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
Thursday 25th June - Message from Mr Gray:
Dear Parents
I hope you are all well. We had 40 children across the small group "bubbles" today. As well as spending time on learning, the groups have been outside a lot - thank you to everyone for sending children in hats/suncream.
For our children learning at home, I apologise that the Birmingham Grid for Learning (BGfL) went down this afternoon across the city. Hopefully everything will be back up and running later today.
I am attaching a document with some updated advice about E safety as so many children are using screens in the lockdown. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
God bless
Dear Parents
I hope you are all well. We had 40 children across the small group "bubbles" today. As well as spending time on learning, the groups have been outside a lot - thank you to everyone for sending children in hats/suncream.
For our children learning at home, I apologise that the Birmingham Grid for Learning (BGfL) went down this afternoon across the city. Hopefully everything will be back up and running later today.
I am attaching a document with some updated advice about E safety as so many children are using screens in the lockdown. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
God bless
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
Friday 19th June - Message from Mr Gray:
Dear All
Thank you for your patience and wonderful messages over the last week. We can confirm that we are intending to open on Monday 22nd June to Reception, Year 1, Year 6 and Key worker children who have been attending since our extension of opening or whose parents have let us know that they will be attending for the first time on Monday. I hope and pray that we will have no further closures and that we will be fully open to all children in September.
The last week has highlighted the importance for all of us to let school know if any family member has contact with the virus or if anyone in households has a fever, a new and persistent cough and/or loss or change of taste/smell.
Thank you to everyone for your support
Mr Gray
Dear All
Thank you for your patience and wonderful messages over the last week. We can confirm that we are intending to open on Monday 22nd June to Reception, Year 1, Year 6 and Key worker children who have been attending since our extension of opening or whose parents have let us know that they will be attending for the first time on Monday. I hope and pray that we will have no further closures and that we will be fully open to all children in September.
The last week has highlighted the importance for all of us to let school know if any family member has contact with the virus or if anyone in households has a fever, a new and persistent cough and/or loss or change of taste/smell.
Thank you to everyone for your support
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
Monday 15th June - Message from Mr Gray:
Dear Parents
I hope that you are well.
We took the decision to close the school this afternoon after we were made aware that a member of an extended family of someone within our school community had tested positive for COVID19. We have asked all staff to be tested. We pray that everyone is found to be negative. Public Health England have just informed us that children will not be eligible for a test at this point unless they have symptoms. Depending on the speed with which test results come back, we hope to open again on Thursday or Friday. I will write to all parents to update you on Wednesday.
Best wishes and keep safe
Mr Gray
Dear Parents
I hope that you are well.
We took the decision to close the school this afternoon after we were made aware that a member of an extended family of someone within our school community had tested positive for COVID19. We have asked all staff to be tested. We pray that everyone is found to be negative. Public Health England have just informed us that children will not be eligible for a test at this point unless they have symptoms. Depending on the speed with which test results come back, we hope to open again on Thursday or Friday. I will write to all parents to update you on Wednesday.
Best wishes and keep safe
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
Monday 1st June - IMPORTANT Message from Mr Gray:
Dear Parents
I pray that this message finds you and your family well.
Whilst we remain open for children of key workers and those who meet the vulnerable criteria, staff are also getting ready to extend opening to Reception next Monday (8th) and Year 1 next Wednesday (10th). If we have enough room and staff, we will then open to Year 6 on 15th June. For Years 2, 3, 4 and 5, we will continue to post activities weekly to go alongside the national online learning provision all of which is on our website.
Today, teachers have been drafting end of year reports based on where your child was when we were shut and also the work they have been posting on the BGfL. The other staff have been in school preparing the building and resources. Click here to read our plan for the re-opening.
Thank you to everyone with children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 who has responded to our latest survey about whether you are intending to send your child back when we extend our opening. If you have not yet done so, you can still do it below. On Thursday, we will inform parents as to which group their child is in, which gate they should use and what time to arrive. As our community has seen a relatively high level of infection, we are looking into obtaining handheld thermometers that could be used at the gate as an additional precaution to protect everyone. The thermometer can take a reading from a person's forehead and would warn us if a child had a high temperature.
