The Courier

Dear Parents

I hope that this week’s Courier comes as a welcome arrival in your inbox. Despite the doom and gloom there has been lots to enjoy in school. The children have kept us all going with their undimmed enthusiasm and resilience. We are so proud of all of them. In particular, the Selfish Ladybird performance on Tuesday was an absolute triumph. We have sent a video link out to all parents so you can watch and enjoy at home.

It has been a difficult week in many ways, but also an inspiring one. Coming in each day and seeing the children working and playing with all their normal high spirits has been a great way to get us all through the days. Of course, we now enter a new phase and next week the children will be learning from home. We have worked really hard to ensure that you will continue to receive not only the work that the children need to do but also all of the emotional support that we can offer them, and you, as we move forward.

I do completely understand that for some people it will be a difficult job to get children to work in the way they normally do at school. All I can say, is please do your best and we ask the same of the children. We can count ourselves fortunate that we do not have GCSE exam syllabuses to follow so the pressure is not the same as it is for some children. However, I do believe it is important that children continue to learn and to keep to routines where they possibly can.

Hearing the government’s plans for the continued schooling of key workers’ children filled me with a desire to contribute in a positive way. I know this sentiment is shared by the staff here and we are committed to doing our bit. The school will therefore remain open for as long as is needed to supervise the children of those in prescribed occupations and staff will be volunteering for these sessions on a rota basis into the Easter holiday.

As from next week I will be keeping in touch with regular updates and messages so please keep an eye on you inboxes for those and we fully intend to get you an edition of the Courier, same time next week.

Take care of yourselves and your children.

Below I have copied a short speech that I asked form teachers to read to their children in form period earlier in the week. It gives you an idea of the key messages we have been sharing with them:

It is now likely that we might need to close the school quite soon. If this happens we need to be sensible and keep going with as many normal things as we can. If we do go home, you will be working from home. Each day work will be sent to your parents and they will let you know what you need to do. Remember, all the teachers will still be there to help you and we will be sending you work home each day. Please do your best with your work and remember all the things you’ve learned in school all about presentation and handwriting and spellings and so on. Don’t worry too much if you don’t finish everything you get, but just do your best.

Last Friday the school sent a home working policy to your parents. You also have your special books at home to do your work in. Take pride in these books and make them something you will be proud to bring to your teachers when we return.

It is really important that you help your parents and your family if we need to go home. Think about the School Promise and try to keep to that, you won't go far wrong. Just like in school we have to work as a team and pull together.

You have all been really good washing your hands and taking care of yourselves, all the teachers are so proud of you.