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St James Primary School

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St James E-News 

22nd October 2020

Welcome to the St James Primary School's E-News, a weekly roundup of the latest goings on at the school.

Latest Headteachers Blog

Dear Parents,

As we reach the end of the first half-term of a very different year, I would like to thank the staff, governors, parents and the children for all the work you have done in ensuring we have had a very successful return to school. It hasn't been easy, and things will continue to be challenging, but in the last few months I have really learnt to hold onto the positives, and a school full of happy, (if rather tired), children is definitely one!

Tomorrow we are holding an in-school virtual Harvest celebration and as in previous years, we would like to ask for harvest gift donations. This year we are sending donations to the Elstead Foodbank so if you would like to make one, please could you put your gift in the plastic container outside of the old Children's Centre, rather than bring it into school. 

Yesterday evening, we had a very successful, Covid-safe, open afternoon after school for prospective parents. We are holding a second event on Saturday 28th November from 10am - 11.30am,  so if you know of any parents of children starting school in September 2021 please do let them know the date or share the flyer. Parents will have to pre-book by contacting the office and follow strict Covid guidelines during the visit. However, a small number of staff will be available to talk about the school and show parents around. 

I am very pleased to announce that as part of our catch-up plan, we are employing two French teachers to teach French lessons to KS2 weekly after half-term. Veronique Haynes and Elisabeth Donaghue are native French speakers and already work in a number of local schools, so they come highly recommended. If the lessons are a success, we hope to start lessons in Ks1 sometime in the New Year. 

Finally, I hope you and your family have a fantastic half-term and we look forward to seeing you all again on 2nd November. Can I also remind you that on 6th November we have an INSET day.

Best wishes,

Valerie Elliott

School Notices

Common Trips - Please do not send in back packs or bags for children when going to the common; only a plastic bag for dirty shoes on return. Please take a look at the updated guidance here

Remote Learning - In light of the possibility that we may need to offer remote learning in the future, we have been reviewing our systems, alongside parent feedback, and our online learning provision over last summer. Going forward we will be using Microsoft Teams alongside DB Primary and/or Tapestry. Reception parents have already received their children's logins and the remaining logins will be issued after half term.

Rules For Isolation If A Member Of Your Household Has Coronavirus Symptoms As we prepare for the half term break we want to remind parents of the rules regarding household isolation if a family member experiences Coronavirus symptoms.   

  • Stay at home for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day the first person in your house developed symptoms or, if they do not have symptoms, from the day their test was taken.
  • If you do not have symptoms of COVID-19 yourself you do not need a test. Only arrange a test if you develop COVID-19 symptoms.
  • If you develop symptoms and your test result is positive, follow the same advice for people with COVID-19 to stay at home and self-isolate for 10 days from when your symptoms started, regardless of where you are in your 14-day period.

Whilst we hope that this won't apply to anyone in our school community we would ask that you ensure you follow the guidelines if relevant and notify the school straight away, giving details of dates of exposure. It is possible to do this via the Report An Absence facility via app or email the school office.

Flu Immunisation - Please remember to follow the link in the Flu Immunisation letter in the Parent Portal to let the school nurse know your wishes for your child regarding their immunisation, You have until 18th November to reply.

Wear it Pink Mufti Day Tomorrow - Friday 23rd October. this day is to raise funds and awareness for Breast Cancer Now, a research and care charity.  The children can wear mufti but include something pink which can be an item of clothing or an accessory - grown ups can join in too! 

Please follow this link to the Just Giving page, unfortunately we cannot accept cash in school. 

 

 Letters this week

The following classes have had letters uploaded to the Parent Portal this week.  Note: You will need to login to view this area.

  • YR
  • Y1
  • Y4

 

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