Dear Parents/Carers,

Christmas Lunch

Due to COVID restrictions, we are having an alternative Christmas lunch this year:

Home Learning

As an increasing number of children are off school, due to COVID symptoms or related issues, we have reintroduced online learning. We are hoping that in most classes this will be through Google Classroom and Year 1 are currently using this really well at home (as you can see below).

Can I confirm that all children who are absent from school, but are not unwell, are expected to engage in home learning activities. Generally, children should be expected to work online at home for 2-3 hours each day. Online lessons consist of English, Maths, Topic work and reading. We appreciate and thank you for your continued support. 

Year 1 Home Learning

Well done to all the children in year 1 for engaging with the home learning tasks that have been set. It has been great that so many children have accessed google classroom, the outcome has been far better than we anticipated. It has been a lovely way for children to keep in contact with one another and their teachers while continuing their learning at home. Thank you to parents for supporting your children with this!

Menu Change

Due to very low demand we will be taking Jacket potato with tuna off the menu and replacing it with jacket potato with cheese from Monday.

Nursery School Meal Supervisory Assistant Role

Would you be interested in a role supporting and supervising children at lunchtime in our new nursery? If so please let the school office know and we will let you know more about the role and hope to apply.

Places Available

The school is almost full but we do have some space available in Reception, Year 1, Year 2, Year 4 and Year 6. If you know somebody who might need a school place, please ask them to contact the school office.

Attendance

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

• Reception = 98%

Headteacher’s Awards

Reception - 

• Jenson - for always being a kind and supportive friend, particularly when walking down the corridor. Well done for setting such a good example.

Year 1 -  

• Lily B, Kamil, Harper G, Zuzanna, Phoebe, Lily R, - for their fantastic effort and super contributions to the home learning tasks.

Year 2 - 

• Amber Lane - For excellent ideas of her own when designing a Christmas Stocking in Design and technology.
• Filip - For working independently and using excellent vocabulary when innovating our class story.  

Year 3 -  

• Jenson- For being resilient and trying new things in his new class. A fantastic start! 
• Couture- For independently completing all of her home learning on Google Classroom to a brilliant standard and sharing her learning with others. 

Year 4 -

• Harley B- for being an active learner; Harley engages in class discussions, shows initiative with his learning and practises his timetables at home.

Year 5 -  

• Miley - for being willing to try out new things and seeing things through in all lessons.
• Reggie - for being so keen to learn and for setting a brilliant example of how to use his independent learning folder.

Year 6 

• Rubyleigh - for an amazing boost of independent learning. 
• Kristen - for leading our whole collective worship on love.
• Jazleen, Gabriel & Freddie - for exceptionally high scores in their maths tests. 

Well done to everyone!

Primary School Applications for a New Reception Place for September 2021

If your child was born between 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2017 you'll need to  apply for a new reception school place for September 2021.  You'll need to apply by Wednesday 15 January 2020.

Apply online for a reception place for Sept 2021 at:

https://www.bristol.gov.uk/schools-learning-early-years/primary-admissions

Please contact the school office if we can help in any way or if you would like to visit the school (in a COVID safe way). .

Dates for Diaries

INSET (staff training) day - Friday 20th November.

INSET (staff training) day - Friday 11th December.

End of Term 2 - 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

General letter regarding COVID case, to all school students/parents/guardians and staff

Dear Parents, carers and staff.

We have been made aware of a member of our school community who have tested positive for COVID 19. 

We know that you may find this concerning but we are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Public Health England. This letter is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

The small number of children who have been in close contact with the individual who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) have received a letter informing them that their child must stay at home for 14 days. 

The school remains open and your child should continue to attend as normal if they remain well.

What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19 

If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, they must not come to school and should remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when their symptoms appeared. Anyone with symptoms will be eligible for testing and this can be arranged via https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.  

All other household members who remain well, must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. This includes anyone in your ‘Support Bubble’.

Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection 

The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.

Household members should not go to work, school or public areas and exercise should be taken within the home. 

