Dear Parents and Carers,

 

As we near the end of a very strange term, I would like to clarify some more arrangements, mainly for transition.

 

Year 2 transition to the Junior School

Everyone should have received a text informing them of the class their child will be in, in year 3. This will either be Miss Sheldon or Miss Barrett’s class. The plan to allow the children an opportunity to visit the junior school, see their new classroom and briefly meet their new teacher is as follows:

 

For the year 2 children currently attending school in the Key worker/vulnerable class working with Miss Thomas – they will be taken to their new classrooms on Monday 6^th July at some point during the day to meet their new teacher. Mrs Flynn will escort them to the junior school so they have a familiar person with them.

 

For year 2 children not currently attending, we are offering a visit on the following days:

 

Children in Miss Sheldon’s class: 

 

 

Children in Miss Barrett’s class:

 

You (one adult only) should bring your child to the junior school hall doors for the day/time stated above. Your child will then be escorted, in a small group, through the school to see key rooms (dining room, library etc.) ending up in their year 3 classroom. They will meet their new teacher, spending about 15 minutes in their new classroom, and will then leave by the external classroom door where they will be collected by the adult who brought them. This will allow the adults to see where the end of day collection point is.

 

Whilst the children are having their mini tour, the adults can either wait in the hall, or outside, but will be shown by a staff member where to collect their children from when the visit has finished. This visit should take no longer than 30 minutes in total. I will be on hand to answer any questions parents may have. You will also be given their transition pack and new book bag. I do hope as many of you as possible can attend so that the children feel more confident about this new start for them.

 

 

Transition for other year groups

As in previous years you will find out your child’s new class teacher when you receive their annual report but sadly they will not be able to meet them, as would usually be the case on ‘moving up’ day.  However, all of the staff are preparing a short video for you to watch so you and your child have a short introduction to their new teacher and any support staff working in that classroom. The ‘book’ video was such a big hit that we decided to use this approach again. This way you will be able to recognise the staff involved in teaching your child and that first day back won’t be quite so daunting. As your child is remaining in the same school, they will already be familiar with the layout which will make it easier for them when they return in September.

 

Year R New Starters

In September we will be welcoming a new year R intake and the teachers in year R will be Mrs Warren and Miss Clews. Due to the lockdown we have not been able to follow our usual plan of visits, nor carry out document checks. However, we are now in a position where we can start this process.

 

Every child starting year R has a book bag prepared and ready for collection. Their bag includes a range of information about the school as well as a number of forms which must be completed before your child begins school. We ask that you collect your child’s book bag from infant reception, and then return the necessary forms before Wednesday 15^th July, bringing with you any documentary evidence which has been requested.

 

Please collect your book bags at the following times, so as to reduce numbers of people arriving together:

 

You can collect your bags on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday (1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd July) this week at the following times:

 

These times apply to each of the 3 days. Please note that only one person is allowed in reception at any one time so if there is someone else already being attended to, please wait outside. Thank you.

 

Year 6

Sadly we are not going to be able to give the year 6 the send-off we usually do, but we do want an opportunity for us to say goodbye to them and for them to say goodbye to each other. This year 6 are the cohort who were in year 2 when I joined the infant school in the summer of 2016 so it has been incredible to see them flourish.

 

On Tuesday 14^th July, Mrs McGuinnity’s class are invited to a picnic on the school field from 1-2p.m. and Mrs Young’s class picnic will be on Wednesday 15^th July. If your child is currently attending school they will join in with the party anyway.

 

Please bring your own packed lunch as food cannot be shared under the current Covid arrangements. The children will be given the chance to write a message (on a post it note) to their friends and class mates which will then be made into a ‘souvenir’ for them to take away with them. There will be no signing of shirts, or close contact allowed due to Covid restrictions. This will be tough for some of them as there is usually a lot of cuddling and hugging going on when they part, but they will have to try to be sensible and hopefully understand why we need to say this.

 

They do not need to wear school uniform. Only the main gates will be open at this time.

 

Library Books

Thank you to so many of you for returning library books. We are still missing quite a few so please check your children’s bedrooms carefully as every book we have to replace means 1 less new book can be bought. There is a box in both reception areas where you can hand them in.

 

Reading books

Please, when collecting your reports, can you return any reading books you may have. We cannot afford for these to go missing as they are very expensive to replace and cannot usually be replaced on an individual basis but replaced as sets. Any lost books will need to be charged for to ensure that other children have the full range of reading material your child had.

 

Annual Reports

The teachers have written an annual report as they usually would at the end of the school year. This reflects your child’s progress up to March when lockdown occurred. The reports will be ready for collection next week and I will inform you of when to collect your child’s report in my Thursday update.

 

Please continue to be mindful that the virus is still in our community. Keep washing your hands and social distancing where you can. If anyone is struggling to find a face covering, or face mask, who desperately needs one, then please get in touch and we will try to help you, particularly if you are vulnerable and need to be able to go out.

 

Stay safe.

 

With my very best wishes

 

Mrs Sheila Pape

Executive Headteacher