Friday 18 December 2020

Dear Parents

Yesterday was Christmas Party day, and as ever it was really lovely day of fun and laughter for everyone. It is a great tradition of St Wulstan's and I know there are many parents who remember the day from their own childhoods. We are very grateful to Santa, who made a special visit on Thursday night to deliver the children's gifts, which meant he was keeping safe for his busy evening , Christmas Eve.

Today we joined Fr Richard to celebrate our virtual Christmas Mass from St Wulstan's church. We hope it won't be too long before we can celebrate Mass again at school.

We hope you enjoy watching the film of the children's Christmas celebration. A notification will be sent out shortly with access information. The children worked extremely hard and we hope it is a lovely memory for you and them to keep. I would like to thank all the staff as well but particularly Mrs Mallinson and Mr Tasker as ' music and artistic directors'. They have spent hours putting this together without any of the recording and editing resources of secondary schools but their enthusiasm was infectious both to the children and the adults!

Thank you to parents who inform us immediately of absence due to symptoms of, or a positive COVID 19 test result.  This will obviously need to continue for the week after we break up. Please read carefully the parental guidance from Worcestershire Children First.

• Parents of pupils who are symptomatic at any time should arrange for immediate testing here: https://self-referral.test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk/antigen/condition
• Pupils who have COVID-19 symptoms starting on either of the 2 days after their last day in school will need to inform their school immediately if they subsequently test positive during the 6 day window up until 24 December.
• Pupils who develop COVID-19 symptoms and test positive on or after 00.01hrs on Mon 21st December will not need to inform the school but will be required to self-isolate for 10 days and their close contacts will be identified through the national Contact Tracing Service (CTS).
• Pupils who need to continue their self-isolation into the new term should inform the school of their absence in the usual way.
• Parents should be reminded that under no circumstances should any pupil return to school if they are exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms (however minor) or are unwell in any other way. They should arrange for a test and inform the school.

The school office email will continue to be monitored. If at any time you need to inform us of a pupil's positive result please email us at secretary@wulsev.worcs.sch.uk It is so important we are notified so we can contact other children and staff members of the Bubble. Please also let us know if the result is negative. Please take care and keep safe over this holiday period.

Thank you to Mireya's mum for her generous donation of our Christmas Pinata and to everyone who bought a raffle ticket. The winners of the Pinata are the Isabelle and Marianne and there are also three runner up prizes for Isabelle, Hermione and Horatio and Leah. We are sure it will be great fun. If anyone is interested in buying a pinata now or in the future speak to Mrs Cabrera who has her own website. Thank you everyone.

I’d like to end this week’s newsletter, on behalf of the staff, by thanking all of you for the many lovely Christmas messages and gifts you have given us and wishing you all a happy and holy Christmas. Most importantly though a very personal thank you for the support you have given in adhering to all the new systems we have had to put in place this year. In an ever changing landscape of Government guidance, Bubble closure, remote learning and new routines for us all it has alleviated so much stress to have the support of our families. Thank you all.

 It has been a very busy term and I think the children , staff and parents are all ready for a well -deserved break. School closes today for the Christmas holiday and re-opens for the children on Tuesday 5 January.

With every best wish for a happy and holy Christmas and a happy and safe 2021 from us all.

K E Savage

Principal