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Here we go........ We are all a bit nervous and anxious, it is a normal human reaction so please do the right thing. School staff test twice a week and we would hope that families are doing this as well to keep us all safe (even though the testing is not a very pleasant experience !). We are still in lockdown and no other 'rules' have changed yet. A return to school is mandatory and is a government (not school policy) as is 'everyone at the same time.' Please do not hang around school for a chat or a catch up. Mixing of households is not until March 29th and then it is outdoors. Please be : Safe Aware Patient Kind - lots of information has been sent already about times, entry/exit and everything else so please make sure you have read it all. We now revert back to before Christmas (same entrance and exits) but with staggered end times until Easter. You must collect your child from their designated exit at the correct time. Masks must be worn by adults around school unless you have a medical condition. Year R and Year 1 = small gate entrance and exit via doors as before. Year 2 and 3 = Parish Hall gate and 'flow' around the Parish Hall building to leave. Year 4 = front of school. Year 5 and 6 = via the double gates (as before) and parents/carers must come in to collect and wait on the white markers. There is no breakfast club or MASC until after Easter. As with all new routines it may take a few days to 'bed in' again but we know it works and staggering should reduce the number of people in one go and make parking a little easier. See you later Regards Mr Batstone |
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Dear Mrs Giles, Madley Primary School has sent you a message Update - Friday March 5thDear Parents/Carers, The final day of 'lockdown learning' and home schooling, enjoy ! Teachers are in school training and getting everything ready so please do not post anything on Seesaw as it is unlikely to be responded to. We are keeping Seesaw for home learning if 'bubbles' have to isolate. This has been a challenging term for everyone and teachers will be glad to leave their screens and return to the classroom. They are very tired already as this has been really challenging and all consuming. Thank you to the many parents/carers who passed on their 'thanks and appreciation' to school staff, it is much appreciated. Thank you to all those parents/carers who kept home school going with many other things/work going on (lets hope this is never repeated again). PE days/forest school - you have received separate e-mails for year groups and they all start from Monday 8th March. Entry/exit to school - please make sure you are completely aware of where you are meant to be, timings and masks around school. Lots of information has been shared. Lift sharing/collecting other people's children - the country is still in lockdown and you should not be sharing lifts or mixing together for collection or dropping off (unless you are in one family 'child care' bubble). Home testing - it is voluntary but if only 50% of the school do it then it is useless and won't help ! Staff are all testing twice a week to keep ourselves and you safe. Chromebooks - please do not return them until requested. They need to be reset before a return. Have a good weekend and we look forward to seeing you all on Monday. Please be safe and please make sure you are doing the 'right thing' on Monday. Please go back through all of the times and entrances/exits and know exactly what to do. Regards Mr Batstone |
Good morning everyone,
I hope you are well and getting prepared for the 'big return' next week. Lots of information has been shared with regard to procedures, expectations and how it will all work.
Information about home testing and ordering kits has been shared. This is a voluntary approach for your family but is also about keeping everyone else safe. Having completed tests since last June (as part of the Office Of National Statistics study) it is not always that pleasant with the swabs, it takes a bit of time to get 'used' to it and you may need to do it for your child.
Start/end of day timings - I know it isn't a 'perfect' fit depending on the classes your children may be in but it is a small amount of time and, hopefully, should only be in place until Easter. We want to reduce queues, make parking more fluid and keep areas around the front of school as clear as possible.
Timings (hopefully just until the Easter holidays)
Morning = gates open at 8:50am and close at 9am - PLEASE DO NOT QUEUE, WAIT IN YOUR CAR OR AWAY FROM SCHOOL THEN 'FLOW AND GO' AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
Afternoon =
R = 3:15pm
1 = 3:25pm
2 = 3:20pm
3 = 3:30pm
4 = 3:30 pm
5 =3:20 pm
6 = 3:30pm
Bus children will meet in the hall as normal and the buses will come at 3:30pm as normal.
Class Parent mail update - some of you have got it already (Year 3 as I pressed the wrong button !) but most classes will receive it this morning with PE times, forest school times and other information for some classes. It has been a huge challenge to get all of the information out so everything runs smoothly so please read things carefully). As much as we try there will always be some things that are missed and some adjustments to make.
