Dear Parents and Carers,

 

As you are aware we were informed on Friday afternoon that we had a positive Covid case at each school. Advice from the DfE and the Local Authority was followed with Year 2 and Year 4 children, as well as staff who had had close contact, now isolating. We wish those who are unwell a speedy recovery.

 

Just to clarify: The last day of isolation for Year 2 children is Saturday 3^rd April, whereas for the year 4 children it is Friday 2^nd April. This is due to different contact dates with the cases involved. During the isolation period, if your child or any member of your household starts to show symptoms then your whole household must isolate and a test arranged.

 

I know some of you may well have decided to have your child tested anyway once you heard about the positive case, however, even if the result is negative, they still have to isolate for the full 10 days to allow time for any symptoms to develop.

 

During this period of isolation, on line learning will be set for the children as it was during the lockdown. Their teachers will be working from home to do this. Those children who are entitled to a Free School Meal can order a lunch via the school website, this will need to be collected by an adult who is not isolating. The child cannot be brought to the school with them.

 

I also recognise that many of you may have siblings to bring to school. They are entitled to attend school but the child who is isolating MUST remain at home, appropriately supervised. If this causes anyone concern or anxiety, as you are not able to bring siblings to school and supervise the isolating child, then the siblings can remain at home too and we will provide home learning for them as well. Please ring the school office to let us know this is what you are doing. Should you require the use of a school laptop to access the home learning, again, contact the school.

 

Easter Holidays

We break up for the Easter holidays on Thursday at the normal time.

As before, those families who are eligible for Free School Meals will be issued with food vouchers for the Easter holidays. These will be arranged in the same way as they have been for previous holidays.

 

LFD tests

As mentioned in my last update, LFD tests are available from the Anvil for any adult who has school aged children. These tests are for all of the adults in your household. If you haven’t already been to the Anvil to collect your tests, please do so as soon as you can. I believe you can just call in, no booking required.

 

Important Reminder

If your child is unwell you should keep them at home as you would usually do. If they, or any members of your household, display Covid like symptoms, children must not come to school and you must arrange for the symptomatic person to be tested and remain in isolation until the results are returned. If the result is positive then the whole household must isolate.

If a member of your household is unwell and you are not sure if it is Covid related, I would rather you acted cautiously and rang the school for advice, before sending children to school.

 

Change in Lockdown rules

As from Monday 29^th March, lockdown rules are changing very slightly. 6 people or 2 households can now meet up either in a public space or a private garden.

However, the fact remains that the more people who meet together, the greater the risk of contracting or spreading the virus. So, we are keeping our arrangements as they currently are until we break up for the Easter holidays on Thursday.

 

These arrangements are: one adult should bring/collect your child/children to and from school.

Please keep your children close beside you at all times so that they are not mixing with other children. It defeats the object of us keeping them separate in school if they then mix together on the way home! If your child has mixed with a year 2 or year 4 child on the way home, or out of school, then you might want to monitor them closely.

 

Be aware of others on the paths, giving space where necessary, to allow people to pass each other safely.

Parents should observe social distancing from other adults and children at all times and should not gather together either inside or immediately outside of the school grounds as this is not allowed. I know this will be difficult when some of you haven’t met up for some time, but the more people who meet together, the higher the risk of any transmission.

We want to try and avoid any further cases so please do follow the rules for your own safety and the safety of the rest of the school community.

 

Finally, we were made aware of a man acting strangely outside of school on Thursday at the end of the day. Senior staff patrolled the local area, including all of the access paths to the school, but no one was seen. Everyone outside of the school was accounted for and there for a legitimate reason. I believe the police were called but they have not made contact with the school so I am not sure if they attended. However, as always, please be vigilant. Children are continuously being reminded not to speak to strangers nor go with them. We will continue to have staff monitor the gates during this coming week.

