Friday 17 July 2020

Dear Parents

Although the last day of the school year is eagerly welcomed, it is always tinged with real sadness as we say goodbye to our Year 6 children. Every class is different and each leaves us with different memories but our present Year 6 have always been very special to us and never more so than this year. We are incredibly proud of them all. They have not only excelled academically throughout the year but they have also grown and matured into lovely young people who are well equipped to take the next step in life. They have experienced an unprecedented moment in history and responded with maturity and an inner strength that belies their age. We have been delighted to share this last half term with them and thank them for the energy and vitality they have brought back to St Wulstan’s. We wish them all the very best of luck and happiness as they move on to the next stage of their education, they will be very much missed. Thank you children for being such wonderful role models to our younger children and also for being such a lovely class to teach from the day you all started at St Wulstan’s.

It has been lovely this week to see so many of our children and their families as they came down to school to collect reports and books. The children are all growing as lovely young people and are a credit to you, their families. I would like to thank all the children and parents for their support this year and also for the very generous gifts, cards and words of thanks you have given to the staff. These mean a great deal and are very much appreciated, thank you.

We look now to September and welcoming all our children back to school. Every family should have received a letter, via email, indicating arrival and dismissal times and information regarding new systems. A new tab has been added to the school website, ‘Reopening September 2020’. Here you will find all updates and information. Please look at this regularly throughout the summer incase we have needed to add anything more. Systems are in place, classrooms set up and alternative ways of working have been planned. Please see the school Facebook page for a short video of how the children will change books. The children will enjoy seeing this and thank you to our wonderful actresses and director! The area we really need your support is in adhering to the social distancing and group time slots. This has worked very well over the last six weeks but obviously numbers will be much greater in September so it is important that we work together to ensure everyone in the community is kept safe. Thank you in anticipation.

With regards to school lunches for the first few weeks Shires will be providing a Grab Bag packed lunch. This will contain a ham or cheese sandwich, a piece of fruit, a cake and a yoghurt. These ‘Grab Bags’ can be ordered via ParentPay as usual. Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 and children in receipt of Free School Meals just need to order these vie ParentPay - there will be no charge as usual. The 'Grab Bags' can also be ordered by Years 3-6 in the normal way at a cost of £2.30. These can be ordered with immediate effect.

Sally Bache, After School Club manager, has worked closely with us to ensure she can continue to provide childcare from September.

 We are delighted to announce that our ‘wrap around care’ will be reopening on Thursday 3 September 2020. Our team will be here, ready and waiting to welcome back all our club friends and any new children who would like to join us. Please be advised, there will be a few changes to our service, these will be implemented to meet government guidelines to enable reopening. From September, availability will be limited, therefore it is essential that spaces are reserved and paid for in advance. Bookings can be made by emailing info@wulstanslodgechildcare.co.uk , via messaging on our Family app or by telephone 01299 829032. Sessions will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. Any families with an outstanding balance will be refused. Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate in contacting me. Kind regards Sally Bache

Fr Richard, as you know, has returned to the parish and has been focused on also reopening Church. He has asked us to share this information with you.

 St. Wulstan's church will re-open for Mass on Saturday 18th July at 5.30 pm and on Sunday 19th at 10am and also on Wednesday 22nd July  10am. As numbers will have to be limited pre-booking a space is required by contacting Marie O'Brien on 07885503724. Masks must be worn by everyone except those under 5 years of age or anyone with breathing difficulties. Masks will not be provided at church.

Social distancing of 1 metre + will apply and you will need to sanitise your hands on entering and exiting church. Stewards will issue instructions on arrival and I will advise any changes to Mass procedures. Please do not attend if you or a family member are unwell or if you are immuno-compromised. Please also pass this information to others who may not be on the email list. Holy Family Bewdley church will remain closed until further notice. Fr Richard

I would like to take this opportunity to thank every member of staff and our Academy Committee representatives for all their hard work, commitment and support this year but most especially during this pandemic. To say they have all worked tirelessly would be an understatement and I know this has been recognized by so many of you.

Most importantly though, I would like to thank all of you who suddenly had to take on the role of home teacher. It has been a challenge to home school, run a home and in many cases continue working at your own job. Looking through the many books we have received this week it is clear that everyone has tried their hardest to maintain a routine of learning in very difficult circumstances. Traditionally on the last day of the year parents always encourage us to have a good rest and a well earned break as they hand us a lovely gift. This year it is your turn, at 3.30pm today you make sure you too ‘break up’ and enjoy a treat or two!

We very much look forward to seeing everyone in September and starting a new fresh school year. Many of our routines and procedures will be different at first but please be reassured that our staff will provide the children with a warm welcome every day and will ensure that their emotional and mental well-being is the priority. We want you and your children to feel safe at St Wulstan’s and will continue to provide them with the excellent pastoral care that we pride ourselves on as well as ensuring that they are kept as physically safe as is manageable. School closes today for the summer break and we will welcome you back on Thursday 3 September.

On behalf of the staff I wish you a really lovely summer holiday with your children and keep safe and well.

K E Savage