End of Spring Term Letter
Dear parents and carers,
So tonight marks the end of the Spring term. The strangest Spring term any of us have ever experienced. These are very challenging times and the important thing to remember is to be kind to each other and kind to ourselves. Don’t forget to take time to stop and enjoy your children, whatever else you have to manage to juggle in these difficult times. So whether that’s going out for that once a day walk for some much needed fresh air, a snuggle on the sofa together or playing some games. But make time. It’s more important right now than ever before.
Learning and social contact
Thank you to so many of you who have managed to support your children to remain in contact with us and their friends and to engage with learning. We really are enjoying seeing our children and all that they’re doing. If you’re struggling, please don’t stress. We understand that for some of you, this is an especially difficult time to manage. So if this is you, please do not be hard on yourself. But after Easter, if you could make time to do just one thing, then help your child stay in touch with their friends on Seesaw. We don’t want anyone to become isolated or ‘lost’ from their friendships. It’s a very easy APP to use once you’re on, even getting on once or twice a week will help your child’s emotional well-being and sense of being. We’re here to help.
Childcare
Our onsite childcare will continue throughout the Easter holidays. Booking links have already been sent to those who are registered as our vital key workers. Thank you for continuing to do what you are doing for us all. In return, we will look after your children and return them to you happy, and ready to give you a hug! We’re in this together.
Free School Meals and vouchers
Packed lunches continue to be delivered to us by the LA for anyone who is eligible to come and collect. I had hoped to begin the huge task of issuing vouchers during the holidays, ready to begin sending out Easter to those of you who are eligible. Unfortunately the new national system we have to access to get the vouchers is experiencing issues. As of yet, we still do not have the log-in details required and as guaranteed. This is incredibly frustrating. However, we hope there is still enough time for this to be resolved over the Easter holiday. I am led to believe it is an issue nationally for many schools. If we get access and are able to get the system set up, I will send a text message out to families over Easter to let you know. Should it not be resolved, then packed lunches will continue after Easter until it is resolved.
Contact with staff over Easter
As I’m sure you can imagine, this has been the most enormously challenging time for all of us in school, as well as everyone nationally. It is fair to say that the staff team are more than ready for the time with their own families and many of us are exhausted. As will many of you be. So could I kindly ask that you don’t contact the rest of the staff over the two week break, so that they can take the precious time they need, more than ever.
I will of course be available on the contact details you already have, should you need to.
Final note
There will be no learning set over the coming two weeks. It is a time for everyone to stop and take some time. Please tell your children I miss seeing their faces and smiles and that I’ve said a big hello!! To my wonderful team of gardeners (you know who you are!), my plants came home with me when we had to close, but I’ve even managed to keep them alive!
But on a final note, we have some holiday homework! Optional! Family fun! No pressure at all! But in case you and your family were after some fun Easter ideas that you can do together. The ideas can be found at this link. If you do decide to do any of them, then please drop me a photo over Easter on Twitter or Seesaw to make us all smile! Let’s #spreadthesmiles!
Have as restful a break as you all can and please take care and stay safe.
Kate Byrne
Head teacher
