School Newsletter for July.
COVID Message from Durham Local Authority
Be Aware, Be Safe.
There has been a larger than expected increase in positive cases of Covid 19 in the Bishop Auckland and Coundon areas and it is important to follow the rules and remain vigilant. The control measures to stop transmission remain the same as always: Hands, Face, Space, Fresh Air.
The main variant circulating national (Delta variant) is easily transmitted although measures to control it are the same. The more robust you are in following the control measures, the better protected you are. It is important to exercise caution when mixing indoors, where the virus can spread more easily. Socialising outside remains the safer option.
If you get any symptoms you must self-isolate and book a free test via the NHS website: www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
If you are identified as a contact of a case, you must also self-isolate and arrange to have a test as soon as you can.
Please continue to do your twice weekly Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests too. It is worth remembering that two doses of the coronavirus vaccination provide the best protection. Please attend both appointments and please continue following the latest guidance. This and information on how to access testing can be found at www.durham.gov.uk/coronavirus.
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
Dear Parents and Carers,
I hope everyone is well and coping with the latest changes following this weeks Lockdown announcement. I know this is a stressful time for everyone and especially confusing for the children. We are all trying new ways of working and communicating and there are going to be days things don’t go to plan – either at home or at school. I’m sure as a school community we will help each other through.
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.
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.
As you know school has not fully reopened to all pupils but we are providing in school lessons for Key Worker and Vulnerable pupils and Remote Online Learning for those pupils at home. The children in school are having the same lessons that are being shared online for completion at home. So no one should miss out.
Most of our pupils may not be physically in school but they all have access to the same learning.
Remote Learning
Teachers will be posting teaching videos on Dojo each day with input and activities to complete. There will also be Zoom meetings where staff can answer questions, share discussions etc.
Our plan is to share input and activities for English and Maths each day aswell as other subjects like History/Geography RE etc.
Staff will allocate online reading activities for pupils and we have access to a variety of online resources like Purple Mash, Maths Whizz and TT Rocks which can be accessed at home aswell.
We will be recommending daily exercise or physical activities too.
Staff will provide a weekly overview outlining what will be covered that week.
Completed work can be uploaded to the Dojo portfolio and staff will provide feedback aswell as Dojo reward points.
We will be putting together a guide timetable for organising home learning days.
Please try to get into a routine – get up and ready for school start times.
This is not an extended holiday we are starting our Spring terms learning in a totally new way and missing out on this learning can impact all future learning.
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.
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.
It is essential that all children keep up with their education during this Lockdown. We are not just producing packs for children to work through to keep them occupied – we are sharing lessons for them to take part in, learn or practice skills and complete tasks.
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO DOJO – YOU MUST CONTACT SCHOOL AND ARRANGE THIS IMMEDIATELY.
Access to Devices
Obviously any remote learning needs devices in order to access it.
Several families have already contacted school because they have little or no equipment on which to access the learning.
Several families have already contacted school because they have little or no equipment on which to access the learning.
We will support when we can but we must prioritise those in most need.
The government have allocated a small number of laptops to our school (we are waiting for them to be delivered) and we have a few in school which we can loan to families during lockdown and we are trying to get hold of more. (These devices are for use by the children to access learning and are to be returned to school after Lockdown)
A Survey Monkey will be sent out tomorrow to get an updated view on what access people have to devices – please complete it ASAP So we know how to allocate our limited resources.
Wifi – Data
If you have issues with Wifi or data on devices at home please contact school and we will try to support with this aswell.
Work Packs
Work packs are available from school – the packs support the lessons being shared on Dojo.
First Steps are available from their entrance.
Years 1-6 are in the main entrance to school.
Exercise books are there to be picked up aswell so the children can complete their work in books as they would at school.
This is not the New Year start we were expecting and we are having to deal with different challenges each day.
We really appreciate the support we are getting from our families and please know we will help and support with home learning when we can.
Over the coming weeks we will keep in touch – longer messages will come via email and Dojo and we’ll post them on the school website and anything short will come via text.
IF YOUR CONTACT DETAILS CHANGE PLEASE TELL US ASAP.
Take care and stay safe.
Miss Sands
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
Merry Christmas
We would like to wish all of our wonderful children and families a happy, a healthy and a peaceful Christmas. We look forward to seeing you all in 2021. From all of the St. Wilfrid’s family.
Video
Slideshow
Jungle Week Adventures
Just before half term, we all enjoyed jungle adventures at St. Wilfrid’s. The children thoroughly enjoyed exploring jungle waterfalls and dark caves, discovering exotic wildlife and uncovering ancient ruins in the undergrowth.
All of this was part of our whole school writing week, which inspired all sorts of amazing pieces of work. We had everything from poetry and explorer diaries, to letters and campaigns around climate change.
We couldn’t quite bring ourselves to say goodbye to all of the jungle, so we’ve kept a jungle wall in the hall, where we’ve displayed some of our children’s excellent efforts!
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.
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