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Dear parents and carers
I hope you had a lovely half term break. The fantastic news, which I am sure you have all heard, is that everyone can come back to school on Monday 8th March….not long now! There have been new guidelines produced for us and I am in the process of updating the risk assessment, but in the meantime, there are some key things you need to know:
- There will be a staggered start and end to the day to help keep social distancing measures in place
- EYFS, Y1 and Y3 will start their day at 8.40 and finish at 3.10
- Y2, Y4, Y5 and Y6 will start at 8.50 and finish at 3.20
- Facemasks must be worn by all adults on site, including parents who are dropping off/picking up children. Staff will wear masks when they meet and greet and when around the school building, but not when they are working with children.
- We are removing the one way system and asking that you use the gate which is closest to the classroom your child is in. By wearing a mask and ensuring you maintain social distancing we feel that the risks of passing the virus on will be mitigated, especially as you will be outdoors. Please do not congregate to chat though!
- Full school uniform should be worn wherever possible. However, we do appreciate that children might have grown out of things and that shops are still closed, so it is fine to get by with trainers or slightly different clothing until shops are open again. We would expect that all being well, everyone should be able to wear their ‘proper’ uniform after Easter.
- Hot lunches will continue to be provided, at the usual cost if you pay for them. They will be served in takeaway boxes and delivered to classrooms. This has successfully worked during lockdown and minimises contact for the children in the hall.
- Playtimes and lunchtimes will continue to be staggered, again to minimise contact with different groups of children.
- Parent consultation meetings will now be after the Easter holidays – more details at a later date.
- Children will be expected to follow handwashing routines throughout the school day
- School staff now have to take covid tests twice a week, to make sure we are picking up any asymptomatic cases; there are no plans to test primary school aged children.
We understand that some children are eager to be back whilst others may not be quite so enthusiastic for a number of reasons. At the end of this newsletter are some useful resources you might wish to use to support your children in their return. The expectation from school, the local authority and the government is that everyone should be back. We are really looking forward to seeing everyone and gaining some sense of normality, as I am sure you are too.
Mathletics
As mentioned in the previous newsletter, we will no longer be subscribing to Mathletics. Our current subscription ends on March 31st, so there is plenty of time for those children who are close to achieving a gold award to achieve this.
Red Nose day Friday 19th March
Red Nose Day will be going ahead this year, and The Tynings children will be taking part. The theme is ‘Get set to show your super powers’ so we would like to have a dressing up day to match this theme. Children can dress up as superheroes, or in red or in Red Nose Day merchandise, and make a small donation (50p-£1) to raise money for Comic Relief. Please don’t go and purchase a costume – it isn’t necessary; the children can be their own superheroes with just a cape or an eye mask. We plan to make it a day of fun and laughter to celebrate everyone being back in school.
Y2 Jungle Jamboree
The Y2 Keyworker group have made animals to go in their corridor this week. We can’t wait until you can see them! The zebra is Mrs Haydon’s favourite – which one is yours?
Recommended Books, Apps and Websites for helping children
- How to stay calm in a global pandemic By Dr Emma Hepburn
- http://sites.southglos.gov.uk/mind-you/
- https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/childrens-mental-health/depression-anxiety-mental-health/
- What to do when you worry too much? By Dawn Huebner
- Starving the Anxiety Gremlin By Kate Collins-Donnelly
- The Very Hungry Worry Monsters By Rosie Greening
- Some Apps to support breathing, muscle relaxation and good sleep:
- Calm
- Breathe, think, do sesame
- Breathing bubbles
- Super Stretch Yoga
- Headspace (for Kids)
- Smiling Mind
- Insight Timer
- I Am Peace (A Book Of Mindfulness) by Susan Verde and Peter Reynolds.
- The Colour Monster by Anna Llenas. This is a key book we use in school. A book aimed at 4 to 8-year-olds, which can be used to explore young children’s feelings. A pop-up version and a colour monster activity book are also available.
- The A-Z of Therapeutic Parenting – Strategies and Solutions. –Sarah Naish
- The National Association of Therapeutic Parents – Really helpful website with training, resources and peer support such as ‘Listening Circles’ and Webinars. – naotp.com
- Dr Bruce Perry http://childtrauma.org
- Help! I’ve got an alarm bell going off in my head – L Aspden. Accessible and engaging book that helps children to understand – how panic, anxiety and stress affect your body.
