Newsletter 7th January 2022- correct
Dear Parents/Carers,
Can I begin by wishing the entire school community of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School a belated Happy New Year and let us pray that 2022 is a kind one to us all.
It has been a joy to welcome the children back to school this week after the Christmas break. They have been full of stories of their Christmas time at home and it has been wonderful to start the new school term together.
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 several children who have tested positive for COVID across the school both over Christmas and in the last few days.
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]
From Monday the new guidance is that if a person tests positive on a LFT they no longer need to book for a PCR test.
With the guidance changing regularly we will endeavour to share the most up to date information with you. Please take the time to read the following guidance from the government that was last updated yesterday.
Here are some edited highlights for you all to consider:
1.If you suspect your child has coronavirus or has a positive test
Do not send your child to their nursery, childminder, school, college if:
- they are showing one or more coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms
- they have had a positive test result
- there are other reasons requiring them to stay at home, for example, they are required to quarantine
You should follow public health advice on when to self-isolate and what to do.
If you insist on your child attending nursery, school, or college when they have symptoms, they can take the decision to refuse your child if, in their reasonable judgement, it is necessary to protect other pupils and staff from possible infection with COVID-19. Their decision would need to be carefully considered in light of all the circumstances and current public health advice.
For everyone with symptoms, they should avoid using public transport and, wherever possible, be collected by a member of their family or household.
- Testing positive for Covid-19 – ending of self-isolation on Day 8
Since Wednesday 22 December, the 10 day self-isolation period for people who record a positive PCR test result for Covid-19 has been reduced to 7 days in most circumstances, unless you cannot test for any reason. Individuals may now take lateral flow tests on day 6 and day 7 of their self-isolation periods. Those who receive two negative test results are no longer required to complete 10 full days of self-isolation. The first test must be taken no earlier than day 6 of the self-isolation period and tests must be taken 24 hours apart. If both these test results are negative, and your child does not have a high temperature, they may end their self-isolation after the second negative result and return to school from day 8. If your child is unable to take a Lateral Flow Test on day 6 and day 7 they must complete the full 10 days of self-isolation. If your child tests positive on a Lateral Flow Test or a PCR Test, please contact the school to report their absence.
- Daily testing of close contact
People who are fully vaccinated, or children and young people aged between 5 and 18 years, identified as a close contact of someone with Covid-19, should take a Lateral Flow Test every day for seven days and continue to attend school as normal, unless they have a positive test result or develop symptoms at any time.
4. Attendance: Attendance is mandatory for all pupils of compulsory school age. This means it’s your legal duty as a parent to send your child to school regularly if they are registered at one.
5. Face Coverings: In primary schools, we recommend that face coverings should be worn by staff, adults, and those aged over 11 (including visitors) when moving around in corridors and communal areas. Health advice continues to be that children in primary schools should not be asked to wear face coverings
6. 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
We still have a number of places still available for next year’s Reception (FS2) class. We encourage you to let your families and friends know should they wish to apply. We are happy to show prospective parents around our School so please encourage anyone who may be interested in sending their child to our School know and Mr Geaves or Miss Wright will happily show them around.
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 1st 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
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
The term dates for the next academic year are on the school website.
https://stjosephs.npcat.org.uk/term-dates/
After School Clubs Reminder
We have the following clubs on offer for the next 6 weeks for children from FS2 to Year 6:
Monday – Football with MFC
Tuesday – Arts and Crafts
Wednesday – Hola! Spanish Club
Thursday – Dodge Ball
Clubs need to be booked via Parent Pay in advance. To ensure that clubs can run smoothly we ask you to sign up for a block of sessions, the cost of each club is £9 for the 6 weeks. These clubs restart on Monday 10th January.
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.
Peat Rigg Residential
I know that the Year 4 and year 5 children are looking forward to their upcoming residential trip on Monday 17th January through to Wednesday 19th January. I pray for their good health over the next week so that all children are able to attend. I also thank the three members of staff for giving up their time to assist the children with the trip.
Final Thoughts
This Sunday’s Gospel reminds us of how Jesus was baptised. Something very special happened to him that day as he was filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit can help to make us brave and to bring us joy. Just as we can tell that a tree is good because of the fruit that grows on it, we can tell if the Holy Spirit is working in us by the way that we act and how we treat other people. As we all continue to struggle with the daily events of the pandemic this is an important reminder of how to act.
Take care everyone and stay safe.
Mr Geaves
Executive Head Teacher
