Update for parents and carers: Thursday 20th January 2022:
I will start this update, by again wishing you and your loved ones a very blessed and happy 2022.
A prayer for our New Year:
Lord, we pray that during this New Year of 2022, we can place our lives, struggles and our concerns, into your hands. Please grant us, in return, your deep joy, where we can know your constant care for us and for those we love. Help us to stand up to the challenges, knowing that we can call on you for the strength that we need and help us to nurture a spirit of gratitude in all of our experiences in the coming year. Amen.
As a staff, we continue to be inspired by the words of our Academy Patron, St Teresa of Calcutta:
‘Love cannot remain by itself, it has no meaning. Love has to be put into action, and that action is service’.
It continues to be an absolute privilege to ‘serve’ youngsters and parents in our school community.
Covid Safety Practices in school:
· Children should isolate if they have tested positive for Covid19. If children have been identified as a ‘close household contact’ of someone who has tested positive, they will not be required to isolate (unless they are displaying symptoms) but will be ‘advised’ to ensure regular and daily monitoring through Lateral Flow Testing for 7 days. Results should be reported to NHS test and trace. This is important in helping to build an accurate picture of how the virus is spreading.
* From Tuesday 11th January, people who test positive on Lateral Flows, will no longer be required to take a follow up PCR to begin their isolation period if they do not have symptoms. If displaying main Covid symptoms, a confirmation PCR test is still required. Any positive results via LFT must always be reported immediately to school by phone and all LFT results, positive or negative to the NHS test and trace and to school and those who have tested positive must commence a period of isolation.
* If testing positive, pupils and staff will now be required to isolate for at least 5 days. On day 5 and day 6 of isolation period, pupils and staff are directed to take a Lateral Flow Test (24 hours apart). If both results return a negative outcome, the isolation period ends on the 6th day. * Please be aware that even after a 5 day isolation period and even following a negative Lateral Flow Test, if you still have a high temperature, you must remain isolated. Any adult who is not double vaccinated must complete the full 10 days of isolation, even if they test negative on day 5 and 6. This does not apply to pupils of school age.
If you live in the same household as someone with COVID-19, and you are aged over 18 years and not fully vaccinated, you are legally required to self-isolate for 10 days- this does not apply to children who should complete regular flow tests and can attend school if these results are negative and if they do not display any Covid symptoms. You will be contacted by NHS test and trace and advised to book a PCR.
· Staff and pupils are always expected to remain off from school if they are displaying main Covid symptoms and are advised to book a PCR test. Main symptoms remain; a new or continuous cough, a loss of or change to taste or smell and a high temperature / fever. It is important that you do not send your child to school if they have any of these symptoms.
· Schools are encouraged to maintain established and strong practices regarding ventilation and hygiene. Pupils and staff to still regularly wash and sanitise their hands. Classroom doors and windows to remain open during lessons.
* Pupils, staff, parents and visitors, to wear a face covering in all communal areas in school unless medically exempt. This includes in corridors and in the canteen when not eating and drinking.
* Pupils are no longer required to wear a face covering in the classroom (20th January).
* Thank you for your continued diligence and support, in maintaining regular and twice weekly, Covid tests at home for your children. Please contact school if you require any additional supplies of test kits. In the event that you or a family member needs to complete 7 day LFT testing, additional kits are also available from local pharmacies.
* School to keep up to date with all information provided by the Department for Education and Public Health England and will inform parents immediately if there are any changes.
We pray for all people who continue to be affected by this Coronavirus pandemic.
Lord in your mercy.
Hear our pray.
Year 11 have started their extensive ‘extra tuition’ and ‘intervention programme’, from Monday (w/c 10th January). Pupil attendance to additional tuition sessions, has so far been exemplary. This additional learning support alongside pupils receiving ‘quality first’ teaching in all subjects, will ensure that pupils have every opportunity to fulfil their potential, despite a very challenging last two years.
Huge progress continues to be made in our School Expansion Buildings Project! I am delighted that our new and extended school hall, is now open. Our 4th new Science Laboratory, is now open and being used for learning. Our new and extended Library, is open! A new RE classroom has also now opened! Changes to our existing Reprographics and Conference Room facilities, are now taking place. Improvements continue to be made to our playgrounds and outside areas. We are in the final stages of completion of our new Sports Hall and Inclusion Block facilities!
In a regular reminder, it is important to remember, that driving and parking near our Oakley Road Entrance Point, continues to be highly problematic at ‘drop off’ and ‘collection’ times. Ensuring that all pupils enter and exit the School Building safely, is a number on priority. I ask that parents continue to be patient and understanding of this situation as we all endeavour to support one another as best as possible. Thank you.
Some key dates and information for this half-term:
10th January onwards: Year 11 ‘Extra Tuition’ programme starts
17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, & 21st January: Year 10 Mock Exams
24th & 25th January: Year 11 GSCE MFL Speaking Exams
2nd February: Year 9 Options Fayre *Postponed until later in the year on grounds of Covid Safety.
9TH February: Year 7 Parental Workshop on PSD / SRE Curriculum, via ‘Zoom’ from 3.15 onwards
18th February: Pupils break up for half-term
28st February: Pupils return to school from 8.35 as normal
Our calendar is ‘scaled down’ where possible, to ensure that resources are prioritised on the day to day operational demands of the school. Keeping fully open during this latest Covid challenge, remains our absolute priority.
In addition, please look out for information regarding extra-curricular opportunities that are still available to youngsters, via information shared by individual Subject Departments.
Please access the School Calendar from this Website for further information.
The continued strong partnership between school and home, is at the foundation of the successes that we continue to celebrate.
Please look out for any further information via text message, pupil email, ‘Microsoft Teams’ messages, updates to this website, or letters posted to your homes.
With every best wish,
Mr Crehan
