covid 19 Updates
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We are very much looking forward to welcoming your children back to Reception on Monday 8th June. To help you prepare, Mrs Rafferty has made this video:
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Wednesday 8th July - Message from Mr Gray:
Dear All
I hope that you are well. We have received no further notification of the virus in the families of our school community. However, the virus is still present in Birmingham and we need to stay alert.
Observing people around Birmingham, there appears to be confusion about what we should and should not do. The guidance is now that:
Next week, we are hoping to invite children from Year 3, Year 4 and Year 5 for one hour sessions in the playground. This will give the children a chance to see each other again.
In order to do this, we will need children from those classes who wish to attend to arrive at 1.45 pm and be picked up at 2.45pm. Parents should drop and collect the children at the Forest Road gate 1. The children will have an hour in the KS2 playground. They will need to have been to the toilet before they come as they won't be able to use the toilets in school during the hour. Parents will need to disperse during the hour so that they are not congregating at the gate.
On Friday, we will post your child's report to you. Year 3's will be posted next week as Mrs Laird is returning to work and will include her assessment of the children. If you have not received the report by noon on Friday 17th July, please ring us.
God bless
Mr Gray
Dear All
I hope that you are well. We have received no further notification of the virus in the families of our school community. However, the virus is still present in Birmingham and we need to stay alert.
Observing people around Birmingham, there appears to be confusion about what we should and should not do. The guidance is now that:
- 2 households may meet at any one time. There should be no family gatherings that involve more than 2 households meeting at the same time;
- we should not car share with other households including giving other people's children a lift. This is obviously a kind thing to do but it increases the risk for everyone;
- only use public transport as a last resort and wear a face mask;
- do not touch the front of the face mask;
- keep 2 metres apart at all times if possible- if it's not possible keep 1 metre apart but use face-coverings
- when talking, avoid standing face-to-face.
Next week, we are hoping to invite children from Year 3, Year 4 and Year 5 for one hour sessions in the playground. This will give the children a chance to see each other again.
In order to do this, we will need children from those classes who wish to attend to arrive at 1.45 pm and be picked up at 2.45pm. Parents should drop and collect the children at the Forest Road gate 1. The children will have an hour in the KS2 playground. They will need to have been to the toilet before they come as they won't be able to use the toilets in school during the hour. Parents will need to disperse during the hour so that they are not congregating at the gate.
- Year 3's afternoon will be Tuesday 14th July, 1.45-2.45pm
- Year 4's afternoon will be Wednesday 15th July, 1.45-2.45pm
- Year 5's afternoon will be Thursday 16th July, 1.45-2.45pm
On Friday, we will post your child's report to you. Year 3's will be posted next week as Mrs Laird is returning to work and will include her assessment of the children. If you have not received the report by noon on Friday 17th July, please ring us.
God bless
Mr Gray
Thursday 2nd July - Message from Mr Gray:
Dear All
This afternoon we received further guidance from the Department of Education about extending our opening. Once we have read and discussed the guidance in detail, we will update our risk assessment and provide you all with information about how St Martin's will operate in September.
The headlines are that the government have given us the go ahead to open to all children in September provided that we can keep everyone safe. In order to ensure safety, we will continue to 1) insist that anyone who develops symptoms or lives in a house with someone with symptoms gets tested and self-isolates 2) ensure children wash their hands frequently for 20 seconds at a time 3) keep the classes as separate as possible through the day.
On a different but related theme, at this time, no one in our community should visit Leicester or have visitors from Leicester (I have only heard about one case which involved someone wishing to come to stay in Birmingham to escape the lockdown in Leicester and go to a pub- they were told very clearly that they were not to travel and would not be welcome).
I am aware that I sound overly cautious however I have spoken to many parents in our school community whose families have been bereaved since March and the seriousness of the virus cannot be overstated even when infection rates are falling. It is very hard, as adults, to stay socially distanced including at the school gate but we need to do this to protect our families and our wider community. When we re-open, distancing among adults will become even more important if we are to stay safe so thank you in advance for your co-operation.
Mr Gray
Dear All
This afternoon we received further guidance from the Department of Education about extending our opening. Once we have read and discussed the guidance in detail, we will update our risk assessment and provide you all with information about how St Martin's will operate in September.
The headlines are that the government have given us the go ahead to open to all children in September provided that we can keep everyone safe. In order to ensure safety, we will continue to 1) insist that anyone who develops symptoms or lives in a house with someone with symptoms gets tested and self-isolates 2) ensure children wash their hands frequently for 20 seconds at a time 3) keep the classes as separate as possible through the day.
