Dear Parents/Carers,
I hope this email finds you well. We’ve all had to adapt to new ways of working, so we wanted to take this chance to say what an amazing job you’re doing supporting your child’s wellbeing and learning during this time.
It’s definitely been a strange and challenging time, so it’s understandable if you and your child feel anxious and frustrated at the moment. Please remember that we’re here for you every step of the way.
Don’t hesitate to get In touch with our School
If you have any concerns about helping your child learn or you need any other support from the school, please let us know by contacting our school on 01669620287 or emailing us [email protected]. We are here to support you so please do get in touch.
Our school is open for the children of key workers
Naturally we miss having our pupils in school, but we must continue to follow the government’s guidance to keep everyone in our community safe. Our school is open for children of key workers and we ask that parents/carers only use this service if they are not able to safely care for their child at home whilst working. If you wish to access this service please get in touch with school. Please be aware that the children who are in school during this time are completing the same work that is set for all children via google classroom.
Google Classroom
Our teachers are continuing to set work via google classroom. We are continuing our regular whole school worship and you can join in with your child via google classroom. This week we have celebrated St George’s Day. Obviously there are issues with learning via google classroom in terms of screen time so please remind your child to take breaks away from screens as well, and also make time for having fun and connecting with friends and family.
While we can’t say yet when we’ll be able to open the school fully, rest assured that we’ll continue doing our utmost to keep pupils learning and the school connected.
New national home learning telephone helpline
Obviously if your child is finding any of the work difficult we suggest you get in touch with the school, however please be aware that there is a new national home learning telephone helpline called startline – this can be accessed via https://www.starline.org.uk/
Keeping Safe Online
As I have already mentioned, children are spending a lot of time working online.
The Department of Education is providing parents with ways that they can keep their children safe online. The following link will provide further information on ways to further help Parents/Carers with this important task – https://parentinfo.org
Resources for COVID-19 advice to parents and carers
Clearly this is a very stressful time for families. If you are finding things difficult, then please get in touch with us and we will do our utmost to help. The NSPCC have produced resources to for COVID-19 advice to parents and carers which can be accessed via https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
The resources include how to talk to children about COVID-19; Taking Care of Our Mental Health; Arguments and Family Tension and How to Cope With Tantrums.
Children can contact School Nurse
Children between the ages of 11 – 19 can access a service entitled “Chat Health Messaging Service” whereby they can text a school nurse. They will receive a reply within one working day. The number is: 07507332258 and is available from Monday to Friday between 9:30am and 4:30am.
Keep in touch with news in our Community
The people producing Over The Bridges are doing really excellent work. The magazine is now online and the team have produced three online versions for the month of April alone! You can read about everything that is happening in our community via this link http://overthebridges.org/
Information about Crimestoppers
In this difficult time we may see things as neighbours, friends and colleagues that we may wish to pass on. Information can be passed on to Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111 or online: https://bit.ly/2ykQ3bo
Government Information regarding testing for Coronavirus
The Government have published information that details how essential workers with symptoms, and people who live with essential workers and have symptoms who need a test, will be able to book a test – this can be accessed via https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
I hope you have found this information useful. Please remember we are always here for you. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any concerns.
Take care,
Liam Murtagh – Headteacher
