Dear Parents/Carers,
This is a final letter before we break up for half-term on Thursday 22 October. Thank you for ensuring that your children have returned to school ready to learn, smart and well supported. Behaviour from pupils has been impeccable and thanks to school and parent effort attendance has remained high throughout the half term. A majority of pupils have over 98% and whole school attendance is at 98%. This is an excellent achievement and means we can get on with the job of teaching.
There have been challenges this half-term. The separate zones mean that staff are not getting a break as lunchtimes because they are supervising pupils – keeping the school open and keeping staff and pupils safe is of utmost importance. We have compromised with school lunches, from the Catering Agency, by providing universal and free school meals only. We cannot use our hall for large groups of pupils. I hope that you appreciate that such decisions have not been made lightly and that keeping the school open and safe is the reason behind them.
We have missed our community work with parents through Family Assembly, Harvest Festival and the informal conversations in the playground. I am sorry that we haven’t been able to engage more with our new Reception parents. I know that there are class WhatsApp groups – but as we do not participate in these any concerns must be brought to my attention or they remain unheard moans and groans. I have replied to all emails and phone calls within the same day and I am always willing to have a conversation about any matters, however small.
I am sure that we are all growing tired of the restrictions but I am proud of the commitment, hard work and care both in and out of school that staff have taken. This is all for the safety and welfare of our children. Staff are restricted at lunchtimes – no staff room – and are adding to their day by teaching from 8.30am. All this has been with exceptional good will.
Please keep wearing your mask, keep you distance around school and do feel able to ring or email the office if there are matters to discuss. A letter about the consultation on 23 October is in your child’s bag. Watch for the YouTube harvest.
Keep safe and return to school on Monday 2nd November,
Best wishes,
J. Turner
Headteacher