Here’s this months newsletter and holiday dates for next academic year.
Academy Consultation
In 2019 the Bishop announced that all Catholic school would become members of multi academy trusts by 2022.
St Wilfrid’s is now beginning the process of joining Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust.
Attached to this news item is a letter which will be sent out on Monday 10th May to all families.
Feel free to give comments via the link in the letter or by contacting Miss Sands at school.
Rapid testing for adults with school age children.
1 in 3 people with COVID 19 do not show symptoms because of this school staff are offered twice weekly rapid tests and it was announced last week that, 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:
· through your employer, if they offer testing to employees
· by collecting a home test kit from a local test site – anyone aged 18 or over can collect 2 packs of 7 tests · by ordering a home test kit online – please do not order online if you can access testing through other routes, this frees up home delivery for those who need it most |
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.
Tests are not available from school they can only be ordered via the link above or by phoning 119.
School Update
Dear Parents and Carers,
As you’ll be aware school will be fully open to all pupils on Monday 8th March.
Thank you to everyone who have supported the children at home and the staff who’ve worked with the children in school and provided work remotely. It does feel like a long time since the start of this term but hopefully we are now on the road to a ‘closer to normal life’.
Some families may still have concerns about the children returning to school -please be assured we are doing everything we can to minimise any risks.
In school …….
- Staff and pupils wash/sanitise hands on arrival at school.
- All staff wear face coverings in school and on the yard.
- The classes do not mix – they have their own play spaces outside and sit away from other classes at lunchtimes. Each class has their own resources but if any resources are shared they are cleaned before the next class use them.
- Staff also have separate areas so they don’t mix outside their bubbles.
- Only essential visitors are allowed into school and they must wear masks etc.
- Anyone with symptoms will be sent home immediately.
- Staff take COVID tests twice each week. These tests are to avoid infection from someone who may be asymptomatic..
- We have staggered pick up and drop off times.
- All adults on school site wear masks.
- If there was a positive case in school anyone affected would be told to isolate.
Please be assured we are doing everything we possibly can to keep everyone in school as safe as possible.
I’ve attached a letter with some reminders of the protocols we have in place in school to limit risks of infection once we are all back together.
Take care and stay safe
Miss Sands
Spring Term Update
We’ve made a really good start and the numbers attending Zoom meetings and accessing Dojo are very encouraging. Thanks to everyone supporting the children at home.
If you are having problems motivating your children at home – contact school and staff may be able to support with this in the Zoom meetings or on the phone.
Several families have already contacted school because they have little or no equipment on which to access the learning.
January Start of Term
Dear Parents and Carers,
I hope everyone enjoyed a peaceful Christmas and New Year.
I’m sure you will be aware of the ongoing discussions around the safety of fully reopening primary schools especially those in Tier 4 areas. Safety concerns for pupils and staff with the new virulent strain of the virus and the potential mixing over the Christmas period.
The safety of our pupils and staff has always been our priority and following guidance from unions, we have made the decision not to fully reopen St Wilfrid’s on Tuesday as planned. School will only be open to Key Worker and Vulnerable pupils for face to face lessons.
Remote learning will be provided daily for all other pupils and class teachers will be in contact via Dojo tomorrow with further details. This will be the case for 2 weeks and will be reviewed before January 18th.
I know this decision is last minute but as you’ll be aware this issue is changing on a daily basis.
If you are a key worker and require a place for your child(ren) please contact school by either calling school 01388 603451 or emailing stwilfrids@durhamlearning.net
I hope you will continue to support us in these trying times and please be assured all decisions have been made to try to minimise risks to pupils and staff.
We’ll be in touch tomorrow with further details.
take care and stay safe
Miss Sands
December News
Here’s this months newsletter
For information here’s the government advice on Tier 3
November News
Here’s the November newsletter
Remembrance 11th November
Wednesday 11th November at 11am in school we will be remembering all those who have fought in past wars and those who have lost their lives in conflict.
Join with us at 11am for silence and to remember.
Free School Meals Vouchers
Durham County have announced they will fund vouchers for pupils eligible for Free School Meals
Link to press release with details on how to apply below.
Anyone who struggles to access the internet or does not have a device that would support the digital code can call the local authority’s County Durham Together community hub on 03000 260 260. Staff will be on hand from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, to help people with the forms or talk through other options.
Miss Sands
Free school meals scheme launch