 

With my very best wishes,

Mrs Sheila Pape

Executive Headteacher

Please click the link below to read an important letter regarding Covid advice for all parents.

 

Covid Advice Letter 26.03.2021

Comic Relief 2021

 

This year has shown that we’re at our best when we come together to be kind and look out for others.  The smallest things really can make a big difference.

 

Red Nose Day is about using the power of fun to brighten people’s lives, in the UK and around the world.

 

On Friday 19^th March we are going to make The South View Federation an even brighter place to be by dressing in our brightest clothes!

Anything from high-vis jackets to neon socks or just bright clothes will do. You can also wear comic relief merchandise, however, this year due to COVID-19 we will not be permitting red noses in school.

 

To avoid money coming into school we will not be collecting a donation on the day, however, please donate what you can online at

https://donation.comicrelief.com/

 

Thank you all for your support and we cannot wait to see your bright clothes!!

Dear Parents,

 

It was lovely to see all of the children back today. We had over 98% attendance which was fantastic. Good attendance is essential now to ensure the children are at school to access the learning they need to cover by the end of the year. I sincerely hope there are no more lockdowns in the future.

 

The children settled in so well today and I saw so many smiling and happy faces, it was lovely to see they were genuinely pleased to be back in school.

 

As I said in a previous update, lockdown rules still apply and government guidance states that only one adult should collect a child and then leave the site immediately. Adults should not be interacting with other adults as this is not allowed under lockdown rules. Please ensure you have your child/children by your side and then leave the site.

 

Tonight, both Mr Bond and I noticed children up trees, in the crater, on the trim trail - they MUST be by your side. We go out of our way to keep the children in their separate bubbles in school, to keep them safe, they are then seen to be mixing with other children in other year groups which then puts them, and others, at risk of transmitting the virus. In effect, if a 'bubble' has to be closed due to a confirmed case and your child has been seen mixing with that bubble after school, I am afraid they will need to isolate too.

 

However, it was good to see so many of you respecting the lockdown and trying to keep us all safe, but we need everyone to follow the rules to ensure we keep everyone as safe as possible.

 

Thank you to those of you who passed on their thanks for the work we are doing in school, it is greatly appreciated.

 

As we are now back full time, I will only write an update when there is information which I need to share. You will continue to receive a text to let you know an update has been posted on the website.

 

Sadly, I know a number of parents have lost their jobs during this pandemic. If you feel you are now eligible for Free School Meals, then please contact either office, or access the link on our website, to see if you qualify. If you do, this will allow extra funding for your child as well as providing them with a free school lunch. Do not miss out on your entitlements!

 

Those of you who were provided with a school laptop to access online learning, please can you return them as soon as possible as we will be needing them for use in school.

 

Please continue to follow the lockdown rules and stay safe

 

With my very best wishes,

 

Mrs Sheila Pape

Executive Headteacher

Next week (8th -14th March) is British Science Week, a celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths.

 

The official science week theme for 2021 is ‘Innovating the Future’ and we will be following this theme by exploring scientists, inventors and important creations throughout the week. In addition to this, we will be also undertaking some exciting experiments to answer the question ‘Can we create a rainbow?’ so that the children across the Federation can experience the awe and wonder of science.

 

It has been a difficult year due to the Covid19 pandemic, however the rainbow has been a symbol of hope for the future and a reminder of our wonderful NHS. As well as celebrating Science Week through activities at school, we are holding a competition for you to enjoy as a family at home.

 

We would like you to experiment with creating your own rainbows and upload photographs and videos of your creations to either Tapestry (Nursery and Year R) Purple Mash (Infants) or Seesaw (Juniors) - prizes will be awarded for the best rainbows!

 

Some ideas will be uploaded to Tapestry, Purple Mash and Seesaw, but there are many other ideas available online (www.pinterest.com has some lovely ideas for experiments).

 

Please upload your rainbow entries by Monday 15th March. We hope you have lots of fun exploring the wonderful world of science and we can’t wait to see your rainbows!

