Headmaster's Message

Headmaster's Message

Dear Parents

We learned this week that there will be no return to school at least until Monday 8 March at the earliest. Inevitably, this brings a feeling of disappointment as in many ways we feel we can run a safe operation here in the school with all of the risk assessment and all the risk management strategies that we have. However, quite clearly the new variant of the Covid virus brings enormous risks with it and we will reluctantly follow this guidance until it is deemed safe for us to return.

This week we have been putting our minds to what we can do to keep the home learning experience fresh for the children. Many of you will have noticed an increase in the number of live Teams lessons and we hope that this experience will give the children added structure to their day and the chance to enjoy positive social interactions. We are also looking at options of having a second parent pick up for books and resources before the half term break. We will keep you informed of arrangements for this when our plans have got a little further forward.

During my assemblies in the last couple of weeks I have focused on appreciating wildlife and it has been lovely to see so many children responding positively to this. The bird drawing competition produced many beautiful entries and you can see the winners in this edition of the Courier. I really hope that all the other entrants aren't too discouraged by not winning, as there were so many superb drawings and pictures that it was almost impossible to pick the best. You will find a link to my Friday assembly in the newsletter, whilst other assemblies are recorded in Seesaw.

Children in the upper school this week took part in an online BBC lesson all about bird watching and, in particular, this weekend’s RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. If you would like to get involved, the link to register and take part is here: https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch/

I would love to see pictures of your children taking part in the birdwatch, or any pictures of them looking after birds, putting out food or making their own homemade feeders. Please submit any of these that you have to Courier email address and we will put together a Gallery to share next week. My plan is to make a display of all the wonderful drawings alongside the pictures of the children watching and caring for the birds that will greet everyone on their return to school, when it happens.

Have a great weekend everyone, and happy bird watching.

Joe Thackway
Headmaster

 

School Closed At Half Term

Please note that the school will be closed over the half term break, Monday 15 to Friday 19 February, in line with government guidance. We will re-open to parents of critical workers and vulnerable children on Monday 22 February.

Joe Thackway
Crescent school