If you require help with buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication, or walking a dog, you should ask friends or family. Alternatively, you can order your shopping online and medication by phone or online.

Household members staying at home for 14 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community

If you are able, move any vulnerable individuals (such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions) out of your home, to stay with friends or family for the duration of the home isolation period.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:

• a new continuous cough
• a high temperature
• a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

If your child does develop symptoms, you can seek advice from the nhs.uk website at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/check-if-you-have-coronavirus-symptoms/. If you are concerned about your child’s symptoms, or they are worsening you can seek advice from NHS 111 at https://111.nhs.uk/ or by phoning 111.

How to stop COVID-19 spreading

There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19

Do

• wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds 
• use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
• wash your hands as soon as you get home
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

Further Information

Further information is available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ 

Yours sincerely

Matt Condon

Headteacher

Dear Parents and Carers,

As many of you would have heard on social media, yesterday evening, we were informed of a confirmed COVID case in Year 1. To clarify, this is the only confirmed COVID case that was reported yesterday - other children have been tested and negative results have been confirmed. 

As always, we have informed the Department for Education, who have provided public health advice as well as assessing risks and directing the school on how to respond.

The advice is clear that action is only required in Year 1, where the positive case has been confirmed. This is because children and staff in this class may have been in contact with a child who was infectious at the time - this is not the case in other classes. I am also aware that it has been reported on social media that there are multiple COVID cases in certain classes - can I assure you all that this is not the case and if it were, we would immediately follow public health guidance.  

This is the second confirmed case of a child with COVID in our school. The first had been self isolating away from school for a significant number of days, before any symptoms occurred or a test taken. Public health advice was clear that there was not a risk of infection because the child was away from school during any possible infection period. Current public health advice states,  ‘The time when people who have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) are infectious to others is from 2 days before the onset of symptoms to 10 days afterwards (or from 2 days prior to the date of their test to 10 days afterwards if they have had no symptoms)’

I will be sharing information soon with staff, parents and carers of children in Year 1 of what precautionary measures we will be taking - closely following public health advice. There will also be a public health letter to be shared with the whole school that will be shared later.

We expect to see all other classes in on Monday as normal.

These are difficult and stressful times but please rest assured that we will always take action wherever there are concerns, following public health advice.

Kind regards

Matt Condon

Headteacher

Dear Parents/Carers,

INSET

A reminder that next Friday (20th November) the school is closed for an INSET Day.

Parking on Pavement

To keep everybody safe, it is very important that we drive and park safely. Can we ask everybody to park on the road, not the pavement, even if it means parking a bit further down the road. Together we can make sure our children are safe.

School Dinners

As we have an INSET day next Friday 20th November, it will be ‘Fish finger Thursday’ on the 19th instead!

Places Available

The school is almost full but we do have some space available in Reception, Year 1, Year 2, Year 4 and Year 6. If you know somebody who might need a school place, please ask them to contact the school office.

Headteacher’s Awards

Reception - 

• Zac - for growing in confidence working towards some of his goals this term including managing his self-care. 

Year 1 -  

• Flynn - For concentrating and persevering with his art work to create a wonderful Pudsey picture.
• Frankie - For trying new things by confidently using the chromebooks to access google classroom and helping her friends log on.

Year 2 - 

• Liliana - For understanding the importance of keeping our mind and body healthy.
• Jenson - For being aware of how we are feeling and discussing ways of keeping our mind and body healthy.

Year 3 -  

• Antony- For trying new things and joining in with our Joe Wick’s morning energiser with great enthusiasm.
• Ellis- For politely asking a partner for help in maths and listening carefully to learn from them and develop his understanding. 

Year 4 -

• Maisie - For thinking deeply about her writing and including the grammar features that were learnt throughout the week including embedded relative clauses! 

Year 5 -  

• Emily W for being resilient and diligent with her home-learning.
• Adi for taking ownership of his own learning space and organising himself effectively.

