Letters

Reception Wider Reopening Letter

RE: Reception children returning to school

Dear Parents and Carers,

I am pleased to be able to tell you that Public Health England have now advised Liverpool Council that it is safe to open school wider to welcome back some children in the next few weeks. Therefore, we will be inviting reception children back to school on Wednesday 1st July. Our teachers are really excited and are looking forward to seeing all the smiling faces and finding out all the exciting things that the children have learnt with their families during lockdown.

Before you return though, I need to just explain a few things about what school will be like when you do come back because unfortunately, due to Covid 19, the government has asked us to make a few changes to help keep you and your families safe. I’m sure you already know lots about social distancing and this is a big part of the changes we have had to make. We know that younger children find this really challenging, but we will teach them through fun games and songs about trying to keep apart. We have a detailed risk assessment that you can find on Weduc and our website that will tell you all the controls we have had to put in place.

One of the biggest is the restriction on the number of children that we are advised to have in each class bubble and our risk assessment has identified smaller than normal bubble groups. The government have told us that we can only have a maximum of 15 in each class, but in St Oswald’s we do not have the space required for 15, so our numbers are much smaller than that.

Prior to giving out all of our arrangements, it would be really helpful for our planning to know if you are sending your child back to school before the summer holiday. The more information we have the more we can prepare to welcome them back. So, can I ask that you fill in the questionnaire that can be found on our website and Weduc.

On our website and Weduc, you will also find an updated Code of Conduct and Home School Agreement in line with COVID 19.

Thanking you in advance,

Mrs D Hay

Download: Reception Wider Reopening Letter [PDF]

Home Learning – 22nd June

Good morning!

Here are your weekly Home Learning planners for the week ahead:

Nursery > Click here

Reception > Click here

Year 1 > Click here

Year 2 > Click here

Year 3 > Click here

Year 4 > Click here

Year 5 > Click here

Year 6 > Click here

Leave us a message or picture in the comments of any work you complete as you go! We love seeing your progress.

Thank you.

Year 6 Returning Monday 22nd June letter

RE: Year 6 returning Monday 22nd June

Dear Parents/Carers & Y6,

Finally, we have all the information we need to make sure that there is a smooth return to school on Monday. Everyone is really looking forward to catching up with all the new learning and experiences you have had with your families during lockdown.

You have all been told the bubble you are in and where that bubble is going to be taught, also the start and pick up times. Please stick to these times and locations to avoid unnecessary crowding.  If adults are accompanying children to and from school it should only be one adult, remembering only children will be allowed on the premises. Children should bring coats, water bottle, any inhalers and a disposable packed lunch if you are providing your own.

As soon as you arrive at your entrance you will be greeted by school staff,  parents/carers will be asked to sign to say that you agree with the Home/School agreement, children will be asked to sign to say you will keep to the Code of Conduct as much as possible.

Once in school you will be encouraged to wash hands or use hand gel, again this will help us all to stay well and reduce any potential virus spreading. The building will look very different with taped flooring for social distancing and spread out desks. Don’t worry, the teachers will spend some time explaining how school will work and what you can and can’t do. It’s a bit like the changes to the supermarket and we all got used to those quickly.

A reminder that school uniform is not expected, comfortable easy to clean clothes are best but no jewellery please.

I would also ask that no one asks to change bubbles, we have spent a long time working with all the year 6 adults to make sure that everyone is with one friend at least. It is impossible to have all the friends together, but we are living in very difficult times and we have to follow the guidance. We are not allowed to change children in bubbles or staff moving from bubble to bubble, once you come back, that is the arrangement until the end of term. Your adults will make sure every bubble has a good time in school.

Finally, I hope that you are all looking forward to joining our school family again so that you will be able to spend at least a few weeks being together, although socially distanced.

