Week Ending 11th September 2020

Firstly, I would like to thank you for your patience as we adapt to new routines and norms. It is not ideal or easy for anyone, but this week has felt better than last week already as the gate times have started to run more smoothly. Staggered times work very well for the morning, and throughout the day, and children are settled when they arrive to classes and learning, as all the children in the year group bubble are able to start at the same time.

I have visited classes throughout the week and spoke with the children about their feelings related to wider school opening. We have discussed how it is perfectly normal to feel slightly unsettled and tired at this stage in the term, especially during a pandemic and having to follow so many rules and changes. The children have come back happy and after the first full week after such unprecedented times, I am proud that we are working through this together.

We genuinely have had a great start to the school year under the circumstances. The Reception children have settled so well and it is lovely to have had them in this week full time. They are polite, happy and doing their absolute best to settle into their new school and primary years. We are so proud of them. Thank you so much also to our new parents, who haven’t had the chance to walk around school since last year (when they made their school choices) and some haven’t met us properly at all. It has been lovely to meet you all at the gate though and please speak to me if you have any questions.

A reminder that next week, Years 3-6 have hot dinners in the hall and Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 have sandwiches in the classrooms. Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are nationally entitled to a free lunch, as they are all eligible for Universal Free School meals. If you want to take this offer up, the children should ask for a school packed lunch during the lunch register in the morning and this will be delivered to the classroom.

Thank you all for your patience, understanding and care during this transition period. I am pleased, and relieved, to say that we continue to have no cases of COVID-19 in school. Together, we can tackle this. Have a good weekend!

Mrs Bates