Free LFD testing and home testing kits are now available in Woodhouse Close Library. Find out more and book appointments http://www.durham.gov.uk/CovidLFT

It has been wonderful having everyone back in school these last three weeks; it has felt like some kind of ‘normality’ and there has been a real ‘buzz’ around school! Our children have enjoyed being with their friends; learning and having fun and we can’t wait for more of this after the holidays!!

As we break up for Easter it is important to remind you of some of our routines and systems and let you know of some of the changes we will be making to them to ensure the health and safety of our whole school community.

Staggered start times will remain the same for the time being. Siblings can still be dropped off with the earliest start and picked up with the latest. Finish times have changed and are outlined in the table below.

It is really important that you stick to the timings so that we avoid congestion around the gates at these busy times. I know that it is lovely to see other parents but please can you avoid chatting outside the school gates as parents have reported that the paths are often blocked and they struggle to get past. We need to be mindful of social distancing at all times and continue to wear face masks until the government lift these restrictions – Thank you!

After Easter Changes:

• the children in Years 2 & 3 will wait in the quiet yard for the 10 minutes drop off time and then the teacher will line the children up to come into school together as a class.
• Children in Years 4, 5 & 6 will come onto the main playground for the 10 minutes drop off time into their designated class space and then they will be lined up to come into school together as a class.
• Children who are dropped off with siblings will be on the yard until their class is collected.
• For Reception and Year 1 – children will just enter in the same way as they are now.

N.B.Classes will still have staggered playtimes and lunchtimes and be working within their own class bubbles to minimise the risk of any spread of COIVID in the event of any positive cases.

Breakfast Club:

We are hoping to re-start Breakfast Club at the start of May once we know that infection rates are continuing to drop and more restrictions are lifted. Access to breakfast club will be offered on a ‘needs’ basis so that we can limit contact to avoid cross-contamination.

After School Clubs;

After Easter I have booked Rob proud for 2 after school sessions per week. This is part of our ‘Health & Well-Being’ offer for our children and there will be no charge. We are offering each class 2 sessions each across the 7 week half term and all children in the class can access both of these sessions. They will run from 3.30-4.30p.m. Doing it this way means that we are not crossing class bubbles and there is an equity in the offer for all classes and all children. School staff will be joining in/supervising all sessions too!

The sessions for each class are:

P.E. days

There may be some changes to the days – I am just waiting to here back from the companies who support our P.E. offer in school. I will let you know the P.E. days for your child’s class after the holidays.

Easter Homework

We are very aware that children have only been back in school for three weeks however, we do not want to put too much pressure on them (or you!) to do too much ‘schooling! There is a minimum requirement for homework which is based on reading and some maths basic skills as we feel it is very important to keep the momentum of this going.

Once again can I thank you all for the tremendous support you have shown over the last few months – it is very much appreciated especially when times have been so tricky for all of us. Hopefully we are on the way out of this pandemic now and, slowly but surely, we can start to do ‘normal’ again and reintroduce some of the things back into school life that we have all been so desperately missing and that help to support our ‘whole school team’ ethos that we are so proud of!

I hope that all of you manage to get some rest over the Easter break – everyone I think needs to recharge their batteries! Let’s look forward to all the positives that the new term will bring for us all as we head into summer!

Take care and stay safe

Wendy Gill & Staff

We celebrated Red Nose Day by coming into school dressed in red.  We made funny faces with huge red noses and designed superhero masks. Some classes completed puzzles and quizzes before sharing jokes. There was lots of smiles and laughter throughout the day.

Dear Parents,

I can’t believe that it is half term! Undoubtedly it has been a tricky one for all of us whatever our circumstances. I would like to say a huge ‘Thank you’ to all of you who have been home-schooling – you have done an amazing job! I know it is not easy given the pressures of working from home and often having siblings to home school too! I can only say that your support has been truly appreciated.  Hopefully on 22^nd February the government will announce details on how schools can return to full opening safely and we can then plan accordingly.

Class Assemblies up-date: We had hoped that all of our children would’ve had the opportunity to ‘see’ their class teacher via an on-line class assembly but, technology got the better of us and we have only managed this with Year 4, 5 and 6.

However, after half term, we will start the Celebration Class Assemblies as per timetable that was sent yesterday and fingers-crossed it will all work smoothly this time!

Spreading some Half-term happiness. . . We have a little gift for all of our children to cement our school motto:

’Growing & Learning Together’

This consists of a small plant pot that the children can decorate and a personalised packet of wildflower seeds to plant in it.

We would like you to send some pics of the decorated pots to your child’s class google email. Children can also track the progress of the growth of their flowers by taking photographs or, older children might like to measure and keep a weekly log. It is entirely up to them! We will set up some class competitions – who knows – your small seeds may flourish into a sea of colourful flowers in your gardens!

We have planned collection times for each class tomorrow. We have given separate slots for the classes who have not had that ‘connection’ via an assembly with their class teacher (Reception, Year 1, 2 & 3). Their class teachers will hand out the ‘gifts’ so, if you want to bring your child to collect, it will enable them to see their teacher and say a quick ‘hello’!

Years 4, 5 & 6 will be given out by Mrs Collings and me.

Please note that:

• children who are in school will bring theirs home with them.
• you can collect for siblings at the same time- however it may only be possible to see the teacher who’s time slot it is!

Times are as follows:

Home Learning

This will be available on the school website by Monday 22nd (We have to wait for our some of our subscription websites to allow us access as they are time limited.)

If you request a pack, this will be available for collection between 11a.m.-12 noon to give us enough time to photocopy them.

I hope that all of you manage to get some rest over the half term break – everyone I think needs to recharge their batteries! Let’s look forward to some positive news that will help us see that the light at the end of the tunnel is within our grasp!

Take care and stay safe

Wendy Gill

Headteacher

We have had very different half term but that has not stopped all of our children from working extremely hard.  We are so proud of how they have worked throughout this lockdown and have loved seeing the amazing work they have produced.  Some children have been exceptional and the teachers would like to recognise them for their commitment and dedication throughout this half term.  Our ‘Stars of the Half Term’ are nominated below. For those year groups who were not able to have a virtual  assembly this week, you teachers have recorded you a special message with their thanks and nominations.  For Years 4, 5 & 6 who were lucky enough to see their teachers and friends in a virtual assembly will already know who their class stars are.

After half term we will have weekly assemblies and we will nominate a Home Learner Star of the week and a School Learner Star of the Week for each class!

Keep working hard and keep smiling and we will see you after half term! Enjoy your rest!

Reception Class:

Year 1:

Year 2:

Year 3:

Year 4:

Alfie C, Connor C, Elena W, Heidi D and Mason T

Year 5:

Zack R and Lilly J

Year 6:

Finley B, Evie C, Danae H, Jack R and Sophie B

Children’s Mental Health Week

We have purchased an online pantomime for the children and families of our school to enjoy.

This is available for the whole of February so you have plenty of time to watch it at your leisure.

Click on the blue box which say ‘Watch on Vimeo’  then add the unique password for our school which is: Feb142RH

Please do not share this password with anyone outside your family.

Sit back, relax and enjoy

Dear Parents and carers,

Please see the attached letter regarding Remote Learning

• Remote Learning Letter –  21 Jan
• Guide to help you access Home Learning