On a different but related theme, at this time, no one in our community should visit Leicester or have visitors from Leicester (I have only heard about one case which involved someone wishing to come to stay in Birmingham to escape the lockdown in Leicester and go to a pub- they were told very clearly that they were not to travel and would not be welcome).
I am aware that I sound overly cautious however I have spoken to many parents in our school community whose families have been bereaved since March and the seriousness of the virus cannot be overstated even when infection rates are falling. It is very hard, as adults, to stay socially distanced including at the school gate but we need to do this to protect our families and our wider community. When we re-open, distancing among adults will become even more important if we are to stay safe so thank you in advance for your co-operation.
Mr Gray
Please read below our school's plan for re-opening to Rec, Year 1 and Year 6 children:
Please read below the latest Risk Assessment for our school that has been carried out just before the half-term break, prior to the planning for the re-opening to 3 classes in June:
Monday 22nd June - Message from Mr Gray:
Dear All
It was wonderful to have children back in again this morning. We have 30 children here and hope to see that number growing in the remaining 4 weeks of term. If your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 6 and they have not started back yet but you would like them to attend from next Monday, please email Mrs Symons at d.symons@st-martindeporres.bham.sch.uk. If your child is in Years 2 to 5 and you are a key worker, let us know if you would like her/him to attend. For other children in Years 2 to 5, we will continue to post work weekly on the website and on the BGfL.
The government have announced that all children will be back in September which would be fantastic. For that to happen, we must all stay alert and report changes in our own health, our children's health and the health of those in our households if there is any fever, new and persistent cough or change in taste/smell. If you have any doubt, please do not send your child in but ring school.
If you come up to school to speak to the office staff and the gates are locked, please ring 464 5500 and someone will come down to you.
If your child is attending school, please ensure you put suncream and a sunhat on her/him before you come to school. Also please do not forget to send a water bottle. This week is forecast to be exceptionally hot.
Since the lockdown, people have been showing their appreciation of the NHS and, as it is Windrush Day today, it is worth talking to the children about how 500,000 people from the Caribbean came here 60 years ago at the end of the 1950s to work in the NHS and many other public services. The contribution made by people from all over the world to our society is an important aspect of our curriculum if we are to counter hate and ignorance.
These 2 films from the BBC are useful in understanding the importance of Windrush Day:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/48731465/what-is-windrush-day
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-53131529/to-the-windrush-generation-i-would-say-thank-you
We are blessed to be named after St Martin de Porres who is patron saint of both racial justice and public health. In Peru, the following prayer is said:
A ti san Martín de Porres, elevamos nuestros corazones llenos de confianza serena y de devoción. Conscientes de tu caridad ilimitada y útil a todos los niveles de la sociedad, y también de tu mansedumbre y humildad de corazón, te ofrecemos nuestras peticiones;Vierte sobre nuestras familias las dones preciosas de tu intercesión solícita y generosa. Muestra a todas las personas de todas las razas y de todos los colores los caminos de la unidad y de la justicia. Pide a Nuestro Señor Celestial la llegada de Su Reino, para que a través de la benevolencia mutual en Díos podamos aumentar los frutos de la gracia y merecer la recompensa de la vida eternal. Amén.
An approximate translation is:
To you Saint Martin de Porres, we lift up our hearts full of confidence and devotion. Mindful of your unbounded and helpful love for all levels of society, and of your humbleness of heart, we offer our petitions:
Pour out upon our families the precious gifts of your generous intercession to God. Show to the people of every race and every colour the paths of unity and justice. Implore from Our Father in Heaven the coming of His Kingdom, so that through mutual benevolence in God, we may increase the fruits of grace and merit the rewards of eternal life. Amen.
God bless
Mr Gray
Dear All
It was wonderful to have children back in again this morning. We have 30 children here and hope to see that number growing in the remaining 4 weeks of term. If your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 6 and they have not started back yet but you would like them to attend from next Monday, please email Mrs Symons at d.symons@st-martindeporres.bham.sch.uk. If your child is in Years 2 to 5 and you are a key worker, let us know if you would like her/him to attend. For other children in Years 2 to 5, we will continue to post work weekly on the website and on the BGfL.
The government have announced that all children will be back in September which would be fantastic. For that to happen, we must all stay alert and report changes in our own health, our children's health and the health of those in our households if there is any fever, new and persistent cough or change in taste/smell. If you have any doubt, please do not send your child in but ring school.
If you come up to school to speak to the office staff and the gates are locked, please ring 464 5500 and someone will come down to you.
