When everything feels like an uphill struggle... just think of the view from the top!!!

I can hardly believe that we are now entering our first week of half-term 4 - now half way through the academic year. Unfortunately I, like many people have been feeling despondent, even miserable, that this new year has proved to increase in its challenge for us and am tempted to speak negatively instead of finding the courage to move forward.

It is in moments like these that our faith clothes and comforts us as we place our complete trust in God. I have tried to do just that this week, and have found myself spending increasing time in prayer. We always remind the children that prayer is gently powerful and helps us to centre our minds on the important things, the things that help us to become the ‘best versions of ourselves’. I have been reminded that God has a plan for each of us and therefore, ‘Some flowers blossom best in the sun, others do well in the shade. Remember… God puts us where we grow best’.

As we now enter the season of Lent we are all challenged to spend more time in prayer - always good to get a head start! During Lent we are challenged to ‘PRAY’ and spend more time talking to God; to ‘STOP’ the things which spoil our relationship with God and others; and to ‘GO’, to spread God’s great love with each other… not an easy task! Have a look at the assembly below which reminds us about this Lenten Adventure we are all beginning now to better ourselves for the wonderful celebration of Easter.

School Reopening

You will have heard the Government announcement this evening which has set out the timescale of pupils returning to school again for their full time education.

We do still have two weeks of our full lockdown remaining and again, I do plead with the parents of children who have had places at school during lockdown, to ‘free up’ some school places by trying to keep your child/children at home for this time. The children are ALL being set the same work and same expectations whether they complete this in their classroom or at home, but it saddens me that I have not been able to offer further places to other desperately struggling parents & families.

In fact I have found this a heartbreaking task. I do have to risk assess what is safe for the children and staff in the building at this moment and I therefore cannot increase class numbers and risk safety.

I am therefore pleading with families who, even though critical workers, could try to work out arrangements to care for your children at home so that I can free up some days for other families. Please let us know as soon as possible if you can keep your child at home for these next two weeks to allow a little respite for another struggling family.

We do however, look forward to March 8th when we can see all of you again!

We will return to our staggered entry and exit times from the week beginning March 8th as we still have many restrictions placed upon us and need to ensure our risk assessments are adhered to and our bubbles stay as safe as they possibly can.

As you will be aware, we have been able to continue our offer of Breakfast Provision through this period of lockdown, however, I will let parents know as soon as possible if After School Club is able to return too.

Face Coverings

Once again, I am pleading to parents to ensure you are ALL WEARING FACE COVERINGS WHEN YOU COME TO COLLECT/DROP OFF YOUR CHILD - ESPECIALLY WHEN WE ALL RETURN TO SCHOOL!

It is essential that we all keep up with our safety measures at this time to support everyone in our community and try as best we can to keep ourselves and others safe. Evidence shows a face covering can help in reducing the spread of droplets and therefore potentially infecting others, and can help to reduce the spread of infection when lockdown measures start to be lifted.

Please remember that we cannot let our guard down if we want to keep each other safe and keep lowering the rate of this terrible infection…

Also, a reminder that we are still currently in lockdown!

I say this, as I have had conversations with some children today, who have happily told me that they have been round to friends houses with their parents and played games - or had sleepovers with their friends!!!!!! This has left me with much dismay as I find it very disturbing that families would feel it is acceptable at this time to be meeting indoors when we are clearly told not to do this!

I sincerely hope that families realise what a dangerous thing this is. It is not only putting yourselves and your children at great risk, but also ALL others that you may come into contact with outside or in school. Please, please consider what impact your actions have on the community as a whole.

Financial Support Scheme

The COVID Financial Support Scheme can help residents who have been financially affected by the pandemic.

 The scheme can provide financial help to families and people who are vulnerable and have been impacted financially by the Coronavirus pandemic, particularly during the winter months.

  Examples of financial impact might be: 

• A member of the household has been furloughed

• A member of the household has been laid-off or made redundant

• A member of the household has had a reduction in working hours

 The scheme can assist people who have arrears or are struggling to pay essential household bills such as: 

• Gas and electricity bills

• United Utility bills

• Council Tax bills

• Other essential expenses may be considered

 Please visit https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Residents/Benefits/COVID-financial-support-grant.aspx for more information and to apply.

Crossing Patrol

Unfortunately, we have had notification that some of our lovely crossing patrol assistants are having to shield and may be unable to return to work at all. We are really saddened by this and hope that Our Lady’s Crossing Patrol remains healthy and in post for as long as possible!

This does mean therefore, that there are several posts which have become available across the town.

If you feel you may be interested in applying for such a role; then please use the link below with instructions for a School Crossing Patrol Attendant vacancy.