Year 6 -

• Jenson & Isabel - for resilience and perseverance to be successful with their 3 by 2 digit multiplication - well done!

Primary School Applications for a New Reception Place for September 2021

If your child was born between 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2017 you'll need to  apply for a new reception school place for September 2021.  You'll need to apply by Wednesday 15 January 2020.

Apply online for a reception place for Sept 2021 at:

https://www.bristol.gov.uk/schools-learning-early-years/primary-admissions

Please contact the school office if we can help in any way or if you would like to visit the school (in a COVID safe way). .

Dates for Diaries

• INSET (staff training) day - Friday 20th November.
• INSET (staff training) day - Friday 11th December.
• End of Term 2 - 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

Dear Parents/Carers,

Holiday Food Help

Over the holiday Miss Channing was contacted by Julie Mackie from the Cater Road Cafe in Hartcliffe, offering donations of holiday packed lunches. Miss Channing and Miss Roberts worked with Mrs Selway to organise the donations and Mrs Selway made deliveries of the packed lunches each day to a number of families in our community.

I had no idea that this act of generosity and kindness had taken place until we returned and so wanted to share an extra special thanks to all involved. I know that the families receiving these lunches really appreciated them. 

The Cater Road Cafe is open for deliveries during lockdown (Postcode - Bs13 7TT, Telephone - 07852 589340)

Places Available

The school is almost full but we do have some space available in Reception, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4 and Year 6. If you know somebody who might need a school place, please ask them to contact the school office.

Remembrance Day

Sadly, due COVID, we will not be selling poppies in school next week. However, it is important that we recognise Remembrance Day on Wednesday 11th November. On that day children can wear poppies into school if they have then and offer a voluntary donation of £1 if it can be afforded. Year 6 will be leading a special online reflection just before 11am when the whole school will spend 2 minutes in silence.

Children in Need

Next week we are getting involved with Children in Need every day. Each day children will be doing activities focussing on making each class feel healthy and happier. We know things have been tough recently, so this year Children in Need are making children’s mental wellbeing our number one priority.

The week will end on Friday with a special Children in Need non-uniform day where children can bring in a £1 voluntary donation. 

Parenting tip of the week 

Help to regulate your child by asking them questions. 

When your child tells you about a problem in school, however small it may be, ask them: Is it a big problem or a small problem? 

What did you do about it? Who did you speak to? what could you do next time? 

Headteacher’s Awards

Reception - 

• George and Jackson for making an amazing start to the new term during their first week back, including their learnt knowledge of phonic sounds! 

Year 1 -  

• Damian - for making a great start since joining CTK and wowing his teachers with his Autumn writing!
• Matheo - for making amazing progress with his reading. We enjoyed listening to him share his books with us. 

Year 2 -

• Victor - For being an enthusiastic scientist when investigating waterproof materials.

Year 3 -  

• Frankie- For showing resilience and greater understanding when using column addition. 
• Ella- For being a curious and enthusiastic learner in our science lesson and completing extra work at home linking to our work on pollination.

Year 4 -

• Ralphie - For showing perseverance when using the inverse to check his subtraction calculations. This is not an easy skill and Ralphie kept trying and trying, until he had success!  

Year 5 -  

• Chris Kamga - for always working as a team, doing his best and being honest. 
• Cody - for showing empathy to others when things weren’t going so well for them. 

Year 6 

• Lexi - for responding well to verbal feedback to improve her writing to entertain.
• Marta - for her positive attitude towards her work and reflecting on ways to improve. 

Phonics Check

The phonic check will take place for year 2 pupils this term.

Refurbished Laptops

We are hoping to refurbish some older school laptops so they can be given to families to help with home learning. If you are interested in having a refurbished laptop, please contact the school office.

Primary School Applications for a New Reception Place for September 2021

If your child was born between 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2017 you'll need to  apply for a new reception school place for September 2021.  You'll need to apply by Wednesday 15 January 2020.

