15th July 2020
Dear Parent/Carer
Details of September 2021 Opening of Dr Thomlinson CofE Middle School
I hope this letter finds you well. There is no doubt that this academic year has been a very difficult and challenging one and one that ended in an unsatisfactory way as parts of many children’s final weeks of the Summer term have been spent in self isolation. However, I would like to thank you all for your ongoing support as well as thanking your children for their infinite goodwill and enthusiasm. I was reminded of what a fantastic group of children we have at our school by the great commitment and zeal all children gave to our sports day – it was a great event and one which I very much enjoyed. I hope that next year you are all able to join us in person to celebrate such an event as well as many others at our school.
We are already looking forward to September, 2021 and seeing our pupils once again. We are committed to deliver face-to-face, high quality education for all our pupils and we will be greatly helped in this regard by the Government’s School’s Covid 19 Operational guidance .
Start of the Year 2021 / 2022 – school day 8.50am – 3.30pm
To ensure we have a controlled and well managed start to the school term with all students coming into the school, we are implementing a staggered start to the term.
We are very conscious that our new Year 5 will not have had a physical transition this year and we would like them to have the best possible start to Dr Thomlinson CofE Middle School so they feel comfortable in their new surroundings. Therefore, only Year 5 students will start back to school on Tuesday 7th September. All other Year groups will then start on Wednesday 8th September.
- TUESDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER – Year 5 only
- WEDNESDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER – All other Year groups
As we move onto the next phase of the Government’s roadmap, our school in September 2021 will look significantly different to what school was like in July 2021, therefore, we will spend some time discussing the different expectations and routines with the students on their first day back in school.
Your child’s attendance at school is very important, therefore, the expectation continues to be that School attendance is mandatory for all pupils of compulsory school age.
On Tuesday 7th September
New Year 5 children should enter school by the main entrance where they will be met by our Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher
School opens to all students: Wednesday 8th September
Upon arriving at Dr Thomlinson Middle School on the morning of Wednesday 8th September each Year group are asked to go to these areas:
Y5 – access point, Year 5 door in front yard – line up in form classes along each wall
Yr 6 & 7- access point, door near the tennis court – line up in year groups along wall and fence
Yr 8 – access point, main entrance – line up along dining hall windows
Yr 6, 7 & 8 will assemble outside allocated access points and as soon as they start arriving at school they will be put into Form Classes by the Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher and they will be collected by their Form Tutors. Yr 6; Yr 7 & Yr 8 Form Classes will be with Form Tutors until Lunchtime on their first day
Personal hygiene measures
We will continue to ensure that all students have the opportunity to ensure the highest standards of hand and respiratory hygiene throughout the school day. There are hand sanitising stations across all entrances and exits in the school, on every corridor and in every classroom. Tissues and bins with lids to dispose of any used tissues are also in every classroom. Students will be reminded to clean hands during every lesson, and on entering and leaving a room, they will be required to adopt/continue the “Catch it, bin it, kill it” approach to coughing or sneezing. Children should carry tissues at all times.
KS3 Lateral Flow testing
Year 7 and Year 8 will be offered two lateral flow tests prior to their return – this will be communicated in an email to parents shortly.
Equipment / Uniform
It is essential that all children come to school properly equipped. I enclose a list of essential equipment.
Required equipment
- A pack of tissues
- Reading book
- Black handwriting pen
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Sharpener
- Rubber
- Preferable but optional: green/blue pens, glue stick, coloured pencils, scientific calculator (KS3 only), protractor, compass & pocket dictionary
Phones – We do ask students who have mobile phones with them that they are switched off, and stored in their bag when they are on the school grounds. Any student found with their phone switched on regardless if it is on silent or vibrate, will have this confiscated. Upon confiscation, the phone will be stored in a secure place until it is collected by the student at the end of the day.
Cloakrooms will be used by students to leave their bags and coats. Children will need to bring their PE kit with them on the days they have PE. PE lessons will begin on Thursday 9th September 2021, by which time your child will have their timetable.
Uniform
We look forward to seeing all our children attending school in full school uniform which is listed below. When purchasing, please make sure your garments meet the requirements below and note that there are no black garments listed. On days that they have Physical Education they will get changed into their PE kit in our school changing rooms.
Our school uniform is:
- Navy V-necked sweatshirt with embroidered school badge
- Pale blue polo shirt with or without embroidered school badge
- Charcoal grey tailored trousers (traditional formal school trousers are required, no tight fitting fashion trousers, leggings or jeans are permitted.) OR
- Navy tailored trousers (traditional formal school trousers are required, no tight fitting fashion trousers, leggings or jeans are permitted.) OR
- Navy skirt (traditional and formal in style and of appropriate length). Pupils wearing Navy skirts are expected to wear white ankle or knee length socks or navy tights (dark knee length socks are not allowed)
- Black formal, flat footwear (no trainers including Vans or similar fabric shoes).
PE kit:
- School blue/pale blue t-shirt
- School navy shorts or skort
- Knee length navy sports socks
Optional winter PE kit: school hoodie and school tracksuit bottoms.
An apron is required for DT/Food Technology lessons
ALL ITEMS OF CLOTHING AND ALL BELONGINGS SHOULD BE NAMED AS WE WILL BE UNABLE TO REUNITE ITEMS WITH OWNERS IF THEY ARE NOT. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT HAND WRITTEN NAMES FADE VERY QUICKLY WITH WASHING.
The embroidered logo sweatshirt and PE kit are available from Emblematic.co.uk online or from their new Morpeth store behind the Electric Wizard. All other items can be sourced from most supermarkets and clothing stores.
We ask that students who walk or get a lift to school do not arrive before 8:45am, whereupon they should go straight to their allocated access points.
We understand that students use school transport and may arrive at school before their start time or finish before their bus typically arrives. Upon arrival these students are also expected to make their way to their allocated access point and wait until it is time to enter the school. At the end of the school day, students will be lining up in the front yard until called for their bus – this will be outdoors, and so please ensure your child has a coat in case of inclement weather.
Please ensure your child is familiar with their access point to school on their first day back:
School lunch:
Mrs Muir and her team offer a well balanced, healthy school lunch for £2.35. The menu is available on the school website and runs on a 3 week cycle with summer and winter set choices. All dietary requirements are catered for – please let us know in advance of these. Additional items are available to buy such as toast at morning break. School account cards should be continually held with a positive balance and a maximum daily limit can be added to this at your request.
E-safety
We would like to continue to support positive e-safety approaches at home during the Summer holiday. Please refer to this link for up to date advice and guidance.
I look forward to seeing all the students in September ready and eager to enjoy school once again.
Best regards,
Liam Murtagh
Headteacher