Further instructions:  

-         Click on the link Home | greater jobs

-         From the heading “Roles” Click on “Environment” in the drop-down list  

-         From the heading “All Locations” click on “Blackpool and Fylde” in the drop-down list

-         Click on Search and Apply

-         Scroll to “School Crossing Patrol Attendant” for the job vacancy

If you would like to speak to someone regarding the position then please contact: Mrs Dennehy

Integrated Transport Operations Assistant Tel: 01253 476174

Finally….

I have to say how very, very impressed I have been at all the amazing work that the children have all been doing at home. You never cease to amaze me! It has been a joy to have the teachers telling me (and showing me) all the wonderful pieces of work the children have done and how well you have been keeping to your home learning timetables. I know for many of you that has had to fit around parents work, so many of you might have been working in the evenings, or at weekends.

It has been testament to your courage and strength as a family which has led to each person managing what they can and importantly, to the best of their ability.

You are all AMAZING! I am in awe of every single one of you! And I am even more in awe of you parents… you are all doing an absolutely fabulous job in these terrible circumstances and I take my hat off to each and every one of you! Thank you for how hard you are working to help and support your children and most of all - keep them safe!

It's in our hands: Let's look after one another!

Latest Government Information

You will have heard by now the announcement by Boris Johnson that he hopes it will be safe enough to begin opening school by March 8th.

This may have struck fear into the hearts of many of you and we can certainly appreciate that!. We all carry the pressures of work, of family and of self-doubt. And yet, in a time you are dealing with so much, you reach out to us to thank us, praise us and generally help us feel recognised. Please know we do the same for you. We recognise how hard this is. We can’t change what is happening, we wish we could, but we hope we can help you not to feel alone. We are so pleased you know we are still here trying our best to help and support you and our children by staying in touch and staying connected.

I also understand that many of you by now are really starting to feel the pressure of children perhaps not as engaged with work and pushing boundaries… again, please know that we are here to support you and teachers are happy to speak to you/your child, email you with ideas/strategies and generally try to help any issues you may be trying to overcome to support your children at this time.

Also know that we are 100% behind your decision to keep your children at home through this most dangerous of times. We are all only too aware of how prevalent this virus has become. We do not know how much the children can pass this virus between themselves and others. We are being reminded every day to stay at home and we fully support all those families who are struggling, against so many difficulties, to ensure that this is what you are doing for the safety of everyone.

A reminder also that we close for half-term on Friday February 12th at 1.30pm. During this time home learning will be paused and will recommence on Monday 22nd February. This will be an opportunity to give everyone a well deserved break and a chance to relax a little more within your family ‘bubble’. (Let’s just hope the weather begins to improve too!)

Rapid COVID-19 Testing for Primary School Staff

The DfE have now arranged for all staff in primary schools to be tested for COVID-19 on a regular basis, regardless of whether or not they are displaying symptoms. Up to one in three people who have coronavirus are asymptomatic. This testing is to identify those people who might be infected without knowing. It is important for everyone that we try and break the chains of transmission in order to keep everyone safe. For Blackpool schools this has meant that this week we have been asked to begin our testing. For Our Lady of the Assumption Staff this means that from now on we will be accessing Rapid Lateral Flow Tests twice each week.

What are the implications for our school bubbles?

If your child is attending school during the national lockdown this may affect the bubbles at very short notice. With regular asymptomatic testing the likelihood of closing year group bubbles increases as any staff who are asymptomatic with COVID-19 are detected. Therefore you need to be aware that, if a member of staff tests positive for COVID-19, this would mean closing year group bubbles at very short notice. An isolation period of up to ten days would then be required for all close contacts, typically all adults and children in that year group.

How will I be informed?

A Teachers2Parents app message will be sent to parents as soon as possible (before 8.30am) if this is going to affect your child coming into school that day. We therefore suggest that you take time to now consider how you would manage a short notice bubble closure and a move to home education and self-isolation. Do you know all your child’s passwords to access online learning? They have separate password for the following platforms; Dojo Registration, , TT Rockstars, Bedrock, IXL etc. Please check these passwords are readily available at home, if you need any help with these please email your child’s class email.

If your child attends school remotely during the national lockdown

We want you to be aware of the testing as this may mean that there is an impact on remote education. If a member of staff tests positive for COVID-19 this may lead to a change of staff in the online team and a subsequent change to your child’s current learning timetable..

How will I be informed?

