Dear all

 

This is from a teacher in China reflecting on lock down 

 

It has been a while since my last post ...

We are just finishing our 7th week of E-Learning, seven weeks of being mainly housebound and seven weeks of uncertainty. We are healthy, we are happy, and we are humbled.

We are allowed to move around freely now with a green QR code that we show when we get our temperature taken. You get your temperature taken everywhere, and it's just become part of the routine. 

Most restaurants and shopping centres are now open, and life is coming back to our city. As we watch the rest of the world begin their time inside; here are some of my reflections on the last seven weeks:

1. Accept that you have no control over the situation. Let go of any thoughts of trying to plan too much for the next month or two. Things change so fast. Don't be angry and annoyed at the system. Anxiety goes down, and you make the best of the situation - whatever that might be for you. Accept that this is what it is and things will get easier. 

2. Try not to listen to/read/watch too much media. It WILL drive you crazy. There is a thing as too much! 

3. The sense of community I have felt during this time is incredible. I could choose who I wanted to spend my energy on - who I wanted to call, message and connect with and found the quality of my relationships has improved.

4. Appreciate this enforced downtime. When do you ever have time like this? I will miss it when we go back to the fast-paced speed of the 'real world'.

5. Time goes fast. I still haven't picked up the ukelele I planned to learn, and there are box set TV shows I haven't watched yet.

6. As a teacher, the relationships I have built with my students have only continued to grow. I have loved seeing how independent they are; filming themselves to respond to tasks while also learning essential life skills such as balance, risk-taking and problem-solving that even we as adults are still learning.

7. You learn to appreciate the little things; sunshine through the window, flowers blossoming and being able to enjoy a coffee in a cafe. To those just beginning this journey, you will get through it. Listen to what you are told, follow the rules and look out for each other. 

Yours always

Mrs Perry :)) x

My dear parents and carers (and my wonderful children of course)

I am so proud of you all. This week has been very difficult for all of us and we  are beginning to get used to working at home. I am working at home today myself, because no children have come to school yesterday or today. I predict that there will be no children in school tomorrow either. This is because of the commitment you are showing to the safety of the children, parents and staff of St. Margaret's . I cannot thank you enough.

I am in constant touch with colleagues about the provision that can be made for those parents needing a school place for their child in the coming weeks. This is evolving  daily but slowly. 

Please be re-assured (If you can be in these changing times!). I am the Chair Person over all the Head Teachers of Bury, I have the ear of people at the highest level in Bury Council. I am not saying this to sound grand. I am telling you this because it means that:

1. I am telling the council our concerns and shaping their responses and,therefore, our future;

2. I have conference calls with them regularly to share our concerns;

3. I can give you the most up to date information from our council.

It may feel like we are being left in limbo. Please don't think that.

Bury Council are working extremely hard to support all of us. They have a very big picture to think of.

I have been in touch with a very trusted colleague today. She has sent me her friend's thoughts from China. She is a teacher and this has deep meaning for me, for as you know my daughter is a Reception Teacher in Beijing. I am sending her thoughts to you soon.

I miss you all very much and hope that you are all safe.

Lots of love.

Mrs. Perry :)

Dear St. Margaret’s children and parents/carers

In most fairy tales, the characters in a book need to solve or overcome a problem. There is always a happy ending where things end up better than they were before. This is one of those times. For a while we are going on a journey which will mean we need to stay apart until things are made better and we can come back together again.
I know lots of you are worried about a bug that is making people sick. Our wonderful doctors and nurses are working very hard to make people better and find a cure.
The people in charge of our country think they can look after us better and find the cure quicker if we stay apart for a while. So we must be brave and do what they say.
Your teachers will be teaching and caring for you in a different way for a while. They have provided work for you to do and will give you ideas of what you can carry on doing on our website and the hub- please ask a grown up to look regularly.
Keep working hard, try your best and talk about your worries.
Your teacher will understand if you are finding this all hard as they are too.
Listen to your family and remember to be kind to each other. Please help with jobs around the house and remember that this will only be for a while.
Before you know it, we will be back at school, learning, playing and having fun together.
We will miss you all very much and will be thinking about you and hoping that you and your family are well every day.
Sending lots of love and best wishes

 

God bless

Mrs. Perry

Afternoon everyone

I hope the home schooling is going well?? We have an extremely small number of children in school - I predict there will be ONE tomorrow!!

Thank you so much for all your efforts in keeping your children at home. Mrs. Barnes and I have been working hard to get vouchers sent to the children needing a Free School Meal, so I hope that will be with you very shortly.

Mrs. Launders has had great fun this afternoon playing hide and seek with the six children present today in the woods.

Coach Leon and I treated them to a workout with Joe this morning. I think it's fair to say that we all need to work on our fitness. Try it out at home. :)

God bless.

Mrs Perry

Hi All

It's not taken long for the scammers to start.

The DfE have been informed that some parents have received an email stating the following:

'As schools will be closing, if you're entitled to free school meals, please send your bank details and we'll make sure you're supported'.

DfE have confirmed that this is a scam email and is not official.

We urge you to inform parents that if you receive any emails like this, please do not respond, and delete it immediately.
 

Dear Parents

I hope that you are all well and that you have had a restful weekend. School feels very strange today. Four children are here with (currently) five staff!!

The Local Authority have contacted our kitchen staff and told them that from Wednesday a packed lunch will be available for the very small number attending school, who are entitled to a Free School Meal. It is likely that we will have to pick them up from Parrenthorn High School.