If you are living with "extremely clinically vulnerable adults" in your house, we advise that your child does not return yet as we cannot guarantee stringent social distancing measures in school. Children who are living with "clinically vulnerable adults" could come to school, but when they return home should stay at least 2m away from the adult until they have changed their clothes and washed thoroughly. Definitions of the terms "extremely clinically vulnerable " and "clinically vulnerable" are available here https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/people-at-higher-risk-from-coronavirus/whos-at-higher-risk-from-coronavirus/ Whatever your situation, it is very important to wash your child's clothes each day which is why we are asking children to come in something comfortable (eg tracksuit bottoms and a t-shirt) rather than uniform.
God bless
Mr Gray
Dear Parents
I pray that this message finds you and your family well.
Whilst we remain open for children of key workers and those who meet the vulnerable criteria, staff are also getting ready to extend opening to Reception next Monday (8th) and Year 1 next Wednesday (10th). If we have enough room and staff, we will then open to Year 6 on 15th June. For Years 2, 3, 4 and 5, we will continue to post activities weekly to go alongside the national online learning provision all of which is on our website.
Today, teachers have been drafting end of year reports based on where your child was when we were shut and also the work they have been posting on the BGfL. The other staff have been in school preparing the building and resources. Click here to read our plan for the re-opening.
Thank you to everyone with children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 who has responded to our latest survey about whether you are intending to send your child back when we extend our opening. If you have not yet done so, you can still do it below. On Thursday, we will inform parents as to which group their child is in, which gate they should use and what time to arrive. As our community has seen a relatively high level of infection, we are looking into obtaining handheld thermometers that could be used at the gate as an additional precaution to protect everyone. The thermometer can take a reading from a person's forehead and would warn us if a child had a high temperature.
If you are living with "extremely clinically vulnerable adults" in your house, we advise that your child does not return yet as we cannot guarantee stringent social distancing measures in school. Children who are living with "clinically vulnerable adults" could come to school, but when they return home should stay at least 2m away from the adult until they have changed their clothes and washed thoroughly. Definitions of the terms "extremely clinically vulnerable " and "clinically vulnerable" are available here https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/people-at-higher-risk-from-coronavirus/whos-at-higher-risk-from-coronavirus/ Whatever your situation, it is very important to wash your child's clothes each day which is why we are asking children to come in something comfortable (eg tracksuit bottoms and a t-shirt) rather than uniform.
God bless
Mr Gray
Friday 5th June - Message from Mr Gray:
Dear All
Thank you for all your messages this week. Whilst we have been open since the Lockdown began for Key worker children, we are looking forward to welcoming eleven of our Reception children whose parents are choosing to send them on Monday 8th and nine of our Year 1 children on Wednesday 10th June. On 15th June, we will welcome back those of our Year 6 children whose parents choose to send them. These children will be taught in groups of no more than 15. To reduce the risk to your families and your school staff, please keep washing your hands and teaching the children to do the same.
One of the most obvious changes to our routines, for parents in Years Reception, 1 and 6 who choose to send their children back, is that we will have less opportunity to talk at the beginning and end of the school day. Only children will be on the school premises and the hand over will be done at the school gate. Once we have checked a child's temperature, the parent will need to move away from the gate swiftly. Lines have been painted to help parents keep 2 metres apart. In these circumstances, please do not hesitate to email us at any point with information that needs to be passed on.
For parents who choose not to send children back or whose children are in years 2 to 5, we will post work for the week on the school website.
God bless and keep safe
Mr Gray
Dear All
Thank you for all your messages this week. Whilst we have been open since the Lockdown began for Key worker children, we are looking forward to welcoming eleven of our Reception children whose parents are choosing to send them on Monday 8th and nine of our Year 1 children on Wednesday 10th June. On 15th June, we will welcome back those of our Year 6 children whose parents choose to send them. These children will be taught in groups of no more than 15. To reduce the risk to your families and your school staff, please keep washing your hands and teaching the children to do the same.
One of the most obvious changes to our routines, for parents in Years Reception, 1 and 6 who choose to send their children back, is that we will have less opportunity to talk at the beginning and end of the school day. Only children will be on the school premises and the hand over will be done at the school gate. Once we have checked a child's temperature, the parent will need to move away from the gate swiftly. Lines have been painted to help parents keep 2 metres apart. In these circumstances, please do not hesitate to email us at any point with information that needs to be passed on.
For parents who choose not to send children back or whose children are in years 2 to 5, we will post work for the week on the school website.
God bless and keep safe
Mr Gray
Friday 22nd May - Message from Mr Gray:
Dear Parents
I was intending today to send to you a proposal to extend our opening to Year 6, Rec and Year 1 gradually from 3rd June. Today, however, 2 scientific reports have been published (one by the government, one independently) and the contradictory nature of the reports' findings have led the Governing Body to convene a further meeting on Monday to discuss our plans in the light of this new evidence.
