..
Dear Parents/Carers,
I hope you have an enjoyable half term after a very busy start to the year. Thank you for the messages of thanks and support in the last week, it is appreciated and shared with the staff.
The plan is hold Parents' evenings over a longer period of weeks after half term once we know when the major roof works will begin and how it will affect school (I have several meetings next week). Once I know how it will all work we will set up the invites and get people in and out of school safely. Thank you for your patience.
1. Safeguarding
Our mantra is 'if we don't know they don't go !'
Recently we have had several incidents where parents/carers have made arrangements for collection of their child but not informed the school. We will not let people leave unless you tell us, 'communication is key', and can we remind people to inform us if your child is being collected by someone else (party/play date/taking to tennis etc) NOT if it is a regular collection arrangement we know about (which you have already informed us of).
2. Toilets
Some parents have asked about supporting the cost of some toilets for the winter that have heating and are a bit more comfortable. The cost of the toilets would be £500 a week (that is with a 50% discount) and we would need them for a few months. The toilets have been a big part of keeping Covid under control and we will keep the same approach as we move forward, Our school budget cannot support £500 a week but if we have any willing sponsors or help please contact the office.
3. Hilda Brown
As many of you will know Hilda is our caretaker/MASC/lunchtime supervisor at school. Hilda has been off of work for a little while and has now resigned due to personal reasons. Hilda has worked at school for a number of years in various roles and we wish her the very best. We will get the children to write some cards etc when we return after half term.
4. Attendance
|
Group |
Possible |
% Attend |
||||
|
RECEPTION |
100.0 |
96.1 |
||||
|
CLASS 1 |
100.0 |
98.0 |
||||
|
CLASS 2 |
100.0 |
93.7 |
||||
|
CLASS 3 |
100.0 |
97.0 |
||||
|
CLASS 4 |
100.0 |
90.5 |
||||
|
CLASS 5 |
100.0 |
96.6 |
||||
|
CLASS 6 |
100.0 |
96.8 |
||||
|
Totals |
100.0 |
95.4 |
|
Friday 22nd October 21 |
Sickness |
Coughs/other |
Positive PCR |
Waiting for PCR |
Going for PCR |
Isolating and doing daily LFT |
|
YR |
|
|
|
1 (FM) |
|
|
|
Y1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y2 |
1 (GP Tummy ache) |
1 (OD) (been off all week) |
|
|
|
|
|
Y3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y4 |
3 (AB/LC/EK) |
1 (LW) |
|
|
|
|
|
Y5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y6 |
|
1 (SC) |
|
|
1 (FW) |
|
|
Total |
4 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
Overall
|
Time period: |
1 Sept 21 - 21 Oct 21 inclusive |
||
|
% pupils on site |
Herefordshire |
England |
|
|
All schools |
88.5% |
88.3% |
|
|
Primary* |
91.8% |
91.7% |
|
|
Secondary* |
84.3% |
85.3% |
|
|
Special** |
83.9% |
82.5% |
See you on Monday November 1st.
Kind regards
Mr Batstone
Busy week ahead !
Monday = Year 5 Longtown team building/self development day. Class R forest school on site.
Tuesday = Year 6 Longtown team building/self development day. Year 3 and 4 PGL residential day 1. Year 2 and Year 5 forest school on site.
Wednesday = Years 3 and 4 PGL residential day 2. Year 1 forest school on site.
Thursday = Year 5 curriculum visit to The American Museum, Bath. Year 4 Young Foresters Award (day 4) at forest school (see attachment for an overview).
Friday = Year 5 and 6 County School football tournament. Year 3 forest school on site.
Alongside all of this we still have sports coaches and music sessions happening as well.
Keep up to date...
Twitter = @MadleyPrimarySc (this is done when we are out and about, if we have a signal).
Website - class pages are updated but not as quickly as Twitter (and some classes are better than others !).
Attendance
As you can see below the picture is improving and sickness/covid is declining. There may be a number of reasons for this (weather/less mixing in school etc) and there is no definitive answer.
