Classrooms

Reception Message

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4 years ago
Posted on 28th Jan 2022 by

Reception Star of the week

Mrs Sturrock and Mrs Evans’ star of the week this week is Poppy for being a kind and helpful friend and an excellent role model. Well done Poppy.
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4 years ago
Posted on 25th Jan 2022 by

Safety Online

Dear Parents/Carers,

We are really keen to support in the battle to keep children safe online. We have very many systems in school which mean we have a tight grip on what children can access. Unfortunately, this pandemic has meant that children have been couped up way more than usual over the last 2 years and for many this has meant significantly more time spent on devices. As a parent of teenagers I know how hard it is to keep control of what children do and what they access. We are aware that a significant number of our children have access to apps that have a much older age limit on them. We know from research that the age limits are very much set inline with the maturity levels of children. Miss Newport has arranged some really worthwhile training and support for parents which will be delivered by the NSPCC. We do hope you can attend.

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4 years ago
Posted on 24th Jan 2022 by

Covid update – staff shortages 24.01.2022

Dear Parents/Carers,

Just a quick message to warn everyone that we are suffering very significant staff shortages due to teachers and cover teachers testing positive.

We have managed to cover today by rejigging people, but I just want to make everyone aware that we are potentially looking at having to close a year group and moving them to online learning should we have to.

It is so hard to give much notice for this, as very often we don’t know that staff are not going to be in until the morning they test positive.

I absolutely know how inconvenient this would be for working parents and also know that children get so much more from face-to-face teaching, so we will continue to try our best to keep fully operational.

I just wanted to give parents the heads up so they can start thinking about possible childcare issues should we have to move some children to online learning.

We will of course keep you posted and in the meantime, help us by not risking sending your child to school if they are displaying symptoms and by testing regularly.

Thank you for your ongoing support during this ongoing challenging time.

Miss Cook

Headteacher

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4 years ago
Posted on 21st Jan 2022 by

Reception Star 💫

This week Sebastian is our star for always working so hard everyday. He’s been trying his absolute best in every lesson, every day. He is such a kind friend. You make everyone happy Sebastian ☺️

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4 years ago
Posted on 19th Jan 2022 by

COVID-19 – Changes to self isolation rules

On Thursday 13 January 2022 the health secretary announced changes to isolation rules for people who have tested positive for COVID-19. In order that people who have had and recovered from the virus can get back to their normal lives as soon as possible, isolation time has been cut to 5 full days (from the date of their first positive test) for anyone who has recorded two consecutive daily negative lateral flow tests.

This will help to reduce the disruption the virus causes in schools for both pupils and staff.

But what will this mean in practice for children, families, schools and other education settings? Here we answer your questions.

My child has tested positive for COVID-19 – how long do they have to stay away from school/college for?

All people – including pupils parents and teachers – have to isolate for a minimum of five full days after the day of a positive test before then going back to school if they have tested negative twice.

The first full day of isolation is considered to be the day following the positive test. Following the fifth full day of isolation – on the sixth day – it will be possible for people who have received two negative LFD tests on consecutive days to go back to school.

People who have tested positive can now take two LFD tests on day 5 and day 6, and if both are negative and they do not have a temperature, they can end their self-isolation on day 6 and return to their education setting immediately.

If either test is positive, they should continue to self-isolate until they get negative results from two LFD tests on consecutive days or until they have completed 10 full days of self-isolation, whichever is earliest

In practice it means that if a child or teacher tests positive on a Saturday, that would be considered day 0. They could then take tests on the morning of Thursday (day 5) and Friday (day 6). If they tested negative on both days and did not have a temperature they would be then able to return to school on the Friday.

What about if someone else in the house has tested positive? Can my child go to school/college?

Yes – and they should. They should continue going to school but test daily. If they test positive they should isolate.

What are the rules for teachers and school staff?

They’re exactly the same. If a teacher or member of school staff tests positive they should isolate for at least 5 full days. If they have 2 consecutive daily negative lateral flow tests at that point and no temperature they can and should return to work on day 6. If someone in a teacher’s household has tested positive the teacher should test daily and as long as they are negative they should continue to go to work. If they test positive they should isolate.

What are the rules for early years settings like nurseries and childminders?

They’re the same. If a child or a member of staff tests positive they should isolate for a minimum of 5 full days. If by that point they have recorded two consecutive daily negative lateral flow tests and no temperature they can return to their setting on day 6.
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4 years ago
Posted on 18th Jan 2022 by

Covid Update- 18/01/2022

Dear Parents/Carers,

We are sure that you know that there has been another change to the time that your child needs to self-isolation following a positive PCR or LFT.

The isolation period in total is 10 days, but with the new changes, the time spent isolation may be reduced.  All people – including pupils parents and teachers – have to isolate for a minimum of five full days after the day of a positive test before then going back to school if they have tested negative twice.

The day that the positive LFT is recorded is termed day 0. The day after the result is taken is Day 1. This is important so that the isolation periods are correct.

  • Your child can use a LFT on day 5
  • If this LFT test records a negative result, they continue to self-isolate but then take another LFT test on day 6 – this needs to be 24 hours after the test they took on day 5.
  • If the day 6 LFT test is also negative, they can stop isolating if your child does not have a high temperature. If they do, they must continue to isolate.

Another example may be –

  • Your child can use an LFT on day 5.
  • If the LFT test records a positive result, they continue to isolate and take another LFT test on day 6 – this needs to be 24 hours after the test that was taken on day 5.
  • If the day 6 LFT test records a negative result, they continue to isolate and take a further LFT test on day 7. Again this needs to be 24 hours after the test that was taken on day 5.
  • If the day 7 LFT test records a negative result, they can stop isolating provided they do not have a high temperature.

Another example may also be –

  • If your child continues to test positive after day 7, they should continue to self-isolate until they get negative results from two LFD tests on 24 hours apart or until they have completed 10 full days of self-isolation, whichever is earliest.

All results need to be reported to test and trace. Report a COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test result – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
It is important that you child does not return to school too early as they could still be contagious to others. 

The diagram below sets this guidance out and provides further explanation.

If someone in your household has tested positive or if they are identified as a close contact, your child can still continue to come to school but should LFT daily. If they test positive, please follow the steps above.

Thank you for all of your support – we know it is tough and we want you to know the support it is appreciated by all here at Newdale.

Miss Cook

Headteacher

Newdale Primary School and Nursery

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4 years ago
Posted on 18th Jan 2022 by

Mrs Bishton is leaving Newdale

Dear Parents/Carers,

As much as I would like to retain all members of the fabulous Newdale team, unfortunately I cannot!

It is with huge sadness, but also huge congratulations, that I have to inform you that Mrs Bishton will be leaving us at Easter.

Mrs Bishton has been successful in gaining a really exciting promoted post and I know you will join me in wishing her the very best of luck.

Mrs Bishton joined Newdale in 2007 and has spent the last 8 in the position of Deputy Headteacher. She has made a very significant contribution to so many areas of our school development and her experience in education will be gratefully received across very many other schools in her new role.

We have already put plans in place to ensure continued stability when she leaves.

Kind regards,

Miss Cook

Headteacher