Dear Parents and Carers

The following update is intended to inform you as to how school will operate for the remaining three weeks.  As I have said earlier I am saddened that I have not been able to offer some schooling experience for all of our children.  Government instruction has meant that our seven classrooms and our family room are used to provide for our Reception, Year 1, Year 6 and Key Worker Children.  Effectively school is operating at full capacity.  This means that the arrangements will remain in place for the next three weeks.  I am however delighted with the way that you have embraced the work that the teachers have set which includes google classroom and this may well be a vehicle which we shall use in the future.  Following the Full Governors Meeting last night I would like to extend their thanks to you, for the way that you have supported your children in what ever capacity, and it has been commented that the procedures that have been put in place have been some of the most successful. 

The children currently attending school will continue to do so for the next three weeks, Monday - Thursday with Key workers on Friday.  It has been lovely watching the children line up in the sunshine at the front of the school alongside the colourful world flags.  However, I have decided to change the arrangements for the remaining three weeks, purely to prepare the children for September and more importantly to make the dropping off and picking up process even easier for you particularly if the weather is unpleasant, as indeed it is today.  Reception and Year 1 children will now access school using the gate at The Round Meade and one parent will be able to bring their child up the path and onto the infant playground.  The teachers and support staff will be there to welcome you and the children will line up in their mini classes if the weather is fine, however, if it is not this change will enable children to go straight into their classroom where they will wash their hands and continue in exactly the same way as they have done this week.  Drop off and pick up times will remain the same for the final three weeks. 

Key worker and Year 6 children's arrangements will remain the same.  They are to enter school via the front gate.  The Year 6 children may go straight into their mini classrooms where their teachers and support staff will welcome them.  Key worker children will be welcomed at the entrance to the family room in the same way.  Drop off and pick up times will remain the same and can I respectfully remind you to keep to these times as this helps with school organisation and children's safety. 

School will close on Thursday 16th July, at the normal pick up times indicated in documentation. 

I have been able to talk in person to most of our key workers and we thank you as a school community.  I have made it clear that school will not be open during the summer as the teachers and support staff will not be available.  I have been pleased with the positive way that this has been received. 

Our Year 6 have been working extremely hard and yesterday were rewarded with a giant water fight and to say we all had a great time would be the understatement of the year.  St Bede's children have had a very successful transition meeting with the Head of Year and our Maricourt children will be having theirs next Thursday 2nd July.  I am still waiting for a response from Deyes High but have contacted the Headteacher who has assured me that his Head of Year will make arrangements. 

Well done to all our children still working at home.  Remember every effort that you put in is an investment in your future so please keep going and you will see the benefits when we all return in September.

The Government has stated that all children in all years will return in September and that they will inform us how this is to happen in the coming weeks.  I remain hopeful that this will be sooner rather than later, so that I can then reassure and inform you of our plans to welcome everyone back.  School leaders and governors have plans in place to respond to a number of possible decisions, but it would not be appropriate to share them at this time as things tend to change rapidly.  Needless to say I am happy that I have all bases covered.  I shall speak to you all next week and wish you all an enjoyable weekend.

On a personal note, some of you already know, and I am happy to share with you, that following my one year CT scan I received the news that I am 'all clear' and basically fixed and cancer free.  So without gloating this has been an amazing week with my team winning the Premier League as well as me looking likely to continue in my capacity as Headteacher at St John Bosco Catholic Primary School for many years to come. 

Yours sincerely

Mr D MacAreavy - Headteacher