|
Group |
Presents |
Possible |
% Attendance |
|||
|
CLASS 1 |
96.7 |
100.0 |
96.7 |
|||
|
CLASS 2 |
99.4 |
100.0 |
99.4 |
|||
|
CLASS 3 |
99.1 |
100.0 |
99.1 |
|||
|
CLASS 4 |
90.4 |
100.0 |
90.4 |
|||
|
CLASS 5 |
89.5 |
100.0 |
99.6 |
|||
|
CLASS 6 |
92.2 |
100.0 |
92.2 |
|||
|
RECEPTION |
82.7 |
100.0 |
82.7 |
|||
|
Totals |
92.8 |
100.0 |
94.2 |
'Bigger picture' overview (as ever no names will be shared and this is for information)
|
Friday 15th October 21 |
Sickness |
Coughs/other |
Positive PCR |
Waiting for PCR |
Going for PCR |
Isolating and doing daily LFT |
|
YR |
2 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
Y1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y2 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
Y3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y4 |
|
3 |
2 |
|
|
1 |
|
Y5 |
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
Y6 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
Total |
3 |
7 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
'Everyday is an adventure'
Attached is a document that is a 'snapshot' of the children's thoughts about our school. It was something every class did before the summer holidays and is worth sharing with everyone. We will do it again later in the year. The children weren't given any prompts or directives but asked for their honest views about our school.
Next week is an extremely busy week for school with Longtown days (Years 5 and 6), Year 3 and 4 overnight residential and other curriculum visits/events happening.
We will definitely have earned a restful half term this half term (although our roof works may start then) !
Rugby club flier
Although this flier is for Under 6s there are other age groups, please contact the same e-mail and someone will get back to you. At primary school age both boys and girls play together and contact rugby starts at Under 9 level.
Comet's Meadow update
Although it may seem all has gone quiet there has been a lot of work under the 'surface' as we have secured several grants, we have had £1000 of equipment donated by a local company and we have a few other grant applications in the pipeline. Once we have a storage facility and mains water connected (Madley Charities are doing this as the landowner) then we will be set for the next stage of establishing everything and constructing paths etc (hopefully all those generous parents/friends are still willing to offer resources and teamwork in the future).
Parent's evenings/after school times
We will send out invites next week. We were just waiting to see what would happen with the roof works as access to the building will be different (all of the external wooden structures will be removed and scaffolding put up).
We may stagger the appointments over several weeks so we don't have people waiting. We may also sent the books and learning journeys home before hand so it makes the appointment more focussed/learning centred.
Food for thought:
The last time a current Year 5 child had a full school year was when they were in Year 2 ! Although the pandemic has been on-going for more than 18 months it has crossed different years within a school context. Now we could either use that as an excuse or we work with it, our approach is always 'to make the best of it !'
A current Year 1 has not had a normal school year yet (fingers crossed for this year) and parents/carers have had a very different experience (some even chose schools without being able to look around). Also the 'normal' processes of school and engagement have been disrupted.
We are acutely aware of all of these things and are finding ways to try and make it as 'normal' as possible. It is also why parent's evenings are so important and need to be done properly and safely (around Covid/roof works and anything else that can be thrown at us !!).
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Park and Stride
Amazing numbers this week with between 20 and 30 children everyday and amazing volunteers (and all for free). It is easy for parents/carers and eases traffic around school.
A lot more positive than the 5 cars (repeat offenders) parking across drives on white lines, dropping dangerously or blocking driveways that have been reported to the Police. Everyone is busy and 'in a hurry' but that doesn't excuse selfish/thoughtless behaviours !
If you want to know more about 'Park and Stride' or want to volunteer to help please e-mail the office.
Parish hall
The Parish Hall is used by other people so could we please ask:
- you do not block the entrance to the Parish Hall unless you are a Blue Badge holder who is dropping off for a short period of time.
- You are aware of traffic that may come in or out when you are waiting/dropping off or walking with your children.
Attendance last week (lots of bugs/sickness and Covid around)
RECEPTION = 83.8 %
CLASS 1 = 85 %
CLASS 2 = 91 %
CLASS 3 = 93.8 %
CLASS 4 = 93.2 %
CLASS 5 = 75.7 %
CLASS 6 = 93.1 %
Total (whole school) = 87.7 % (this is much better than expected)
Attendance this week
There is more 'normality' this week as more children have recovered from illness and returned to school, below is a 'snapshot' of the sickness/covid cases which seem to be easing. As always this is for information not gossip and no names will ever be shared. As you can see numbers are low (although under the 'old rules' four classes would probably have been isolating.
|
Tuesday 12th October 21 |
Sickness |
Coughs/other |
Positive PCR |
Waiting for PCR |
Going for PCR |
Isolating and doing daily LFT |
|
YR |
2 |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
Y1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Y2 |
|
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
Y3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y4 |
|
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
1 |
|
Y5 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
Y6 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
Total |
3 |
7 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
Dear Parents/Carers,
We are going to have an update without any Covid information, it is still going on but we need to celebrate some other aspects of school !
