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Christmas Update

I am writing today with a few updates about our plans for Christmas which makes a very pleasant change from updates about Coronavirus!

Despite the current limitations, we want our festive activities to be as exciting and as enjoyable as possible for the children. Obviously, our traditional Theme Day cannot take place as usual this year; we cannot invite lots of parents in and we cannot allow the children to move freely around the school outside their bubbles. We are, however, still going to have a Theme Day of sorts on Wednesday December 9th with each class completing Christmas themed activities and crafts, within their own bubble.

As FOYs have also had to curtail some of their usual fund raising activities (film night etc.), we thought it would be a good idea to also ask children to wear Christmas themed Mufti that day, in return for a small donation to FOYS. It could be a Christmas jumper or any items of festive clothing…just bear in mind we will be doing craft activities so ‘best’ clothes may not be a good idea!

As part of the Christmas activities on that day, we will be asking the children to make Christmas cards to send to the older members of the village, particularly if they are needing to isolate. This does not need to be restricted to Yardley Hastings. If you know of any elderly people or care home residents who would appreciate a handmade card from the school, please let us know.

On the subject of Christmas cards, we have had a few inquiries as to whether it will be possible for the children to send them to each other this year. Writing cards is something the children really enjoy doing so we want it to continue but will need to quarantine the cards for 48 hours before distributing them! Children will still be able to post cards into the Post Boxes around the school on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday of each week. (Last posting will be Wednesday 16th December!)  With the help of Class 4, we will then ensure that the cards are distributed 2 days later.

The last day of term will be Friday 18th December and we will ensure that is a fun, festive day for the children despite not being be to have our usual Christmas performance around the tree. Class One and Class Two will, however, be performing nativities which we will film and send to the relevant parents. More details of this will follow.

School Christmas lunch will still take place in the same way on Thursday December 17th, just in 2 sittings. There will even be a special, socially distanced visitor on the last day…shhh!

On the last day, we will operate with the usual timings but are asking that After School Club finishes at 4.30pm. If you have already booked for that time, please can you amend you booking. Subject to staff availability, all other sessions up to the end of term remain unchanged.

During Parents Evening this term, we would usually hand out your data sheets (phone numbers etc.). As the meetings were on Zoom this time, that was not as easy. If you are aware of any changes or would like to see the details we hold on the form, please let us know.

We will send out reminders of the Christmas dates nearer the time. In the meantime, come back to me if you have any comments or questions about any of the above or, indeed, if you have any further festive suggestions!

Take care,

Louise

Welcome back!

Welcome back! We are delighted with how the children have settled back in school. Everyone seems very refreshed and ready to start learning. It has been lovely to see so many happy, smiling faces!

Obviously, you will have heard about the proposed national lockdown on Thursday and we are delighted  and relieved that schools are not effected and will remain open. As far as we are concerned, it is business as usual and all children will be expected in school. Our school day will look just as it did last term and the children should not see any significant differences.

We will obviously continue with our robust hand and respiratory hygiene and maintain bubbles, socially distancing as much as possible. Please can I remind all parents to socially distance around the school premises. We do have some clinically vulnerable staff who are being brilliant at wanting to come into school and remain at work, so I would like to protect them as much as possible.

Ultimately, our aim is to keep children, staff and parents as safe as possible whilst providing an exciting curriculum! If you are unsure of any of our COVID routines, a copy of our risk assessment is under  Statutory Information in the Key Policies section on the website along with our Operating Procedure.

As usual, I am available in person, on the phone or by email if you wish to discuss any of the above.