Half Term update: 27th November 2020
- Potential bubble/class closures at Tenacres due to staffing capacity.
We have been very fortunate at Tenacres to maintain full provision for children since September. As you may have seen in the press, many schools have faced bubble or whole school closures. The purpose of this blog post is to raise awareness with our school community regarding the restrictions and limitations on staffing due to the current pandemic. Whilst bubble closures due to Covid are highly publicised, another implication is that due to the limitations and restrictions schools are regularly facing an impossible situation with staffing which could result in a class or year group closure.
So far since September we have had staff absences due to self-isolation requirements, illness and other reasons. During this time we have been fortunate that we have managed to staff these absences in-house and will continue to do this as far as it is possible. However, should Tenacres have a number of staff not in school the decision may have to be taken to do class or year group closures as and when required. This decision will be taken after every avenue has been explored and is not one taken lightly. Due to the nature of some staff absences, I am often not made aware until early morning and then explore in-house cover options, so potentially the decision to instigate a closure may come on the morning when parents will be notified by text. This will of course be sent as soon as possible followed by further details such as home learning via the school blog.
Miss Marshall
- Classroom Ventilation: I think we have officially entered the colder weather season this week! Even with the colder weather we have to maintain a certain level of ventilation around school with windows remaining open; as Government guidelines state for schools. Please ensure your child has suitable clothing (fleece, jumper, cardigan, long sleeves etc) during the school day.
- Nasal Flu Vaccinations: Wednesday 2nd NHS permission letters have already been sent home. These must be returned whether you wish/not wish your child to have the vaccination. Thank you.
- Sport England’s Active Lives Children and Young People Survey
Classes 1D and 2DH. Sport England are looking to measure engagement in, and attitudes towards, sport and physical activity among children and how the Coronavirus has affected this. Our school has agreed to take part in this research and your child’s class has been selected to take part in the survey. Your child will carry out the survey in school by completing a very simple online questionnaire with their teacher. In addition to the children taking part in the survey, Sport England would also like parents to complete an online questionnaire. This will supplement the answers your child gives with more detailed information. You can complete the survey at home by clicking on this link https://ipsos.uk/SWZRN (We will get points for surveys completed, for free PE equipment).
Thank you, Mrs Duffy (PE co-ordinator)
Christmas activities
- We are currently finalising all Christmas arrangements and will send an update w/b 30/11/2020 once all dates/activities have been confirmed. You may have seen that schools have been advised not to have Christmas cards sent in this year, so we are asking children not to bring these in.
Christmas activities/dates so far:
- Wednesday 25th November: Christmas CD/Music download was recorded in class bubbles on Wednesday this week by a professional company. Children have brought a letter home to explain how you can order a copy……the perfect Christmas gift!
- Friday 11th December: Christmas Jumper Day and a Santa Dash-£1 donation for Save the Children. This will be accompanied by DJ Beacham and his outdoor disco. Classes will have a time slot to complete their Santa Dash to the music.
- Christmas Lunches-letter to follow.
Tuesday 15th December – Year R
Wednesday 16th December-Years 1 & 2
Thursday 17th December-Years 3 & 4.
- Thursday 17th December- a special visitor is hopefully popping in!?!?!
Year groups are finalising other activities for the final week of term and you will be notified about these by the end of next week.