1. Attached are some photographs of a 'snapshot' of the first half term. Despite all of the restriction and illnesses in school we have still managed to have a rich curriculum and lots of experiences for the children. Music, art, curriculum visits, sport, drama, construction, forest school etc alongside the everyday learning. There is even more that we have achieved since this 'snapshot' with drama specialists, artists, dancers, sports coaches and musicians working with the children.
A special mention to Class R who have been to forest school and visited a working farm yesterday. They were amazing with their behaviour, awareness and learning (and they are still only 4 and 5 !).
2. Rugby - attached is a flier for the Under 6s rugby at Hereford RFC. We have Mr Thomas (Hereford) and Aiden (Luctonians) coaching rugby to boys and girls in school every week. There are various age groups at Hereford on a Sunday morning, please contact the club direct if you are interested.
3. PGL next week - I will send the relevant information after school when I get 5 minutes !
4. Year 5 and 6 Longtown days next week - again I will send the information after school.
5. Curriculum visits - we normally try to give parents 2 weeks notice, especially if there is money involved, but please bear in mind that we are under a great deal of pressure in school everyday and some things will slip at the moment. We will ask for a voluntary contribution as school budgets are extremely tight but we are also aware of the growing costs to families (that includes us as well !).
Kind regards
Mr Batstone
Dear Parents/Carers,
The following information is very important and concerns a variety of things happening in school at the moment. I always feel that honesty is the best policy so we are sharing with the understanding that you will use the information correctly, sensibly and with the school community in mind (because that's what a values school is like !). There is no cause for alarm or panic just 'common sense' and good awareness.
I have not been in school this week as I was working from home as one of my own children tested positive at the weekend. I was meant to be in London at the end of this week but felt it safer to not travel. My whole family did their PCR tests (the rest of us were negative) and we complete lateral flow tests everyday. We then restricted the activities that we do normally, that was our personal choice as a family.
The PTA meeting and AGM next week is postponed until after half term and we will assess the situation.
Figures (these change quickly and daily !)
Years R, 1 and Year 5 have a sickness bug - 10 absent (see the following update from Public Health). Year 5 have one confirmed Covid case.
Year 4 have on-going Covid cases (and it is rising but small numbers of 4 confirmed PCR with 2 PCR results to come in).
Year 6 had rising Covid numbers a few weeks ago but this has stabilised and it now appears to be under control. 1 sickness absence/1 current Covid case.
Year 2 have very small numbers of sickness (3) and 1 Covid case.
Year 3 look relatively unscathed at the moment !
No staff have currently tested positive for Covid this week but some are off with sickness or other 'bugs' (staff test daily using lateral flow).
We thank those families who are also testing regularly, communicating with us really well and being mindful of others.
All of the above is shared in the interest of clear communication and no names will ever be shared. We would ask you to stick to the facts and no to gossip as we have enough going on in school.
Update from Public Health (we have a sickness bug some classes)
This update is to advise you that diarrhoea and vomiting illness which is present in the community at this time of the year is also circulating at school.
We are following advice from Public Health England on managing the outbreak including increasing cleaning throughout the school.
We would be very grateful for the support of parents in helping us reduce the spread of the infection. If your child has symptoms of diarrhoea and or vomiting, please keep them at home until 48 hours after they are feeling better. During this time, they should not mix with other children outside the home or visit local venues.
Norovirus is commonly known as Winter Vomiting Disease and often occurs in the community and in schools and nurseries at this time of the year. If your child is ill, you may find the following information useful:
ADVICE FOR PARENTS ABOUT NOROVIRUS
What are the symptoms?
• diarrhoea and vomiting usually lasting 1 -2 days
What should you do if your child is unwell?
• Make sure they get lots of rest.
• Ensure they drink plenty of fluids, taking sips rather than gulps to avoid vomiting.
• Give infant Paracetamol or Ibuprofen, according to product instructions, to help keep their temperature down.
• If your child is unusually sleepy, won’t take fluids or has other symptoms, such as blood in their diarrhoea, an unusual rash, headache, neck stiffness or difficulty breathing, ring NHS Direct (0845 4647), contact your GP or take your child to hospital.
• Please ring your child’s nursery/ school and let them know that your child is ill and what symptoms they have.
• Keep them at home until they are well enough to return to school. However, if your child has been suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting keep them at home until they have been free of symptoms for 48 hours.
How can you prevent the spread of these infections?
Hand washing is one of the most important ways to prevent the spread of both of these infections. This applies to the child who is ill and the person looking after them. Hands should always be washed, using liquid soap if possible:
• Before and after caring for your child.
• After using the toilet.
