Message from the Headteacher : Sunday 10th January 2021
Dear Families,
Last week the school formally closed and moved to 'remote learning' following the Prime Minister's announcement that England would impose a third lockdown. We are, once again, being asked to Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives. We remain able to supervise children of citical key workers who, otherwise, would not be able to participate in the efforts to control the spread of Covid-19, or introduce the EU transition arrangements. We are also directly supporting vulnerable students.
It is a frustration that some of the national guidance is contradictory. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to reaffirm that we will focus upon keeping children, colleagues, families and the community safe. We therefore ask that children of critical key workers only attend as a last resort. This will reduce the person to person contact on site, and keep families safer. We must protect the health of critical workers so that they can continue the fight against Covid-19. I make no apology for this, but understand that this is difficult for many families. We seek to have appropriate social distancing, particularly for older pupils, wherever possible. On Friday 8th January the DfE changed their guidance for critical key workers to state that 'parents and carers should keep their children at home if they can'.
During December the two St George's schools confirmed multi Covid-19 cases, in line with the growth of infection across the region. We can sadly confirm multiple confirmed cases during the week of January 4th-8th, therefore constituting another 'outbreak'. This reinforces our message, and that of Essex County Council, to ask critical workers to use schools only when absolutely necessary.
It was necessary to close the Nursery last week. We will keep this decision under review and announce when it will open once the risk has been fully assessed.
On a positive note, children in Reception and Key Stage 1 can now access daily lessons online (via the old infant school website) and Key Stage 2 children can access live lessons, delivered by their teacher, from Monday 11th January. Lessons will be broadcast between 9:30-10:30am, 11:30am-12:30pm, and sometimes at 2:00pm. Children access lessons at google.classroom.com using their unique password (sent via their DBPrimary email). All lessons can be viewed on a PC computer, laptop, iMac, Android smartphone, iPhone, Xbox or Playstation. Other games devices that contain a browser may also enable a child to sign in. However, the school provides guide books (inc CGP or Letts) to enable children to work with paper and pencil. These will be utilised in recorded lessons and live lessons. We aim to soon roll out technology on loan to families who are unable to access lessons, and provide USB keyboards for families using an Xbox or Playstation.
Our homepage will continue to contain essential contact details, information for critical key workers, updated messages from the Headteacher, and links to external organisation that can offer support at this challenging time.
Remember, we will do everything we can to offer good quality learning. Thank you all for the kind messages that we have received, it is much appreciated.
Please stay safe everybody, Mr Messer (Headteacher)
NATIONAL LOCKDOWN
Covid-19 : If a member of your household has either;
a NEW PERSISTENT COUGH, is HOT TO TOUCH, or has LOSS OF TASTE OR SMELL,
all family members must self-isolate. Next, book a test online for the person with the symptoms.
Contact the school once you receive the results. If your child TESTS POSITIVE in the evening, weekend or school holiday, TEXT 07928 373686.
CURRENT SCHOOL HEADLINES
- We are closed and remote learning is being offered to all students.
- Reception and Years 1 and 2 can find video lessons on their class pages at www.st-georgesinfantschoolandnursery.co.uk.
- Years 3 to 6 can find their lessons on DBPrimary (sign in below) and have live lessons via google.classroom.com daily at 9:30am and 11:30am.
- If a child registered at either of the St George's schools receives a POSITIVE test result for Covid-19, and the school is closed (eg evenings or weekends) please TEXT 07928 373686 to inform us of the situation.
- If a child is required to self isolate for 10 days due to having a positive test, they are considered fit at the end even if they continue to have a cough or loss of taste or smell. If they continue to have a fever, however, they must stay in self isolation beyond 10 days until this has returned to normal (at least 48 hours).
SCHOOL OPENING UPDATE
All children attending: (Critical Key Worker and Vulnerable Pupils only)
- Must only do so if well. If you or your child are exhibiting symptoms of Covid-19 you must self isolate and not attend school (ill person self isolates for 10 days, and the rest of the family for 10 days). The child can return before this time if tested and evidence of a negative test is provided.
- Must not behave in a manner that puts others at risk of infection, and will be asked to work at home again if they continue to do this.
- Must ensure that physical contact is not made with other students at the school, and enable adults to maintain 2m social distancing when required.
- Must be collected from school immediately in the event that they show symptoms of Covid-19 (a new persistent cough, are hot to touch, or have loss of smell or taste).
- Are not to wear a face mask, PPE gloves or other similar equipment.
- Must arrive exactly on time, and be collected on time to avoid cross infection between 'bubbles'.
