Tuesday 29 September 2020

Class LH - New Zealand inspired art

 

Class LH are exploring New Zealand this term as part of our topic studying Australasia (Oceania).  We are finding out about the country and we started by talking about the fern which represents new life and is a symbol of the country.  

We talked about the importance of the fern in particular for the New Zealand Maori culture.   We observed some real fern plants and examined the formation of the leaves and the shapes we could see in them. We also looked at some other examples of Maori and New Zealand fern paintings for our inspiration.

We drew the spiral shapes of the ferns using a black wax crayon.  Over the past few weeks we have been exploring mixing primary colours and so we chose our own colours to make using the mix and created a wash over the fern. 

The border around our pictures has been decorated with some Maori inspired designs using just red, black and white. 

   







Thursday 24 September 2020

NHS Test and Trace COVID-19 app

Today, NHS Test and Trace has launched the NHS COVID-19 app

The app has been launched to help control the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). It will do this by alerting people who may have been exposed to infection so that they can take action.

The app has a number of tools to protect you, including contact tracing, local area alerts and venue check-in. 

https://www.covid19.nhs.uk/what-the-app-does.html

It uses proven technology from Apple and Google, designed to protect every user’s privacy. Read more about how we protect your data and privacy.  The app is available to download on smartphones for anyone aged 16 or over. 

 

Notice from Public Health England re Covid-19 Testing

 


Dear parents and guardians,

This is an important letter to share some information on how we can work together to make sure we can continue to give children and young people the best education in the safest way possible.

One important part of ensuring the safety and wellbeing of pupils, parents and our communities is testing for coronavirus. We all have a duty to make sure that the right people have access to get tested at the right time. Every time a test is used inappropriately, a person with Covid-19 symptoms may miss out on getting tested.

Therefore, I ask that you all follow these principles:

▪ You should only book a test if your child has any of these three coronavirus symptoms:

  1. a high temperature: any new high temperature where your child feels hot to touch on their chest or back (you do not need to measure the temperature)
  2. a new continuous cough: coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
  3. a loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste: a noticeable loss of smell or taste or things smell and taste different to normal

▪ Your child does not need a test if they have a runny nose, are sneezing or feeling unwell but do not have a temperature, cough or loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste because these are not normally symptoms of coronavirus.

▪ If you are unsure about whether to get a test, please check the official list of symptoms on the NHS website, which is reviewed regularly: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/

▪ Only the person with symptoms should get a test. You do not need to get a test for anyone else in the household unless they also have any of the three symptoms listed above. All members of the household need to self-isolate whilst waiting for the test result.

▪ If the person with symptoms’ test comes back positive, other members of their household should continue self-isolating for 14 days and only get a test if they develop coronavirus symptoms.

▪ If a pupil in a class or bubble tests positive for coronavirus, anyone who is advised to self-isolate does not require a test unless they subsequently develop symptoms.

No one else in the same class or bubble as the symptomatic person needs to take any action unless advised by the school. Schools have detailed guidance and access to a Department for Education and Public Health England helpline for advice and support.

Contacts of a person who has tested positive must follow the guidance carefully and in full, which means they must stay at home for 14 days. This is because it can take several days following contact with an infected person before an individual develops symptoms or the virus can be detected. Students should only book a test if they get symptoms.

The NHS has produced some guidance to help parents understand when their child can and cannot attend school which you may find useful: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/

It is vital for children’s learning and future opportunities that they are able to return to school and college. It is therefore vitally important that all we work together and do our bit to make this possible.

Saturday 19 September 2020

Morning Drop-Offs change to timing

Given how well parents are managing the morning drop-offs, thus enabling the teachers to get the children into class swiftly, we have made the decision to reduce the drop-off time window by 5 minutes. Therefore from Monday 21 September all children should arrive onsite between 8.40am and 8.55am.

Drop-offs will close at 8.55am, when the gates will be shut.  Any family who arrives after 8.55am should sign in at the school office please.

Wednesday 16 September 2020

Our First Full Week

How wonderful it was to have our school family back for a full week, last week.

The children have been marvellous in following our new safety rules and have been so kind to each other. 

Thank you to all families for making the Drop-off and Collection arrangements work. By the end of the week it was almost working smoothly and the weather helped.

A few reminders for us to continue to remain as safe going forward, please:

-        Only 1 adult per family

-        Collection Timing Reminders – please wait for a member of staff to open the gates

-        New Road blue gate for Front playground (KS1/R) opens just after 2.50pm

-        New Road blue gate for Back playground (KS2) opens just after 2.55pm



-     College Road Gate for Front playground (KS1/R) opens at 2.55pm

-       If collecting from both playgrounds arrive by 3.05pm (previously 3.10pm)

-        When queuing please be considerate of other pedestrians on the paths

-       If you meet your child/ren at the bottom of the drive (at 2.55pm - 3pm)please stand clear of other adults

-        Please continue to follow social distancing guidelines

-        Please do not park in the mouth of Vyces Road or on the double yellow lines

-        Remember not to park in the disabled bay in the Elms

-        Remember dogs are not allowed on the site

Thank-you for your patience and co-operation as we try to make your child’s transition from home to school and back again each morning and afternoon as easy as possible for them.

Thursday 3 September 2020

School Starts Today

 Welcome back to everyone! 

We are looking forward to seeing you all again today!