From the Head of Primary 06.03.2021

With excitement in the air this week, staff have been busy preparing for the children’s return. Displays have been tweaked, resources have been prepped and lesson plans are in place for a successful return to school on Monday. With only the Early Years children in school, I have had lots of opportunities to join in with their learning and am constantly amazed at the achievements of each and every one of them.  Can you believe that this week one of our Early Years children was able to identify the properties of a parallelogram and another was able to identify the painting on my office wall as an abstract piece of art! Their curiosity and love of learning really is an inspiration and so I decided to ask them a few questions about life at school. Maybe you might like to ask your children the same questions as they prepare to return to school?

Q1. What do you like most about coming to school?

Q2. What did you miss most when you were not able to come to school?

Q3. How do you feel about coming to school every day?

Q4. What makes you happy?

Q5. What makes you sad?

Q5. What advice would you give to anyone who is feeling a bit nervous about coming back to school?

I think it’s safe to say that many children (and parents) will be excited to return to school and many will be feeling a little anxious. Our teachers and teaching assistants as well as Ms Siti, our School Councillor, are very aware of this and we are here to support everyone as they return to school on Monday. If you didn’t read my letter sent out on Friday, here are a few points to reassure you about a safe return.

• In the morning, primary children should arrive at school between 07.30 – 07.45. From 7.30 children should go straight to their classroom. Early Years children should arrive after 7.45.
• All members of the school community will continue to follow the one way system around school.
• Children will be taught in their year group ‘bubbles’ and will be seated with at least 1metre distance from each other.
• Key Stages will have staggered lunch and break times. 
• Lunchtime deliveries of food are not permitted. Children should arrive in the morning with their lunch or order in advance from the school canteen Colour Meals.
• Just before lunchtime all teachers and children will be temperature checked.
• Staff and children will be expected to wear face masks at all times except during eating and physical exercise.
• PE lessons will finish five minutes early in order to allow time to sanitise any equipment used in preparation for the next class.
• Children will not be able to bring in cupcakes from home for birthday celebrations however you may order from the school canteen Colour Meals.
• At the end of the day classrooms, equipment and shared spaces will be thoroughly cleaned
• Children will finish school at staggered times in order to avoid congestion at the school gate. Parents may wait for their children at the benches while maintaining social distancing. Please check in using the My Sejahtera app and leave school through the double gates. For the time being PASS Club and the pirate ship will be closed after school. 

EYFS at 1.30

Year 1, 2 and 3 at 1.45

Year 4, 5 and 6 at 2.00

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend. 

Mrs Joanne Smith

Head of Primary