Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Letter to Parents/Carers - Coronavirus, school closure WK2

  Fri 27 Mar 2020 Mr J Howe

  Friday, 27th March 2020

   

  Dear Parents/Carers

   

  ​As you are aware our school is closed to all but children of key workers and vulnerable pupils and will remain so next week.  To ensure we comply with social distancing rules helping to keep everyone safe, the school is operating but with very reduced staff numbers on site.

   

  Should you need to contact us or want to share any news with us, email is by far the best way – you can email the school at admin@seaburndeneprimary.co.uk or, of course, reach us via Class Dojo.

   

  It has been an awful end to the week, with news that our much loved governor of many years, Margaret Beck, died today from coronavirus. Margaret was a wonderful individual, passionately committed to your children and the school. Her conversations usually about what she could give to us or sort out on our behalf. We will miss her greatly.

   

  Next week, the school office will still be partially manned (but this may be by Mr Smith or myself who are totally unqualified for such a task so please bear with us; you never know what will happen when you let a teacher loose in the office!) Voicemails will still be checked but may be less often 🙂

   

  We are continually adding information and guidance to Class Dojo and home learning will be uploaded on a regular basis to your child’s class page, please note this and your teacher’s response. What I have noticed that, despite the circumstances, your children have shown amazing creativity, resilience and perseverance. You should be proud of them – as we are. There are some fantastic contributions there – particularly Early Years – high fives (virtual) to Nursery and Reception.

   

  Uncollected work packs and some pupil’s PE kits are available from the school office should you wish to collect them.  Please email in advance to let us know you are coming; however please only do this if it is in accordance with Government guidance and it is safe for you to do so. The relevant material will be left at an appropriate distance – again, in accordance with the guidelines.

   

  Our staff will continue to deliver Free School Meals, as required, until the Government organises an alternative solution as we head towards what would have been our Easter break.

   

  Finally, and I know you would echo this, the staff in school – teachers, teaching assistants, lunchtime supervisors and kitchen staff – are still here, committed to your children. I would like to say “thank you” to them all, for continuing to provide this essential service, for that small number of children who need it, in extremely trying circumstances. For me, this underlines, what a fantastic school community we have and your positivity and recognition in the many comments on Class Dojo enhances this.

   

  Thank you and stay safe,

   

  Mr Howe

  Headteacher

   

• Margaret Beck - A tribute to a much loved governor.

  Fri 27 Mar 2020 Mr J Howe

   Long-standing school governor and friend to our school Margaret Beck died today in hospital after a brave fight against the coronavirus.

   Mrs Beck was admitted to Sunderland Royal Hospital on Wednesday and passed away this morning.

   She was an active and passionate advocate for our school, a regular visitor, who enjoyed meeting children and staff alike, most recently judging our anti-bullying poster competition.

   We will miss her and her input into school life. She was a warm and wonderful person to know and really believed  in what Seaburn Dene Primary School is about

   Our school community will, in time, find a way to permanently mark Mrs Beck's contribution to our school, but in the meantime would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to her family at this awful time.

   Chair of Governors, Julie Chalk said, "I have known Margaret for many years through her devotion to school. She was an active and supportive member of the governing body, who particularly enjoyed spending time with the children. She was dedicated and passionate about our school and contributed hugely to the values and ethos of Seaburn Dene Primary School - she will leave a lasting mark."

  

• Arrangements for Monday - Key Worker Emergency Care Provision

  Sun 22 Mar 2020 Mr J Howe
  Tomorrow, as required by our Government, our skeleton staff will operate a partial opening for the children of those frontline workers whose whose roles are CRITICAL to fighting the Coronavirus pandemic.
  This is an emergency childcare provision - only. It is not compulsory for key workers' children to attend tomorrow.
  If children can be left at home safely because there is adequate provision then this is what MUST happen. The point is to reduce the spread of the virus. We want to support the minimum number of children, so that we have the minimum number of staff in, exposing the minimum number to risk.
  Entry is via the main yard, bell at 8.55am. Please follow social distancing guidelines. Access outside of these times ie earlier/later (as arranged) is via the main office.
  Children need a snack, water bottle and packed lunch (refer to Friday's letter.)
  Our provision will be reviewed on a day-by-day basis.
  Thank you. Stay safe and, if you can, stay home.

