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St Margaret's C of E Primary School

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Latest News

Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

  • Sunday 17th May

    Sun 17 May 2020

    Dear Parents and Carers

    I hope you have all had a good weekend? As you can imagine, I have been giving significant thought to how to safely re-open school  for the Year 6, Reception and Year 1 parents who want their child to return before September.

    I am currently working closely with Year  6 parents and carers and sharing the 'detail' with them. Once this has happened then I will turn to Reception and Year 1. I know that you have lots of questions, but just for now I may not be able to answer them all  on a daily basis as I have been doing for the last two months. I will return to answering you when I can.

    I do miss your pictures though :)

    At home all my flowers are beginning to grow - slowly and some not at all :((

    The fish are doing ok tho:))

    Lots of love to you in these very difficult times.

    Mrs. Perry. 

    Am off to watch Waterloo Road - what happened to Miss Mason after the building fell on her? Most of you are too young to know!!. 

  • Fri 15th May

    Fri 15 May 2020

    Hi to all Parents and Carers

    Tonight I have sent you a long email. I have thought long and hard about what to say. In this letter I am beginning to outline to you the provision I think school can safely make to re-open school for your child. 

    I know that you will not all be happy with the school's offer. However, this offer is being made with all our welfare in mind.

    I will be in touch again very soon.

    Mrs. Perry. 

    God Bless.

     

     

     

     

     

    15th May 2020

     

    Dear St Margaret’s Parents and Carers,

     

    Apologies for this lengthy letter. This is the most difficult letter I have ever had to write to parents and yet it is the most important for all our well-being.  It has been eight weeks since the announcement was made that schools across the United Kingdom would be closed for the majority of pupils. Staff have continued to work throughout this period, providing home learning opportunities and support; along with communication links with parents and children.

     

    We miss our St Margaret’s family immensely. We are looking forward to the day that we can be all back together. But your safety and that of our staff team is the utmost priority.

     

    As you will be aware, the Prime Minister announced on Sunday 10th May that primary schools in England may begin to open in a limited capacity from June 1st for pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6.

     

    A 50-page Government document and publications from the Department for Education was made available from Monday and continue to be developed on a daily basis. We are looking closely at these documents, digesting the content and communicating with Bury Local Authority on a daily basis in order to begin to consider the options available to us. Any proposals will have huge implications for us all as parents, employees and employers and it will not meet the needs of every household. What will underpin any decision made, is the safety and well-being of our pupils, staff and community.

     

    It is important that school shares with you our initial thoughts on how to move forward.

     

    Firstly, these are some of the headlines from Sunday and Monday’s Government announcements:

    • Schools may begin to reopen from 1st June for Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 in limited numbers, if the conditions are right and the ‘R’ remains below 1.
    • The aim is for all primary pupils to spend a month in school before the summer break – this being kept under review.
    • Childcare provision will still be made available for children of key workers as currently permitted.
    • Children will be in smaller groups / classes of 15 pupils, maximum. Children should stay within their new group. At St. Margaret’s the number will be 8 as a maximum due to the size of the rooms available.
    • It is important that contact between children and staff is reduced as far as possible. This means that staff will not work with children in the usual and casual way.
    • Where settings can keep children and young people in small groups 2 metres away from each other, they should do so.
    • Outdoor space to be utilised where possible. Any equipment used will need to be cleaned after each use. This will clearly be weather dependent.

     

    In reality, this is what we face at St Margaret’s:

    • Each Key Stage 2 classroom made available for Year 6 can fit 8 pupils in, with social distancing (2m) in place as much as possible and one member of staff.
    • There are 105 pupils in R, 1 and 6. Each year group requires 4 rooms. We have 8 classrooms in school – the maths demonstrates that we cannot host all the identified year groups in school at the same time.
    • Add to 105 pupils, the number of keyworker children that would be in school for childcare. At least one other classroom will be needed to host them.
    • A number of staff are classified as vulnerable and will not be able to return to work.
    • Children will not have the same member of staff every day and it will not be your child’s usual class teacher who teaches them.
    • We do not yet know the plans for the kitchens to open to provide meals for your child.
    • School does not yet know what plans are made by Bury Cleaning Services to ensure that the building is suitably cleaned at the end of each day. I know my team are very dedicated and they will try their very best, with the deeper cleaning of rooms.
    • The school is being asked to provide three functions simultaneously: Childcare for keyworker children, education in school for some year groups and provide / support home learning for those pupils not in school. I think you would agree this is a challenge if not impossible.