All other children entitled to a FSM will be provided with vouchers. I am still unsure how this will work as yet.

I will keep you all updated as often as I can. Things are changing very quickly, just to keep me on my toes.

Mrs. Perry :)

Dear Parents and Carers

Thank you for all your support at this most difficult time. You have been fabulous and I wish you well in the coming weeks.

School is now closed to all children unless parents are Key Workers and there is absolutely no other options open to you regarding child care. This is to maximise the health and safety of your children and school staff.

Parents who have requested a place in school next week have contacted me, as requested by 4pm today and have been responded to.

Please do not turn up on Monday assuming that there will be a place in school for your child. Staff have been allocated according to the demand from parents at the deadline of 4pm today, If you are not a Key Worker your child must remain at home.

I realise that this is a particularly difficult time for all of us.  Lets work together, be strong and beat this virus so that our school can be together again as soon as possible.
If you do need to contact school then please use the school email- stmargarets@bury.gov.uk.
Best wishes to you all.

Mrs Perry

 

 

 

Dear Parents and Carers,

Following the Government’s announcement in the early hours of this morning, please see below their decision:

‘Schools, colleges and early year’s settings will be closed to everyone except children of key workers and vulnerable children from Monday, as part of the country’s ongoing response to coronavirus.

Children who do not fall into these groups MUST remain at home with appropriate care.’

Children with asthma or underlying medical conditions like diabetes or heart conditions must not be in school as it an additional risk to their health.

Even for Key Workers, children will be only considered to be eligible for a place if there is no other alternative for childcare.

Key Workers are people who work in these critical sectors:

1. Health and social care
2. Education and childcare
3. Key public services
4. Local and national government
5. Food and other necessary goods.
6. Public safety and national security.
7. Transport
8. Utilities, communication and financial services.

Further guidance is available on the Government website.

My aim as Head Teacher is to reduce the possibility of spreading the virus, whilst providing support to the families who genuinely need it. The fewer children making the journey to school, and the fewer children in educational settings, the lower the risk that the virus can spread and infect vulnerable individuals in the wider society.

In order to assist me in planning ahead, you MUST let me know if you need to consider sending your child to school during the closure period.  I anticipate that there will be a very small number of children in school. Teaching the National Curriculum will, therefore, be suspended and children will not be taught in year groups.

Our school is currently operating using a skeleton staff for the foreseeable future. Your child will not be cared for by their usual teacher.

To support children eligible for free school meals, schools will be able to purchase meals or vouchers from supermarkets or local shops. How this may be done is not clear yet and further announcements are expected later today. In an emergency, I will let you know if you need to send a packed lunch with your child.

I will be contacting parents today and keeping you all updated on school arrangements. At this point, many things are very unclear, but I will keep you updated as the picture becomes clearer.

Work for your child is available on the website and will be updated on at least a weekly basis.

Please support the school during this very difficult time. Contact school if you believe you are eligible for a place on Monday, by 4pm today. DO NOT JUST ARRIVE AND EXPECT A PLACE. If parents arrive with children and they are not a Key Worker they will be sent home. Please do not put school in that position.

School staff are willing to support your families through this terrible time of national emergency and as a result are at increased risk themselves. We too have young children, families and elderly parents that we are worrying about

Closing the school gives me great sorrow and regret. I will miss you all over the coming weeks. Keep safe and well. God Bless.

Mrs.K. Perry

20.3.2020 at 10.30am

 

 

Dear Parents

 

This is the latest release from the local authority.

 

Whilst the government has not yet released the key worker information the indications are that this will be for:

 

• Frontline NHS staff
• Teachers who are providing continued support
• Food Retailers
• Lorry drivers
• Some transport workers
• Children’s social care
• Care staff

 

This List is not exhaustive but it should only be those parents who have to be in work and have no other suitable carers for their children.

 

We will update/refine this list when we have further clarification.

 

Many Thanks

Mrs Perry    19.3.2020.   2pm

 

 

 

Dear Parents and Carers,

Following the Government’s announcement last night, please see below their decision:

‘Schools, colleges and early year’s settings will be closed to everyone except children of key workers and vulnerable children from Monday, as part of the country’s ongoing response to coronavirus.

Examples of these workers include NHS staff, police and supermarket delivery drivers who need to be able to go to work. Vulnerable children include those who have a social worker and those with Education, Health and Care Plans.

A full list of key worker categories will be published by the Cabinet Office today.

Children who do not fall into these groups should remain at home with appropriate care.’

Please be advised that both parents need to be key workers in order to be eligible for school. Wherever possible can alternative family members be considered for childcare? My aim as Head Teacher is to reduce the possibility of spreading the virus, whilst providing support to the families who need it.

In order to assist me in planning ahead, please could you let me know if you need to consider sending your child to school during the closure period? I anticipate that there will be a very small number of children in school. Teaching the National Curriculum will, therefore, be suspended and children will not be taught in year groups.

Our school is currently operating using a skeleton staff for the foreseeable future. Your child may not be cared for by their usual teacher.

To support children eligible for free school meals, schools will be able to purchase meals or vouchers from supermarkets or local shops. How this may be done is not clear yet and further announcements are expected.

I will be contacting parents today and keeping you all updated on school arrangements. At this point, many things are very unclear, but i will keep you updated as the picture becomes clearer.

 

 

Mrs. Perry