It has been lovely to welcome the children back after half-term… although many classes were sadly depleted due to much illness! This has been a real shame as this half-term we were ready to really ‘get stuck in’ to our learning and teachers had planned all the new concepts and topics ready to deliver from Monday.
We realise that this term will be difficult for everyone as the winter viruses seem to be encroaching on us sooner than ever and of course we also have the threat of COVID pushing ever closer. This week we have been informed of 6 new cases within our school community (parents and children) so we have to ensure we are always on our guard. We have been told by Public Health that the hospitals are really busy and especially Blackpool Vic – not entirely with COVID, but with all the other winter borne viruses.
We need to try and do anything we can to bring the case rates down. This means going into winter with a bit of caution, doing our bit for infection control, wearing a facemask in indoor crowded places or public transport, washing your hands, getting vaccinated and also getting the booster if you are invited to do so, which is really important.
The vaccine van is still doing its rounds, the information is on the council website - Vaccine Van (blackpool.gov.uk). This can distribute vaccines to those 16 plus and also 1st, 2nd and Booster doses. In school we are ensuring our classes are regularly washing their hands at each change (ie coming into/leaving the class, dining hall, PE etc) We are also continuing to enforce the ‘Catch it, Bin it, Kill it’ rules with the children by ensuring there are plenty of boxes of tissues available for the children throughout the day.
Schools are also being informed by Public Health that we should be urging families where ANY member tests positive for Coronavirus (on a Lateral Flow or PCR test), that ALL other family members should take themselves for a PCR test to ensure the virus hasn’t spread to other members of the household. Schools have to send specific details of any cases to Public Health on a daily basis, so please bear with us if we have to ask several questions to find the information we need!
PLEASE, PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU DO INFORM SCHOOL OF ANY POSITIVE CASES WITHIN THE FAMILY - It is important that we keep evidence of cases within our school community!
Are we getting enough sleep…?
We received information this week that one in four children in the UK are not getting enough sleep. This has been a recent concern in school as this week in particular we have seen many children come into school looking exhausted and openly telling us they feel tired! This worries us all as this has a huge impact on the children’s behaviour and ability to learn, as well as their physical health. Getting enough sleep is the best way to help our immune system stay strong!
There is a free helpline which is run by trained sleep advisors who can talk to young people directly, or parents (they can also talk to parents about their own sleep issues). The helpline is open 5 nights a week, Sunday to Thursday, 7-9pm and the number is 03303 530 541.
You can read more here: https://thesleepcharity.org.uk/national-sleep-helpline/ or see the flyers below!
Sacramental Programme
To clarify for parents, there is a meeting being held at Our Lady’s Parish Hall on Thursday 11th November at 6pm for parents of children in Y4 (or above) who wish for them to undertake the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Fr C Loughran will be leading this meeting and explaining about the application process for the programme for this year.
Finally…
What a week this has been; so many learning opportunities which the children have keenly grasped. We look forward to another six weeks with more of the same!
Enjoy the weekend…
Miss M Haggerty
