7 July 2020

Dear Parents

We hope you have all had a good week. Hopefully, everyone has now had the opportunity to read the letter sent by Suzanne Horan , CSEL of St Nicholas Owen MAC in response to the Government’s guidance to the opening of schools to all children from September 2020.

As stated in the letter details regarding September and the routines and procedures will be published next week on the website. You will also receive a letter giving specific directions to families of start and collection times. Please keep an eye on the school website and our Facebook page where we will continue to upload any other information. These are found under the Coronavirus tab.

Plans have been underway for some time and considerable thought has been put into supporting your children academically, emotionally and socially when they return. It will be crucial to ensure children catch up as soon as possible and this will be particularly so for children sitting statutory testing, SATs , next May. With this in mind we have made the decision that Mrs Freitas will move with her Year 5 class and become their Year 6 teacher, With her excellent knowledge of the children and her extensive experience as a Year 6 teacher it will enable them all to make a rapid catch up of Year 5 and start the Year 6 curriculum. Miss Hill will move to Year 5 and again with her extensive experience will ensure the children have a strong Year 5 experience leaving them well prepared for when they move to Year 6. As Mrs Warnett will be taking a well deserved maternity leave in the Autumn term, Mrs Morgan will be joining Mrs James as Year 3 teacher. All other staffing remains the same for next year.

Teachers will have contacted you by now via home learning plans to invite the children to a meeting with their new teacher next year. Please make every effort to join these Zoom meetings as they are opportunities to make those next steps to back to school.

 We have heard from Marks and Spencer regarding school uniform purchasing. They are offering their usual promotion due to start on 2nd July but it has now been increased from 20% to 25% off until 30th September. Water bottles, ties etc can be purchased from school.

Your child’s End of Year Report will be available at the end of this week. This Report is in a slightly different format this year in light of only two terms of school based teaching and learning covering the period from September to 20 March 2020 only. Your child’s report can be collected from school on Monday week, 13 July ,for families with surnames A to L and on Tuesday, 14 July, for surnames M to Z, The children’s books for the year can also be collected at this point. Please follow the social distancing markings on the paths and attend between 10am and 2 pm each day. Could you please bring with you completed Home Learning books. These will be returned to you next term as we fully understand they will represent a significant point in your children’s childhood.

As mentioned previously, we have had to make the decision to postpone the Residential trips to both Manor Adventure Y5 and Alton Castle Y6 in early September. We are presently in discussion with both Centres to rebook a later date possibly in the Spring/Summer term when we have a clearer picture of the future. Both trips are a significant experience in our children’s lives and we will endeavour to ensure, although delayed, the children still have these opportunities. All deposits will be refunded as soon as possible.

Can I also remind you that If anyone has, at anytime, a concern regarding a child’s well being or a safeguarding concern please email the school office secretary@wulsev.worcs. sch.uk ,  or telephone 01299 877808 immediately. The important thing now is to keep well, keep safe and stay at home and we look forward to all being back together.

Many of our families are presently going through massive changes in their employment, family circumstances or entering times of financial hardship. It could be that they are eligible for some support through Free Schools Meals. Further information and online application can be found on www.worcestershire.gov.uk even if only for a short time measure this could help. School also receives funding to support teaching and learning based on numbers of FSM so it would help school to provide further resources for your children. Please contact the school office if you would like further help or guidance.

Over the last couple of weeks we have learned of several families who have suffered ill health , bereavement or family difficulties during lockdown, all totally unrelated to Covid-19. It is a reminder that life can be so very challenging and is compounded by the unprecedented situation we are in. Please remember these families in your prayers and in the times to come. Thank you.

We are so looking forward to welcoming all our children back in September. It may well look different with new protocols but we will all work together to ensure the whole community is kept safe, well and happy.

Wishing you all a lovely weekend from all the staff.

 

Emmaus CMAC
A School Life Website
School Life iOS Mobile Application
School Life Android Mobile Application