Breaktimes/lunchtimes - ALL CHILDREN NEED WELLIES. Classes will swap areas they use and some classes (Year 5 and 6 will use the field at different times so they definitely need wellies).
Toilets - we still need to keep year group 'bubbles' separate so we still have the portable toilets on site and they will be serviced this weekend before the children return.
Ventilation and clothing - a large part of the DFE guidance is about good ventilation in classrooms so windows will be open and doors (if appropriate). As before children may need extra layers and the forecast for next week is for colder temperatures !
Supporting mental health - children adapt and settle pretty quickly with good support and guidance. A lot of our staff have qualifications in mental health as well as a wealth of experience. We also have the support of our own Educational Psychologist and we employ an Art Therapist and Music Therapist for work with particular individuals. We can also direct parents to the right support for counselling and other support services.
Huge amounts of communication have been shared in the past week with regard to next week. Please make sure you, and any grandparents etc who are picking up, are fully aware and follow the correct procedures to keep everyone safe.
Regards
Mr Batstone
Good morning,
There is a lot going on in and around school at the moment with the balance between home learning, lots of children in school and preparing for next week. We are trying to apply 'common sense' to all that we do and please be aware that we have to have procedures for 205 children, 205 sets of parents/carers and the local community not just individuals. It is a test of everyones's values ............
Shoe swap (suggestion from a parent) - a good use of Whats App may be to set up a potential shoe swap if shoes are too small and they are relatively new/in good condition. School won't organise this, you can do it amongst yourselves and it is entirely your choice if you think a shoe swap is a good idea. Until the shops re-open we will be flexible with uniform/shoes etc as long as people are sensible.
After Easter (as it would be in normal times), and if the shops are open, we will expect normal uniform rules to apply. We only offer flexibility towards the end of the summer term if children grow out of their shoes e.g if there are 3 weeks to go until we break up we wouldn't expect you to buy a new pair for 3 weeks.
Today I would like you to share this e-mail with your children please (you can put it into the words they will understand)
The last year has been very mixed with time in and out of school, a lack of social contact and a mixed picture of being able to do clubs etc. The following information is to clarify exactly what is expected from everyone.
The school code is attached, please discuss it as a family and think about how the values apply both in and out of school.
Expectations on our return to school (this is really important for everyone)
All of the following aspects are 'normal' at Madley and have been embedded over a long time, we have very few issues if people do the 'right thing' and are kind, thoughtful and considerate to others.
1. Expectations in the classroom
As always we expect people to behave, not to disrupt others and to be respectful to all adults.
Like last time people were amazing at getting back 'into the flow' of school and we want the same thing again.
We do not talk about 'catching up' as we can't replace time but if we have been working hard at home, have got the right mindset and come back with the right attitude then we are halfway there !
2. Expectations of behaviour and how you treat others
We expect all children (and adults) to be kind, aware, to care and to be thoughtful.
We have a 'hands free' policy which is why we don't have play fighting or games that involve people getting carried away.
3. Equipment, kit and managing everything
We expect everyone to look after your own kit, school equipment and our environment.
4. To be safe
We expect people to be aware and safe. We have everything organised to keep everyone as safe as possible (without scaring people).
Teamwork and values
Then all the 'bits' fit perfectly and it all works ! Simple ...........
Each class will receive an e-mail before the end of the week with specific information and reminders as well as the general updates (which are also posted on the school website).
Kind regards
Mr Batstone
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Dear Parents/Carers,
All the line markings are refreshed and we are getting things ready for a return next Monday. Keep up the work and habits this week so the children have the right mindset for a return next week. When we return to school we need to very aware of each other and maintain the correct social distancing (2m) and 'flow and go' from the site and area quickly. We have not had any cases directly in school as yet but we are expecting some this term (that will result in 'class bubbles' isolating for 10 days at home) so we need to be extra safe until the situation ease even more. Face masks in and around school are mandatory for all adults (except if you have a medical condition) and they must be a proper face covering not a jumper pulled up. Staff will be wearing masks in corridors etc as well as aprons and gloves if they wish. Please prepare your children for this. All staff and practitioners who work here have lateral flow tests twice a week and everyone is acutely aware of their responsibilities to their team mates and our community. Communication with teachers - as before it is via e-mail to admin@madley.hereford.sch.uk or phone (and they will get back to you). Please do not stop at the entrance/exit for a 'chat' or a 'catch up.' 1. Independence The last return to school was good and our only main concern was a lack of independence from some children, small things matter for all ages. Top tips
2. Communication Updates are copied onto the school website each day (no attachments) but all of the text. There are lots of ways of getting the correct information from the correct people. 3. Parking Park safely and sensibly. Be aware of others. There is no drop off/pick up. There is plenty of parking a short walk from school. DO NOT park in front of the pub. Parish hall car park cannot be used as it is an entrance/exit for Years 2 and 3. Older children may walk out sensibly on their own but not in a group. There will be a minority of families who have children coming out at different times in different places, you should have time to get to different places or they walk to you (oldest child) and, like before, it will work but take a day or two to adjust.
