Update for parents and carers: Tuesday 8th February 2022:

This Friday (11th), is the important Catholic feast honouring ‘Our Lady of Lourdes’. This day is dedicated to praying for the sick and the dying. As a school community, we will be praying for all who are unwell and offering a series of special prayers for their comfort and recovery. We will make this very special dedication to ‘Our Lady of Lourdes’

As a school community, 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’.

Reminder of key Covid Safety Practices:

· 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 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, are no longer expected to wear a face covering in communal areas in school. However, personal discretion can be applied for a continuation of masks to be worn in any crowded places such as corridors and the canteen etc. School will fully support the personal choices made by pupils, staff, parents and visitors.

* Pupils are no longer required to wear a face covering in the classroom (20th January). Again, pupils will be supported, if choosing to still wear a face covering in the classroom.

* 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.

A key update from our Pastoral / Behaviour team:

Dear All,

In September, due to the pandemic we made a conscious decision to support our students as we always do with a Whole School pastoral drive around our ‘basics’, ensuring the foundations we build on as we progress throughout the year are solid and deep. We are focusing on challenging students when they do fall short of our expectations and ensuring students are ready to learn as they leave form time.

· Uniform – Students are to remove hoodies/jumpers being worn under coats, ties will need to be purchased when they are broken or lost, shirts must be tucked in – regular offenders are to be spoken to by their Head of Year.

· Equipment – Pencil cases: Students are to be fully equipped to ensure they are ready to learn going into period 1.

· Planners – Day planners will be issued for those who have lost or are awaiting new planners.

· Jewellery – No earrings/studs or rings are permitted.

· Headphones/Pods – They are not allowed in lessons and should be taken off before students enter classrooms.

· Mobile Phones – They are to remain switched off and should be in coats/bags before students enter classrooms – if phones are confiscated, they will be left in Reception for students to collect at the end of the day.

· Routines – Students are to display planners and pencil cases on desks during form time/lessons. Their coats/bags must be removed before they enter a classroom.

· Punctuality – Students are to arrive at School at 8.40 and ensure they arrive to lessons on time also. Students who are continually late will receive further interventions by their Head of Year.

The Pastoral Team are very thankful for the support we receive from parents/carers on a daily basis. We look forward to our continued work together to ensure students flourish and achieve their potential. Thank you for your continued support.

Miss A. Backhouse and Mr S. Mahmood – Behaviour for Learning Leaders

Pupil attendance to additional Year 11 ‘extra 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! Changes to our existing Reprographics and Conference Room facilities, are happening at pace. 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! Al being well, this project will finish at the end of February!

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 up and coming events:

9TH February: Year 7 Parental Workshop on PSD / SRE Curriculum, via ‘Zoom’ from 3.15 onwards

18th February: Pupils break up for half-term

24th February: Year 11 ‘extra tuition’ for selected pupils

25th February: Year 11 ‘extra tuition’ for selected pupils

28st February: Pupils return to school from 8.35 as normal

28th February – 11th March: Year 11 Mock Exams (2)

9th & 10th March: Year 10 Progress Evening via ‘School Cloud’

30th March: Year 11 Intervention Evening

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

Headteacher: Holy Trinity Catholic School