- Do not take public transport. Do not try to park near the school. No scooters please. The most effective way to travel will be by walking.
- Wear a school uniform which should be washed regularly.
- Bring a bag to school with their packed lunch if required.
For your reassurance:
- All children will be in a class 'bubble', separated from other bubbles during the day.
- Each bubble will be allocated a designated team of adults who will support them.
- Each bubble will have a designated arrival and collection time.
- School meals will be available for Reception and Years 1 and 2, whilst Years 3 to 6 will require a packed lunch.
- School uniforms will be worn and should be laundered regularly.
- Every child in Key Stage 2 will have their own stationery pack provided by the school to avoid use of 'shared resources'.
- Key Stage 2 classrooms have been reorganised with minimal furnishing and forward facing desks to reduce risk of cross infection.
- Cleaning procedures have been altered and will be provided continuously throughout the day.
I will keep this information updated so that you know the precise arrangements for your child. Mr Messer :-)
Staggered Arrival and Collection Times:
Every bubble group has an allocated school gate, queueing area, arrival time and departure time. Please do not queue more than five minutes before these times.
Year 3 Bubble 3A: Queue RED ZONE at SOUTH GATE (Claudius Road). Arrive from 8:40am for 8:45am entry to school. Collect from 3:05pm for 3:10pm at the same gate.
Year 3 Bubble 3B: Queue GREEN ZONE at SOUTH GATE (Claudius Road). Arrive from 8:45am for 8:50am entry to school. Collect from 3:10pm for 3:15pm at the same gate.
Year 4 Bubble 4A: Queue BLACK ZONE at WEST GATE (Claudius Road). Arrive from 8:40am for 8:45am entry to school. Collect from 3:05pm for 3:10pm at the same gate.
Year 4 Bubble 4B: Queue PINK ZONE at WEST GATE (Claudius Road). Arrive from 8:45am for 8:50am entry to school. Collect from 3:10pm for 3:15pm at the same gate.
Year 5 Bubble 5A: Queue ORANGE ZONE at EAST GATE (Barrington Road). Arrive from 8:40am for 8:45am entry to school. Collect from 3:05pm for 3:10pm at the same gate.
Year 5 Bubble 5B: Queue BLUE ZONE at EAST GATE (Barrington Road). Arrive from 8:45am for 8:50am entry to school. Collect from 3:10pm for 3:15pm at the same gate.
Year 5 Bubble 5C: Queue ORANGE ZONE at EAST GATE (Barrington Road). Arrive from 8:50am for 8:55am entry to school. Collect from 3:15pm for 3:20pm at the same gate.
Year 6 Bubble 6A: Queue DOUBLE GATE SIDE at NORTH GATE (Canterbury Road). Arrive from 8:40am for 8:45am entry to school. Collect from 3:05pm for 3:10pm from the same gate.
Year 6 Bubble 6B: Queue BIKE SHELTER SIDE at NORTH GATE (Canterbury Road). Arrive from 8:45am for 8:50am entry to school. Collect from 3:10pm for 3:15pm from the same gate.
Contact Us:
- The main entrance will be closed. Please do not try to enter the school building.
- Call us on 01206 506800 (Towers) or 01206 578080 (Woodlands)
- Email us using the email addresses below.
Take care, stay safe, and keep following national social distancing and self isolation advice, Mr Messer 😊
Contact
Year 3 Teachers Year3teachers@stgeorgesschool.org
Year 4 Teachers Year4teachers@stgeorgesschool.org
Year 5 Teachers Year5teachers@stgeorgesschool.org
Year 6 Teachers Year6teachers@stgeorgesschool.org
SEN Issues senco@stgeorgesschool.org
Welfare Issues nurture@stgeorgesschool.org
Mrs Dale jdale@stgeorgesschool.org
Mrs Cooke head@st-georges-inf.essex.sch.uk
Administration contact@stgeorgesschool.org
Telephone 01206 506800 ( 8:30am to 4:00pm Monday to Friday)
Asking for Help
StarLine on 0330 313 9162. StarLine is an independent body, staffed by teachers and Ofsted employees, who are available to give advice to families. Be aware that the call will be charged at the local rate.
Staying Safe Whilst Learning Online
The following websites may be useful in helping families to keep their children safe whilst working online.
www.ceop-police.uk
www.childnet.com
www.internetmatters.org
www.net-aware.org.uk
www.parentinfo.org
www.saferinternet.org.uk
www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/safeguarding/schools-protecting-children-abuse-neglect
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