See you Monday,

Mrs Walsh
Headteacher

Download: Y6 Final Reminder Returning Letter [PDF]

Nursery and Reception Wider Re-opening

RE: Nursery/Reception children returning to school

Dear Parents and Carers,

I am pleased to be able to tell you that Public Health England have now advised Liverpool Council that it is safe to open school wider to welcome back some Nursery and Reception children in the next few weeks. There is no definite date yet but I will update you when I find this out. Our teachers are really excited and are so looking forward to seeing all the smiling faces and finding out all the exciting things that the children have learnt with their families during lockdown.

Before you return though I need to just explain a few things about what school will be like when you do come back because unfortunately due to Covid 19 the government has asked us to make a few changes to help keep you and your families safe. I’m sure you already know lots about social distancing and this is a big part of the changes we have had to make. We know that younger children find this really challenging but we will teach them through fun games and songs about trying to keep apart. We have a detailed risk assessment that you can find on Weduc and our website that will tell you all the controls we have had to put in place.

One of the biggest is the restriction on the number of children that we are advised to have in each class bubble, our risk assessment has identified smaller than normal bubble groups. The government have told us that we can only have a maximum of 15 in each class but in St Oswald’s we do not have the space required for 15 so our numbers are much smaller than that.

Prior to giving out all of our arrangements it would be really helpful for our planning to know if you are sending your child back to school before the summer holiday. The more information we have the more we can prepare to welcome them back. So can I ask that you fill in the attached questionnaire, please follow the link and answer the questions.

Click here to answer the quick survey

Thanking you in anticipation,

Mrs M Walsh
Headteacher

Download: Nursery and Reception Wider Reopening [PDF]

Year 6 Return to School

RE: Y6 returning to school

Dear Y6 and families,

At last I can let you know that you can come back to school on Monday 22nd June, it is what we have all been waiting for and we are excited to see all of you again.

Before you return though I need to just explain a few things about what school will be like when you do come back because unfortunately due to Covid 19 the government has asked us to make a few changes to help keep you and your families safe. I’m sure you already know lots about social distancing and this is a big part of the changes we have had to make.

We must make sure that all pupils can be kept 2 metres apart at all times and this includes in the classrooms. This means that we had to move our classrooms around so that you can all sit at your own desk 2m away from other children. You will have your own equipment and resources and not be allowed to share with anyone else.

This also means that we cannot fit the whole class in one room. In our classrooms we can fit between 10-12 children in each room. This means that your classes will be split into bubbles of children, one in Mr Dunn’s room, one in Miss Kirwan’s room, one in the computer suite and if we get big numbers we will be using the year 5 rooms as well. Not all your Y6 classmates are coming back so unfortunately you will not be able to catch up with everyone. Each bubble will be taught by different teachers so you may not have your own teacher.

Each bubble will have separate playtimes and lunchtimes and will not be allowed to mix with any other bubble. The bubble that you are allocated will be the bubble that you stay in until we finish school in July. These rules are very important to help stop the spread of the virus. We have asked that you let us know who is coming back to school so that we can sort out the bubbles with as many friendships as possible but this might not always be something we can do.

Life in school will not be as we are used to, the playground will be zoned off so only children from one bubble can play in particular areas, there will be new markings in the corridors so that you know where you can and cannot go and to help you maintain a 2m distance from others. Hand washing and hand sanitising will be regular.

Unfortunately, there will be no assemblies, no after school clubs and no end of term parties, however we will try and make school as much fun as possible and I know there will be lessons and activities around transition to secondary school, but sadly not what we all would have wanted.

Each bubble of children will enter and exit school via separate places, once we know who is coming back to school and what bubble you are in I will let you know. School uniform is optional but we ask that clean clothes are worn each day. We ask that when you come to school you only bring a coat and a water bottle no other equipment. If you have a packed lunch it should be in a disposable, plastic bag. There are new codes of conduct and a Home School Agreement that must be signed by your families as you come back and will explain other rules as well.