 

Miss Mann

(Junior School Science Manager)

 

Mrs Holley

(Infant School Science Manager)

Dear Parents,

 

We are truly looking forward to welcoming all of the children back on Monday. It will be really important that the children are helped to get back into a routine ready for Monday. Please try to ensure they get plenty of sleep over the weekend so getting up for school on Monday is not too much of a shock for them!

 

As the government have clearly stated, all children are expected to return unless they have medical exemption from a consultant. If children do not return it will be marked as an unauthorised absence as previous absence procedures are to be followed. This does mean the re-introduction of fines for non- attendance in line with local authority guidance. I am not anticipating this being an issue, as last time we returned to school we had almost a full turn out except for a few children who were unwell or isolating. However, I do need to make you aware that fines will be used as they were before lockdown, for unauthorised absences.

 

PE

With effect from Monday, please note the PE days below when the children should be coming to school in their PE kits:

 

At the Infant school

Rabbit Class - Monday and Wednesday 

Robin Class - Monday and Thursday 

Ladybird Class - Tuesday 

Mole Class - Tuesday and Thursday 

Woodpecker Class - Tuesday and Friday 

Hedgehog Class - Wednesday and Thursday 

Fox Class - Wednesday and Friday 

 

At the Junior school

6KY  -Thursday

6KM - Tuesday

5RM - Tuesday and Friday

5CT - Wednesday and Friday

4CA - Monday and Tuesday

4AB - Wednesday and Friday

3ES- Tuesday and Thursday

3CB- Monday and Wednesday

Mrs Clift's Class- Monday and Tuesday

 

 

Sanitising and cleaning regimes will continue but it will help if you can also remind your children to wash their hands before leaving the house and when they return home at the end of the day.

Some parents brought gel so that they could gel their child's hands as they left school, especially if you intend to provide them with something to eat or drink. They will continue with washing their hands and using gel in school, as they were during the autumn term.

 

As before, if anyone in your household develops symptoms, you must keep all family members at home and get the symptomatic person tested. Better to be safe than sorry! 

 

Great News - I have now received information from the DfE regarding home testing for adults with school age children:

 

Asymptomatic testing information for parents and adults in households with children at school or college

NHS Test and Trace announced earlier this week, that all adults in households with school and college age children without symptoms can now access regular rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing.

 

Test kits can either be collected or ordered online, as set out below. 

Undertaking regular, rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing helps reduce transmission of the virus. Parents and other adults in households with children at school or college, who do not have symptoms, can now access regular, rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing. This includes childcare and support bubbles.

Tests are fast, easy and completely free.

 

There are different ways for a household, childcare or support bubble to collect their test to take at home, twice-weekly:

If you have any queries about the tests, and you live in England, please call 119 (free from mobiles and landlines). Lines are open every day from 7am to 11pm.

 

Children of primary school age (and below) without symptoms are not being asked to take a test.

 

Testing is voluntary, but strongly recommended to all who are eligible. Alongside the vaccine, washing hands, wearing face coverings, and maintaining social distancing, rapid testing plays a vital role in reducing transmission rates. Getting into the habit of regular testing as part of our everyday lives will help us all to play our part and do what we can to protect each other.

 

These kits are very easy to use but if you do have any queries about using them please just give school a call - we are all used to them now and can easily help you start on your testing regime.

 

I look forward to seeing you all next week..

 

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact school.

 

In the meantime, best wishes and stay safe.

 

Mrs Sheila Pape

Executive Headteacher

Dear Parents and Carers,

 

I hope you are all staying safe and well. It does look like there is some sign of normality returning in the future, but in the meantime we continue to follow the advice given to keep us all safe.

 

Yet again the Government have made it clear that all children should return to school on Monday 8^th March, with the exception being those who remain under the care of a specialist health professional. If this applies to your child you will need to discuss your child’s care with the health professional before returning to school.