We will send a Teachers2Parents text message to everyone in the Year group. This is more for your information than action if your child is not in school It is worth remembering that we remain in national lockdown due to the prevalence of the COVID-19 virus and related strains that have now been identified. Although this rapid testing is on set days and identifies asymptomatic people, staff in school may also need to self-isolate or leave online learning due to their own health and in response to symptomatic testing. This can impact with year group bubble closures or changes to the online education at very short notice and at any point in the week or the weekend. As before symptomatic testing continues alongside the rapid lateral flow tests taking place.

Support for accessing online learning

StoryTime Online https://www.booksfortopics.com/storytime-online

With access to libraries, classrooms and bookshops limited for many, Storytime have been busy finding some of the best online storie for children to access freely at home. The QR codes and links in the document link to story readings on Youtube and all of the books that are chosen are read aloud by their fabulous authors and illustrators.

If you can get your child to engage in nothing else… reading is the key!

COVID-19 Staying Safe Online :

Advice for parents and carers

Schools, colleges and childcare providers are currently closed to most pupils. Daily routines have changed, with many working and studying from home. We understand there may be more concern from parents about the safety of their children online. It is important for children and young people to stay both connected and safe online. Remember to make use of parental controls and to talk with your children. Reliable information on COVID-19 can also be found at www.gov.uk/coronavirus.

Make use of parental controls

If you have downloaded new apps or bought new devices like web cams or tablets, remember to adjust the privacy and security settings to suit you. There is technology to help you manage the content your children can access: Government has encouraged Internet Service Providers to help parents easily filter content. Switch on family friendly filters to help prevent age inappropriate content being accessed on devices in your home. Parental controls put you in control of what your child can see. Internet Matters has step by step guides on how to set these up. If you are concerned or upset about something your child has seen online: Seek support from the online platform using the report function on the app or website—you can often find these in the ‘help’ section or ‘settings’ or seek support from other organisations and helplines. The UK Safer Internet Centre offers a service, Report Harmful Content, which you can use if you are not satisfied with the result of a report.

Have a conversation with your child about staying safe online

Most children have a positive experience online, accessing educational resources and entertainment and connecting with friends and family. Spending time online can be very beneficial for children, particularly at the moment, but we recognise that many parents may worry about online safety

Reduce the risk.

The UK Council for Internet Safety has guidance on minimising children’s exposure to risks online. The UK Safer Internet Centre with Childnet International has specific guidance on under 5s.

Talk to your child.

Childnet has guidance for parents and carers to begin a conversation about online safety and Ditch the Label teacher resources that can be helpful for parents to discuss cyberbullying and the government also has helpful advice. Encourage your child to speak to you or a trusted adult if they come across content that makes them uncomfortable.

Importance of monitoring/restricting social media use.

We have an increasing number of parents raising concerns about children’s inappropriate use of mobile phones and other forms of social media messaging and usage.

When used correctly social media has many benefits. When used incorrectly social media can cause upset and anxiety for adults and for children. Research says that children can be affected in many ways – they feel unhappy, vulnerable, left out, bullied, can’t sleep and lose confidence.

This is clearly something that we all want to protect our children from. Incorrect or inappropriate use is very often texting on mobile phones to individuals through group chats. We talk often about this in school but it remains the responsibility of ALL parents to manage and monitor their child’s usage of mobile phones and wider internet usage.

Many sites have age restrictions; eg facebook, you tube, Instagram, snap chat, musical.ly - this is to prohibit and ultimately safeguard primary school children from having their own authorised use.

Often peer pressure persuades children that they must have a mobile phone “because everyone else has” OR to join a social network group. This pressure can equally persuade parents to buy children a mobile phone for their child or children. OR to overlook age restrictions on sites. As parents it is entirely appropriate to say “no”. If your child does have a phone (or i pad or tablet or lap top) some simple but important safeguarding messages are:

•  Set guidelines for when your child has use of their phone or device and what they can use it for

•  check usage and messages for appropriateness

•  restrict access to certain sites

•  age restrictions on sites are there to protect and safeguard children, check and if in doubt say no!

•  keep phones downstairs and not in bedrooms

•  remove the privilege of a phone or device if it is used inappropriately

•  Remind children that digital media leaves a digital footprint; this means that messages and images are stored and are traceable. Think what you say and post

•  Use sensibly and safely – look after each other and yourself 

We will continue to support this through our internet safety teaching for all pupils - but most importantly… BE KIND! At this strange, difficult and particularly unnerving time it remains everyone’s responsibility to ‘treat others as you would like to be treated’ and kindness and empathy are the most vital of virtues to show to others at this time.

Let us pray that we can all make changes for the better during this time and that we can place our hope and trust in God who is (whether we realise or not) taking us by the hand and supporting us through these dark days.

'Sometimes you have to take a step back to move forward...'

