As you are probably aware, we are currently celebrating children's Mental Health Week. Recognising and discussing children's mental and emotional well-being is something that we always value very highly in both schools; this week, it has an added focus. As some of you may have seen in my introduction to this on the Google classrooms, the theme of this week is 'express yourself' encouraging the children to do positive things that express the way they are feeling or that help them remain positive when things are a bit tricky. I have asked the children to try to complete a 'positive stepping stones' sheet daily. I am recording another assembly later today and will talk about this more then. If you would like to further explore the theme of this week with your children, there is also a very useful website:

https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/parents-and-carers

The parent section is very good and may signpost you to some activities that you could do together.

Obviously, the theme of the week is children's mental health but I do think it is probably worth noting here that your emotional well-being is as important! From speaking to quite a few parents, I know that many of you are finding the current situation very tough. The whole home learning situation, coupled with the restrictions of lock down, is a significant challenge for children, staff and parents alike. If the pressure of home learning becomes too much, please take a break! It is really important, particularly at the moment, that you value your family time and try to do activities with your children that you all enjoy. After next week and over half-term (15^th to 19^th Feb), you will be able to have a complete break from Google Classrooms... there are only about 6 days of learning to go until then! When we come back, I have everything crossed that we will only have two weeks to do, before a potential return on March 8^th. I would hasten to add that I have had no confirmation of this and know as much about it as you do. I just have a hunch it will be the 8^th!

I know that some of you are worrying about your children falling behind. Please let us take that worry on. When we came back in September, we baselined all the children and organised a very effective catch up programme to address any identified gaps. We have learnt a great deal for this in terms of which interventions are the most effective so are well placed to devise a catch up programme for any children who need it when we return next term.

As some of you will already know, we have, unfortunately, had to isolate the year 5 and 6 key worker bubble once again. A member of staff has tested positive having done a lateral flow test at home. She was asymptomatic and we would not have been able to take action without the recent introduction to testing for primary staff. It has also served as a stark reminder to us all of the presence of the virus and why so many of you have been required to stay at home. In the last couple of weeks, we have had more positive cases than at any time since March last year.

When school life used to be 'normal', we would have had the opportunity to have a 'coffee and catch up at least a couple of times this year. Having spoken to many of you this week, I do wonder whether it might be nice to have a 'Zoom get together' session. This would be a chance to catch up, share experiences or even the latest Netflix recommendations! It will not be a forum for discussing the content or delivery of home learning but just the general challenges we all face and the positives of course! It cannot replace a real social get together but it might go some way towards bridging the gap! As many of you will have children with you during the day, I thought a time of 7pm might work, which could of course become 'catch up and wine'! The date for Yardley will be next Thursday (11^th  Feb). The zoom link is as follows:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82147900845?pwd=UWYvYys1OHlVdWRiekRaNnlRdW1pUT09

Meeting ID: 821 4790 0845

Passcode: 141334

It would be really useful if you could let me know in advance (head@yardleyhastings.northants-ecl.gov.uk) if you think you will attend. I will then know to look out for you in the waiting room. No pressure, just join if you would like to!

Next Tuesday (9^th) is Internet Safety day and the children will all be able to access some activities related to his on the Google Classrooms. Amber Hayfield, our Computing lead for both schools, has recorded an assembly for each year group that you can watch with your children if you would like to. The focus of the day will provide a good opportunity to remind your children about good e-safety practice.

We are very aware that we are making many demands on your computing skills as parents and that many of you may feel out of your depth with this. Please do ask if we can help you with this. We can talk you through on the phone or even show you what to do in an outside meeting! There is no such thing as a stupid question here. Believe me, we will all have asked them at some point!

Please come back to me if you have any questions or comments about any of the above.

I hope you’ve all had a lovely weekend and have been and are still enjoying the snow!

As I am sure some of you will have heard, we have actually closed the critical worker and vulnerable child provision today due to the snow and ice and the difficulties of getting a full complement of staff in to support the school bubbles. We will be open as normal tomorrow.

You may also have heard that, this weekend, we have had a positive case of Coronavirus confirmed within our Year 5 and 6 bubble. These children, and associated staff, will not be coming into school now until February 1st and will be self-isolating. This obviously does not affect your children, if they have been learning from home but I just wanted to keep you updated. Remote learning will not be affected in any way. There may just be more Year 5 and 6 children on the Zoom calls!I know that you are all very busy with remote learning and we are really pleased with the levels of engagement from the vast majority of children. Today of all days though, I would also urge you, where possible, to let your children take advantage of the beautiful snow and weather! There will be plenty of time to catch up on remote learning and there may not be as many opportunities to go and play in the snow! Later today, I will be sending the teachers a potential Art lesson to upload onto the Google classrooms. I would like to stress that this is only to be done if, and when, the children want to. It is not meant to create any extra pressure but may offer a respite from Reading, Writing, Maths and Topic and provides an opportunity to have some screen ‘down time’.

You may have heard in the press over the last few days that, from this week, all primary school staff will be given lateral flow tests to use at home on a weekly basis. We are really pleased with this development as it should allow us to pick up any asymptomatic cases among our staff. We will keep you updated with how this goes. We really hope it will contribute to the wider opening of schools about which we still do not know any more than you…although a period of two weeks’ notice has been promised! As soon as I hear anything, I will let you know.

As always, please come back to me if you have any questions or concerns.