Updates from Mrs Norden

Whilst we have been busily joining in with World Book day and other activities this week, we have also been mindful of current affairs internationally.

Our thoughts are with all those affected by the escalating conflict in the Ukraine, and recognise that this is within our local community as well as.  We have been heartened by how our local communities have come together, particularly in support of the collections being made by local churches. 

We have been supporting children, age appropriately, with their concerns and questions using resources recommended and disseminated to us by the DfE and the Local Authority.  Please use the links in the box below to access these to support any questions, anxieties and concerns which may be raised at home.

Unfortunately, Covid cases have risen to the worst we have seen across the school in the last two years.  Covid most definitely has not disappeared for us and this, plus other illnesses, has had a huge impact in particular on staffing this week. Absence have reached 20% of our school population and external supply has been almost impossible to access. I am very grateful for the whole school staff for giving extra hours, swapping roles, stepping in at short notice and adjusting provision to ensure all classes and settings have continued with in person provision.  I also send my thanks to preschool parents for supporting our need for reduced capacity over the last two days.

We have done incredibly well over the last two years but since returning from the half-term break our Covid numbers have meant we are now experiencing what many other schools have faced frequently before.  It is therefore really important for us to continue all our safety measures - many of which we have enhanced in school for those classes where Covid cases are 10% or more.

Please can we ask for your continued support in this matter in particular maintaining distances, our one-way system (we are seeking to improve the path from the back gate to the paved path on the village field) and being vigilant should your child/ren show any of the symptoms we are seeing in our positive cases (headache, upset stomach, vomiting, temperature).

                                                                                                                                                   _{Anna-Claire Norden
                                                                                                                                                                 Headteacher}

Resources referenced in headteacher update:

• British Psychological Society - Supporting children to manage anxiety over war, conflict and crises
• KQED - War, Crisis, Tragedy: How to talk with kids when the news is scary
• Newsround - Advice if you're upset by the news (BBC)
• Mental Health Foundation - Talking to your children scary world news
• Helping your kids cope with seeing distressing news online (BBC)

Click here to see our World Book Day photo gallery!

Year 3.4 have been exploring volcanic eruptions. Click here to see photos and videos!

Covid Update:

1. In school systems:

a). Staff wearing masks in communal areas and when entering the work/learning spaces of others.

b). One-way system for drop off and collection.

c). Maintaining distancing when moving around the premises to reduce transmission.

d). Only visitors who support curriculum and special needs provision, or to carryout essential premises work, will be allowed in the building.

e). No planned indoor events.

2. In line with the DfE/UKHSA:  "a pupil with the key symptoms of COVID-19 should not attend the school, given the potential risk to others". Pupils with a confirmed case of Covid, "should not attend school while infectious and should take an LFD test from 5 days after their symptoms started (or the day their test was taken if they did not have symptoms) followed by another one the next day. If both test results are negative, they should return to their school if they normally attend one, as long as they feel well enough to do so and do not have a temperature."

3. If a child has Covid symptoms we will ask you to collect them and take them for a test.  The LA request that a PCR is taken to support data gathering to understand the national and local situations.  

4. Where there is a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19, we are able to refuse entry to school to protect other pupils and staff from possible infection with COVID-19.

PTA Fundraising

As part of the PTA fundraising we now have an Amazon wish list, which has a range of books we would like to purchase for the school.  If you would like ot donate by buying us a book then please go to the list sharing page here.  We will add a template to the inside cover of the book to highlight your donation unless you instruct us otherwise.

If this is successful we will add more items to the list.

Please note that when you click the link the page will show Mrs Whislter's name with 'Swavesey School Wish List' underneath.