late application and could have a severe impact on your preferred school choice. Results are available from 12.30am on 1st March 2021. Before making your application, it is important you view the Starting Secondary School booklet. To apply, you will need to create an account or log in if you have an existing online account.
As a school, we are a partner primary with both The Winsford Academy and Hartford CE High School which means that applications for children from our school are considered above some other categories, should the school be oversubscribed. Further details with regards to this can be found in the ‘Transferring to Secondary School’ information booklet in the link above.
If you have a child who is turning 4 years old between now and 31st August 2020, or know of a child who is, then the application round is also open for them to apply for their Reception place. The timescale is slightly different for this and you have until 15th January 2021, but like the secondary school place, before making your application, it is important you view the Starting School booklet. To apply, you will need to create an account or log in if you have an existing online account.
Reminders
School dinners cost £2.30 per day, £11.50 per week. Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 receive free meals as part of the government’s Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) scheme. Dinner money must be paid in advance via the School Money system as we do not accept cash in school anymore due to our COVID-19 Risk Assessment.
If you are in receipt of benefits and think that you may be entitled to free school meals, please click here for more information and support and how to apply. It is very important to apply for free schools meals whatever year your child is in, even if you receive the UIFSM in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, as the school receives a sum of extra money to further help support your child and their education.
Absence During Term Time
Please may I remind you that schools are not allowed to authorise pupil holidays in term time. Any child going on holiday in term time will receive an unauthorised absence. Our registers are regularly checked by the Education Welfare Service and parents may be issued with a fine from the Local Authority for unauthorised absence, which is currently £60 per child, per parent and this rises to £120 if paid after 21 days but within 28 days.
Confirmed Dates for the Autumn Term 2020 – new dates are highlighted
Friday 9th October 2020: Wear something yellow for World Mental Health Day
Friday 23rd October: School closes for half term
Monday 2nd November: School reopens
Tuesday 3rd to Friday 6th November: Artist working in school in all classes
Friday 18th December: School closes for Christmas – if government COVID-19 guidelines are still in place, finishing times will be as follows, but I will keep you updated:
Blakemere at 1:45pm
Linmere at 1:45pm
Oakmere at 1:50pm
Delamere at 1.55pm
Sandymere at 2pm
Hatchmere at 2.05pm
I hope that you all have a lovely weekend.
Take care,
Mrs E Snowdon