At this point, I can confirm that school will be closed next week for cleaning and maintenance and then continue to be open for children of key workers and those who meet the vulnerable criteria from 1st June. Information about the gradual extension of the school to other years will be sent to you on Tuesday 26th May following the Full Governing Body meeting.
Eid Mubarak to all celebrating this weekend.
Mr Gray
Dear Parents
I was intending today to send to you a proposal to extend our opening to Year 6, Rec and Year 1 gradually from 3rd June. Today, however, 2 scientific reports have been published (one by the government, one independently) and the contradictory nature of the reports' findings have led the Governing Body to convene a further meeting on Monday to discuss our plans in the light of this new evidence.
At this point, I can confirm that school will be closed next week for cleaning and maintenance and then continue to be open for children of key workers and those who meet the vulnerable criteria from 1st June. Information about the gradual extension of the school to other years will be sent to you on Tuesday 26th May following the Full Governing Body meeting.
Eid Mubarak to all celebrating this weekend.
Mr Gray
Tuesday 19th May - Message from Mr Gray:
Dear parents,
Thank you to everyone who responded to the survey that was sent out. It has helped significantly in our preparations to re-open. 38% of parents have indicated that they are likely to send children into school when we re-open sometime after the 1st June. Many parents are understandably anxious. The staff are working in school this week to support a risk assessment to be undertaken on Friday. The risk assessment will take into account views of parents. Classrooms are being measured, furniture distanced or removed completely, systems agreed for safe movement around the school and cleaning schedules amended.
Even before the risk assessment is submitted to the governors, it is obvious that we need to move forward with caution. We would not consider opening to Rec, Year 1 and Year 6 immediately as this would not allow opportunities to address issues around social distancing and surface cleaning. It is therefore likely that on Friday, I will write to you that we will re-open gradually as part of our mitigation of risks to your children, your families and your staff here in school.
While the staff are working in school on preparations, there is less time for feedback on online learning posted on BGfL however please do keep encouraging children to do some work everyday. When we do re-open, due to restrictions on numbers in rooms, almost all staff will be teaching children. We will, however, agree a schedule of online work for all children in years 2, 3, 4 and 5 who are not in school.
Best wishes
Mr Gray
Dear parents,
Thank you to everyone who responded to the survey that was sent out. It has helped significantly in our preparations to re-open. 38% of parents have indicated that they are likely to send children into school when we re-open sometime after the 1st June. Many parents are understandably anxious. The staff are working in school this week to support a risk assessment to be undertaken on Friday. The risk assessment will take into account views of parents. Classrooms are being measured, furniture distanced or removed completely, systems agreed for safe movement around the school and cleaning schedules amended.
Even before the risk assessment is submitted to the governors, it is obvious that we need to move forward with caution. We would not consider opening to Rec, Year 1 and Year 6 immediately as this would not allow opportunities to address issues around social distancing and surface cleaning. It is therefore likely that on Friday, I will write to you that we will re-open gradually as part of our mitigation of risks to your children, your families and your staff here in school.
While the staff are working in school on preparations, there is less time for feedback on online learning posted on BGfL however please do keep encouraging children to do some work everyday. When we do re-open, due to restrictions on numbers in rooms, almost all staff will be teaching children. We will, however, agree a schedule of online work for all children in years 2, 3, 4 and 5 who are not in school.
Best wishes
Mr Gray
Thursday 14th May - Message from Mr Gray:
Dear Parents,
I hope you continue to be well and are keeping safe.
We are planning the possible re-opening of school to more children on 1st June. The government have asked that we prepare to admit Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 children. This will only happen if, through risk assessment, we can be confident that we have measures in place to protect children's and staff's well-being. Full details of our proposal to re-open will be sent to parents on Friday 22nd May. To help our preparation, we would like parents of Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 children to provide some indication of the likelihood of children being sent back in to school from 1st June. We will not hold parents to their response - ie you can change your minds at anytime but we would appreciate a response to help us plan resources and classrooms.
Y6, Y1 and Reception parents, please complete the survey below.
From next week, we will continue to update the website especially for Years 2, 3, 4 and 5 however the tasks set and feedback given by teachers will reduce as they will be focused on preparations for possible re-opening. The national online learning provided by the Oak Academy will continue along with BBC bitesize and White Rose maths videos so there will still be plenty to which all children can engage. Links to all these and more can be found here on the website.
