Headteacher Newsletter Issue 2
FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER ISSUE 2: 25.9.20
The children continue to settle in well and we have completed our third full week already. Being back at school full time is so invigorating for the staff and children – long may it last! We are particularly enjoying our whole school sharing assemblies, via Teams, each Friday afternoon.
MacMillan Coffee Morning
Year 6 had hot chocolate and cake on Friday which was kindly donated by Mrs Martin
Year 6 parents were asked to donate directly to the charity.
Meet the Teacher – Years 1, 5 and 6
Meet the Teacher sessions took place this week for classes that have a new teacher this year. Reception class will have their session once they are in full time and settled. This will be 6th October 4 – 4.45pm.
We hope you found these sessions informative. All the class newsletters have been distributed now to all year groups and are also on our website.
Teams
We are using Microsoft Teams more and more, so please make sure your accounts are set up and accessible. Children receive their homework through this system.
Bags
Children need to bring in as few items from home as possible ie the items specified: water bottle, sun hat (if needed), coat, hand sanitiser (if possible), packed lunch (if needed), reading book. Please can we remind you that children must only bring in a small bag, if needed, for these items. We are not able to use our cloakrooms and any items from home are being placed under desks. There simply is not enough room for backpacks. Thank you
Healthy Snacks
We would like to encourage all children to bring in a snack for break time. It is a long time between breakfast and lunch and a snack, as well as a drink of water, make a big difference to children’s concentration levels and ability to learn. As a healthy school we have agreed strict guidelines for the type of snack brought in, it must be fruit or vegetable in the form in which it grew (ie. nothing added, not stretchy or made into a bar and wrapped). This also helps to promote our eco school policies of reducing waste and packaging. Miss Turner has arranged with Uttlesford District Council to provide each class with a food waste caddy, so we are now able to ensure every apple core and banana peel is recycled in the correct manner.
School Clubs
Please note, now that the weather is changing, after school clubs will become challenging as we cannot currently use the hall as a back-up option. We will endeavour to keep the clubs going as we want them to take place as much as you do, but if there is poor weather then they will have to be cancelled. We will make this judgement with the sports coaches as timely as we can in terms of notice given and time for any possible weather changes.
COVID symptoms and ACTION, a reminder –
To confirm, children are to stay off school if they are unwell with any virus. If they or a household member develops or has symptoms of a high temperature, persistent cough or loss or taste/smell then they must have a COVID test. Whilst waiting for the test results household members must isolate. The class bubble does not have to at this stage but siblings in school do. Please keep the school informed if any of your household has any of the three symptoms and of any test results. It is vital we all work together on this to keep everyone safe.
Proactive Information for Parents – What Happens in the Event of a Positive Case within an Education Setting
The Local Authority have received some feedback from schools that some parents aren’t sure what would happen in the event of a confirmed case of COVID-19 in an education setting and so they have provided some useful links: what happens if a child or someone they live with develops symptoms and one on what happens if there’s a case in the child’s bubble.
School Admissions – Primary and Secondary – Apply Now!!
To apply quickly and easily for primary and secondary school places go online to https://www.essex.gov.uk/admissions-to-essex-schools-for-the-next-school-year
Secondary school places for September 2021
From 11 September 2020 you can apply online for your child’s school place https://www.essex.gov.uk/apply-for-a-secondary-school-place
You must submit an application by the national closing date of 31 October 2020. Applications received after this date will be considered late and you may reduce your chance of being offered a place at your preferred school.
Primary and junior school places for September 2021
From 9 November 2020 you can apply online for your child’s school place https://www.essex.gov.uk/apply-for-a-primary-school-place
You must submit an application by the national closing date of 15 January 2021. Applications received after this date are considered late and will reduce your chance of being offered a place at your preferred schools.
Free School Meals Funding
You can register for Free Schools Meals Funding if you meet the criteria below.
https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals
If you have a child in Key Stage One and are receiving the free meal, which is part of the universal offer, you could be missing out on this additional funding for the school, which will support your child with their learning, if you meet the criteria below. You have to apply for this funding. If you think you meet the criteria below then please follow the guidance below and contact the school office.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
6th October Meet the Teacher – Reception class
15th October Flu Vaccine
20th October Bag2School
23rd October INSET day – school closed to pupils
18th December End of term
4th January INSET day – school closed to pupils
5th January Spring term begins
ACHIEVEMENTS
STAR OF THE WEEK
Week ending September 18th
Reception Emily – for super listening and fantastic tidying
Year One Phoebe – for working really hard when representing numbers in lots of different ways
Year Two Polly – for her positive helpful attitude
Year Three Rosie-Ann – for demonstrating fantastic cheerleading skills
Year Four George – for consistent great effort and contributions to lessons in Maths
Year Five Nathan – for good work in English and Maths
Year Six Rose B – for her excellent ‘Beauty Sleep’ poem with a twist
Have a good weekend and thank you for your support.
Rosalind Allsop
Headteacher