     

    We simply do not have the staffing and space available to provide all the above safely and effectively at the same time.

     

    It is important for you to be aware that:

    • Even if your child is in the identified year groups set by the Government they will not be starting back at school on June 1st. In the week beginning 1.6.2020 staff will be in school being trained in our systems to keep your child safe and defining our curriculum offer.
    • Pupils may not be returning to school for the full day or full week or for the full half term.
    • There may need to be time allocated within the week for deeper cleaning of rooms and equipment.
    • Drop off and collection times will be staggered to support social distancing measures. We will ensure that siblings are assigned the same times. Social distancing measures will need to be in place for drop off and collection times.
    • There will be no provision of childcare or supervision before 9am or after 3.30pm.
    • Children will work in groups. They may not be with their chosen friend although we will try our best to arrange this.
    • Once children are assigned to their groups and rooms, they will have to stay in their groups, in an allocated seat in the same room throughout these measures, including over lunchtimes.  
    • The Government have accepted that social distance measures (2 metre distancing) cannot be achieved throughout the school and at all times of the day; particularly with our little ones – we are dealing with children after all. As head teacher, I am being honest when I say that under these circumstances I cannot guarantee social distancing will be observed and therefore I cannot guarantee your child’s safety. Our Governing Body is considering its response on this very issue.
    • There will be reduced equipment available for Early Years children to play and learn with, in order to comply with safety and cleaning guidelines. There will not be free flow continuous provision – Early Years pupils may be assigned an area and equipment each day, in order to manage regular cleaning and minimise cross contamination. Your child will not return to the provision they are used to. (Sorry to say)
    • We will not be returning to a school timetable, curriculum or teaching style that was in place prior to school closure.
    • A return to school in any form will result in changes to the current arrangements for home learning, because all staff will be in school.
    • If you would like your child to wear a face covering in the classroom or around the school environment, it would be worth them starting to wear and get used to it now, around their home and out on their daily exercise. Children must be able to independently put their face covering on and we cannot enforce this in school. Face coverings have not been deemed as compulsory or a requirement for staff or children by the Government, but staff or children may choose to wear it.
    • Any outbreak of COVID-19 in school will result in school closure for at least two weeks

     

    Therefore, I am asking for your help in the following ways:

    • Please do not make plans based upon children in YR, Y1 and Y6 returning to school, fulltime on the 1st June. This is not going to happen. The earliest return for Year 6 will be the 8th June. More details will follow specific to Year 6 as soon as possible.
    • Give school the time needed to devise an approved plan and risk assessments based upon DFE, Public Health England, Health and Safety, Local Authority and Teaching Union guidance. You will be updated as often as possible.
    • Thank you for supporting the decisions made by the school, in order to manage the safety of pupils and staff during this pandemic. Planning and risk assessments have the absolute priority of keeping everyone safe and complying with our duties as an employer for our workplace.

     

    In order for school to start our planning and risk assessment process, we would like to know if you would be intending or considering whether to send your child in to school, if it was open to do so before the summer break.  We will begin with, Year 6 then Reception and Year 1. This will allow us to know provisional numbers and inform our plans. Please send your message to stmargarets@bury.gov.uk. This is not formally committing your child’s attendance. If we do not receive a message regarding your child, we will consider this as an indication of not returning before the start of the new academic year. If we are in a position to expand opening to pupils in other year groups, we will gather this information at that point in time.

     

    The decision as to whether your child returns to school lies with you as parents. It is a decision that many of our staff are having to make about their children too.

    Please continue to take care. We are missing you all dearly and look forward to seeing you during safer times. To re-iterate, this is most difficult, yet most important message, I have ever sent to my parents in my whole career at St. Margaret’s.

