Head Teacher's Blog 29.11.21
1st November 2021
What a weekend! We do hope that everyone has stayed safe through storm Arwen’s destructive visit. We know that many families will have been without power for a significant part of the weekend and will be addressing damage to property and gardens. We will of course understand if children are not in full uniform on Monday due to issues associated with loss of power.
We carried out a inspection of the school and grounds on Saturday morning and we feel very fortunate that there has not been any damage to the school building. Unfortunately though, several trees and large branches have come down on the school field and along the boundary causing some damage to fencing. Because of this, we will not be able to use the school field until it has been cleared and a full tree survey has been completed. Until this happens, children will use the two yards for breaks and lunches and we will stagger these times to ensure the safety of all classes.
We’d like to say thank you for being so supportive over the additional COVID measures that we had to put in place last week and to those who ensured the whole family took PCR tests when one member tested positive. This really does help to keep our school community safe. We spoke with the Public Health Team from Northumberland County Council again on Friday and they have asked us to take precautionary measures for three classes across school next week. You will have been contacted by letter or text message on Friday if these measures relate to your child’s class. The Public Health Team reiterate and have asked us to share that ‘it is their strong advice that the whole family take a PCR test if one member tests positive on a lateral flow or PCR and that no one in that family attends school until a negative test result comes through or an isolation period is completed.’ We also ask that parents keep us informed by phone call or email to the admin address of the results of any tests. We are extremely grateful to all families who support us in this. We remain hopeful that with everyone’s vigilance, these additional measures will not have to be in place for long in the affected classes.
We are pleased to say that nasal flu immunisations will be administered on Wednesday to those who completed consent forms.
In cheerier news, we are looking forward to getting festive in the next few weeks. We hope to have our Christmas tree up in the next few days and we know that this will put a big smile on children and staffs’ faces. As mentioned in the last newsletter, in place of ‘live’ Christmas performances, we will be sharing virtual celebrations across school. Our Nursery children will be recording and sharing some nativity songs and our Reception and Key Stage One children are preparing The Sleepy Shepherd which will be edited together and shared with you all. Further down the school, our lower Key Stage Two children are hard at work preparing Christmas themed stop motion animations which they can’t wait to share with you all. Within upper key Stage Two, preparations are well under way for recording a Christingle service for the whole school community to enjoy. Please be assured that we will be working within our classes to complete these projects to minimise mixing and to ensure everyone’s safety.
In other news;
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Larch class will not be swimming on Tuesday this week but Sycamore class will have their lesson as planned
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Larch and Rowan classes will both have NUF sessions on Tuesday afternoon and so should come in PE kit
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PE sessions for all classes will continue as planned so please send your child in PE kit on their usual days
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It’s going to be a cold week so please send your child wrapped up warm for chilly playtimes and remember that extra layers are advised for the classroom because of increased ventilation
As always, we have some stars of the week who have made us particularly proud, certificates will be winging their way to : Ella D, Charley-Mae N, Franklin S, Lee P, Dom T, Mason Mc, Oskar E, Matilda N, Emily D and Max J.
As always, we will be greeting the children with smiles and enthusiasm each day this week. With advent upon us, it seems a great time to share our fabulous school song ‘Flickering Flame’. This version is from a few years ago but maybe you’ll see some familiar faces.
‘With this orange I give you the world, shine your light all over the world.’
Sending our very best wishes to everyone, stay warm, stay safe and stay well,
Mrs S and Mrs G