 

As promised in my update earlier this week, here are the arrangements for returning to school:

 

When we welcomed children back in the autumn term we had robust plans in place, fortunately not many of these plans need to be changed following the latest guidance.

 

March Arrangements:

Families

Our ‘school families’ will again be based on year groups, as this will allow children from each class, within a year group, to receive interventions and share events. However, for most of the time they will all be in their own classroom.

For children in our Resourced Provision, they will be in their own RP class full time, as they will be mixing with other RP children on transport so it would not be sensible to then send them all to a different mainstream class. This means Hedgehog class at the infants, and Mrs Clift’s class at the juniors, will remain in their RP class all day but will still cover the work their year group are covering.

 

Arrival and Collection

We will continue to use an ‘arrival window’ for all, rather than staggered start times. The window of arrival will be 8.40-9.10 for all children, so you can bring your children at any point during this time.

• Nursery collection: 3.15-3.30
• Infant collection: 3-3.15
• Junior collection: 3-3.20 (if children have not been collected by 3.20 they will be allowed to go home at 3.20 as usual)

Children will enter and leave school through their classroom external door with the exception of years 4 and 6. Year 4 will use the external door opposite the staffroom and Year 6 will use the playground door.

 

Please note that only one adult should bring/collect your child/children to and from school.

Please keep your children close beside you at all times so that they are not mixing with other children. It defeats the object of us keeping them separate in school if they then mix together on the way home!

Be aware of others on the paths, giving space where necessary, to allow people to pass each other safely.

 

Parents should observe social distancing from other adults and children at all times and should not gather together either inside or immediately outside of the school grounds as this is not allowed. I know this will be difficult when some of you haven’t met up for some time, but the more people who meet together, the higher the risk of any transmission.

Should adults not adhere to these requirements then it will be necessary for me to introduce different arrangements, which may cause families more inconvenience, the very thing I am trying to avoid.

 

Breakfast Club

Breakfast club will run from 8.30-9.00 exactly as it does now but children must arrive before 8.40 to get their order in and give them time to eat before lessons start at 9. Children will go to their own classroom, orders taken and then food delivered. Breakfast can only be provided for vulnerable and key worker children. Only children who are entitled to have breakfast will be allowed into class before 8.40.

 

Assemblies

There will not be any group assemblies but each class will provide an assembly each day.

Friday assembly will be held 2.45-2.55 where each class teacher will award the usual certificates in their own room. Mrs Waters and Mrs Turnnidge will then arrive with birthday cards/ attendance award etc. if there are any for that class.

 

Playtime

Playtimes will be staggered and children will play in their ‘school family’ in a designated area.

 

Infant school:

• Year 1: 10.15-10.30
• Year 2: 10.35-10.50

 

Junior school:

• Lower school: 10.20-10.35
• Upper school: 10.40-10.55                                   

 

There will not be a tuck shop at the junior school – children need to bring a healthy snack such as a piece of fruit but definitely no sweets.

 

Lunchtime

Lunchtime will also be staggered and children will eat in their own classrooms. They will then have some time to play with their class in their designated area.

 

Infants

• Nursery and year R will eat in the hall from 11.45.
• Year 1 will eat in their classrooms from 12-12.30; play 12.30-1.
• Year 2 will play 12-12.30; eat in their classrooms from 12.30-1.

 

Juniors

• Year 3 & 4 will eat in their classrooms from 12-12.30; play 12.30-1.
• Years 5 & 6 will play 12-12.30; eat in their classrooms from 12.30-1.

 

Children will be washing their hands frequently, especially before eating. Gel will also be provided. All tables will be cleaned before and after eating too. The children are in good habits with their hand washing routines now and these will continue.

 

If you pay for lunches, please can you pay on-line so as to reduce the need to handle money in the office. Should you need to know how to pay on line, please call the junior school office and they will be able to help you.