God bless
Mr Gray
Dear Parents,
I hope you continue to be well and are keeping safe.
We are planning the possible re-opening of school to more children on 1st June. The government have asked that we prepare to admit Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 children. This will only happen if, through risk assessment, we can be confident that we have measures in place to protect children's and staff's well-being. Full details of our proposal to re-open will be sent to parents on Friday 22nd May. To help our preparation, we would like parents of Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 children to provide some indication of the likelihood of children being sent back in to school from 1st June. We will not hold parents to their response - ie you can change your minds at anytime but we would appreciate a response to help us plan resources and classrooms.
Y6, Y1 and Reception parents, please complete the survey below.
From next week, we will continue to update the website especially for Years 2, 3, 4 and 5 however the tasks set and feedback given by teachers will reduce as they will be focused on preparations for possible re-opening. The national online learning provided by the Oak Academy will continue along with BBC bitesize and White Rose maths videos so there will still be plenty to which all children can engage. Links to all these and more can be found here on the website.
God bless
Mr Gray
Tuesday 12th May - Message from Mr Gray:
Dear parents
I hope that you are all well and that your children are engaging with some learning while staying safe. All the evidence we have seen suggests that you have done a very good job in very difficult circumstances.
Following the Prime Minster's address to the nation on Sunday, we are starting to see details added to his aspiration to re-admit some children on 1st June if the infection and death rates continue to fall. We have been asked to consider ways in which Reception, Y1 and Y6 children could be re-admitted in small groups. Staff and governors will be looking at how we can do this as safely as possible. If the infections are falling by the end of next week, we will provide details to you on Friday 22nd May of the plan for parents to consider. Parents of Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 children will not be penalised if they choose not to send their children into school.
Best wishes
Mr Gray
Dear parents
I hope that you are all well and that your children are engaging with some learning while staying safe. All the evidence we have seen suggests that you have done a very good job in very difficult circumstances.
Following the Prime Minster's address to the nation on Sunday, we are starting to see details added to his aspiration to re-admit some children on 1st June if the infection and death rates continue to fall. We have been asked to consider ways in which Reception, Y1 and Y6 children could be re-admitted in small groups. Staff and governors will be looking at how we can do this as safely as possible. If the infections are falling by the end of next week, we will provide details to you on Friday 22nd May of the plan for parents to consider. Parents of Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 children will not be penalised if they choose not to send their children into school.
Best wishes
Mr Gray
Thursday 7th May- Message from Mr Gray:
Dear Parents,
I hope this message finds you well and keeping safe. Thank you for all the positive comments and feedback. The staff here have been able to contact the vast majority of families over the last six weeks. Sadly, we have heard of a number of families who have lost older relatives and we have kept everyone in our prayers.
School has remained open for the children of key workers and will remain open tomorrow despite the bank holiday. The staff have worked very hard to keep updating the website and the Birmingham Grid for Learning (BGfL) with activities for the children and I know many families have used the Oak Academy and White Rose maths videos which are linked to this home page of the website (see above). Mrs Sullivan has worked very hard to ensure the food vouchers, for families entitled to free school meals through the benefits system, are processed and posted out. Mrs Dowling has been keeping in touch with the families with whom she works. While all that has been going on, thanks to the generosity of one of our parents who has given his time and expertise, work has continued to develop in the gardening area in front of the bungalow so that when the children do return, they will have fantastic new opportunities to learn about our world.
On Sunday, the Prime Minister is due to address the nation. We are not told in advance what is to be announced so, whilst we hear the rumours, none of us actually know the plans. Once we have heard from Mr Johnson and the Department for Education, we will write to you to let you know what will happen. In the meantime, we remain here for you so please let us know if there are any problems and keep everyone safe.
God bless you
Mr Gray
Dear Parents,
I hope this message finds you well and keeping safe. Thank you for all the positive comments and feedback. The staff here have been able to contact the vast majority of families over the last six weeks. Sadly, we have heard of a number of families who have lost older relatives and we have kept everyone in our prayers.
