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Friday 5th March 2021
This week's newsletter contains staffing news, information about the return to school next week, your World Book Day £1 token, and more...
Staff News
After 33 years working at Victoria Park Primary School, Mrs Jones will be embarking on a new adventure and leaving at the end of this academic year. Many of you work very closely with Mrs Jones and she has been a huge support to so many pupils, families and staff. Of course, we are only half way through this academic year, so Mrs Jones is not going anywhere yet!
School laptops and tablets
If you have a device loaned to you by school for remote learning, please do not return it to us yet. Although all children are coming back to school, we still need to be prepared for possible closures in the event of a positive case. We will be in touch when we need the laptops and tablets back. Please contact school if you might need a loan laptop or tablet in the future.
Order lunches in advance
Please remember to order school lunches in advance using the school gateway app. With all children returning to school, the kitchen will need the information in advance so they can order and prepare the correct amount of food. Children will not be able to change their choices on the day, nor order a hot lunch each morning. Click below to see the menu:
Recruitment
We are looking for an excellent teacher and leader to join our school team. The role of "SEND coordinator and lead teacher" is now advertised on the following websites. Please forward these links to anyone you know who may be interested.
To view the job on TES click here.
We are looking forward to celebrating our own "VPPS Book Day" later in the year when all the children can enjoy it. However, we will still be sending home a £1 "World Book Day" book token for your children next week. Here is the link for a digital version of the token which you can also use:
World Book Day Online Book Token
Enjoy spending it and happy reading everyone!
Parent Questionnaire
Thank you for your responses to our questionnaire about remote learning, and your priorities for the return to school. A summary of the collated responses is provided below. Inevitably there were differences in opinion, with a range of views collected for every question. It's good to know that the teachers' videos, responses on Seesaw, Zoom sessions, and the use of Seesaw as the learning platform worked well for the majority of families. Your priorities for the return to school align with our own, and we have planned additional structured opportunities throughout the coming weeks to support children's social and emotional wellbeing, as well as reconnecting them with peers and teachers. This will run alongside a focus on academic core skills and lost learning. In the event of a positive COVID case in school, we may need to close a year group or send children home, in which case our remote learning offer will still be required. Your comments and feedback have been shared to improve this even further.
Moose Club
Some parents have been enquiring about Moose club, which is not currently operating. We have heard from Moose that they are currently reviewing guidance and will be writing to parents very soon to update them, but unfortunately Moose won’t be open from next week.
Happy Maps
If you are worried about your child's behaviour or mental health, happymaps.co.uk is a good place to start for reliable resources and support. Click to view this flyer for more information:
COVID testing for parents and carers
The following information is provided by the Department for Education for all parents and carers:
Asymptomatic testing information for parents and adults in households with children at school or college
NHS Test and Trace announced earlier this week, that all adults in households with school and college age children without symptoms can now access regular rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing. Test kits can either be collected or ordered online, as set out below.
Undertaking regular, rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing helps reduce transmission of the virus. Parents and other adults in households with children at school or college, who do not have symptoms, can now access regular, rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing. This includes childcare and support bubbles.
Tests are fast, easy and completely free. There are different ways for a household, childcare or support bubble to collect their test to take at home, twice-weekly:
- through your employer, if they offer testing to employees
- by collecting a home test kit from a local test site – anyone aged 18 or over can collect 2 packs of 7 tests
- by ordering a home test kit online – please do not order online if you can access testing through other routes, this frees up home delivery for those who need it most
If you have any queries about the tests, and you live in England, please call 119 (free from mobiles and landlines). Lines are open every day from 7am to 11pm.
Children of primary school age (and below) without symptoms are not being asked to take a test.
Testing is voluntary, but strongly recommended to all who are eligible. Alongside the vaccine, washing hands, wearing face coverings, and maintaining social distancing, rapid testing plays a vital role in reducing transmission rates. Getting into the habit of regular testing as part of our everyday lives will help us all to play our part and do what we can to protect each other.
Travelling to school safely
The Department for Education have also provided this update for you:
- if you live a short distance from your school or college, walk, cycle or scoot to and from school wherever it is possible and safe to do so
- avoid sharing a car with anyone outside of your household or support bubble
- if you are using public transport to get to school or college, plan ahead and allow more time for your journey
- when you are travelling by public or dedicated school transport, don’t forget to:
- wear a face covering (unless you are exempt, including if you are aged 11 and under). It is important you wear them for the entirety of your journey, including inside a bus or train station
- social distance where possible
- wash or sanitise your hands regularly
- be considerate to fellow passengers and staff.
Further information can be found in our guidance on transport to school and other places of education.
Well, what can we say? We're really looking forward to next week! It is OK for children (and parents) to feel a range of emotions, including excitement and apprehension. Take time this weekend to talk to your children about how they are feeling, name the emotions they express, and think of positive things to look forward to. Children will be particularly tired by the end of next week, so take some time to relax over the next few days. Have a great weekend!