• A thought - as we walk out today

  Fri 20 Mar 2020

  A reflection as we leave Seaburn Dene on a beautiful Spring day. Today is the last day until possibly the next academic year. We’ve spent a lot of time talking about the effect on parents and the children of Covid-19- and rightly so. But I wanted to take time to talk about your child’s teachers and teaching assistants.
  As teachers, we love what we do. Even when our workload seems impossible, our resources short, our classes ever changing and our weekends non-existent, we get through it because we love teaching.
  Our staff love seeing that spark happen. They love it when we teach your child something brand new. They love it when you see them feel good about something they did. They are great company and unique people. It is going to feel like an empty nest. What is happening goes against everything we have ever known as teachers. It’s not natural. It's not even a chance to say goodbye to classes. For some children, that means them moving schools after spending most of their lives with us. This is a really horrible feeling to have. We know that for you as parents and carers the next few months will be hard, and we will support you along the way. Please take a moment to think of the teachers, teaching assistants, nursery workers and all other staff who work in a school, who will feel like a large part of their life is missing. #Be kind.
  Thanks - as ever for your support.

  

• School Closure - Government Guidance - latest

  Fri 20 Mar 2020 Mr J Howe

  The Government this morning announced that parents should keep children at home - wherever possible - and for schools to remain open for those limited children who ABSOLUTELY need to attend.
  These are:
  1. A child who needs specialist support and/or vulnerable or has a parent who is a critical worker.
  The fewer children in the above group, the lesser the risk of the virus spreading.
  If you feel you or your child is/are in the above group, contact us. In addition, you are also required to confirm with your employer that your role is "necessary" for essential public service.

  For full details see: https://www.seaburndeneprimary.co.uk/downloads-and-letters/
  I look forward to seeing the children today: non-uniform and jokes at the ready

• School Closure - Updated Advice - 10.30am

  Thu 19 Mar 2020 Mr J Howe

  Today, we are drawing up plans to keep our school open for those children who are exempt, following the Government's announcement, last night.
  We are awaiting - and this is expected later today - a list of "exempt" occupations over and above those outlined in the announcement, which was: police, NHS and delivery drivers.

  Once, we have that exempt list - we will contact families direct by email to confirm whether they intend to come into school from Monday.

  We appreciate your patience.

• School Closure - Updated Advice - 10.30am

  Thu 19 Mar 2020 Mr J Howe

  Today, we are drawing up plans to keep our school open for those children who are exempt, following the Government's announcement, last night.
  We are awaiting - and this is expected later today - a list of "exempt" occupations over and above those outlined in the announcement, which was: police, NHS and delivery drivers.

  Once, we have that exempt list - we will contact families direct by email to confirm whether they intend to come into school from Monday.

  We appreciate your patience.

• School Closure - Updated Advice - 10.30am

  Thu 19 Mar 2020 Mr J Howe

  Today, we are drawing up plans to keep our school open for those children who are exempt, following the Government's announcement, last night.
  We are awaiting - and this is expected later today - a list of "exempt" occupations over and above those outlined in the announcement, which was: police, NHS and delivery drivers.

  Once, we have that exempt list - we will contact families direct by email to confirm whether they intend to come into school from Monday.

  We appreciate your patience.

• Updated coronavirus advice - School Closure

  Wed 18 Mar 2020 Mr J Howe

  Wednesday 18^th March 2020

   

  Dear parents/carers,

   

  COVID-19 Update to Parents – Wednesday 18th March 2020 10pm

   

  Thank you for your patience, understanding and support during this anxious time. It is our intention to try to keep parents as updated as possible based upon the advice and information that we receive.  Please note however, we have not been receiving any government announcements in advance, so acknowledge that some of the precautionary procedures emailed out to you this week have quickly become outdated following an updated news bulletin. We understand and appreciate that many parents/carers may have concerns and ask for your continued understanding at this time. 