School has remained open for the children of key workers and will remain open tomorrow despite the bank holiday. The staff have worked very hard to keep updating the website and the Birmingham Grid for Learning (BGfL) with activities for the children and I know many families have used the Oak Academy and White Rose maths videos which are linked to this home page of the website (see above). Mrs Sullivan has worked very hard to ensure the food vouchers, for families entitled to free school meals through the benefits system, are processed and posted out. Mrs Dowling has been keeping in touch with the families with whom she works. While all that has been going on, thanks to the generosity of one of our parents who has given his time and expertise, work has continued to develop in the gardening area in front of the bungalow so that when the children do return, they will have fantastic new opportunities to learn about our world.
On Sunday, the Prime Minister is due to address the nation. We are not told in advance what is to be announced so, whilst we hear the rumours, none of us actually know the plans. Once we have heard from Mr Johnson and the Department for Education, we will write to you to let you know what will happen. In the meantime, we remain here for you so please let us know if there are any problems and keep everyone safe.
God bless you
Mr Gray
Wednesday 22nd April - Message from Mr Gray:
Dear Parents,
I hope you are continuing to keep safe. Please pass on our best wishes to the children. If you are preparing for Ramadan, our thoughts and prayers are with you: may you have a holy and spiritually uplifting month. At times of stress and struggle, our closeness to God is so important to our well-being as individuals, families and community.
There is now a significant amount of online work for children. Please do not feel overwhelmed by it all- the most important things are for everyone to stay safe, support each other and keep praying. The school website https://www.stmartindeporres.org.uk/ has all the information about children's learning that you need including links to websites with videos and activities. On our website, the class pages have a range of work for children. In addition, teachers are uploading work onto the BGfL 365 platform. Please do not feel that your child has to do everything that is out there. If they are doing some work each day that is fine.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need support either on the school number 0121 464-5500, my email address j.gray@st-martindeporres.bham.sch.uk or our parent worker, Mrs Dowling's phone 07973614549 (please note that this is Mrs Dowling's work mobile. If you have another number for her, please now delete and replace it with this one).
God bless
Mr Gray
Dear Parents,
I hope you are continuing to keep safe. Please pass on our best wishes to the children. If you are preparing for Ramadan, our thoughts and prayers are with you: may you have a holy and spiritually uplifting month. At times of stress and struggle, our closeness to God is so important to our well-being as individuals, families and community.
There is now a significant amount of online work for children. Please do not feel overwhelmed by it all- the most important things are for everyone to stay safe, support each other and keep praying. The school website https://www.stmartindeporres.org.uk/ has all the information about children's learning that you need including links to websites with videos and activities. On our website, the class pages have a range of work for children. In addition, teachers are uploading work onto the BGfL 365 platform. Please do not feel that your child has to do everything that is out there. If they are doing some work each day that is fine.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need support either on the school number 0121 464-5500, my email address j.gray@st-martindeporres.bham.sch.uk or our parent worker, Mrs Dowling's phone 07973614549 (please note that this is Mrs Dowling's work mobile. If you have another number for her, please now delete and replace it with this one).
God bless
Mr Gray
Monday 20th April - Message from Mr Gray:
Dear Parents,
I hope that your families are all well.
We are continuing to upload new activities and links onto the BGfL365 site and also here, on the school website. If access to a computer is limited (for example, if you are having to work from home or if you have a number of children), the website includes weekly work that can be downloaded and worked at away from a screen. Please do not feel that your child has to do everything. We put up a wide range of work and links to support the children but the most important thing is for everyone to keep safe and as free of worry as possible.
Please let us know by phone or email if there is anything we can do to support you.
God bless
Mr Gray
Dear Parents,
I hope that your families are all well.
We are continuing to upload new activities and links onto the BGfL365 site and also here, on the school website. If access to a computer is limited (for example, if you are having to work from home or if you have a number of children), the website includes weekly work that can be downloaded and worked at away from a screen. Please do not feel that your child has to do everything. We put up a wide range of work and links to support the children but the most important thing is for everyone to keep safe and as free of worry as possible.
Please let us know by phone or email if there is anything we can do to support you.
God bless
Mr Gray
Friday 17th April - Message from Mr Gray:
Dear All
I hope that all our families are keeping safe. Thank you for all your support and good wishes.
Following the announcement of the extension of school closures for a further three weeks (until 7th May), we will continue to be open for childcare for the children of key workers or those who are vulnerable where families have no alternative.
Well done to everyone who has responded to the daily challenges over Easter. From Monday, staff will be, once again putting up work and activities onto the BGfL and the website. There is also MyMaths for children to continue to complete work on.
If there is anything we can do to support you, please do not hesitate to ring the school on 0121-464-5500 or Mrs Dowling, our parent support worker, on 07815052412.
