Newsletter 28.9.2020
Date: 28th Sep 2020 @ 9:43am
Dear Parents/Carers,
We were sad to hear the news of one of our former parents Mr Neil Hawkins who sadly lost his battle recently with COVID-19. Our thoughts are with Sarah, Alisha and Kyle and his friends during this difficult time.
New COVID – 19 Restrictions
Thank you all for your continued support and your understanding of the measures that we have put in place to keep everyone as safe as possible during these difficult times. From talking to some of you, I understand the high levels of worry that you are facing sending your children to school, this is fully understandable and all of the school staff are doing everything that they can to make sure that your children are kept as safe as possible, whilst they are in the school.
Although we have had no positive COVID-19 cases at Winsford High Street since our return in September, Cheshire West and Chester is experiencing a significant increase in positive cases within the community. In response to this, the Local Authority with the support of Public Health England have made the following recommendations and have advised the need to implement them. We will therefore be following their guidance to keep all members of the school community safe.
From Monday 28th September:
• All adults and children over the age of 12 to wear a face covering when visiting or entering the school premises including outdoor yard areas.
• Parents/carers to arrive and leave promptly when dropping off/collecting their child – please do not congregate and maintain social distancing as we know that the virus is easily transmitted from person to person.
• Only one adult should enter the site for drop off and pick up per family.
• All staff to wear face coverings when they come out onto the playground during drop off and pick up times.
Our priority is the safety of the children and staff and keeping the school as fully open as possible. These measures that we are putting in to place will help us to do this. Please remember that we are implementing the changes to help to protect your children and the staff and to keep the school open and safe.
One-way system
In addition to the aforementioned, I wish to thank you for adhering to the one way systems when entering and exiting the site. Please can I ask that all children attending the before and after school club also follow these specified routes.
Parking: Verdin Car Park
I would like to thank you for following our parking guidance on my last newsletter. Having been regularly on the Verdin Car Park at drop off and pick up times, there has been a marked improvement, although there is further progress to be made.
Parking: High Street
Unfortunately, we have seen a number of parents parking illegally on the High Street on double yellow lines. I must advise you that the Police and PCSO’s are currently patrolling the area and have advised that they will be issuing fines. Please think carefully, the yellow lines are there for a reason!
Dogs on the Playground
Please note that dogs are not permitted on the school grounds. This is a Local Authority directive and must be adhered to. Under exceptional circumstances, small dogs may be carried by owners, but must not be set down in the grounds.
Smoking / Vaping
Please can I reiterate that smoking or vaping is not permitted on the school premises in accordance with Local Authority guidance. Should individuals not adhere to this request they will be prohibited from entering the site.
Bike to School Week
Next week is national Bike to School Week (28th September to 2nd October), an event organised by Sustrans and supported by the Bikeability Trust, to celebrate cycling to school and the positive impact an active lifestyle can have on pupils’ health and wellbeing. We should be grateful if you would encourage your child (ren) to ride to school on their bikes if possible. Please note that the wearing of a helmet is compulsory. Helmets should also be worn by children using scooters.
The following website Sustrans website has a free guide to walking, cycling and scooting to school for families to download.
Microsoft 365
We are now in the process of rolling out an email address and password to you for your children. This will be their email address for the remainder of their time at Winsford High Street. At present the email address will only be used as a user name although we will continue to distribute all newsletters and correspondence through your personal email address, this account is available for your child to use to access their homework and chat with members of staff, through the chat function not by replying to the email. In the future we may allow the children access to an email platform, this will not be done until we are certain the privacy settings are sufficient to protect your child. However, it must be noted that staff will not access 24/7 as they also need their downtime, but will do so on a regular basis. For the parents of younger members of the school community, we should be grateful for your support in guiding your children on how to log on / access their account.
The staff will now start to distribute homework using this platform. Furthermore, should we need to ‘lockdown’ a class or year group then the staff will distribute work through this media.
Maths Fluency Grids
All children in KS1 and KS2 have been sent home with a fluency grid. Fluency is at the heart of the National Curriculum for mathematics. Children need to know key mathematical facts and methods to aid their reasoning and problem-solving skills. Repetitive practice can support them with memorising these facts and becoming fluent in using them. The grid that your child has at home recaps key learning from the previous year and allows them the chance to practice their skills.
Children can take ownership of their own learning at home by choosing their 'star' number, when they have completed all or part of their grid they can check their answers with the aid of a calculator or by checking with their parents. Evidence of completing the grid does not need to be brought into school, so there is no need to submit it as homework, however, if your child is struggling with a particular section, then they are encouraged to ask their teacher for support
And finally
We are currently following the guidelines issued last week as to when children are allowed to return to school or when they must self-isolate when they display COVID-19 Symptoms and as noted we have been lucky not to have had any confirmed cases. However, in the event that your child is diagnosed with a confirmed case, I should be grateful if you would call me directly on 0781 5444 034, so that I may take the appropriate action and advise the relevant members of the school community. Please note that this number must not be used for any other communication.
Thank you as always for your support during this difficult period.
Kind regards
Mark Joule
Head teacher