 

Toilets

The recent Government guidance does not expect that each ‘school family’ has their own toilet facilities but we do have enough facilities to be able to allocate dedicated toilets for each class at both schools. This will further reduce the likelihood of any virus transmission as children are not mixing with other ‘school families’ when they visit the toilet.

 

Please reinforce with your child the importance of washing their hands thoroughly after going to the toilet.

 

Classrooms

In line with Government guidance all tables must be facing front with children sitting side by side and a space between tables.

 

Each child will have their own pencil case and equipment.

 

Adults, when supporting a child, will stand alongside them, not face to face and spend only a short while within 1 metre of them.

When coming in from lunch/play, children who sit furthest from the door will go into class first so that they do not have to pass other children to get to their seat.

Handwashing on arrival at school is essential and children should wash their hands before they leave home and when they arrive home.

Good respiratory hygiene will be taught: Coughs and sneezes must be covered, then hands washed and surfaces wiped.

‘The ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach continues to be very important and should be reinforced at home.

 

 School Offices

As is the case currently, only one household will be allowed in the office area at any one time as there is not enough room to socially distance. If there is someone already in the reception area, please wait outside until it is free, giving plenty of space for them to leave first before you enter the building.

 

Meetings with Staff

At the moment, if you have anything you need to speak to a member of staff about, it would be best to contact them by phone. Please do not arrive at the school and expect to speak to a member of staff in person, as this is not recommended, as specific arrangements will need to be made before a meeting can take place. If you want to meet with me, then please ring school and arrange an appointment. Unfortunately this goes against our current open door policy. As many of you will know, you have just been able to turn up and I will see you then and there. The current restrictions do not allow this to happen.

 

What to do if your child is unwell

If your child is unwell you should keep them at home as you would usually do. If they, or any of your household, display Covid like symptoms they must not come to school and you must arrange for them to be tested and remain in isolation until the results are returned. If the result is positive see guidance below.

 

If there was a suspected case of coronavirus

If a child showed symptoms, they would be taken to a room which can be closed off, windows opened and the child supervised from a social distance with staff wearing PPE. The whole room would then be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected afterwards. The expectation is that the child and their household will isolate and book for a test to be taken. The Government have made it clear that parents are expected to engage in this process and with the Test and Trace process should the test come back positive and the child should isolate for 10 days from the day after the onset of symptoms.  Obviously this is an essential way of keeping cases down. If the test comes back as positive the whole household have to continue to isolate for 10 days to allow time for any symptoms to develop.

In school we would ask PHE (Public Health England) for advice as to what was required. It may be just that child’s ‘school family’ which needs to be sent home to isolate or it could be just their class, in extreme cases it could be the whole school.  Obviously we want to keep this to a minimum which is why we are trying to keep children in their classes as much as possible to reduce the likelihood of large numbers of children having to isolate.

 

Library

School libraries will not be used for changing books as this could increase transmission. However, ‘class’ libraries are now in place.

 

ELSA support

ELSA support will continue to be provided but not in large groups. Where possible ELSAs will work outside in our various outside areas, or in larger spaces. They will only work 1:1 in their own rooms if they are socially distanced and with windows open for good ventilation.

 

Bags

Children do not need to bring in large bags. We do not have the space to store them and again they could be transmitting the virus. Please only bring in books bags when necessary and lunchboxes. This is one reason why the children are coming in dressed for PE to avoid extra bags being brought into school.

 

Parking and Permits

Thank you. There has been a reduction in the number of people driving onto the school site. If you need a permit please contact the infant office.

 

Obviously I want all of our school community to remain safe and well and I ask that we all continue to work together to make that happen by supporting the school with these measures and playing your part in keeping us all safe. Again, should you wish to discuss anything further then do not hesitate to give me a call.

