Covid update
Life has become a lot easier for us all since the government removed all covid restrictions on 21st February. However, as we keep being told, this does not mean that Covid-19 has gone, or that the risk of transmission is over. With this in mind, I have updated our school guidance as follows, with the specific advice (ie. this is not a legal requirement) that children with symptoms should be kept off school and should take a PCR test. This guidance is also available on our website.
1. What if my child develops symptoms?
The symptoms to look out for are recent onset of:
- a new continuous cough
- a high temperature
- a loss of, or change in, a normal sense of taste or smell
If your child displays any of these symptoms, keep them off school and order a PCR test.
Other symptoms linked with COVID-19 include shortness of breath, fatigue, loss of appetite, muscle ache, sore throat, headache, stuffy or runny nose, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting – but please be aware that any of these symptoms may also have another cause.
2. What do I do if my child is a possible close contact?
Contacts are no longer required to self-isolate or advised to take daily tests and contact tracing has ended.
3. What if my child tests positive on a LFD or PCR test?
Children with COVID-19 should not attend school while they are infectious. They should take an LFD test from 5 days after their symptoms started (or the day their test was taken if they did not have symptoms) followed by another one the next day. If both these tests results are negative, they should return to school, as long as they feel well enough to do so and do not have a high temperature.
In short, take a PCR test to confirm a child has the virus, then use LFD tests from Day 5 to check that they are clear of the virus and can return to school. In all other cases, children who are well enough to attend school should do so.
In previous newsletters I have reported current numbers of covid cases, to keep you informed of the current rates of infection within school. I have now stopped doing so because, with reduced testing in the community, I do not feel confident that we have accurate enough figures.
And finally on this, I am pleased, and relieved, to tell you that we are continuing our return to normality by resuming Friday celebration assemblies this week. This will be the first whole school gathering in person since October, so we’re all very much looking forward to it.
Big Walk and Wheel week
Get set… we’re taking part in Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel 2022 (the new name for Big Pedal), the UK’s largest inter-school cycling, walking, wheeling and scooting challenge. The challenge runs from 21 March to 1 April. It’s free and we would love everyone to be involved.
What do you need to do?
Encourage your child(ren) to walk, scoot or cycle to school on as many days as possible during the event.
Including everyone
We want to make sure that everyone can get involved in Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel.
We know there may be things which make it more difficult for some pupils to take part than others. If you want to discuss more about your child(ren)’s specific needs, please contact me and we will make sure that there is a way for your child to take part.
Why we are taking part
Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel is a great way to build physical activity in children’s daily routine which is important for their physical health and mental wellbeing.
Active school runs also help to reduce congestion and air pollution outside the school gate. A 2021 YouGov study showed nearly half of UK children worry about air pollution near their school. And that children thought active travel was the best away to bring down these pollution levels.
Plus there are some great prizes to be won every day if we get enough children taking part!
Useful resources
To help you prepare, Sustrans has developed a handy free guide packed with advice, games and challenges to help you have a hassle-free cycle, walk or scoot to school.
Download your free family guide using this link: https://www.sustrans.org.uk/sign-up-to-receive-your-free-family-guide/
For more information about the event go to www.bigwalkandwheel.org.uk. Enjoy the challenge!
Wessex Roundabout: the need for a safe crossing
Appropriately enough after my Sustrans news and having described my wish to encourage active journeys to school, I’d like to share with you some details of community pressure to make the crossing at the Wessex Roundabout safer for children travelling to and from Budmouth. Lots of Southill children make this journey and it would be good if they could do it more safely, which would then encourage more pupils to walk, scoot or cycle. Anyone who is interested in lending their support is welcome to join the private Facebook group – Campaign for controlled crossing at Wessex Roundabout
Pupil Survey
In the next couple of weeks, pupils in KS2 will be asked to complete an individual and anonymised survey to gather their opinions and feedback on a range of school issues, from behaviour in class and knowing how to respond to any bullying, to the learning activities teachers provide and children’s understanding of the progress they are making. KS1 children will also be included but have a shorter survey to tackle, probably with some adult help.
The results will be used by teachers, school leaders and our governors to reflect on things that are going well in school and to direct us towards areas that need further work. As the invitation to the children to take part says: ‘Help us make your school an even better place to learn and be happy.’
I’m letting you know because children may mention the survey at home and want to discuss it with you. If you have any questions about the survey, please let me know. I’ll share the results with you in a future newsletter.
Book Week (Monday 28th February – Friday 4th March)
We love reading every day here at Southill but in celebration of World Book Day on Thursday 3rd March we have put together a whole week of exciting events with this year’s theme You Are a Reader.
We have live interactive events with world-famous bestselling authors as well as a visit from multi award-winning author Simon Philip whose books are very popular and much loved throughout the school.
Instead of sending home vouchers, this year children have pre-selected the book they’d like to bring home for World Book Day. There’s a surprise storyteller every lunchtime and even Fitness Thursday has a booky theme tomorrow!
On Thursday evening at 6.30pm we’ll be streaming a special bedtime story read by Mrs Wood. We’ll also be sending a chocolate chip cookie or alternative home this day (kindly donated by Belle’s Bakers) for children to enjoy while listening to the story.
Further details of all Book Week events and competitions can be found on the website – link here
Reports and parents’ evenings
A reminder of these important dates:
Spring Term reports home to parents: Wednesday 30th March
Parents’ evenings to discuss the reports:
- Tuesday 5th April 3.30 – 5.30pm
- Wednesday 6th April 3.30 – 5.30pm
- Thursday 7th April 3.30 – 5.30pm
CCPP reviews (for parents of children with SEN): Tuesday 5th April