     

    Yours sincerely,

     

    Mrs. Perry – Head Teacher since September 2004

    Mr. A. Longworth – Deputy Head Teacher

    Mrs. Louisa Murphy – Chair of Governors

     

     

     

     

  • Thursday 14 May 20

    Thu 14 May 2020

    Dear Parents and Carers

     

    I was in school today and I was so pleased to be able to speak to a number of you in person. This was because you were out for a walk and just passing.  I ran down to the end of the path , so don't worry I was def socially distancing. It was so lovely to see you. I now have someone researching how to grow peas for me and another little guy who wants some of my sunflowers. 

    I have been been working really hard today to put a letter together for you all to try to explain the way forward for St. Margaret's. I have to admit that I am finding this to be the most challenging task in my 30 years + of teaching. 

    Your class teachers are concerned as are you.  

    I will tell you my plans asap and by early next week, so that you can decide what you want to do as parents.

    I have already had many parents saying that they are not happy to send their children in to school. They are apologising to me. 

    Please DO NOT. I understand. I know that you want to keep your children safe. 

    That is what I want too.

    Mrs. Perry

    :)

    Up to date information  tomorrow.

    I am in trouble now as Charlotte is making my tea and she is putting it out!!!!

    She is putting on Waterloo Road. Yes!!

  • Wednesday 13th May

    Wed 13 May 2020

    Hi to all Parents and  Carers

    I do hope that you all have had a lovely day. I am very busy following the PM interesting announcement on Sunday. Pleased be re-assured. St. Margaret's will open to children when I am happy that it is safe to do so. Mr. Longworth, Mrs. Barnes and I have been talking about it ALL day !!!!Yes.... ALL day. We found some old chocolates in Mrs. Barnes draw to help us get through. They were a bit mouldy but Mr. Longworth ate them any way. (Don't tell him I told you though;)

    He also has a constant stash of crisps I am finding  hard to resist!! 

    The weather has been quite good considering that it was supposed to be really cold all week. I have planted some new things in my back garden and I am especially pleased with my peas (which I have never grown before). Can anyone tell me how to grow peas once they grow tall? Also, I have about thirty sunflower seedlings that will need planting in soil soon. I planted them for you guys. Does anyone want any.?? If they are ready I will bring them to school next week, but you will need to bring a pot of soil!!

    Lots of love to you all

    Missed you today in school

    Mrs. P :(

  • Tuesday 12 May 20

    Tue 12 May 2020
    ?Afternoon everyone :)

    I have had lots of emails from children today, telling me what they are up to.: eating honey on toast; playing football; going for a walk and clearing the garden.

    I have had lots of comments and concerns from parents as well, following on from the Government's 'plan' on Sunday. I am working hard with Governors and Mr. Longworth to see how, and indeed whether, the Governments plan is achievable. I am speaking again to Bury Local Authority this Friday. The aim is to formulate a plan for Bury Schools. Please do not be concerned right now about future plans as they are not defined yet.

    The Government guidelines still say that the health and safety of everyone in school is at the forefront of their plans so this is what I am working on, and will always be my 'bottom line'.

    I think the worst thing at the moment is that the PM's plan is not specific. Schools MAY return on 1st June at the earliest, for example. There is so much that we do not know. So!!! If we don't know, please do not worry  until I find out!! (Which I will).

    Keep safe and well. Mrs. Perry :)

    God bless xx

  • 2nd Post On Monday 11th May

    Mon 11 May 2020

    Hi to everyone :))

    I thought I would end the day on a positive note.  To all my wonderful children. I am so proud of you and all the work you are trying to complete. Please remember that the most important thing is to keep safe and happy. Do not get stressed about finishing everything that is put out for you on the website. Your teachers are only trying to give you plenty to do IF YOU WANT TO. No one will be left behind. When school gets back to normal (and it will some day) then we will help you to catch up on anything you are struggling with.