• Before eating or handling food.
• After cleaning up a mess (vomit, faeces or urine).
Other ways of preventing the spread of infection are to:
• Keep a separate towel for family members who have symptoms.
• Dispose promptly of used tissues and other items that your child may have coughed or sneezed on.
• Wash soiled clothing, bed linen and towels in a washing machine. Use the hottest wash for that fabric.
• Clean baths and washbasins thoroughly and disinfect after use.
• If cleaning up diarrhoea or vomit, wash the surface with hot soapy water and disinfect before allowing to dry. If using bleach remember that it can remove the colour from fabrics and can burn the skin.
Please keep your child away from other children and people that are particularly vulnerable, e.g. the elderly and those with chronic illnesses.
Whilst we dealing with all of the above we are also keeping the teaching, learning and experiences going. A big 'thank you' to all of the staff as this has been a tough week and it looks as though it will continue to be a challenge. Our school has been praised by external agencies for all the elements we have in place, extra cleaning and all of the communication (that includes you, as parents, as people have been excellent). 'Onwards and upwards'.....every day really is an adventure !'
Have a good weekend
Kind regards
Mr Batstone
Dear Parents/Carers,
I trust you are well and enjoying the varied weather (apparently we may experience snow in the next few weeks !). As we approach the colder weather children need a 'proper' coat in school everyday please (gloves and hat are optional but often a good idea), now the weather will warm up again !
1. Covid update
At the moment it feels like we are playing 'Whack a Mole' without the hammer ! We have gone from control over infections to feeling like we are working from day to day and walking a tightrope as we try to keep adults safe and in school. It would not take many adults to be ill for our school not to be able to function as a place of education. It is not being sensational but a reality ! Thank you for helping with good communication, awareness and testing, it is appreciated.
'The bigger picture'
- Rates in Herefordshire of new infections are rising rapidly and are, nationally, very high. Having experienced the walk in centre and the number of children taking PCR tests it is very evident where the majority of infections occur.
- We have positive cases in year groups other than Year 6 but very sensible parents/carers have kept their children away from school if another family member tests positive. This has helped to stop any new infections although it may still happen.
- Year 6 have not had any new infections and children should be returning to school (unless they were positive and then are given a date by the NHS).
- The majority of people are not seriously ill, children especially, but we know from our own experiences that adults suffer more and it continues with fatigue after the 10 days of isolation.
2. Parking/driving
I have been in contact with the local Police and will send them the registration details of parents/carers who are a risk around around our school by parking without consideration for others, turning in the road, stopping/dropping by the yellow cones or generally being selfish. It is a minority but completely contradicts our school values. We NEVER lose sight of the majority of parents/carers who have good awareness, care and community spirit and help to enhance the reputation of the school.
Please can we ask that all our parents/carers exemplify responsibility, awareness and care as the majority of you do. Thank you to those who think about others and always park/drive with care around our school.
3. More positive news.....
The week of October 18th is going to be a very busy week -
1. Year 5 and 6 are booked for Longtown activity days on Monday (Year 5) and Tuesday (Year 6) and we will need a voluntary contribution from parents (a letter will follow soon). This is a good opportunity for team building, individual challenge and communication as well as a break from the current situation.
2. An amazing opportunity/offer has come from PGL for Years 3 and 4 to spend two days and overnight at a centre not too far away and transport (by coach) - all for absolutely no cost to the school or parents/carers ! The two days will be Tuesday (19th October) and Wednesday (20th October). In return we have to evaluate our experiences and feedback to PGL. More news next week for Year 3 and 4 parents/carers. I have checked that we will not 'cross over' with other schools and can operate on our own.
3. Year 5 will be travelling to the American Museum in Bath on Thursday 21st October as part of their theme. They will be travelling by coach as the museum have a grant available for some of the cost. Again information will follow for Year 5 soon.
All of the above are dependent on:
1. Staff volunteers to staff it all and to be away from their own families.
2. Safety and Covid cases in school/year groups.
4. Opportunities at school
We currently have a vacancy for a Learning Support Assistant for 5 days a week (the advertisement is on the Hoople website) and we are searching for the right person who understands (or who is willing to learn) the values, culture and learning approach of our school (we are very, very picky !). We are a professional working environment and our standards are very high, if you feel that you may contribute to our team then please contact the office or look on the Hoople website (search teaching vacancies in Herefordshire and Hoople will come up, then school vacancies).
We are still planning a safe way to hold parents' evenings so you can see the books/work and safely discuss your child with their teachers. There will be an option for a telephone conversation instead or you may want to make an appointment earlier (but don't all rush or it won't work). As always if you have any immediate concerns/questions or compliments please contact the school office.