Apply online for a reception place for Sept 2021 at:

https://www.bristol.gov.uk/schools-learning-early-years/primary-admissions

Please contact the school office if we can help in any way or if you would like to visit the school (in a COVID safe way). 

Parents Guide to Google Classroom

Now all children in Year 3-6 are using Google Classroom, it is a really good time for parents and carers to learn more about how it works. A very useful guide can be found on the school website or by following the following link:

ctk.education/www/home-learning/parents-guide-to-google-classroom

Parents Evenings

This term, we will be holding a telephone Parents’ Evening. This will be an opportunity, for you and your child’s teacher, to discuss your child’s start to the new school year.

The remaining appointment dates are:

• Monday 9th November to Thursday 12th November

For each day, 10 minute appointments will be allocated at: 3:30pm, 3:45pm, 4:00pm & 4:15pm. Thank you to those who have already made an appointment. If you are yet to make an appointment, please get in touch with the school office.

Secondary school applications

A reminder to all of our Year 6 parents - The closing date for Secondary school place applications was the 31st October. If you would like support to complete your application please contact the school office - Mrs Selway or Mrs Jordan would be happy to support you.

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.uk and 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 with 98% attendance
• Year 3 with 98% attendance
• Year 5 with 97% attendance
• Year 6 with a fantastic 99% attendance!

Dates for Diaries

• INSET (staff training) day - Friday 20th November.
• INSET (staff training) day - Friday 11th December.
• End of Term 2 - 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

A special newsletter from Clifton Diocese Director of Schools and Colleges, Colleen Collett

Dear Parent/Carer

I am writing as the Director for Catholic Schools and Colleges in Clifton Diocese to express my thanks to your school community for the work that they and you, as part of that community, are doing to support each other during these very challenging times.

You will have returned from a mid-term break which was not perhaps spent doing  things with your families that you would normally do – go on holiday, visit family in other parts of the country, share childminding etc. – however, I hope it enabled you to recharge your batteries for the next phase of the term and the uncertain months ahead.

I do not need to say how difficult and strange these times are for all but as the Director of our Catholic schools I would wish to reassure you that the leaders, and their staff are working tirelessly to ensure that the education of your child is not unnecessarily disrupted and that their experience in school is as productive and enjoyable as possible given the restrictions that have to be adhered to.  The restrictions that each individual school places on both the students and you are there for the safety of everyone; and to ensure that the school can remain open and in operation throughout the twists and turns of this pandemic.  School leaders must comply with government directives and are under unceasing scrutiny to ensure they do so.  Both Ofsted and Health and Safety executives undertake spot check visits and phone calls to ensure the risk assessments of the schools are fit for purpose and in line with current statutory advice and guidance.  This will continue for the unforeseeable future and will undoubtedly impact upon any forthcoming events like the usual Christmas celebrations of carol services, plays, Christmas lunches.  Restrictions on singing, the sharing of resources, the mixing of bubbles etc will impact severely on those key events that would normally occur.  As Director therefore, I would ask that you continue to be supportive and patient with your school leaders and staff during the forthcoming months. I am sure they will continue to communicate with you as and when they are able to.

As Catholic schools a holistic approach to education has and remains at the forefront of the work that is undertaken. The value of quiet moments in the day for prayer, reflection or a means to alleviate stress or anxiety remains central to the life of our schools.  As a diocese we endeavour to support our schools with the provision of this through resources and training.  Again, each schools’ approach to being able to hold a Mass or liturgy with pupils and parents will be determined by the priest and the school situation.  However, I know through their websites and talking to heads, schools continue to provide on-line opportunities for spiritual development of the faith and for personal well-being.

As the Bishop’s representative for his Schools and Colleges I am immensely proud of our schools, but specifically at this moment in time when they have put into practice the mission of the Church which is to work for the common good and serve the vulnerable.  We are all vulnerable currently in different ways and the need for support of one another and collaboration is vital to us all getting through this. 

Once again thank you and the pupils for your contributions to Catholic education. 

Yours sincerely,

Colleen Collett 

Director for Schools and Colleges