Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back to the New Year. We hope you all had a lovely time celebrating Christmas and New Year.
Reception Applications
If you have a child that was born between 1st September 2017 and 31st August 2018, or you know someone that does, admissions are now open for Reception Class applications.
We are very proud of our Reception Class, and our Early Years Team works very hard to create a welcoming and exciting environment for our new pupils.
Applications close on 15th January 2022 and we will be holding open events on the following dates:
- Monday 10th January - 9.30am and 4.30pm
If you would like to attend one of these open sessions, please contact the school office to book a space. Each session will take about 30 minutes. If you would like to arrange a visit, but are unable to make one of the above sessions, please contact the office to arrange an alternative time.
Headteachers Awards
The following children will receive an award in next week’s Celebration Assembly. Videos of Celebration Assemblies are now shared on our Facebook page.
Reception -
- Nova for independently writing the words ‘sheep, shop, shell and cat’ during her choosing time using her phonic sounds - well done Nova!
- Kodi for having a great first week in Reception and getting stuck into his learning!
Year 1 -
- Reggie - For enthusiastically sharing your ideas and knowledge during our identifying and naming materials science lesson.
Year 2 -
- Lily-Rose - For a fantastic invitation inviting the Three Kings to visit the newborn King in Bethlehem.
- Alfie - For a super independent recount of a special day over the Christmas holiday.
Year 3 -
- Shayne- For her enthusiastic and effective approach to making inferences with Mrs Wakeford.
- Amber- For being absorbed in her column subtraction and challenging herself to make great progress.
Year 4-
- Zak and Couture- For making a great first impression with Mrs Fannin when working with her on your times tables.
Year 5 -
- Anta - for her independence in making some brilliant Maths corrections and helping those around her when needed.
Year 6 -
- Omar - for a consistent improvement in your writing. You have quietly been absorbed in your work. This is evident in your fantastic work on fronted adverbials - well done!
Updated COVID advice from the Department for Education
PCR testing
UKHSA has announced updated guidance on PCR testing for those without covid symptoms which will come into effect from the 11th of January Under the new guidance, anyone in England who receives a positive lateral flow device (LFD) test result should report their result on gov.uk and must self-isolate immediately, but will not need to take a follow-up PCR test.
After reporting a positive LFD test result, they will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace so that their contacts can be traced.
Anyone who tests positive will be able to leave self-isolation seven days after the date of their initial positive test if they receive two negative lateral flow test results, 24 hours apart, on days six and seven. Confirmatory PCR tests to be temporarily suspended for positive lateral flow test results - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Self Isolation following a positive test result
How long you need to self-isolate
If you test positive, your self-isolation period includes the day your symptoms started (or the day you had the test, if you do not have symptoms) and the next 10 full days.
If you get symptoms while you're self-isolating, the 10 days restarts from the day after your symptoms started.
When to stop self-isolating
You can stop self-isolating after 7 days if you do a rapid lateral flow test on days 6 and 7 of your self-isolation period and:
- both tests are negative
- you did both tests at least 24 hours apart
- you do not have a high temperature
If you stop self-isolating on or after day 7, it's important that you take steps to reduce the chance of passing COVID-19 to others. This means you should:
- work from home if you can
- wear a face covering in shops, on public transport and when it's hard to stay away from other people – particularly indoors, in crowded places or where there is not much fresh air
- limit contact with people at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19
- follow advice on how to avoid catching and spreading COVID-19
You can stop self-isolating after the 10 days if either:
- you do not have any symptoms
- you just have a cough or changes to your sense of smell or taste – these can last for weeks after the infection has gone
When to keep self-isolating after 10 days
If you have a high temperature after the 10 days, or are feeling unwell, keep self-isolating and seek medical advice.
How long to self-isolate - Coronavirus (COVID-19) - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
If a child is a close contact to a person with a positive COVID result
In school, adults who are fully vaccinated and all children and young people aged between 5 and 18 years and 6 months identified as a contact of someone with COVID-19 are strongly advised to take a LFD test every day for 7 days and continue to attend their setting as normal, unless they have a positive test result.
Winter Wellness
This time of year can be challenging for the mental health of us all, including our children and young people, especially with the added pressures of Covid this year.
The Safeguarding in Education team have sent us some fantastic resources to share with families this year, to help make the winter break a little less stressful - from ‘14 Ways To Be Kind’ to ‘Christmas Recipes for Kids’, there’s plenty of excellent guides and advice available.
Check out Survive & Thrive This Winter for the resources.
Uniform Reminder
Can we politely remind parents and carers that children should be coming to school in the appropriate uniform.
Children should wear the following uniform:
- PLAIN BLACK SHOES
- grey / black trousers or skirts – no leggings or tracksuit bottoms
- red sweatshirt or cardigan or fleece
- white / red polo shirts
- PE Kit (which is plain white t-shirt / plain black shorts and PE daps or trainers)
Booking and Paying for School Clubs
As you know we currently run a Breakfast Club and various afterschool activities for pupils.
We would like to remind you that, where possible, these clubs should be booked and paid for using the School Gateway app.
This term, we have had a number of parents booking clubs through the school office, and while this is okay from time to time, it means that payments for these sessions are often not being made in a timely manner. Whilst we want to ensure that all of our pupils have the opportunity to attend our clubs, we cannot guarantee spaces in sessions if payment has not been made.
If you are still having difficulties accessing the School Gateway App, or have any other concerns about booking onto, or paying for school clubs, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will do our best to support you with this.
New After School Clubs
A reminder of our new after school clubs, are continuing:
- Wednesday Years 3-5 - Basketball
- Wednesday Year 5 - Art (every fortnight - see below for further details)
- Thursday Years 1 and 2 - Multi Sports (focussing on balls skills, including Netball & Basketball)
- Friday Year 6 - Archery
These clubs are being offered as part of paid after school provision, which is £2 for clubs until 4pm. Please book as soon as possible, to guarantee your child’s place. If you would like your child to attend Chill, after their club, the total charge is £3.50. Your child can then attend Chill until 4:30pm.
Dates for Diaries
- Tuesday 8th February - Safer Internet Day
- Friday 18 February 2022 - End of term 3
- Monday 28th February 2022 - Start of Term 4
- Friday 8th April 2022 - End of Term 4
- Monday 25 April 2022 - Start of Term 5
- Friday 27 May 2022 - End of Term 5
- Monday 6 June 2022 - Start of Term 6
- Thursday 21 July 2022 - End of the school year
Yours sincerely
Matt Condon
Headteacher
