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Dear Parents

COVID-19 – Half Term update from the Principal

I am writing to you at the end of one of the most challenging half terms that I believe any of us have faced.  Staff, students and parents were all anxious about how school would work with all the amendments to school organisation in response to the COVID virus.

As I reflect on this first half term, I would like to praise the responsible attitude and resilience that the students have shown.  They have adapted quickly to new and sometimes tedious expectations with regards to masks, hand sanitiser, one-way systems, on line work, variation of arrival and departure times.

However, I would also ask for your assistance in order to ensure that on return from the half term break we all remain as committed to all of these measures as they have done to date.  There is a danger that people become tired of the restrictions, but it is essential for the continued smooth running of the school, indeed the whole of society that we continue to cooperate together in order to keep the school open and students’ learning.

All of you will be aware of the disruption that has been caused to both Year 10 and 13 students, as significant numbers of students had to be sent home as a result of two positive cases of COVID, being identified in each Year Group.  This also impacted upon several teachers also having to self-isolate for 14 days and their lessons being delivered remotely or with cover teachers.  Sadly, all of this could have been prevented had the Government guidelines been followed.

I appreciate that the volume of communication about COVID feels overwhelming at times, but I would wish to stress the following:

  • If anyone in your household has symptoms of COVID, the whole household must immediately self-isolate.
  • The person with the symptoms must apply immediately for a COVID test.
  • Everyone in the household must remain in isolation for 14 days and only come out of isolation, if the test is returned negative.

I am grateful to all of the families who have followed this guidance, as although frustrating for them while they wait for a test result, their actions will protect all of the other students and staff at school who can continue with their attendance to school.

There are a few other matters that I would also like to bring to your attention:

  • Our recent non-school uniform day to raise awareness of breast cancer and help fund treatment and research helped raise over £1500. Well done everyone.
  • All students have been shown the following video link which explains how they can log on to “Teams Meetings” in order to view lessons taking place at school if they are having to isolate at home. We hope that people don’t need to use it, but it is worth spending a few minutes watching the content and ensuring that your child is familiar with how to make use of this resource.
  • Thank you to our Year 7 parents who trialled our first virtual Parents Evening, and were able to log on to virtual meetings with their child’s Form Tutor. Thus, helping to keep communication between parents and teachers up and running despite the COVID restrictions.
  • The Year 8 Parents Evening on Tuesday 3rd November 2020 will also be a virtual event, I know separate details have been sent out to parents in that Year Group. Thank you for your engagement in this new process, as we all learn new ways of communicating.
  • On the evening of Tuesday 3rd November 2020, Years 8 and 9 will be dismissed from school slightly earlier than usual. They will still attend registration after Period 5, but will be dismissed by their Tutors once the register has been taken, so will be leaving school at approximately 3.25pm through their normal gates. The only exceptions to this are 9F1 and 9F2 who will have their assembly in the Main Hall and will be dismissed at Year 9’s normal time of 3.35pm. The early dismissal is to allow for members of staff to be able to prepare for online appointments for Year 8 Parents’ Evening.
  • As the weather becomes colder, students have started wearing their coats to school. They are allowed to wear coats but they must be black or navy blue. Hoodies and tracksuit tops are not allowed under any circumstances. Coats must be removed in lessons. Thank you for your support and understanding on this school rule.

Finally, I would like to wish you all a pleasant half term, I hope that you will be able to spend a little more time together as a family than normal.  If nothing else, please see it as an opportunity for your child to go shopping on your behalf to stock up on:  face masks, hand sanitiser, refillable water bottles, water proof jackets or umbrellas and anti-bacterial wipes!  Each student being suitably equipped will help ensure that they can be safe, outside, dry and hydrated throughout the next half term.

Yours faithfully

Phil Grundy

Principal

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