All of this may seem very odd and it is not meant to put anyone off coming back to school, I just need you to know what to expect when you come back. What I will promise is staff who will greet you with a smile and will do everything they can to make school fun again, we have missed all of our wonderful children and want to get back to seeing Y6 before you leave us.

I will be contacting you again by Friday 19th at the latest telling you what bubble you will be in and where your room will be.

Regards,

Mrs M Walsh
Headteacher

Download: Y6 Return To School [PDF]

Dear Year 6 Children

Dear Year 6 children,

Normally at this time of year, we would be busy organising lots of fun events and experiences for you, to make the end of your school year a special one. As we cannot officially celebrate you leaving St. Oswald’s, we are going to put together a video of memories, for you to treasure. We need your help to compile a range of memories, pictures and written mementos to make the video as special as possible.

We would love any offerings of photographs of you now; during lockdown, or lower down the school, video messages of any memories you have (no longer than 15 seconds) and writing or pictures you think would look nice within the video (poetry, messages of thanks, memories and prayers). The more the better!

If you have access to the internet, send them to our year 6 school email address, making sure to label with your name and class.

Y6@stoswaldsschool.com

If you have paper copies, we would be grateful if you could hand them into the school office or during your time in your year 6 bubbles.

The closing date for all entries is Friday 26th June 2020. We want everyone to be on it in some way and we know it will be an amazing video to look back on.

We look forward to seeing all of your wonderful memories.

Many thanks

Year 6 Teachers

Download: Dear Year 6 Children [PDF]

Covid 19 Home School Agreement

As we come back to school after the pandemic, there are certain changes that have been put in place to keep all our community safe. Please read with your child and sign to agree to help keep St Oswald’s Covid free.

Your child may find school very different but we will welcome them back and they will be put at ease as best we can, we need to work together to get through these times.

School Parent Child
The school will do its best to:

• Provide an environment which has been risk assessed in response to the COVID-19 infection

• Adhere to the social distancing rules as set out by the government and LA as much as we reasonably can

• Provide a curriculum that meets the needs of your child’s well-being and mental health eventually returning to concentrating on their and academic needs

• Contact parents/carers if your child displays
symptoms of COVID-19

• Inform you if staff or children in your child’s show symptoms of COVID-19 as this will mean if test is positive you will all need to self-isolate for at least 14 days

• Continue our clear and consistent approach to the Behaviour rewards and sanctions for children as set out in the Policy Addendum as well as the expectations outlined in this agreement

• Communicate with families through Weduc, website and Twitter.

To help my child in school, I/We will:

• Discuss with my child the expectations of school behaviour and encourage child/ren to follow the rules

• Understand that if my child is unable or unwilling to follow the social distancing rules they may not be allowed to return to school until a full risk assessment has been carried out.

• Understand that school has a risk assessment capacity number for each room and I may be asked to rota my child’s attendance

• I will need to remind my child to follow social distancing rules but accept these may be difficult to enforce and that my child may not always do this successfully

• On my commute, and when dropping my child off and picking them up, I will adhere to the 2 metre social distancing rules.

• When dropping off or picking up I will stick to the agreed time and location

• My child is not allowed to bring items in from home or take items home from school to avoid cross contamination.

• I will encourage and teach good hygiene

• My child will wear clean clothes daily

• Packed lunches should be in disposable plastic bags

• If my child, or anyone in my household, shows Covid -19 symptoms, I will not send them to school, we will self-isolate for 14 days as a family, I will get them tested and I will let the school know as soon as possible via telephone

• If my child, or another child in the group, shows symptoms of COVID-19 at school, I will collect my child from school immediately when requested

• I will inform the school immediately of any changes to parents/carer and emergency contacts details.

• I understand I will not be allowed into the school building without an invitation. Discussions will take place via phone or email.

• I need to support all staff in their efforts to create an ‘as safe as possible’ environment during this crisis

• I will read all letters/messages/ that are sent home

• I will always remain respectful and polite when talking to school staff

I will do my best to:

• Listen to my grown-ups and follow their instructions

• Behave well at all times to help keep everyone safe.

