11^th February 2021

Dear Parents and Carers,

Thank you for your continued support in the fight against Coronavirus.

Although the number of infections in Liverpool has reduced, the rate of reduction is once again levelling out. The number of infections is still too high and we all need to continue to be careful and stay safe.

You may have seen some media around people in Liverpool being advised to get a PCR test if they have additional symptoms.  For clarity, we’ve outlined these additional symptoms and when people should get tested.

Anyone experiencing the main symptoms of coronavirus must stay at home and get a test as soon as possible and remain in self-isolation until they get their results back. The main symptoms of coronavirus are:

• a high temperature
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot, for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
• a loss or change to sense of smell or taste – this means you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

However, people who are sick with coronavirus may have other symptoms like the flu, including body-aches, headaches, sore throat and tiredness, shortness of breath, nausea or diarrhoea.

If you have these symptoms it is important you also consider booking yourself a PCR test.   If you don’t have the main symptoms of coronavirus, you do not need to isolate until you get your result, however you do need to continue to take the usual measures to protect yourself and others from illness.

If individuals haven’t got symptoms they shouldn’t use this route, and instead should go for asymptomatic testing in the usual way.

Advice on how to book a test

To book at test due to the above symptoms the process is the same.  Go to the following website, https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

 When you are booking a test, if you don’t have the classic symptoms, simply say you don’t. 

 A few clicks later on the website, you can then choose the option which says: ‘My local council or health protection team has asked me (or someone I live with) to get a test, even though I do not have symptoms’. Alongside the vaccination programme, testing continues to be one of the most vital tools to help us reduce the spread of infection. 

 We have extra testing capacity in the area for the next few days so we hope you will take advantage of this while it is available.

Yours Sincerely,

Matt Ashton

Director of Public Health, Liverpool

Steve Reddy

Director of Children’s Services, Liverpool City Council

School additional symptoms Feb 2021

Dear Parents/Carers,

I wanted to write to thank you for the amazing job you have been doing supporting your
children with home learning. For some families this is particularly hard balancing different
aged children, work commitments, or just having the motivation to keep going!

Please see attached letter

Whole school letter thank you

Dear Parents/ Carers,

We are delighted to announce that our school is participating in a new Relationship Education program for Catholic primary schools, titled Life to the Full. You may hear your child coming home talking about this and we want to give you a brief overview of this new programme and what will be taught in the lessons.

As you may be aware, Relationship Education should have become statutory for all primary schools from September 2020, but due to COVID 19, this has now been extended to the summer term of 2021. The Life to the Full programme is based on ‘A Model Catholic RSE Curriculum’ by the Catholic Education Service which was highlighted as a work of good practice by the Department of Education. Therefore, we have confidence that the programme will be fit for purpose in supporting the growth and development of your child.

Life to the Full is an entire platform of creative resources that will engage, inform and inspire our children and, you as parents. This includes interactive video content, story-based activities, employing a wide range of teaching tools, original worship music and an accompanying programme of classroom prayers. In addition, there will be an online parent platform so that you, as parent and carers, can engage with the teaching and deepen the experience for your child.

To access the online parent platform please visit:

www.tentenresources.co.uk/parentportal

School Username: st-oswalds-l13

School Password: vanilla-flavour

 Programme Structure

In Life to the Full, we will be following a three-stage structure which is repeated across the different learning stages:

EYFS is aimed at Nursery and Reception;

Key Stage One is aimed at Years 1 and 2;

Lower Key Stage Two is aimed at Years 3 and 4;

Upper Key Stage Two is aimed at Years 5 and 6.

Within each learning stage, there are three modules which are based on the Model Catholic RSE Curriculum. The programme adopts a spiral curriculum approach so the learning will develop and grow, with each stage of education building on the last.

Module One: Created and Loved by God

Created and Loved by God explores the individual. Rooted in the teaching that we are made in the image and likeness of God, it helps children to develop an understanding of the importance of valuing themselves as the basis for personal relationships.

