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