Coronavirus - an update
Posted on 02 March 2020 by Mr Roundtree
Today, the Department for Education has sent another email to schools with updated advice to support schools in dealing with coronavirus and any concerns around this.
They have set up a helpline to answer questions about COVID-19 related to education. Staff, parents and young people can contact the helpline as follows:
- Phone: 0800 046 8687
- Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
- Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)
The advice remains that no school should close in response to a suspected (or confirmed) COVID-19 case unless directed to do so by Public Health England. We will continue to follow this advice.
The email also stresses the importance of hygiene: personal hygiene is the most important way we can tackle COVID-19. We’ve done lots in school to promote this message – please do the same at home. For example, before you eat this evening, make sure your child washes their hands for at least 20 seconds.
COVID-19 Update
Posted on 26 February 2020 by Mrs Quirk
Latest advice from the NHS is that you should call 111 if you’ve been to the following countries recently. If this applies to your child, please do also contact school to tell us.
Call 111 now if you’ve been:
- to Hubei province in China in the last 14 days
- to Iran, areas of northern Italy in lockdown or “special care zone” areas in South Korea since 19 February
- to other parts of mainland China or South Korea, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau in the last 14 days and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath
- to other parts of northern Italy (anywhere north of Pisa, Florence and Rimini), Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar since 19 February and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath
- in close contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Call 111, stay indoors and avoid close contact with other people.
The link to the NHS page is:
Are you interested in losing weight? Would you like to improve your family's health?
Posted on 25 February 2020 by Mr Roundtree
If so, and you feel that you and your child would benefit from becoming a healthier weight, you might be eligible to take part in an interesting study.
Attendance matters
Posted on 24 February 2020 by Mr Roundtree
Our whole-school attendance figure up until February half-term is just short of 95%.
Here are the figures for each year group:
- Reception: 96.80% This is a great average!
- Year 1: 91.01%
- Year 2: 95.15%
- Year 3: 95.78%
- Year 4: 94.86%
- Year 5: 96.95% The best in school – well done!
- Year 6: 95.93% Good stuff!
Let’s aim for the whole-school average to be over 95% by Easter!
If you’d like to know the up-to-date attendance score for your child, please ask at the office.
School will be open
Posted on 24 February 2020 by Mr Roundtree
School will be open today as normal.
The roads are currently bad, so take your time travelling to school safely.
The forecast shows an improving picture, with rain later, and dry this afternoon; temperatures are above freezing.
This half-term's Christian value is...
Posted on 24 February 2020 by Mr Roundtree
…forgiveness.
Sometimes, we accidentally break things that belong to ourselves or others. Sometimes, we use something so much it wears out. Some things that are broken cannot be mended, but it’s often possible to mend things that we’ve broken. When you fall out with one of your friends, you can’t mend that friendship with a needle and thread, or some Sellotape, or glue or a puncture kit or a sticking plaster. This half-term, we’ll learn all about forgiveness and hear stories from the Bible to help us.
The Church Council chose peace as a Christian value because ‘because Jesus forgives his disciples.’ (Y4 Church Council member).
Home challenge:
Discuss as a family: Why is it important to forgive?
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you.
(1 John 13:18)
Is your child in Year 4?
Posted on 12 February 2020 by Mr Roundtree
The government is introducing a new assessment for Year 4 pupils. In June, each child in Year 4 is set to complete an online multiplication tables check (MTC). Read more about this new assessment.
There will be 25 questions covering the full range of facts children are expected to know, which means questions going up to 12 x 12. However, there’s slightly more weighting towards multiplication facts involving 6, 7, 8, 9 and 12 due to these being the most difficult to learn. For example, there will be between 2 and 4 questions involving multiplying by 6.
For each question, children are presented with a multiplication fact and an empty box. This may be written as __ x 6 or as 6 x __ .
If you’d like to practise at home, our own website has lots of spreadsheets you can download.
There are also lots of websites that you can use. This one is very similar to the MTC. It’s possible to alter the settings on this website to focus on particular times tables.
Another exciting way to practise times tables is through the ‘Times Tables Rockstars’ website. Every child has their own individual login details that enables them to access their account at school and at home. Feedback so far is that this is proving an enjoyable way to practise times tables facts at home!
Staying safe online - guides for parents/carers
Posted on 11 February 2020 by Mr Roundtree
Today is Safer Internet Day. What can you do at home to make sure your child is safe online?
The e-Safety Office has produced twelve guides for parents, covering a range of topics including app safety, YouTube, cyberbullying and selfies. Check them out.
Does your child Swiggle?
Posted on 03 February 2020 by Mr Roundtree
Swiggle is a child-friendly search engine – it’s aimed at children in Key Stage 2.
Swiggle gives children a great start in encouraging responsible online searching. The internet is a vast resource, and some content is not appropriate for children.
The search engine has been designed and developed by South-West Grid for Learning, a charity dedicated to empowering the safe and secure use of technology. SWGfL recommends adding Swiggle to your browser or put the Screen Cover link on your bookmark bar.
It’s powered by Google Custom Search, the results are filtered using Google SafeSearch, and SWGfL has configured the results to prioritise educational resources. Swiggle also filters the search terms to check that it’s not being used to search for inappropriate content.
Childline - not just a 'line'
Posted on 29 January 2020 by Mr Roundtree
Childline isn’t just about making a phone call!
The Childline website has lots of valuable information, but one area we like is their Calm Zone. The activities aim to help children feel better when they’re feeling anxious, scared or sad. Although children could be encouraged to visit the website themselves, these are good techniques for you to use with your child. Ideas include breathing exercises, a ‘let it go’ box and creating a ‘sense drawer’.