Return to School – Mon 8th March 2021

2nd March 2021Emma Anderson

Dear Parent/Carers,

We are really excited to be welcoming back all pupils on Monday 8th March. We understand that after such a long period away from school or away from their normal classes, both you and your child may be feeling uncertain or even a little anxious about a return. The arrangements in school will be the same as when your child returned after Christmas, albeit briefly. These were:

  • Your child will return to their normal classrooms and teachers
  • Children will be taught a normal curriculum and we will run a normal school day.
  • Routines for the children will stay the same. The children will arrive and leave school at their normal times and entrances.
  • Children will need to wear normal school uniform and bring P.E kits.
  • Lunchtime arrangements are the same.
  • Please ensure your child brings their P.E kits on Monday and take it home on Friday to be washed.
  • Please make us aware of any Covid illness in the family as soon as possible.

Just to remind you, information regarding drop off/collection times for each year group are as follows:

  • Year 6 pupils should enter school via the Upper Yard Gates (Dame Flora Robson Ave) at 8:30am. They will leave/be collected from the same place at 2:45pm
  • Year 5 pupils should enter school via the Upper Yard Gates (Dame Flora Robson Ave) at 8:45am. They will leave/be collected from the same place at 3pm
  • Year 4 pupils should enter school via the Lower Yard Gates (Richardson Ave) at 8:30am. They will leave/be collected from the same place at 2:45pm
  • Year 3 pupils should enter school via the Lower Yard Gates (Richardson Ave) at 8:45am. They will leave/be collected from the same place at 3pm

Please note that we do need to continue to maintain a high level of vigilance with regards to good hygiene. Pupils will be asked to sanitise and wash hands regularly over the course of the school day. We will be discussing effective handwashing during our first day back, however reinforcing good handwashing routines at home over this week will be of great help. Similarly, we must promote effective use of tissues for good respiratory hygiene (the catch it, bin it, kill it approach). Of course, we have an enhanced cleaning routine in operation in school, with regular cleaning of all contact surfaces, as per our risk assessments.

We must also be vigilant to symptoms of COVID 19. Should your child present with any symptoms at home, we ask that you inform school as soon as possible. Your child will not be able to attend school and we ask that they are tested as soon as possible. Your child will not be permitted to return to school unless a negative test result is achieved. If a test result is positive, pupils will need to follow procedures for isolating at home for at least 10 days from the start of symptoms. Other members of the household (including siblings who may attend our school) should self-isolate for 10 days from when the symptomatic person first had symptoms. This means that if any member of your household falls ill with symptoms, pupils must maintain the 10 day isolation period unless there is a negative result for the virus. Should your child present with symptoms of COVID 19 while in school, they will be taken to a room, set up purely for isolation purposes, supervised by a member of staff. You will be contacted and asked to come and collect your child as soon as possible.

We appreciate that facilitating the return to school may be challenging and at times, difficult. We hope that the measures we have in place have reassured you somewhat – please know that we are here to help. We are also aware of how tough it has been if your child has been not in their normal classes or taking part in remote learning. We know how much they have missed their friends. We are well aware of this and will be adjusting our curriculum accordingly. We have all learnt a lot during these past few weeks. I now know more about fixing computer problems than I ever did. If you are struggling with anything, please let us know. We still have a number of Chromebooks to lend if there is a need. These can be used even if your child is at school.

We are looking forward to being able to get back to teaching our wonderful pupils once again and still aim to provide memorable moments all day, everyday for everyone.

Steve Bowler and all the staff and governors at Monkton Academy

 

World Book Day

23rd February 2021Emma Anderson

Dear Parents/Carers,

We have decided against our usual ‘dress up as a character’ for World Book Day which takes place next Friday. Not only do we have a large number of our school community missing, but more importantly, we acknowledge the financial pressure that such a day brings in what has already been an extremely challenging time for us all.

We will still be celebrating WBD in school and online, with all children receiving book tokens and sharing stories, albeit in a slightly different format this year.

I hope that you understand why this decision has been made. We will be sure to make up for it next year!

Thank you for your continued support and understanding.

Miss Sheriff

English Lead

Science Week

22nd February 2021Emma Anderson

Please find all the relevant information for your child to take part in our Science week challenge. It promises to be lots of fun. There are prizes to be had! Thanks to Mr Bircham and Mrs Ford for sorting

Dear Parent/Carer,

Please find attached our Science and DT challenge. As part of our ongoing promotion of Science and engineering across the school and the development of home/school links we have decided to run a competition with the children to design and develop an engineering based idea.