- The Invisible String – Patrice Karst – A lovely picture book about the unbreakable connections between loved ones.
EYFS and Y1's in school have enjoyed retelling the story of the Gruffalo with spoons showing the main characters, which they have taken home.
This week we hear from Owls and Falcons, as they give their book recommendations.
Miss Curtis' recommendation is ‘The House with Chicken Legs’ by Sophie Anderson.
"I chose this book as I’d enjoyed ‘The Girl who speaks Bear’ and wanted to read another book by the same author. I was also fascinated by the front cover and the title!
The story is unusual but very magical! Marinka is the main character and she lives with her grandmother, Baba Yaga, in a house that can't keep itself still for long, and travels the world on its long chicken legs. Imagine that actually happening! The thing that I enjoyed the most was the journey of the main character from being very selfish to a more likeable person who considers her emotions and behaviour a lot more.
I would recommend this book to Years 4, 5 and 6. I know you will love it!"
Freya's recommendation is ‘The Summer Explorers’ on Bug Club.
"I like that it shows you not to assume things. The characters had an adventure even though they were not expecting it. There’s a book within a book as there’s also ‘How to handle a Bat’ which is linked to the story.
I love Bug Club because it’s fun and I like answering the questions on the bug and collecting coins."
"I love this book because it is all about friendship, perseverance and team work.
It reminds me of ‘Team Tynings’ and how we all care about each other, how we work together and how we use determination in our learning.
Puffins are also my favourite birds and I love to see them fly across the sea.
My class enjoys listening to this story, so I thought I would recommend it to everyone."
"I like this book because it’s funny. The main character is a dog’s head sewn on to a cop’s body. The cat Petey is always trying to escape from cat jail and Dogman and the police have to catch him. It’s a comic book with lots of pictures which makes it fun to read."
During the past year there has been many discussions on how to improve Staple Hill and support local traders. So, the Chamber of Trade (Staple Hill Traders and businesses) the three local councillors, South Glos Council Officers and representatives from other organisations have been meeting to come up with suggestions, ideas and future projects to make Staple Hill a vibrant shopping centre for residents.
The restoration of the park has changed the demographics of the area, there are now many young families moving into the area, so there is a need to have the shopping centre to provide for them and the local community.
To achieve this they need your help, your views and your answers on the
STAPLE HILL SURVEY
which is now live and has a closing date of Sunday 21st March
Please follow the link
Staple Hill Future High Street Survey (researchfeedback.net)
This is a chance for you to have your say and help shape how Staple Hill will look, feel, and work in the years to come.
Please circulate widely on social media, to family and friends, everyone's input will be very much appreciated and will help to make a difference.
Love Productions; the company behind The Great British Bake Off, The Great British Sewing Bee and The Great Pottery Throw Down have recently opened applications for the 7th series of Junior Bake Off; a Channel 4 programme that celebrates the culinary talent and ambition of the younger generation in Britain.
They are looking for young budding bakers between 9 -15 years old.
Filming would take place from July 2021, but applications close on Sunday 28th March 2021.
Interested bakers can apply online at - WWW.APPLYFORJUNIORBAKEOFF.CO.UK.
Please do feel free to contact Love Productions on 0207 067 4833, should you have any questions regarding the above.
enquiries: [email protected]
Congratulations to the following children who have received the "Champion of the Week" certificate for online learning:
Hedgehogs - Alissa, Squirrels - Jack, Owls - Alina, Deer - Rosie, Foxes - Joshua, Bats - Zayd, Badgers - Eloisa, Kingfishers - Kallie, Woodpeckers - Jack, Otters - Isla, Pine Martens - Katom, Falcons - Ben, Kestrels - Neave.
Congratulations to the following children who have received "Hot Chocolate Friday" packs:
Hedgehogs - Bella, Squirrels - Junior, Owls - George, Year 2 - Veda, Year 3 - Liam, Year 4 - Amy, Year 5 - Daniel, Year 6 - Alfie J.