God bless
Dear All
I hope that all our families are keeping safe. Thank you for all your support and good wishes.
Following the announcement of the extension of school closures for a further three weeks (until 7th May), we will continue to be open for childcare for the children of key workers or those who are vulnerable where families have no alternative.
Well done to everyone who has responded to the daily challenges over Easter. From Monday, staff will be, once again putting up work and activities onto the BGfL and the website. There is also MyMaths for children to continue to complete work on.
If there is anything we can do to support you, please do not hesitate to ring the school on 0121-464-5500 or Mrs Dowling, our parent support worker, on 07815052412.
God bless
Wednesday 15th April - Message from Mr Gray:
Dear Parents,
I hope that you had as a good an Easter weekend as possible in the current circumstances. School is open this week. If you are a key worker who has no alternative child care provision or if your child has an education health care plan and, again, you have no alternative, please let us know as we can organise childcare here.
If there is any support you need please ring in the mornings between 8am and 11am. If you hear of any school families who are in difficulty, please ask them to contact me or Mrs Dowling.
Best wishes
Mr Gray
Dear Parents,
I hope that you had as a good an Easter weekend as possible in the current circumstances. School is open this week. If you are a key worker who has no alternative child care provision or if your child has an education health care plan and, again, you have no alternative, please let us know as we can organise childcare here.
If there is any support you need please ring in the mornings between 8am and 11am. If you hear of any school families who are in difficulty, please ask them to contact me or Mrs Dowling.
Best wishes
Mr Gray
Wednesday 8th April - Message from Mr Gray:
Dear Parents,
We hope you and your families are keeping as safe as possible. We are missing all the children and are looking forward to the day when we re-open. Thank you for all the work and photos uploaded on to the BGfL. Remember to keep looking at the website for updates- as well as the daily challenges for the Easter break, there are some very good resources on there.
Mrs Sullivan has done an excellent job sorting out both Birmingham City Council and UK government food vouchers. These are for families who are eligible for free school meals through the benefits' system and sadly not for all children in Key Stage 1 who receive a lunch in school through the universal meals' system. If you have any queries about this please email me on j.gray@st-martindeporres.bham.sch.uk
Sadly, we are still hearing of families who have lost older relatives and, if this has happened to you, please know that we are all praying for you.
If any family needs support of any kind, please email and we will do our very best to help. There is also support available from The Active Wellbeing Society for both food https://theaws.co.uk/food/ and mental health https://theaws.co.uk/coronavirus
Dear Parents,
We hope you and your families are keeping as safe as possible. We are missing all the children and are looking forward to the day when we re-open. Thank you for all the work and photos uploaded on to the BGfL. Remember to keep looking at the website for updates- as well as the daily challenges for the Easter break, there are some very good resources on there.
Mrs Sullivan has done an excellent job sorting out both Birmingham City Council and UK government food vouchers. These are for families who are eligible for free school meals through the benefits' system and sadly not for all children in Key Stage 1 who receive a lunch in school through the universal meals' system. If you have any queries about this please email me on j.gray@st-martindeporres.bham.sch.uk
Sadly, we are still hearing of families who have lost older relatives and, if this has happened to you, please know that we are all praying for you.
If any family needs support of any kind, please email and we will do our very best to help. There is also support available from The Active Wellbeing Society for both food https://theaws.co.uk/food/ and mental health https://theaws.co.uk/coronavirus
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Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the Just Giving appeal, donated cash or sent in food - your generosity at this time of crisis is incredible and we will ensure that your kindness makes a difference to families.
We wish everyone a happy and holy Easter. Please remember that God is the constant in our lives and always there for us when we turn to him. Mr Gray and everyone at St Martin's |
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Thursday 9th April - Message from a parent:
I was speaking to my neighbour who is a consultant gynaecologist at the QE. She shared some heart warming positive messages about the NHS which should give us all hope. Sadly, though there are and will be many more losses, there must also be hope. She shared this poem which had been passed to her and I feel it needs to be shared with as many people as possible. Any which way the message is clear. I just hope and pray that this time we do no forget as we did before and that this time we may alter our lives for a more positive and caring approach to the world and all living things... History repeats itself. Came across this poem written in 1869, reprinted during 1919 Pandemic. This is Timeless.... Take care and stay safe. It was written in 1869 by Kathleen O’Mara:
Reprinted during Spanish flu Pandemic, 1919 |
And people stayed at home
And read books And listened And they rested And did exercises And made art and played And learned new ways of being And stopped and listened More deeply Someone meditated, someone prayed Someone met their shadow And people began to think differently And people healed. And in the absence of people who Lived in ignorant ways Dangerous, meaningless and heartless, The earth also began to heal And when the danger ended and People found themselves They grieved for the dead And made new choices And dreamed of new visions And created new ways of living And completely healed the earth Just as they were healed. |
Friday 3rd April 2020 - Message from Mr Gray
Dear Parents,
We wish you a holy Easter break. Although we have had no requests for childcare and therefore school will be closed over Easter, I can be contacted at j.gray@st-martindeporres.bham.sch.uk if any family is in need of support.
