Dear Parents/Carers,
Firstly a reminder that our last day of term remains Friday 18th December. We are all looking forward to a safe and happy Christmas week in school.
Updated Guidance on Home Learning
In the case of isolation, updated guidance now states that children should be expected to work online at home for 3 hours each day.
COVID - Changes to National Self Isolation Guidance
On Monday 14 December, the change to the isolation period for contacts will apply to all those who are currently self-isolating including those who commenced self-isolation before Monday.
Self-isolation periods will begin on the day after exposure, a test or the start of symptoms.
The NHS Test and Trace service will tell people to self-isolate for 10 days instead of 14 days from Monday.
The passenger locator form will be updated from Monday.
Due to the time taken to test technical changes and release updates through the app store, the NHS COVID-19 app will tell close contacts to isolate for 10 days instead of 14 days from Thursday 17 December.
In England, if you receive a notification from the NHS COVID-19 app before 17 December to isolate because you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive.
- if you have also been contacted by NHS Test and Trace you must follow isolation guidance provided by contact tracers
- if you have been advised to isolate by the app (and not by NHS Test and Trace) then you can leave isolation when your isolation countdown timer says 3 days
COVID - Christmas Holidays Track and Trace
Over the first 6 days of the school holiday, the school is required to track and trace COVID close contacts, in the case of a positive case being reported. If this happens, it is expected every person in each class will be identified as a close contact and advised to self isolate. We will share more information about this next week.
COVID - School Guidance
To make the school as safe as possible - if any member of the family, that lives in your home, has suspected COVID symptoms, can you please keep all children in the family at home - and phone the school for further advice.
COVID - Isolation
As you will all know if there is a confirmed care of COVID in a class, close contacts will be directed to self isolate; this may often be the whole class. Can we remind you all that isolation means NOT LEAVING YOUR HOME, otherwise you could be putting others at risk.
Online Christmas Celebrations
Daily Advent Messages on Facebook
Each school day during Advent, children from different classes will be posting video messages on Facebook. This week messages have been shared from Years 4, 5 and 6 and have focussed on the theme of Hope, which is represented in the first candle of the Advent Wreath. Next week's messages will be focussing on the theme of Faith, which is represented in the second candle.
Online Christmas Service
All classes will be involved in an online Christmas celebration next week. This will be shared online and we will share details next week.
Attendance Reminder
Can I remind you all that although we are doing our best to safely manage the school during this pandemic, school attendance remains compulsory. Generally an absence will only be agreed if the child is ill, if there are exceptional circumstances, and now also for statutory reasons in relation to COVID-19.
Where attendance is a concern, we will take further action which may include a referral to the Education Welfare Service and/or the issue of penalty notices.
Free School meals
If you think your circumstances have changed or you have been affected by Covid 19 and you think you may be able to claim for Free School Meals, then please go to the Bristol City Council website and apply. You can also telephone school for a form.
Vacancy for School Cleaner
We have a vacancy for a school cleaner starting on the 4th January 2021, if you would be interested in the position please contact the school office. Hours for the vacancy are Monday to Friday 3.30pm to 5.30pm with some work required during the school holidays.
Christmas Lunch
Due to COVID restrictions, we are having an alternative Christmas lunch this year. We will be combining our festive lunch with Christmas Jumper Day and the children can wear a Christmas top of their choice for the day.
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
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
