Dear Parent/Carers,

We are looking forward to having all ‘bubbles’ back in school on Monday, after a period of isolation for both Year 6 and Nursery. We are delighted that the systems in place meant that the virus did not spread further throughout our school or further within the bubbles.

Fingers crossed that we don’t have to close any further ‘bubbles’ moving forward. We know how disruptive this is to children, parents, employers and teachers.

As you know, it is so important that you keep a really careful eye on the health of your family. The Rapid Lateral Flow testing centre at Oakengates is open for all residents of Telford and please remember you don’t have to be showing symptoms in order to book a test https://rapidtest.telford.gov.uk

All staff are currently getting tested once or twice a week in order to give colleagues, parents and themselves some self-assurance. The national staff testing initiative launches on Monday. All staff will test at home, twice a week and be duty bound to send results. This we know will again strengthen our drive to keep the virus at bay.

We are delighted in the uptake of online learning and look forward to reading your comments in our parent survey that closes at noon today https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=2s8TOK9SpUy44yMVeXcKujfWR1zrUJ1JhQgacqv0-RBUQUcwTEc3ODlOMlhIMjEyRVVUTVFaVUwzTS4u

As ever, if you are struggling with devices or connection please ring us and we will do all we can to help. Paper packs are being phased out and only used in an absolute emergency for those who really cannot get online. Online paper packs simply cannot support progress anywhere near as much as the live teacher sessions.

Some staff have reported that a few children in the same year group are accessing the sessions from one house. Under lock down rules there is a ‘childcare support bubble’ element, but please only use this if you really have to. This rule applies for drop off and collection too. We are finding that some parents are allowing other parents to collect their children. In order to keep the virus from spreading, we need to be as strict as we possibly can please.

Figures in Telford are coming down, but unfortunately it is at rather a slow rate. The fact still remains that the Early Years and Primary age group of children still show the lowest number of positive cases across the borough.

As you know it is a team effort and I can assure that ‘Team Newdale’ are all over doing their bit!

Stay safe everyone.

Miss  Cook

Headteacher