Whilst staff are spending time away from their computers and with their families over the 2 weeks, a will be posted for the children each day in their shared file on the BGfL so encourage children to look out for those. Do also look at all the information staff have put on the website. This includes some invaluable advice on protecting your own health during the shutdown.
Before we were shutdown, we were given donations of food and money by parents to support families in need over the next few weeks. We are so grateful for people's kindness which has already enabled us to help families.
Dear Parents,
We wish you a holy Easter break. Although we have had no requests for childcare and therefore school will be closed over Easter, I can be contacted at j.gray@st-martindeporres.bham.sch.uk if any family is in need of support.
Whilst staff are spending time away from their computers and with their families over the 2 weeks, a will be posted for the children each day in their shared file on the BGfL so encourage children to look out for those. Do also look at all the information staff have put on the website. This includes some invaluable advice on protecting your own health during the shutdown.
Before we were shutdown, we were given donations of food and money by parents to support families in need over the next few weeks. We are so grateful for people's kindness which has already enabled us to help families.
Today, I was asked by a very kind parent if there was a way for people to donate online to help others. We have therefore created a justgiving page which will last the duration of the pandemic shutdown. All money donated will be distributed in small grants to help families. Once the shutdown is over, if there is any donated money left, it will be given to the Sparkhill Foodbank. Click on the button on the right to access the page:
We have no information about the length of time we will be closed. If any key workers or families with vulnerable children need childcare after Easter (from 20th April) please let us know. The most important thing is to keep indoors and keep safe until the shutdown is lifted. We cannot wait to see everyone back in school once the shutdown ends. We have missed all our children and you, their parents, so much.
God bless you
Mr Gray
God bless you
Mr Gray
Yesterday's message from Mr Gray:
Dear Parents,
I hope that you are well. We have received a number of messages from our families about the loss of older relatives and, as a staff, we are praying for the repose of their souls and for all of you.
Mrs Sullivan is working tirelessly to sort out food vouchers for children eligible for free school meals. She has sent codes for the Birmingham City Council scheme and is awaiting information for the national scheme. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me on j.gray@st-martindeporres.bham.sch.uk if you need support.
Since I asked last week, no key workers or parents of vulnerable children have asked for emergency childcare over the holidays. If, by tomorrow afternoon, I have received no requests by email to this account, school will be closed to protect everyone. However, I will be available so please get in touch directly with me if you need anything.
Kind regards and thank you for all the messages.
Mr Gray
Dear Parents,
I hope that you are well. We have received a number of messages from our families about the loss of older relatives and, as a staff, we are praying for the repose of their souls and for all of you.
Mrs Sullivan is working tirelessly to sort out food vouchers for children eligible for free school meals. She has sent codes for the Birmingham City Council scheme and is awaiting information for the national scheme. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me on j.gray@st-martindeporres.bham.sch.uk if you need support.
Since I asked last week, no key workers or parents of vulnerable children have asked for emergency childcare over the holidays. If, by tomorrow afternoon, I have received no requests by email to this account, school will be closed to protect everyone. However, I will be available so please get in touch directly with me if you need anything.
Kind regards and thank you for all the messages.
Mr Gray
Friday's message from Mr Gray:
Dear Parents
I hope that you are all well. Thank you for all the work on BGfL365. There were some glitches with it this morning but it's working properly now. Please encourage children to share work on it and also upload photos of any work they do*.
If you are a key worker and need childcare (because there is no alternative) over Easter, please can you email me on j.gray@st-martindeporres.bham.sch.uk
Please stay safe and keep indoors. Mrs Braithwaite will be putting advice on the website to support positive mental health during the lockdown.
God bless you
*NB: If you're sharing your child's work on BGfL365 but DO NOT want it to be displayed on the school's website, please let us know.
