Regular updates.

• January Letter to Parents

  Thu 28 Jan 2021 MRS L DAVISON

  28^th January 2021

  Dear parents and carers

  I am sure many of you are aware that the full opening of schools has been delayed until at least the 8^th March.  I understand that this news is disappointing.  At school, we want all of our children in school and try to get back to some kind or normality.  Please be assured, as soon as we are told that it is safe for children to leave their homes and return to school, our doors will be open!

  In the meantime, it is important that as a school community we stay as positive as possible and try to support each other in the best way we can.  This can be difficult under trying times, but we’ve shown in the past we can do it together and come out the other side stronger and even more united.

  I have always been proud of how much you value education and this lockdown has been further proof of this.  I think it would help many parents and carers across the country if the media stopped referring to this situation as ‘Home Schooling’.  To me, this implies that your home is not a home and that parents are expected to be teachers.  This absolutely is not the case.  It is our highly skilled teachers’ responsibility to teach your children and we are constantly finding new and even more effective ways to engage the children in their care in effective learning.  If your child is stuck, has any questions etc.  they must email their teacher for help, they are available to them throughout the school day.  Your children are taught from the moment they enter our school how to be an effective learner and believe me, they really are brilliant.  They can learn ANYWHERE, they are Stoneyholme.  You have been absolutely amazing and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for how you have supported your child to learn.  The standard of work produced has been exceptional in many cases and I promise your child will see the benefits of this for many years to come.

  Since the first lockdown, we have devoted a huge amount of time and energy into removing as many barriers as possible to support our families during times when children are not in school.  Besides a Blended Learning Package which meets the needs of EVERY child in school, we have offered courses for adults in 3 different languages (ESOL, IT and Parenting) and loaned over 120 devices to families without access to them that we have sourced and paid for ourselves, something many other schools have been unable or unwilling to do.  We have continued to provide family support as your well-being is a priority for us.  If you are having ANY difficulties at all, contact school immediately and we will do our utmost to support you.  You are not on your own.

  Understandably, despite doing everything we possibly can under the current circumstances, sometimes issues arise, some that are beyond our control.  I would like to take this opportunity for the patience and respect shown towards school from the vast majority of our families while we’ve worked tirelessly to try to resolve them.  Your acknowledgement that we too are facing challenges, your kind words of appreciation and support, mean more than I can say and motivate us all to continue to try to go above and beyond what is expected of us.

  My final thanks go to the real stars, your children.  They are the ones that should be applauded.  They are not able to live the life they should be at the moment.  This is no one’s fault and we cannot change it, but they still never fail to amaze me with their brilliance, resilience, humour and determination.  I have been in the profession now for 30 years this year.  I have taught and been in contact with thousands of children in this time, so I speak with experience when I say, the children of Stoneyholme are THE most special, beautiful and astounding individuals.  I really am the luckiest Headteacher in the world!

  The coming weeks are not going to be easy.  Many of you will continue to juggle, work, family etc. whilst still having the children at home.  My advice would be to take one day at a time. Try not to worry about things in the future that may never happen and be kind to yourself.  You are clearly trying your best and doing a great job, no one can ask more than that, so don’t expect it of yourself!

  Once again, if you need anything at all, contact school and we will do everything in our power to help you.

  Please take care and stay safe.

  Kindest regards

  Lisa Davison

• January Update

  Fri 08 Jan 2021 MRS L DAVISON

  5^th January 2021

  Dear parents and carers

  I would like to wish you and your loved ones a healthy and happy 2021.  The school year may not have started in the way any of us has hoped, but we must try to remain positive and support each other through this new lockdown.  I am sure you are aware that the current infection rates in our community are extremely high.  Now more than ever, it is very important than we follow the rules and guidance to help prevent further spread of the virus and protect each other and our families. 

  Blended Learning

  • Since September all children have been taught how to access their Blended Learning and should be able to do so independently. 
  • Teachers will email your child on Purple Mash at the start of each day, children need to reply to the email by 9am and then complete the learning set by their teacher.  This is our official register.
  •  Failure to do this could lead to your child being recorded as being absent from school and puts them at risk of falling behind their classmates in their learning. 
  • We expect the same high standard of work as we do when the children are in school and would appreciate your support in encouraging your child to do their own work every day and to try their very best. 
  • If children are struggling with any aspects of their work, it is important that their teacher is aware of this so they can provide the appropriate support.
  • Teachers will be available to provide online support during normal school hours and will be monitoring work and giving feedback to move learning on. 

  A very large number of families have given a huge amount of support with Blended Learning during the last lockdown and period of self-isolation and recent assessments show that children from these families have made tremendous progress. 

  Support from School

  • Since the original lockdown in March, we have worked tirelessly to remove as many barriers for our children and families to make periods of lockdown or self –isolation as positive as possible.
  • Teachers have designed learning so it can be accessed independently by children with little or no adult support needed, where children experience difficulties, they can email their teacher for support.
  • Work has been highly differentiated so that all children are provided with learning which matches their individual needs.
  • We have loaned over 60 devices and supported families with limited or no access to wi fi.
  • In response to the three main barriers experienced by some parents supporting Blended Learning, in July, we devised online learning packages for ESOL, IT and Parenting.  The 10 week courses have been presented in 3 different languages.  Over a quarter of our parents have accessed the courses and feedback has been very positive.  If yourself or a member of your family would be interested in any of these courses, information is on the school website.
  • Families will receive a telephone call each week from a member of the Family Support Team.  This will give an opportunity to discuss any issues and to provide any further support during this difficult period.
  • Children and families will have access to fun activities on Well-being Wednesday.  Activities will be on the website designed to support everybody’s well-being.
  • Provide access to IT and Family Support every day.
  • Support children and families to establish good routines, important for learning and family well-being.

  Children of Critical Workers

  I would like to take this opportunity to clarify the regulations around children of Critical Workers attending school during lockdown. 

  • The Government has stipulated that all people who CAN stay at home MUST stay at home.  This applies to children, hence why schools have been closed.
  • The Government has created a list of Critical Workers, essential to keeping the nation safe and healthy and the economy running.  Schools are being asked to provide childcare for children of Critical Workers IF they have to leave their home to go to work AND  no other childcare arrangements can be made (this includes being part of a support bubble for childcare purposes.)
  • Childcare provided by schools should only be resorted to when every other option has been explored (e.g. asking employers for flexible working etc.) and only used for the maximum time needed (e.g. not all day if an adult returns from work at lunchtime or has a day off etc.)
  • The safest place for children and their families is to remain in the home as much as possible.
  • If you are a Critical Worker required to leave your home to attend work and you have no other means of childcare, please email school and we will send a form for you to complete which will allow us to see if a childcare place can be offered.

  Free School Meals

  We are waiting for information from the Department for Education regarding Free School Meals vouchers.  We will be in contact with those families in receipt of Free School Meals as soon as we have an update.

  If you require any help with anything at all, please do not hesitate to contact school.

  Please take very good care of yourselves and stay safe.

  Kindest regards

  Lisa Davison