I am writing to you after yet another busy week. I would like to congratulate our children  - particularly our Yr 6 children - for their continued maturity, resilience and growth mindset in commitment to their learning in these difficult times. Attendance has been superb since we returned in March and your support has been appreciated.

The purpose of this message is to remind you again about the procedures which should be followed if we have feel we have to close a year bubble, as we had to on Friday for our Y6. Such a decision is a serious one and I urge you to ensure your children, if affected, follow guidelines. 

In the event of a year bubble closing:

• The parent/carers of that year group will be informed that there has been a confirmed positive case in their year group.
• You will be informed initially by text/telephone message to collect your child and then emailed more details in a letter on the same day.
• Children will be kept within their bubble whilst parents make their way to school to pick up their child.
• You and your child will be given guidance about self-isolation and what to do if your child becomes symptomatic. You will be asked to book your child in for a PCR test (this doesn't affect the 10-day self isolation period.)
• Children must self-isolate, they must follow this and it is parents’ responsibility to ensure this is done.
• There will be a clear end date for this self-isolation and a return date which will be the day your child returns to school.
• There will be reminders about the use of Google Classroom and the need for children to be logging in daily to attend  lessons, use materials posted by teachers via Class Dojo and/or to submit work.
• Parents who do not have children in the year bubble that is closed will receive notification of the  closure of a year bubble. Their children will not need to self-isolate and must continue to come to school. If their brother or sister is in the affected class, they must continue to come to school unless they become symptomatic themselves or any of their siblings become symptomatic.

The most difficult aspect of the situation we are in, is the limits we have to place on parents coming into school. Sports Day, for example, will be very different this year - no family picnic or parental support. But as we have seen in Sunderland and school, we are not out of the woods and the virus is still a reality. We will try and share as many images as possible from the day.

Anti-Bullying Team

Our Anti-Bullying Team have been working really hard on communicating the key messages that we would like our  children to remember. I lead the team and during our meeting last week, the children (from Y2 up) have sent out to pull together important information from our school community. They have done a fantastic job, creating surveys, researching helplines, buddy bench designs and books about bullying

In our school, we are using the "STOP" to help describe bullying – as Several Times On Purpose is a clear way of explaining how bullying can hurt people emotionally or physically.

We want to make sure children feel that they can ‘Be an Upstander’. That means that when they see something that they know is wrong they act to make a difference, whether that be themselves or by telling a member of staff or an anti-bullying team member in their bubble We all want school to be a place where we are kind to each other and the team are driving this forward.

This week's events: Theme: Aspiration

Admissions:

Please do let friends and family in the community (or further afield) know that we are still accepting pupils this year and from September onwards. Please follow the admissions tab on the website to register your interest.

Bikeability:

A massive well done to Yr 5 who displayed fantastic progress in their cycling proficiency around Seaburn in the first half of the week. 

School Uniform for September

We know how expensive uniforms can be, and that some parents like to get started early for their children’s return to school in September.

Below is just a reminder of our school uniform. A full PE school kit (including hoodie, tracksuit bottoms, white t-shirt, pe shorts) is available to order/purchase from Total Sport in Hendon. Hoodies start at £9.75, with PE t-shirts at £4. Football shirts/kit are NOT school uniform. All items need names in.

BOYS: 

Grey tailored trousers or shorts (no jeans/tracksuit bottoms.) 

Long/short sleeved white shirt (tucked in.)

Navy blue jumper.

Black shoes - no trainers. 

School tie.

GIRLS

Grey tailored trousers, pinafore dress or skirt (no leggins, jeans or joggers.)

Long/short sleeved white shirt (tucked into trousers)

Navy blue cardigan or jumper.

Black flat shoes (not trainers.)

Grey or white socks or grey/navy/black plain tights.

Blue checked dress (summer.)

White sandals or socks (summer.)

Children’s PE Kit:

Navy or Black Shorts,

White T-Shirt,

Plimsolls (Elastic or Velcro) trainers,

School PE hoodie,

Tracksuit bottoms.