If your child is attending school, please ensure you put suncream and a sunhat on her/him before you come to school. Also please do not forget to send a water bottle. This week is forecast to be exceptionally hot.
Since the lockdown, people have been showing their appreciation of the NHS and, as it is Windrush Day today, it is worth talking to the children about how 500,000 people from the Caribbean came here 60 years ago at the end of the 1950s to work in the NHS and many other public services. The contribution made by people from all over the world to our society is an important aspect of our curriculum if we are to counter hate and ignorance.
These 2 films from the BBC are useful in understanding the importance of Windrush Day:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/48731465/what-is-windrush-day
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-53131529/to-the-windrush-generation-i-would-say-thank-you
We are blessed to be named after St Martin de Porres who is patron saint of both racial justice and public health. In Peru, the following prayer is said:
A ti san Martín de Porres, elevamos nuestros corazones llenos de confianza serena y de devoción. Conscientes de tu caridad ilimitada y útil a todos los niveles de la sociedad, y también de tu mansedumbre y humildad de corazón, te ofrecemos nuestras peticiones;Vierte sobre nuestras familias las dones preciosas de tu intercesión solícita y generosa. Muestra a todas las personas de todas las razas y de todos los colores los caminos de la unidad y de la justicia. Pide a Nuestro Señor Celestial la llegada de Su Reino, para que a través de la benevolencia mutual en Díos podamos aumentar los frutos de la gracia y merecer la recompensa de la vida eternal. Amén.
An approximate translation is:
To you Saint Martin de Porres, we lift up our hearts full of confidence and devotion. Mindful of your unbounded and helpful love for all levels of society, and of your humbleness of heart, we offer our petitions:
Pour out upon our families the precious gifts of your generous intercession to God. Show to the people of every race and every colour the paths of unity and justice. Implore from Our Father in Heaven the coming of His Kingdom, so that through mutual benevolence in God, we may increase the fruits of grace and merit the rewards of eternal life. Amen.
God bless
Mr Gray
Wednesday 17th June - Message from Mr Gray:
Dear All
I hope that everyone is well and keeping safe. Since we closed on Monday 15th, all staff have self-isolated and have undertaken tests for COVID19. No-one has tested positive for the virus, however 2 members of staff are to be re-tested following inconclusive test results and therefore we will not re-open until Friday at the earliest. By that point, we should be confident that the school is a safe environment once again. The cleaning of all surfaces in school is being undertaken in line with the government guidance https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-decontamination-in-non-healthcare-settings/covid-19-decontamination-in-non-healthcare-settings and will be complete by Friday.
Thank you to all the children who are engaging with the learning being posted on BGfL and here, on the website. Miss Haydon has asked me to mention those children who completed her PE challenges including:
Reception- Daniel
Year 2 - Ahmed, Matthew, Ameerah
Year 3 - Oskar, Harris
Year 4 - Kei-Kei, Mikhail, Taliya, Kaiden, Emily
Year 5 - Aamna, Isabel, Hajrah
Year 6 - Giovanna, Tesiah, Zoya, Bo, Aafiyah
I know lots of children are doing other activities - well done to everyone who is keeping up with their physical activity. Please do let your teachers and teaching assistants know what you've been up to.
Please do continue to look at the website and BGfL for activities in each year group and to support your child's mental health.
Best wishes
Mr Gray
Dear All
I hope that everyone is well and keeping safe. Since we closed on Monday 15th, all staff have self-isolated and have undertaken tests for COVID19. No-one has tested positive for the virus, however 2 members of staff are to be re-tested following inconclusive test results and therefore we will not re-open until Friday at the earliest. By that point, we should be confident that the school is a safe environment once again. The cleaning of all surfaces in school is being undertaken in line with the government guidance https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-decontamination-in-non-healthcare-settings/covid-19-decontamination-in-non-healthcare-settings and will be complete by Friday.
Thank you to all the children who are engaging with the learning being posted on BGfL and here, on the website. Miss Haydon has asked me to mention those children who completed her PE challenges including:
Reception- Daniel
Year 2 - Ahmed, Matthew, Ameerah
Year 3 - Oskar, Harris
Year 4 - Kei-Kei, Mikhail, Taliya, Kaiden, Emily
Year 5 - Aamna, Isabel, Hajrah
Year 6 - Giovanna, Tesiah, Zoya, Bo, Aafiyah
I know lots of children are doing other activities - well done to everyone who is keeping up with their physical activity. Please do let your teachers and teaching assistants know what you've been up to.
Please do continue to look at the website and BGfL for activities in each year group and to support your child's mental health.