R - 3:15pm 1 = 3:25pm 2 = 3:20 pm 3 = 3:30 pm 4 = 3:30 pm 5 = 3:20 pm 6 = 3:30 pm
4. Uniform/PE kit and forest school clothes (these are the same 'rules' we have always had). Uniform - some things may not fit so do what you can. Shoes especially may be an issue so trainer are ok until the shops open but you must let us know. PE kit - plain white t-shirt, hoodie, shorts or plain tracksuit bottoms, trainers or PE shoes. Forest school clothes - dress to be warm and to get dirty ! Old clothes and layers are best. Last term we had very few issues with uniform, PE kit or forest school clothes as people applied common sense and did the right thing. Same again please. Seesaw on Friday All of the teachers will be in school preparing and doing some training. There will be work set but it does not need to be uploaded to Seesaw and it will not be checked throughout the day. Please do not post anything on Friday. Have a good day. Regards Mr Batstone |
Good morning,
One week until we return to a full school (even if things will still be very restrictive to ensure we are all safe), we have not been closed and everyone has been working harder than ever during this lockdown.
You have had lots of information 'drip fed' over the last week and more will follow this week (some repeated to ensure it is read).
1. Values for March - 'thoughfulness and trust'
As we return to school these values are particularly relevant as people mix again and re-establish social interactions. Children have had a very mixed year alongside worries and daily changes, everyone needs to be mindful that these have an impact and we need everyone to have good awareness of others and to treat everyone with respect.
Our expectations of all children are high and we expect them to behave, be kind and show great awareness of others.
We also expect all of our adults, parents and carers to be thoughtful and kind, this includes your use of social media and especially 'Whats App' in relation to school and staff. We do not tolerate abuse of any form and will always take the strictest action we need to protect all staff.
All staff are thoughtful, hard working, respectful and professional with all parents/carers and we expect the same in return both face to face and online.
2. Numbers in school this week
Monday = 24
Tuesday = 38
Wednesday = 33
Thursday = 37
Friday = 24
3. Chrome book return
Please do not return the borrowed Chromebooks to school until you are instructed to, we will do it year group by year group. When it is your turn please reset (powerwash) in settings to clear all of your data.
4. This weeks learning
'World Of Books' week -
A final week of home learning and we have another week of a 'shared approach' using World Book Day as a stimulus for the whole week. Reading is such an important skill and a love of books (fiction and non-fiction is vital). Please make sure you are learning this week and ensuring your child has the right habits for next week.
Free workshops from The Courtyard are on this week and a flier is attached.
The weeks ahead
Building stamina - however you have managed home learning it is not school and does not have the same times or timetable. Your child will be extremely tired as we return to school and the week progresses.
Routine - we have said it before but this is vital component for a young brain. Getting up, getting dressed, setting the brain to work, going for a walk and going to bed at a reasonable time as well as eating well are all extremely important.
Independence - one of the aspects from the return after the last lockdown was a loss of independence from lots of children across the school. We expect children to take responsibility for their belongings and to carry their own bags/coats in and out of school (small things count and make a positive difference).
Lots of information about the return next week will begin to 'flow' via Parent mail to individual classes as well as the daily update so please ensure that you have read things thoroughly and you understand the procedures for drop off, face masks, parking and everything else before next Monday. Lunch menus have already gone out and need to be returned so we don't have to chase people.
A reminder that MASC (Madley After School Club) will not recommence until after the Easter holidays. Breakfast Club is run by Pre School and information will be communicated separately.
Have a good day
Regards
Mr Batstone