12.09.20
Dear Parents /Carers
Firstly, I would like to say how lovely it has been to have your children back in school. Although the start of term does not look like it normally does, what has been normal is the behaviour and attitude of pupils in school. They have settled well into class and have adapted to the new routines with ease. It has been an absolute pleasure to watch them entering and leaving school with a smile on their face and watch them having fun with friends at playtimes and lunchtimes. I would particularly like to welcome any new starters and their parents into school as I appreciate you have not been able to have the usual transition period of getting to know the school and the staff. I would also like to say a huge thank you to parents / carers who have quickly adapted to the new start and end of day routines. It is due to your adherence to the rules, that we have had such a smooth start to the term.
I would like to update you with some further information about how the next half term will look for you and your child.
Information about bubbles during the school day:
Children will be taught in ‘bubbles’. This means we have grouped children by phase together, so for example Years 1 and 2 are one bubble. This means that they are taught in their normal classroom and will have play time and lunch with children from the same year groups. They will not mix with children from other year groups. Classes from Year 2 onwards have been set up so that children are seated in rows and are facing the front. There will be limited movement around the room, except to access toilets.
At Windy Nook our bubbles will be:
Nursery and Reception, Y1&2, Y3&4 and Y5&6.
At the start of week 3, when hot school lunches will once again be provided by the school catering team, the children will have their lunch in the hall in their bubbles.
Curriculum / Anxieties
Upon returning to school, the first few weeks will be used to ease pupils back into a routine, along with addressing any worries/issues that they may have as a result of the current situation. Our first and foremost focus will be your child’s emotional well-being, ensuring that they feel safe and secure once again in the classroom and around school. We will of course make any necessary changes to the curriculum to cater for the fact that the majority of children have not been in school for nearly 6 months.
Handwashing
We have devised a timetable to allow the children to wash their hands/ hand sanitise at numerous times across the school day. On entry to school the children will be met by their class teacher and asked to use the hand sanitiser provided. There is also enhanced cleaning of equipment throughout the day.
Communicating with staff
Please note that staff will NOT be able to stand and chat to parents either at the beginning or the end of the school day. If parents wish to speak to a member of staff then we politely advise that you phone school after 3.30 p.m. each day or before 8.30 a.m. each morning. If teachers wish to speak to a parent, they will telephone them after school hours.
Assemblies
There will be no assemblies or school performances for the foreseeable future. We will inform parents as soon as this changes.
Educational Visits
There will be limited educational visits during the Autumn term.
After school clubs
We are hoping to run some after school clubs this term. These will be run by school staff and so will be limited to either classes or phase bubbles.
Homework /Home learning
Staff will continue to send homework and reading books home. A plan has been devised for pupils to bring a reading book home every Monday and return it to school on the following Friday. This way, each book can be quarantined before being taken home by a different pupil on each subsequent Monday. Please check on your child’s class blog for more information.
Free school meals
If you think you are (or would be) entitled to Free School Meals, please contact the main office for a claim form
or ring 01914333729
or visit
https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/7433/Free-school-meals
If your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 and is already receiving the universal infant free meals, but you would have been entitled, please fill in and return the form anyway. Even if you do not wish your child to take the school meal, our school will benefit from the grant attached to each pupil who is eligible. Currently, this is worth £1,300 per pupil and would be a huge loss to the school if parents do not claim. If you need any more information, please contact school.
Finally, we would like to say congratulations to Miss. Smith and her partner who gave birth to a baby girl called Halle during the summer holidays. Both mother and baby are doing well.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch via telephone or email. We look forward to working in partnership with you during these unusual times.
Many Thanks
Lucie Forrest
(Headteacher)
To download a copy of this letter please click on the link below:
More information September 2020
