Hello all,
Firstly, I hope you are all having a good Summer break. All the teachers, Mick, our Site Manager, his wife Jo and our cleaners have all been working hard over the past few weeks to prepare all for the return of our children. Below are a few reminders/updates for the start of term.
Our new Reception starters have their own phased induction and all children start full time with us on Wednesday 15th September. For the sessions before they start full time children are to wear their own clothes and save their uniform for the big day on the 15th. Mrs Poynton and Miss Austin will be providing further information over the children’s sessions leading up to the 15th.
Years 1 to 4
All children are to wear uniform on their first day back on Monday 6th September. Uniform expectations will fully resume as detailed in the May newsletter (please see the website if needed). Tenacres school uniform and appropriate black school shoes are to be worn on all uniform days.
On PE days and Forest School days children will continue to come to school on those days in appropriate clothing. PE days – children are to wear a uniform school sweatshirt/cardigan and polo t shirt with either plain navy or black tracksuit bottoms. Dependent on the weather plain or navy shorts can be worn. Appropriate sports footwear to be worn on PE days.
Forest schools days – appropriate clothing would be trousers and a long sleeve top in order for legs and arms to be covered due to the nature of the activities. Appropriate footwear for the activity.
As usual, on the first day children will bring home their new ‘Home School Diary’ which will have the days for PE and Forest School in. Check your child’s book bag for this.
Times
For the first half term all will remain in place as before. This is for us to assess over the first half term how all is going regarding the expectations in relation to Covid. Years 1 and 2 will enter and leave school via the lower playground and Years 3 and 4 via to top playground. Reception children have their own playground to access.
8.40 – 9.00am will remain in place for drop off, however I must stress children have morning activities for them as they arrive at school. These consolidate learning and are important for all children. I strongly encourage all children to be in by 8.50am so they can access these as the Attendance and Lunch registers are completed. Teachers will not be out until 9.00am but will leave the playground to go to their children in class at 8.50am. Doors will remain open until 9.00am and if you choose to drop off later than 8.50 please ensure your child enters the school building. I endeavour , as usual to be outside until 9.00am however this will not always be possible. School will finish at the normal time of 3.05pm for Years 1 to 4 and 3.00pm for Reception.
Attendance- The statutory expectations will fully resume for children to be attending school during term time. Our EWO (Education Welfare Officer) resumes her role fully from the 6th September.
Covid Guidance – Current guidance is schools can resume all normal practises from September, however as mentioned above Tenacres will retain certain routines for the first half term and then review. Current Government guidance is, should there be a positive case the whole class does not have to now self isolate. Close contacts will be informed and a PCR test is advised. I do not anticipate another lockdown as in the previous two academic years for schools. Schools have to have a contingency plan in place. Tenacres is extremely lucky for inside and outdoor space to facilitate ‘bubbles’ etc. I am sure there will be further Government updates before and during the start of term so I will inform you of these.
Best wishes for the remainder of the holiday and we are looking forward to seeing you all at the start of term.
Miss Marshall