Dear Parents/Carers,

Punctuality

To help us keep bubbles of children apart it is very important that children arrive to school promptly at their allotted time. Where punctuality remains a concern we will contacting parents directly. Thanks. 

Bad weather and start and end of day procedures

As the weather goes from sunshine to rain and wind, we understand how difficult it can be for parents who have to wait for an extended period for time for siblings. To address this we are trying a new system to help those who wait the longest:

When weather looks particularly bad we will text parents who would have to wait 15 minutes or more between pickups.

If parents phone us by 2.30pm at the latest we will arrange for children to leave early with their siblings.

Managing these groups, and maintaining the safety of the bubbles, does require a number of staff to ensure children are in the right place, at the right time, without mixing with children from other bubbles. Because of this, we can only manage children leaving early when the weather is very bad and parents arrange this in advance. 

COVID Symptoms

With winter approaching, the UK is entering the traditional seasons for colds and flu, with the additional complication this year that symptoms of those two illnesses can be broadly similar to those experienced by people who have caught the coronavirus and may be at risk of spreading it.

The NHS in England has produced a guide to differentiate between the three types of illnesses, which health experts hope will make it clearer to people whether they have an illness they would have most likely brushed aside last year, but which this year might lead them to think they need to self-isolate or seek to have a coronavirus test.

If you are in any doubt and are concerned about your wellbeing or the health of someone you are caring for, you should seek medical assistance in the UK by dialling 111 or by following the Covid-19 advice on the NHS website.

Birthday Parties and COVID 19

Recently we have been made aware of a number of children attending parties at other children’s houses, seemingly often in breach of the government's new guidelines around groups of 6. Whilst we obviously want everybody to celebrate such events as birthdays, the restrictions are designed to reduce transmission of COVID 19, enabling everybody to live their lives safely and services such as schools to remain open whilst protecting the NHS

The principal of the new guidelines are if you’re gathering socially, it’s no more than six, which if at a party would include birthday boy or girl as well as parents before including friends. 

We ask you all that you are mindful of these restrictions so we can keep each other safe.

St Bernadette Catholic Secondary School – Virtual Open Day

As the Catholic partner secondary school of Christ the King, St Bernadette Catholic Secondary School, is hosting a Virtual Open Day, so that prospective pupils and parents can learn more about the school, which has been judged to be an ‘outstanding Catholic school’.

Please visit our school website https://www.stberns.bristol.sch.ukand click on Open Day, where you can watch films of the pupils and staff and access a range of information about our vibrant and ambitious school. Any enquiries can be directed to info@stberns.bristol.sch.uk.

Attendance

Well done to the following classes who had attendance at over 97% this week:  

• Reception with 98% attendance.
• Year 1 almost made it with 96% attendance.
• Year 2 with 99% attendance.
• Year 3 with 97% attendance.
• Year 4 with 97% attendance.
• Year 5 with 99% attendance.
• Year 6 with 99% attendance.
• Medical needs and risk assessments 

We have been planning very carefully for the needs of individual pupils with COVID specific risk assessments. If your child has medical needs that you feel the school does not know about or may need an update on please contact the school office so that we can update risk assessment for your child. 

New school nursery opening in January

Our new nursery is looking wonderful - we will be opening in January and still have places available for both 15 hour and 30 hour places. Please contact Mrs Jordan or Mrs Martin in the office for more information.

Lantern Project

Year 3 are very excited to be taking part in the Lantern Project this year. This year’s theme is ‘The Walk of Hearts and Stars’. Alan, who is leading the project, has kindly gifted us 10 lantern kits. These lantern kits are free of charge and are for your child to make a lantern at home. All of the materials will be provided in the lantern kit. There are only 10 kits available. These will be given out on a first come first served basis. If you are interested and would like a lantern kit, please contact the school office. These will be given to your child to take home. 

For more information on the Lantern Project, please visit the Walk of Hearts and Stars Facebook page.

Headteacher’s Awards

Reception - 

• Emelia - for being a team player through her play with friends and for always helping the adults in the room to keep the classroom a safe and tidy place to be'

Year 1 -  

• Lily R - For working independently in maths to compare numbers using the correct symbols.

Year 2 - 

• Ralf - For great imagination and originality when drawing illustrations in his work.
• Kevin - For being resilient and moving up the levels when reading with Mrs Wakeford.

Year 3 -  

• Kaiden- For challenging himself in maths to complete problem solving questions. 
• Leighton- For making interesting predictions for our science experiment. 

Year 4 -

• Freddie- For being successful with his maths work this week and investigating four digit numbers independently as part of his ‘figure it out Friday’ challenge.

Year 5 - 

• Charlotte - for persevering with her shading techniques and being willing to try new things.
• Gracie - for working outside her comfort zone and showing steadfast resilience in her maths.

Year 6 - 

• Ellis - for resilience in his maths learning and for always being kind.
• Anya - Fantastic improvement in reading. 
• Olly - for being a great fun team player all week.

Dates for Diaries

End of Term 1- Friday 23 October 2020.

• Term 2 Monday 2 November 2020 to Friday 18 December 2020.
• Term 3 Monday 4 January 2021 to Friday 12 February 2021.
• Term 4 Monday 22 February 2021 to Thursday 1 April 2021.
• Term 5 Monday 19 April 2021 to Friday 28 May 2021.
• Term 6 - Monday 7 June 2021 to Wednesday 21 July 2021. 

Yours sincerely

Matt Condon

Headteacher