Kind regards
Mr Batstone
1. Attendance last week
After our first Covid outbreak and a variety of bugs there has been significantly reduced attendance (not anything we can really do about it). Please remember if your child is sick or has any other bodily discharges that it is 48 hours before they can return to school (even if you think they are ok).
National attendance last week was 88 % and Herefordshire was 82 %.
Class R = 93.7%
Class 1 = 95.8%
Class 2 = 95.2%
Class 3 = 90.2%
Class 4 = 90%
Class 5 = 97.1 %
Class 6 = 47.3 %
2. Covid (one day we won't have to mention it !)
- The vast majority of children in Year 6 who tested positive on a lateral flow have also tested positive on a PCR test. The new infections have stopped and stopped in the middle of last week. We are expecting all children who have taken some time at home to be back by Wednesday unless there are any new cases (I will inform Year 6 parents/carers of this). We acted swiftly and, with the help and common sense of parents, we appear to have stopped the spread within school.
I am sure it won't be the last of it.
- Toilets - as part of our continued care and awareness we started the year with toilets for each year group (only Reception and Year 1 share toilets) but as we move towards winter we would like to offer some nicer toilets. Nothing is funded by government anymore and everything we pay for is from our budget (except a new roof which we have fought hard for). A parent has offered to contribute towards some 'posh' toilets for the winter but we need a few more generous and kind parents/companies who might help........... please contact the office if you can offer support for Years 3,4,5 and 6 then we can get some prices (a local company gives us a very good price) and get some heated toilets for the winter (the company trusts us to look after them).
Have a good week
Regards
Mr Batstone
Welcome to the end of the week !
This has been a very challenging week in school with our first Covid outbreak and all the associated issues to manage it. The staff, parents and children in Year 6 have been amazing as have the wider school. The aim this week was to keep the outbreak contained so it didn't affect the rest of the school or force us to close.
Moving forward this is going to be an on-going issue and I am sure it won't be our last experience !
1. New values for October (values are not just school based)
Appreciation - the children are good at appreciating the world around them and noticing things at forest school and around. This month we will be focussing on people we appreciate and aspects of our lives that we appreciate.
Caring - We are a caring school (care isn't always 'soft and fluffy') and the children and adults show that in bucket loads every day. We also have great care for our World and the environment.
2. Correct PE kit/uniform
Please can we ask that children have the correct school uniform and PE kit. We don't have many issues but we have some children wearing variations when they are in uniform (we know there have been some hoodie supply issues).
PE kit
- black/dark plain tracksuit bottoms/shorts.
- White t-shirt and school hoodie/sweatshirt
- trainers/plimsolls (we will do a check on these next week - not Converse or trainers with platform soles).
3. Jewellery
One pair of plain studs.
Nothing else !
4. Covid update
We have returned to our 'bubbles' for classes (not a massive change since we came back as we were prepared anyway). We are being very open and honest with you and sharing the correct information about school.
Year 6 - the rate of positive cases has slowed and it doesn't seem to have spread anywhere (famous last words !). Thank you to the Year 6 parents/carers for their approach and common sense.
There are over a 1000 children in Herefordshire who are positive or isolating (attendance nationally last week was 88% and Herefordshire was 82%, this is the first time the county has been significantly below the national picture) and most schools are affected.
Please be mindful of where you go, who you mix with and please communicate with school effectively so we have the correct information.
5. Parents' evenings
We are acutely aware that it has been a while since parents/carers have seen books, Learning Journeys etc. We are looking at staging some safe parents' evenings for all classes but staggering times and using the covered outside spaces, if we do it carefully we can stage it over a few weeks before and after half term and use different entrances to school. In the meantime if you wish to speak to a teacher just ring or e-mail and a convenient time will be arranged (we will always ask people to wear a mask if they can and to meet in our many external, covered areas (so please bring a coat !).
More news and dates next week.......
6. Parking/dropping off/road safety
A big 'thank you' to the volunteers who help with 'park and stride' and also the many families who us it.
We do not operate a 'drop off' system and we have a small minority of parents/carers who fail to adhere to our school values and expectations by stopping dangerously, pulling in on the yellow cones, blocking driveways and not being very safe (everyone is 'busy' and it is not a reasonable excuse). Patience has now run out so we will report every vehicle that is dangerous around a school to The Police and repeat reporting if necessary until actions change.
Thank you to those in the majority who show awareness, care and consideration for others.
Have a good weekend
Regards
Mr Batstone