School Events
We have all missed so many things with regards our school community this year. In particular in being unable to get together to share our end of year events. Some of you have already shared your feelings with me. This reflects just how we all feel inside the building too. I know being able to gather once again and to share those precious moments of prayer and celebration will remind us all not to take them for granted in the future; I certainly will not.
Year 6 - Our Year 6 children have auditioned and been rehearsing for an end of year performance over the past week (a lovely reminder of what the children love about Year 6, and definitely a little piece of normality) We cannot have large groups in our hall and therefore cannot share this ‘live’ with the rest of the school or parents, but the children are excited about filming and editing the performance so that school and families can see them perform. We can’t wait to share special times again with all our families. There are lots of special events prepared for the children and Miss Slater, Mrs Murray and I want to ensure we prepare and undertake each one with everyone’s safety at the forefront of all of our minds. Miss Slater will be sending out a letter next week to detail some of the exciting things planned to celebrate our Year 6’s time at Our Lady’s and wish them well for the next stage in their lives.
Y6 Transition - As parents will be aware, all transition visits to high schools have been cancelled due to the rising infection rates in our area. However, I do want to reassure you all that the High Schools are working really closely with us so that the children will receive videos, calls and a variety of information from their prospective high schools and they will certainly be given all the information they need in order to begin Y7. Miss Slater is personally meeting with, or speaking to, teachers from each of the destination schools in order to pass on as much information as she can.
Sports Days - All our children will enjoy their own bubble sports afternoon, with stickers, medals (and ice lollies at the end). We know this is normally an event which you love to watch and as this isn’t currently possible we promise to provide you with a real taste of your children competing and will be taking lots of photographs for you to see - and of course we will report on the winning Houses from KS1 & KS2! . (Keep an eye on your child’s class blog)
End of year reports - are being completed by your child’s class teacher and will be sent home for you 9th July.
Keeping Safe - Making decisions which impact on a whole community has been so difficult at times for the governors and I: as we all know, it is rarely possible to meet the needs of everyone, and we do our utmost to make the best possible choices taking into account the prevailing advice and our school circumstances. At the heart of every decision has been first and foremost the safety of each individual and the aspiration to keep children engaged in learning. The unpredictability of this year and the changing guidance, often published at the eleventh hour, has made the position of schools close to impossible at times. I have been so fortunate throughout the pandemic to work with an experienced, informed Governing Body, a wonderful staff team and trusting families who have supported each other as difficult decisions have had to be made.
Current Covid situation - Can I begin by thanking every family who has contacted us immediately if they have had to self-isolate for whatever reason; your actions are helping to keep us all safe. Many of you are also erring on the side of caution and keeping children at home if exhibiting any of the familiar symptoms (cough, sore throat, fatigue, headache) This is a very sensible thing to do and ensuring that the rest of the class bubble remains safe and can continue with their learning.
With the growing transmission numbers, we are even more aware that we all need to be extra vigilant and exercise the same caution. Public Health for Blackpool have also sent the following reminder for school and parents:
You will have read and heard about the rise of cases of Covid-19 in Lancashire, and across the North West, driven by the variant first identified in India, now known as Delta. We know that this is far more transmissible than previous strains. The Prime Minister has announced that the full lifting of COVID-19 restrictions is to be delayed until 19 July due to this variant.
Until then, current restrictions still remain in place. You should continue to work from home if you can and limit the number of people you come into contact with, remembering to stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing face coverings)
If you suspect your child has coronavirus: Do not send your child to their nursery, childminder, school, college or to an entry test/exam for a selective school/organisation if:
they are showing one or more coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms
someone in their household is showing symptoms
someone in their support bubble or childcare bubble has symptoms and they have been in close contact with them since the symptoms started or during the 48 hours before they started
they or someone in their household or support or childcare bubble has tested positive for COVID-19
they are required to quarantine having recently visited a red list travel ban country
Book a PCR test if you or your child develop symptoms. Inform your nursery, childminder, school or college of the results.
Positive PCR test results - If the test is positive, follow guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection, and engage with the NHS Test and Trace process.
If your child is identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and is asked to self-isolate, you do not need to self-isolate unless your child develops symptoms.
This also applies to other members of your household (including any other children in the same school or college).
If your child has been a close contact of someone who has tested positive, and then develops symptoms but has a negative test result, they will still need to self-isolate for the full 10 days from the day after contact with the person who tested positive.
It is really important you support your child to follow this guidance in order to keep our community safe and reduce the risk of transmission. Of course, if at any time your child becomes more unwell or their symptoms worsen, do seek medical advice straightaway.
We therefore have to still take very precautionary measures to ensure that we can keep ourselves and our children safe.
For now, we need to celebrate what we have achieved together. The children are thriving, making progress and enjoying their learning. The staff are still all here, working so hard to pinpoint need and provide the right support at the right time, and although I know you are weary, you are continuing to support us albeit from afar - and through rain and shine!
‘it is in the human heart that the kingdom takes root and grows’ (Pope Francis)
Please all take care and keep safe, being ever vigilant.
God bless
Miss Haggerty