Best wishes
Mr Gray
Friday 12th June - Message from Mr Gray:
Dear Parents,
Thank you so much for your messages this week. I hope that you are all well.
We have extended our opening to Reception and Year 1 and have 25 children in school. On Monday (15th), we are looking forward to welcoming back some of our Year 6 children. Although the weather has not been great, the children are spending time outside and benefiting from our excellent garden area which has been developed thanks to the generosity of many people and the talent, expertise and time donated by Mr Varsani, one of our parents.
For all children, there will be recorded assemblies posted at 10am on BGfL on Monday, Thursday and Friday to be watched in classroom or at home. The Thursday assembly will be from CAFOD.
For children in years 2 to 5, work will be posted on the website and BGfL. I appreciate how difficult it is for children who are not yet coming to school (I have two at home myself so am aware of some of the issues). For some children, routine is very important especially at bedtime. I would encourage all parents to maintain clear routines in the home especially around bedtime and to aim for some structure around learning with set times for RE, reading, maths, arts, music, etc.
Please keep safe and if you, or someone in your family, have any symptoms it is essential to stay at home and book a Covid test which you can do on https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test
On Sunday, it is the Feast Day of Corpus Christi. We pray especially for our children who were preparing for their First Holy Communion when the lockdown came and we look forward to the joyful celebration when they will be able to receive the sacrament. Tomorrow is the much less significant feast of St Anthony but still worth noting as he is the patron saint of lost things. Within Catholic tradition, we do not pray to Saints but rather ask them to take our prayers to God. As I get older and more forgetful, I increasingly find myself asking Saint Anthony to intercede for me because I have mislaid something important.
One of the many frustrating aspects of the lockdown is not being able to support children's discussions of current affairs. Since the murder of George Floyd in America, our news has included the event itself and the aftermath including protests in the UK. Whenever there is a major news story, it is important to listen to children's concerns and thoughts. How we discuss issues with children depends on their age. For children in Key Stage 2, this newsround report is useful https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/52813673
George Floyd: Race protests continue across US - CBBC Newsround
There has been a fourth night of protests across the US with thousands of people demonstrating on streets across the country. People protesting in America believe that a man, named George Floyd ...
www.bbc.co.uk
We pray for an end to the evil of racism in our world and celebrate the lives of those who are victims of racism and those who resist injustice.
God bless
Mr Gray
Dear Parents,
Thank you so much for your messages this week. I hope that you are all well.
We have extended our opening to Reception and Year 1 and have 25 children in school. On Monday (15th), we are looking forward to welcoming back some of our Year 6 children. Although the weather has not been great, the children are spending time outside and benefiting from our excellent garden area which has been developed thanks to the generosity of many people and the talent, expertise and time donated by Mr Varsani, one of our parents.
For all children, there will be recorded assemblies posted at 10am on BGfL on Monday, Thursday and Friday to be watched in classroom or at home. The Thursday assembly will be from CAFOD.
For children in years 2 to 5, work will be posted on the website and BGfL. I appreciate how difficult it is for children who are not yet coming to school (I have two at home myself so am aware of some of the issues). For some children, routine is very important especially at bedtime. I would encourage all parents to maintain clear routines in the home especially around bedtime and to aim for some structure around learning with set times for RE, reading, maths, arts, music, etc.
Please keep safe and if you, or someone in your family, have any symptoms it is essential to stay at home and book a Covid test which you can do on https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test
On Sunday, it is the Feast Day of Corpus Christi. We pray especially for our children who were preparing for their First Holy Communion when the lockdown came and we look forward to the joyful celebration when they will be able to receive the sacrament. Tomorrow is the much less significant feast of St Anthony but still worth noting as he is the patron saint of lost things. Within Catholic tradition, we do not pray to Saints but rather ask them to take our prayers to God. As I get older and more forgetful, I increasingly find myself asking Saint Anthony to intercede for me because I have mislaid something important.
One of the many frustrating aspects of the lockdown is not being able to support children's discussions of current affairs. Since the murder of George Floyd in America, our news has included the event itself and the aftermath including protests in the UK. Whenever there is a major news story, it is important to listen to children's concerns and thoughts. How we discuss issues with children depends on their age. For children in Key Stage 2, this newsround report is useful https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/52813673
George Floyd: Race protests continue across US - CBBC Newsround
There has been a fourth night of protests across the US with thousands of people demonstrating on streets across the country. People protesting in America believe that a man, named George Floyd ...
www.bbc.co.uk
We pray for an end to the evil of racism in our world and celebrate the lives of those who are victims of racism and those who resist injustice.
God bless
Mr Gray