 

However, I do understand that some of you may well be anxious about your child returning to school and I hope that all of the measures we have in place, to reduce risk, will reassure you. If you still feel anxious and would like to speak to me about your concerns then please phone me. The government state that where schools implement the system of controls outlined in their guidance it creates an inherently safer environment for children and staff where the risk of transmission is substantially reduced. I can assure you that the guidelines have been followed and in some situations we have been able to take more actions than required e.g. toileting arrangements, as we have the capacity to do so. To date, this has worked most successfully.

 

Finally, I look forward to welcoming you all back on Monday 8^th March, I will be out and about if you have any queries (socially distanced of course).

 

Keep socially distancing and washing your hands!

 

Stay safe. Play your part and stay apart!

 

With my very best wishes,

Mrs Sheila Pape

Executive Headteacher

Dear Parents,

 

I am sure many of you watched the Prime Minister announce his plans last night at 7p.m., just as I did. Therefore, you will know, that as from Monday 8th March 2021, all children should return to school, full time. 

 

I know that our arrangements from the autumn term were successful both from an academic point of view as well as a safety point of view. However, I would like to review all of the procedures in line with the latest guidance which I have started to wade through. I will update you fully on the re- opening plans in my Thursday update. I just want to make sure they are the best they can be.

 

In the meantime, all of those families who are entitled to FSM, where the children are not currently attending school, will receive their vouchers for these next 2 weeks as usual. No further vouchers will be issued after the 8th March as all children should be in school.

 

I am guessing that some of you will be glad for a little more normality with the children returning, but there may well be some of you who are anxious about this after being at home for so long. Please do ring into school to talk through any concerns you have so we can support you and your family and enable this to be a smooth return for you all.

 

I know home learning has been really tough for many of you, for different reasons, and I know there will be a great deal of catching up to do for most children. However, I can absolutely assure you that we will be assessing the children thoroughly before deciding on the best way forward for them. Learning is like a series of building blocks and it is so important to ensure those foundations of learning are strong, so there will be a very strong focus on filling any gaps in their learning when they return.

 

Please stay safe.

 

With best wishes,

Mrs Sheila Pape

Executive Headteacher

 

 

Please remember it is an INSET day tomorrow - Friday 11th February.

 

As during the autumn half term and Christmas break, anyone who displays symptoms, or who has a positive test result within 48 hours of being in school should inform the school via the school website contact form. This will enable us to inform others that they would need to isolate.

 

Where a pupil or staff member tests positive for Covid, having developed symptoms more than 48 hours since being in school, the school should not be contacted. Parents and Carers should follow contact tracing instructions provided by NHS Test and Trace.

 

Mrs Sheila Pape

Executive Headteacher

Dear Parents,

 

It has been good to hear that a number of clinically vulnerable people are now receiving their vaccinations, again another move forward in protecting society against Covid 19. I am pleased to say that no further cases have been reported, at all, in school. Staff continue to carry out the lateral flow tests to provide further reassurance that they are not carrying the virus.

 

In a previous update I mentioned that FSM vouchers would not be issued, by school, over the half term, as the government had provided Winter Covid Grants to local authorities to enable local charities to bid for this money and provide support in that way. However, Hampshire have delegated this money to schools as it was felt they are in a better position to provide the support directly to families. So I can confirm that we will be issuing FSM vouchers for the half term break, to everyone who is eligible, over the next week. If you are not eligible, but are struggling financially, please do get in touch as we may be able to help.

 

Can I remind all parents and carers that they should not be using the school car parks unless they have a permit or blue badge. We still have children moving about the site and their safety has to remain our priority. Please park outside of the school gates and walk your child into school.

 

Reminder: INSET day on Friday 12th February. School will not be open on that day, and no work will be posted. If your child has been attending school, and is eligible for FSM vouchers, £3 per child will be added on to the half term vouchers to allow for the INSET day.

 

Please stay safe - we have done so well so far and we want to keep it that way!

 

Best wishes,

Mrs Sheila Pape

Executive Headteacher