Dear Parents
I hope that you are all well. Thank you for all the work on BGfL365. There were some glitches with it this morning but it's working properly now. Please encourage children to share work on it and also upload photos of any work they do*.
If you are a key worker and need childcare (because there is no alternative) over Easter, please can you email me on j.gray@st-martindeporres.bham.sch.uk
Please stay safe and keep indoors. Mrs Braithwaite will be putting advice on the website to support positive mental health during the lockdown.
God bless you
*NB: If you're sharing your child's work on BGfL365 but DO NOT want it to be displayed on the school's website, please let us know.
Yesterday's message from Mr Gray:
Dear All
I hope you continue to be well. Please do not overly worry about school work, just keep the children and your families safe. For each family, there will be a rhythm that works for you and, as we are possibly closed for a few weeks, it's important to find what is best for your children. As well as the orange packs, we are also seeing children making good use of the BGfL365. As well as the documents in the shared file (Reception children, do check out Ms Llewellyn's bedtime story), we have seen some wonderful work on j2e which is a digital paper on which the children can write, draw, etc. and which staff can see and give feedback. In the shared file, there are also PE activities for the children. If your child makes or does anything, please take a photo and upload on to BGfL for your child's teacher to see.
There is also the website which is being updated regularly by staff.
As the days continue, please remember that, in an emergency, you can contact us in school and we will do our best to help in any way we can.
All the best
Dear All
I hope you continue to be well. Please do not overly worry about school work, just keep the children and your families safe. For each family, there will be a rhythm that works for you and, as we are possibly closed for a few weeks, it's important to find what is best for your children. As well as the orange packs, we are also seeing children making good use of the BGfL365. As well as the documents in the shared file (Reception children, do check out Ms Llewellyn's bedtime story), we have seen some wonderful work on j2e which is a digital paper on which the children can write, draw, etc. and which staff can see and give feedback. In the shared file, there are also PE activities for the children. If your child makes or does anything, please take a photo and upload on to BGfL for your child's teacher to see.
There is also the website which is being updated regularly by staff.
As the days continue, please remember that, in an emergency, you can contact us in school and we will do our best to help in any way we can.
All the best
Yesterday's message from Mr Gray:
Dear All,
We hope everyone is safe and well. We are starting to hear of adult family members being ill and we pray for their recovery.
Thank you for all you're doing for the children. Please do not worry too much about doing school work: find the balance that is right for your child. If your child does do some work and shares it with us on the BGfL365 system, we will read it and give feedback. I know that some children have had technical issues and we have passed these on to Birmingham City Council who operate the BGfL. Do not worry if you have problems with BGfL as there is plenty of work here, on our website - just look at your year group page (See YEAR GROUP tab above).
We are really grateful to everyone for finding childcare. Over the last two days, we have had no children in school which means that staff are not having to travel in, risking themselves and their families. We will remain open for key workers who have no alternative childcare solution. Our phones will be staffed everyday for any family who find themselves in crisis. Packed lunches are available for families eligible for free school meals who book on Squid but once again do everything you can to avoid going out until the lockdown is lifted.
God bless you.
Dear All,
We hope everyone is safe and well. We are starting to hear of adult family members being ill and we pray for their recovery.
Thank you for all you're doing for the children. Please do not worry too much about doing school work: find the balance that is right for your child. If your child does do some work and shares it with us on the BGfL365 system, we will read it and give feedback. I know that some children have had technical issues and we have passed these on to Birmingham City Council who operate the BGfL. Do not worry if you have problems with BGfL as there is plenty of work here, on our website - just look at your year group page (See YEAR GROUP tab above).
We are really grateful to everyone for finding childcare. Over the last two days, we have had no children in school which means that staff are not having to travel in, risking themselves and their families. We will remain open for key workers who have no alternative childcare solution. Our phones will be staffed everyday for any family who find themselves in crisis. Packed lunches are available for families eligible for free school meals who book on Squid but once again do everything you can to avoid going out until the lockdown is lifted.
God bless you.
Please read below the latest update on the crisis from Mr Gray:
Please support your child to wash his or her hands thoroughly and frequently. If your child runs a temperature or has a new persistent, dry cough, you should care for her/him at home for 7 days. You do not need to visit a GP or hospital nor phone NHS111 unless the condition worsens. School will only close if there is a confirmed case among the children or staff and we need to undertake a deep clean or if the Government shuts all schools. Thank you for your support.
For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public
For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public