   

  SCHOOL CLOSURE

   

  Following today’s announcement by the Education Secretary (Wednesday 18th March 2020), we plan to close the school with effect from the end of the school day on Friday 20th March 2020. The school will then be closed to the vast majority of pupils until further notice.

   

  The Education Secretary stated that the school will only remain open for a small minority of pupils including vulnerable pupils - those with Education Health and Care Plans as well as those subject to statutory child protection procedures.  In response to the announcement the children of parents/carers who work in Frontline Services will also be able to continue to attend so that we can support you in continuing to work as far as possible. These services include, but are not limited to, healthcare, frontline emergency services and food distribution. 

   

  In order to plan effectively to support the children of frontline service personnel, please let us know if you qualify and intend to send your son/daughter to school during the period of closure by emailing admin@seaburndeneprimary.co.uk

   

  FORTHCOMING EXAMINATIONS

   

  The Prime Minister, in his Press Conference, stated that the forthcoming examination season will not take place as planned. We are conscious that this may cause increased anxiety amongst some pupils. We have not received any further detail on this matter. However, when such information is available, we will communicate this. 

   

  We will continue to update you as we receive any additional information and will contact you before the end of the week to explain our procedures for:

   

  (1) Work to complete at home

   

  (2) Communication:  We will share with parents/carers how we intend to communicate throughout the closure.

   

  Thank you once again for your continued support and understanding as we all try to remain safe and positive in this uncertain time.

   

  Yours sincerely,

  Mr J Howe,

  Head Teacher

   

   

• Updated advice - coronavirus - latest

  Wed 18 Mar 2020 Mr J Howe

  18th March 2020

   

  Dear Parents / Carers

   

  Re: Coronavirus (Covid-19) Update

   

  I am writing to you on the rapidly changing arrangements for coping at this time and how we continue to respond to this at Seaburn Dene. Firstly, I would like to thank you all for the measured reaction so far – we are open and haven’t experienced some of the panic that other schools seem to be reporting and all our staff are currently in.

   

  Our figures for today are:

   

  Confirmed cases		Children			0		Adults			0		Number of staff self-isolating				0
  Children in school on 18th March 2020							155					76% of the school population
  N	20			R		16			Y1		19			Y2	16
  Y3	23			Y4		26			Y5		18			Y6	14

   

  There is now a considerable amount of advice and many rumours. We – as a school – are acting on official advice from the Government. We will use our website, Class Dojo, email and social media to give additional updates. Please let us know if you need to update you email address or mobile numbers.

   

  Please help us be only contacting school in the event of an emergency/absence. Absence information can also be emailed to admin@seaburndeneprimary.co.uk.

   

  The key information for families around self-isolation is:

  If you or someone in your house has symptoms of coronavirus, then all household members must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house becomes ill.

   

  Key messages from Seaburn Dene:

  • We will stay open until the DfE tells us we should close. We will monitor the level of staff absence and ensure that we can adequately staff classes – this is not a concern at the moment.
  • If children display any symptoms at school, parents and carers will be contacted to collect them immediately from the entrance area.
  • We have increased hygiene procedures and handwashing in school. Please make sure  your child/children wash their hands before coming to school and when they get home.
  • We have changed lunch times, so fewer children are in the hall at the same time.
  • We are not holding large assemblies and have cancelled clubs and educational visits.
  • We are preparing learning activities and will provide updated website links/activities in the event of the school being closed. You and your child need to have access to Class Dojo for this or your child’s Class Page on the school website.

  •  

    Of course, we are doing all that we can to ensure our school is calm and providing a normal education. We are also informing children about the rasons for the changes that we are making. We will do everything we can to give you as much notice of future changes – but this may be out of our hands.

     

    We are also trying to make school enjoyable – for all.

     

     

    Regards,

     

    Mr John Howe

    Headteacher