• Wash my hands when I come into school and regularly throughout the day.

• Try to follow basic hygiene when sneezing or coughing. Catch it-Kill it- Bin it.

• Not bring things in from home or take things home from school. No toys, books, pencil cases or bags into school.

• Stay in my class ‘bubble’ and not mix with other groups of children.

• Only play games that follow the social distancing rules – you cannot play contact games

• Do not share equipment or food.

• Stay in the desk or area my teacher tells me to.

• Do not walk around the room without permission

• Tell a grown up if you feel unwell or worried

• Try and be happy and know that all the rules are to keep you safe

• Understand that if I cannot follow the rules I may not be allowed into school until I can.

Download: Covid Home School Agreement Letter [PDF]

Child Code Letter

To keep ourselves, friends, adults and family happy and safe, we:

  • Listen and follow the advice of our grown-ups, particularly when we are moving around the school
  • Wash our hands with soap and water when we arrive at school, at the end of the day, when we’ve used the toilet

    • and when we are told to.

  • Stay at the desk we have been given and only leave it with permission from our grown-ups
  • Use our own class equipment – we don’t share
  • Do not bring toys, books, pencil cases or bags into school
  • Only play with the children in our class bubble
  • Try and keep 2m social distancing- no touching, hugging etc
  • Only play games that follow the social distancing rules – we cannot play contact games
  • Try not to touch our face, this includes our mouth, nose, ears and eyes.
  • Always cover our mouth and nose if we cough or sneeze. We use a tissue if we can and wash our hands.
  • Let a grown-up know if we have a problem
  • Speak to a grown-up if we are worried about anything
  • Tell a grown-up straight away if we feel unwell.

Download: Child Code Letter [PDF]

SEND Parenting Blog & Resources

This is a message from YPAS.org.uk

—

We have been working with LivPac and parents to put together a page specifically with resources for our SEND parents, this includes two personal blogs from our parents about life during lockdown which I am certain you will find uplifting, like the first parent blog it shows how our parents are coping during these times using humour, warmth, technology and embracing community for support.

The resources included in this page can be used by both parents and professionals and it has a number of different focus areas all in alphabetical order which should prove easy to use for both.

The link for the page is https://www.cultureliverpool.co.uk/send-parenting/.

The blog covers the following areas;

  • Parent Blogs
  • Send Resources and Support
  • FOCUS: Bereavement resources
  • FOCUS: Early Years / SEND resources
  • FOCUS: Liverpool SEND Support Groups
  • FOCUS: Mental Health support
  • FOCUS: Preparing for Adult Life
  • FOCUS: Supporting families during Covid-19
  • FOCUS: Supporting children through Covid-19
  • FOCUS: Transition back to school
  • “SEND Toolkit” (an introduction to supporting children with additional needs in the classroom):
  • Supporting Students with Autism
  • Support
  • Partner Websites
  • Website and activity ideas
  • Other Useful Resources

I would like to thank the parents, LivPac who have been an outstanding supporting organisation and our amazing partners across the city for their contributions to this.

There are two additional pages that have been developed recently which offers information, https://www.cultureliverpool.co.uk/parenting-through-covid-19/ and the second is an insight into how services are currently supporting families across the city during Covid 19, https://fsd.liverpool.gov.uk/kb5/liverpool/fsd/service.page?id=tbo-99nGg_A&familychannel=9.

Home Learning – 15th June

Good morning!

Here are your weekly Home Learning planners for the week ahead:

Nursery > Click here

Reception > Click here

Year 1 > Click here

Year 2 > Click here

Year 3 > Click here

Year 4 > Click here

Year 5 > Click here

Year 6 > Click here

Leave us a message or picture in the comments of any work you complete as you go! We love seeing your progress.

Thank you.