Dear Parents
As we approach our final week of the term I wanted to share with you some key information, both for the end of term and the start of the new year
KEY MESSAGES
• Please continue to test weekly. Last week saw the highest number of tests completed. Can we beat it again ahead of the final week of school, log your results here.
• School will finish at 1.25pm on Friday, 17th December 2021. Students will be able to collect free school meals at either break or before departing at the end of the day.
• The new term will restart on Wednesday, 5th January 2022. Please ensure your child has tested and registered their result ahead of the new term.
Further explanation:
Home testing
I am pleased to be able to inform you that last week, more students in every Year Group completed and registered their lateral flow tests. Five hundred and twenty-nine tests were registered, so three hundred more tests than two weeks ago. Thank you for your support in this process.
I do not think it is any coincidence that the number of COVID infections found within the school has also dropped significantly. I speculate but believe this is partly in response to the early identification of any cases via the tests, and the increased and sustained wearing of masks in internal communal areas.
Please could I request that as many students as possible complete a test this weekend to ensure everyone, and Year 11 and 13 in particular, who are in the middle of their mock examinations, are able to enjoy an uninterrupted final week at school. Can we see if we can beat the total of five hundred and twenty-nine tests.
Test Kits
Any student or family needing a home test kit can collect these from their Form Tutor during this final week. Please ensure you have enough to be able to test before returning to school on Wednesday, 5 th January 2022.
Testing on return
You may well be aware of the Government’s request for schools to provide the opportunity for all students to complete a lateral flow test on return from the Christmas holidays. We intend to do this in one of two ways:
1. Students to complete and register a test via the link above on Tuesday, 4th January 2022 or the morning of Wednesday 5th January 2022.
2. Any student unable to complete a test at home will be given an opportunity on arrival at the school on Wednesday, 5th January 2022 to complete a test.
In order to keep disruption to a minimum, I would encourage as many students as possible to complete the test at home. This will enable the school to commence normal lessons immediately on the Wednesday morning and avoid any further disruption to teaching time.
Yours faithfully
Phil Grundy
Principal
