Newsletter Friday 14th January 2022

Friday 14^th January 2022

Dear Parents/Carers,

COVID 19- 2022 Updated Guidance

It is imperative that as a school community we do everything we can to follow the current guidelines. We have had 25 positive cases in the school since Christmas including members of staff. Whilst this is a huge increase within our school it is in line with what we are seeing across the local area.

As we are experiencing some colder weather at the moment please can we remind children to wear jumpers and cardigans as we keep windows and doors open for increased ventilation. On particularly cold days children may wear P.E. hoodies if this makes them comfortable.

Please let the school know ASAP if your child tests positive for COVID or if they have symptoms and you are waiting for a PCR Test result. If it is out of hours please email [email protected]

Changes to the self-isolation period for those who test positive for COVID-19

 From Monday 17 January, people who are self-isolating with COVID-19 will have the option to reduce their isolation period after 5 full days if they test negative with a lateral flow device (LFD) test on both day 5 and day 6 and they do not have a temperature. For example, if they test negative on the morning of day 5 and the morning of day 6, they can return to their education or childcare setting immediately on day 6.

The first test must be taken no earlier than day 5 of the self-isolation period, and the second must be taken the following day. All test results should be reported to NHS Test and Trace.

If the result of either of their tests is positive, they should continue to self-isolate until they get negative results from two LFD tests on consecutive days or until they have completed 10 full days of self-isolation, whichever is earliest.

Anyone who is unable to take LFD tests or anyone who continues to have a temperature will need to complete the full 10 day period of self-isolation.

Further information on self-isolation for those with COVID-19 is available.

Support for children and parents

Encourage your child to talk to you or their teacher if they are feeling anxious or stressed.

Online resources to help you support your child with mental health and wellbeing, include:

• MindEd – a free educational resource on children and young people’s mental health
• Every Mind Matters – an online tool and email journey to support everyone in taking action to look after their mental health and wellbeing
• Bereavement UK and the Childhood Bereavement Network – information and resources to support bereaved pupils, schools and staff
• the DfE blog – includes mental health resources for children, parents, carers and school staff

Advice and guidance for parents and professionals on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing includes actions you can take to support your child and emphasises the importance of taking 60 minutes of daily physical activity. Youth Sport Trust and Sport England have advice and support on helping children and young people stay physically active.

NHS mental health services remain open and have digital tools to connect with people and provide ongoing support. Please use your local children and young people’s mental health service when needed.

Reception Applications Closing Date Tomorrow

You can apply for a primary school reception place online and the website is now open for applications. Children who are due to start reception class in September 2022 and who were born between 1^st September 2017 and 31st August 2018 are eligible to apply now. Parents will be invited to submit their preference for the primary school that they would like their child to attend. Specific places are only allocated once the application form has been filled.

Wraparound Nursery Care Provision-Reminder

If you wish your child to attend our wraparound service, please can you ensure you have made your booking and payment via Parent Pay on the Friday before the week you wish your child to attend. If in the case of an emergency and you need to book a place for your child on the day, then you must still make the booking/payment on Parent Pay, but it is very important you contact the school office to make school aware of this booking. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

Term Dates 2022-2023- Reminder

The term dates for the next academic year are on the school website.

https://stjosephs.npcat.org.uk/term-dates/

Children with Medical Needs Register 2022

Miss Wright has updated our medical needs register over the past couple of days. Please get in touch if your child has any medical needs or any changes to medical needs. This means we can keep our records up to date. Please speak to Miss Wright if you have any queries.

PE Timetable Reminder

 

• Monday: Y2, Y3 and Y4
• Tuesday Reception
• Wednesday: Y6, Y3 and Y5
• Thursday: Y4, Y2, Y1 and Reception
• Friday: Y5, Y1 and Y6

Remember that children wear their PE kit to school on their allotted PE day. On Thursday Reception will be using the balance bikes so please make sure they are dressed for this appropriately.

Dress to Express Day- Friday 11^th February £2 donation

The week 7^th -13^th February is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on children and young people’s mental health. By getting involved, you’ll not only be raising important awareness, but also vital funds to ensure every child has easy access to mental health support.  We have set up a donation payment on Parent Pay of £2 so that children can dress to impress for a day. Looking forward to seeing all the amazing colours.

Peat Rigg Residential

I know that the Year 4 and year 5 children are looking forward to their upcoming residential trip on Monday 17^th January through to Wednesday 19^th January. Hopefully the weather is kind and they enjoy some brilliant experiences.

Students of the week- Focus English

Little Joeys- Tommy

FS1- Grace & Lily

FS2- William & Athena

Y1- Connie & Lewis

Y2- Vinnie & James

Y3- Isaac W & Emelie D

Y4- Maisie & Oscar

Y5- Jack & Harvey

Y6- Holly M & Nikita R

Final Thoughts

In this Sunday’s Gospel below, we read from the Gospel of John. John does not record many of Jesus’ miracles, so why is this miracle of changing water into wine given so much importance? It is important for us to know that, although divine, Jesus was also human and enjoyed human happiness.

In the Gospel, Jesus helps out the unfortunate bridegroom whose wedding celebrations are on the verge of disaster because they’re about to run out of wine. Jesus’ miracle brings joy to his own mother and gives a joyful celebration to the whole village.

This miracle also reminds us about the joy of heaven, which is often described as a wedding-feast to which we are all invited. Jesus came to bring joy to everyone in every age. Happiness comes and goes, but the joy that comes from close friendship with Jesus stays forever.

Take care everyone and stay safe.

Mr Geaves

Executive Head Teacher