Module Two: Created to Love Others

Module Two: Created to Love Others explores the individual’s relationship with others. Building on the understanding that we have been created out of love and for love, this unit explores how we take this calling into our family, friendships and relationships, and teaches strategies for developing heathy relationships and keeping safe. This religious understanding is then applied to real-world situations relevant to the age and stage of the children.

Module Three: Created to Live in Community

Module Three: Created to Live in Community explores the individual’s relationship with the wider world. Here we explore how human beings are relational by nature and are called to love others in the wider community through service, through dialogue and through working for the Common Good. In the first Unit, Religious Understanding, the story sessions help children to develop a concept of the Trinity. In subsequent sessions, we apply this religious understanding to real-world situations, such as the community we live in, and through exploring the work of charities which work for the Common Good.

Each Module is then broken down into Units of Work.

The following link will provide you with additional detailed information regarding the content and structure of the Life to The Full programme including the non-statutory sexual elements.

https://www.tentenresources.co.uk/parent-consultation-tool-primary/

If you would prefer your child not to participate in the non-statutory sexual elements of the programme, please let school know through the school email marking it Life to the Full.

office@st-oswalds.liverpool.sch.uk

Yours faithfully,

Mrs. Walsh

Headteacher

Life To The Full Parental Letter

Dear Parents & Carers,

I wanted to write to thank you all for the wonderful response to the letter from the local authority asking families to rethink any child care arrangements you have, in order that we can keep the numbers of children in school down. St Oswald’s has approx. 24% of our children in school currently, this is in comparison to 20% nationally. I think it is important to keep reminding ourselves of the reason’s schools were closed to all but essential key workers supporting the covid response and vulnerable children, and that we all need to support the fight against this horrible virus by sticking to the rules. I know that life is really hard for everyone at the moment, and children are not feeling great stuck at home away from their friends, but please God it won’t be for much longer and I look forward to full school reopening in the not too distant future.

Remote learning is going really well with the vast majority of children logging on daily or working through paper packs. The staff are always on the learning platforms to help and support and have been very impressed with the children’s’ work at home.

On another note, next week is the last week that our Home/School liaison officer Mrs Hyland will be working in St Oswald’s, she has been snapped up by the mental health team in Alder Hey, a real testament to her skill. Mrs Hyland has been an essential part of our safeguarding and pastoral support team since 2011, so has worked with hundreds of our families. I know that those who have had a direct relationship with her will join me in congratulating her on her new role but also thank her for all the love and support she has given our community.

We are currently recruiting for someone to fill her position in school but those are big shoes to fill!! I will keep you updated when we employ a replacement.

Mrs Hyland wanted to say a goodbye herself so I have attached her letter below.

Mrs Hyland’s Leaving letter

Dear Parents and Carers,

We are one month into this third lockdown and we want to acknowledge all that you are doing for your children. Throughout this time exceptional demands have been placed upon your shoulders.

We have been identifying different groups of workers who have shown incredible service and commitment during the pandemic – they deserve our thanks. But nothing replaces your role as a parent or carer. You provide your children with love, support and care. These are the most important things that help children develop and grow through challenging circumstances. Thank you and well done!

This is particularly difficult for those of you who have to juggle child care, remote learning and work pressures. That is why we will continue to call for government to provide better financial support for our workers and those who have suffered job losses during this time.

Keeping yourselves and children safe is so important. That is why we keep reiterating the advice to stay at home if you possibly can and follow the rules of hands – face – space. We also encourage you to get tested and take up the offer of the vaccine when it is your turn.

It is also important that you reach out if you need support. There is always someone available and ready to listen and help. There are some useful resources here: https://www.cultureliverpool.co.uk/parenting-through-covid-19/.

Once again, thank you so much , and please keep you and your loved ones safe.

Councillor Wendy Simon – Acting Mayor of Liverpool

Councillor Barbara Murray – Cabinet member for education

Thank You Letter from Liverpool City Council