If your child would like to enter this competition all they have to do is choose one of the activities attached and put their minds to work on it then send us pictures or email Mr Bircham or Mrs Ford a video using your child’s Google Classroom email account for us to see. There will be exciting STEM prizes for participation and also overall year group prizes for the most elaborate and creative designs.

Each activity is designed in such a way that general household recyclable items can be used but we do have a supply of marbles if your child chooses to have a try at the marble run challenge.

The winners will be announced at the end of British Science week which takes place from 5th to 14th March.

Good luck!

Email addresses –

[email protected]

[email protected]

Yours sincerely,

Mr Bircham & Mrs Ford

Science & D&T Coordinators

Marble Run

How about using the marble provided and some household items to build a marble run. You can make it as big as possible but the marble must be able to get from one point to the other without any extra help. Here is a link and some example pictures of some that have been done before.

 

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Raw Egg Drop Challenge

In the raw egg drop project, children are challenged to create a contraption using various materials (usually recyclables) to protect a raw egg from a high fall. You can even record your predictions on the sheets attached. Remember, the aim is for your egg to be raw and not to break.

Check this link for more ideas

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Update – New Remote Learning Packs

2nd February 2021Emma Anderson

Dear Parent/Carer

This is just to let you know that the Remote Learning packs are available for collection from tomorrow (Wed 3rd). These are for next week only.

New packs for the the 2 weeks after half term will be available from Wednesday 10th February.

School is closed on Friday 12th for all pupils. There will be no online support available on this day as this is a school INSET day.

Can we once again, thank all parents, grandparents and carers for all their efforts during this time. We know it hasn’t been easy, encouraging children to continue with their learning experience and value all your contributions. If you have any concerns, please remember to get in touch.

Remote Learning

22nd January 2021Emma Anderson

Dear Parents/Carers

Can we please remind parents / carers that your work packs are ready for collection from school now. How about a little fresh air and walk to school to break up your day! Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Thank you to all those parents who have already done so.

We are really excited to be announcing our 1st Remote Learners of the week next Friday.

Thank you for your continued support.

 

 

 

 

Remote Learning

19th January 2021Emma Anderson

Dear Parents/Carers

You may be aware that all of the children who are completing remote learning need to log on to Realsmart (log on, on the school website). This should be done around 9am. It shows the staff who is online and helps us maintain our safeguarding responsibilities. It also saves unnecessary phone calls.

Staff are always on hand to answer any queries and support learning between 9am and 3pm. The last half an hour is specifically for any parent’s questions. We also support parents to work through any IT issues.

The next pack of remote learning is also available for collection from school on Thursday this week.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding!

Free SIM Cards

18th January 2021Emma Anderson

Dear Parent/Carer

We have managed to secure a limited number of SIM cards for those parents who are struggling with enough data for children to complete their online learning. The SIM cards can be placed in a mobile phone, dongle or laptop with an appropriate slot. There is 30GB of free data that can be used over 90 days. The SIM cards are for the Vodafone network but can be used in any phone. If your phone is locked to another network, do not fear, just contact your network provider’s customer service for your phone to be unlocked. The SIM cards must be collected from school and for this week are for those families who currently claim for Free School Meals. From next week, if there are any available, they will be available for all families. We hope this helps any relevant families.

Monkton Academy

 

 

Remote Learning – Parental Feedback

14th January 2021Emma Anderson

Dear Parents/Carers

Please see below for a link to a short questionnaire regarding Remote Learning.

We very much value you thoughts and experience so far.

Could you please take a couple of minutes to feedback, by tomorrow, as it will help us in planning for the next set of work.

Thank you

https://forms.gle/zeFJHAN5onihg13VA

Free School Meals

13th January 2021Emma Anderson

Dear Parents/Carers

If your child is currently in receipt of Free School Meal, please complete the short form attached –

https://forms.gle/MnqJ7dymHnJhn4Zw6

Many thanks

Monkton Academy

 

 

13th January 2021Emma Anderson

Dear Parents/Carers

The importance of looking after our physical and mental wellbeing has never been so important.

We have adapted a popular family board game for our school community to enjoy. Hopefully as a family you can come together, work out and release those endorphins (the happy hormone which makes us feel good).

All pupils will be able to access the game through Google Classroom and inside Mrs Moat’s PE folder.

Enjoy!

Family Game