    I have had a long meeting with Bury Local Authority this afternoon, with some of my trusted Head Teacher colleagues. We have been talking about the Prime Minister's announcement last night.No decisions have been made, only this, that schools will move forward with the best interests of Bury children and families at heart.

    Keep safe and well.

    Lots of love,

    Mrs P :)

  • Monday 11th May

    Mon 11 May 2020
    Dear Parents and Carers
    After the Prime Minister's announcement last night I am sure that you have many questions. At this stage I will not be able to answer them all and I am waiting to receive more information from the Government about what this means for St. Margaret's children and families. In the short term, nothing has changed. I will provide more information as soon as I am able to do so.
    My 'bottom line' remains the same - the safety of everyone in our school community is paramount.
    Keep safe and well.
    Mrs. Perry :)

  • Friday 8th May

    Fri 08 May 2020

    Hi everyone

    I wasn't going to email you today as it is a Bank Holiday. BUT I just wanted to say 'Have a lovely VE Day.' The news all day has been so heartening and inspiring. 

    Goodness knows what all those still with us think 75 years down the line.

    My mum was 7 when the war started. I told you my grandad was a miner. They lived in Newcastle, which was big in coal and in shipbuilding. My grandad was highly trained in that he was the one who wound the lift down to the bottom of the pit. So he stayed at home and helped get the coal to keep industry going. My grandad decided that my mum was not going to be evacuated and that if anything happened, 'it would happen to all of them'. She did not go to school for two years (so we have a way to go to keep up on that one!) and she didn't see any friends as they all were evacuated.  My mum tells me that one of her biggest problems was that there was no chocolate to buy. She likes her chocolate, does my mum. When the war was over the first chocolate she had was a Crunchie. :)

    Mum remembers the zeppelins over the river Tyne. ​They were there to put off the German aircraft that were trying to bomb the shipyards. When I was a very little girl, my grandad used to take me to Newcastle (Wallsend actually.... it is where the Roman wall ends .... hence Walls End :) to stay for the week and I remember being utterly fascinated with the huge shipyards which even then were declining. He took me to the local park where I can particularly remember enjoying paddling in the swimming pool, apart from when I got stung by a wasp.

    When we went on holiday to Wallsend, my grandad took me to Whitley Bay where I went on the Shuggy Boats and on the horses along the beach.

    I really hope you have a lovely VE Day. Be strong and safe.

    Mrs. P :)

  • Thursday 7th May

    Thu 07 May 2020

    Hi to all Parents and Carers

    I hope you have had a lovely day?? 

    Please think about sending stories in about your relatives and join in on our VE Day Celebration. We will collate your information and when we are back in school we will display it all ... not sure about the details yet, but I think it would be a heartfelt tribute.

    Aldi bags cut up can make great bunting apparently as they are red, white and blue. :) Mrs. Hadfield says so !!!

     

    Put bunting up outside your houses and outside school if you want.

    I wish you all a happy bank holiday and I hope we are together again really soon.

    Mrs. P :)

  • Wednesday 6th May

    Wed 06 May 2020

    Hi to all Parents and Carers

     I have been in school today to get more work to take home. The end of break bell has just gone!! LOL. Dennis the caretaker is here too and he is painting Mrs. Barnes Office in some pebble colour.

    It is all very strange to be here without you all, but Year 6 have been popping up to get their next book to read. It's called 'Journey to the River Sea', so I hope they all like it. It was lovely to see the children and parents. Everyone seems to be happy and enjoying being and working at home. One dad even came to school on his skateboard. Now that is impressive! (I could never master the art of skateboarding myself!).

    I did my first TEAMS meeting this morning. it went as well as the chemist visit yesterday! I spent an hour and a half where I could see everyone else and hear them, but they couldn't see or hear me!! I tried everything to no avail.Hey, hey, never mind.

    Year 6 parents tell me that they enjoy my daily ramblings. I am so glad and I love hearing about what you have been doing as well, so keep telling me please. I am off home in a bit. I think I might go for a run in the park so you never know I might see some of you?? Maybe I can do a run without something going not quite right.

    Lots of love

    Mrs Perry:

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