Lockdown Update

As you will have seen in my last blog, I was very concerned going forward regarding the number of children requiring places at school as numbers were becoming very worrying. I have to say a huge thank you to those parents who have considered their position and are trying now to keep their children at home. It would be very helpful - and certainly safer for all, if we could reduce numbers even further. So I please ask you to keep considering your position and if you could reduce the number of days your child is here - or keep them at home if you can.

The Local Authority have also issued a letter for parents regarding this issue. You can read it HERE.

Limiting social contacts

Worryingly, I have conversations with some children today, who have been telling me that they have been visiting their classmates houses who are at home!!! I sincerely hope this has been an exaggeration - I truly hope no families have been as reckless as to visit another family bubble during this lockdown and put others’ lives in danger. I would therefore draw parents attention to the lockdown guidance, which states:

National lockdown: stay at home

You must stay at home. This is the single most important action we can all take to protect the NHS and save lives.You must not leave your home unless absolutely necessary.

It is against the law to meet socially with family or friends unless they are part of your household or support bubble. You cannot leave home for recreational or leisure purposes (such as for a picnic or a social meeting).

The police can take action against you if you leave home without a ‘reasonable cause’, and issue you with a fine (Fixed Penalty Notice).

You can be given a Fixed Penalty Notice of £200 for the first offence, doubling for further offences up to a maximum of £6,400.

I am sure that everyone is trying to ensure they are taking every precaution to fight this virus and keep yourself and others as safe as you possibly can. I hope all of our school community is doing this as approximately 1 in 3 people who have coronavirus have no symptoms and could be spreading it without realising it.

It is critical that everybody observes the safest possible behaviours:

ParentPay meals payments

We are trying to rota staff currently to limit the amount of staff who are on site at the same time while still being able to run school efficiently and effectively.

Please can I ask that those parents of KS2 children who are having hot lunches keep their ParentPay accounts up to date. This will save Mrs Wilson & Mrs Duffill valuable time as only one of them will be in the office on any given day. Thank you.

I know at the moment we are all struggling to see the light at the end, of what has seemed to be a very long tunnel, but we are a very strong community with Christ at the heart. We have worked together, hand in hand, for such a long time. Please know that we truly value all your support and we are already missing having all our wonderful children together. But we know that there will be a time soon when we can all enjoy just sharing the same space as one community. We just need to work together at the moment to protect each other.

I am more than aware of how much many families may be struggling to engage children at home with their learning. All we ask is that you try your best and that your child/children try to complete whatever they can. Class Teachers will try their best to support and work with you (There is always more than one solution to a problem…) However, please do not be upset if we contact you if we haven’t seen/heard anything from you or your child. We do not want anyone to fall behind and will do all we can to stop this from happening, but it does require you to help your child get into a routine with their daily tasks. Thank you again for all your support with this! We are working hard with the local authority, business and councillors to acquire further devices (laptops) we can lend out to families during this time. Please do let your child’s class teacher know if this is something you are struggling with and we will try to help.

I wish you strength, faith and hope as you journey through the next few weeks. Please remember we are here for you and will do whatever we can to lighten the burden. Please keep in touch by reading the website, as it is here you will find updated information. If there is something you do want to know, please do not hesitate to phone us or email to ask.

Please look after yourselves and take care.

God bless

Miss Haggerty

Supporting each other as a community to minimise risk...

Dear Parent/Carer,

On Tuesday, we made the decision that for continuity, places would be offered on a full time basis. Our aim was to ensure that teachers could provide quality remote learning which children could work through both at home and at school. Staff within class bubbles would then be able to work together to ensure each class teacher could be released to prepare and deliver lessons online.

Unfortunately, we have created a situation which is now not sustainable. Due to the expansion of the Critical Worker criteria we now have almost 50% of children in school. This has meant that teachers’ working hours are unmanageable as essentially they now have two full time jobs.

At this moment we have to pause and remember that the Prime Minister has closed all schools to try to stop the spread of infection. The instruction is to stay at home. The more children we have in school, the greater the potential for the infection to spread.

On Tuesday, we confirmed for many of you the offer of a critical worker place in school.

However, at this point I must ask you to now consider exactly what Critical Worker places are for.  Many people are entitled to the provision, but in supporting the national lockdown and the NHS, they have chosen not to use it as they are working from home.  Does this make it challenging for them? Absolutely.  But they recognise that the only way to stop a virulent strain of this virus is to limit contact.

In the last 72 hours we have had a surprisingly large number of people request Critical Worker provision. You will have noticed at drop off and collection how busy it is already.  I am asking you to reflect on the following:

Do you absolutely have to send your child into school?

What you can and cannot do during the national lockdown…

Coronavirus cases are rising rapidly across the country.  You must stay at home. The single most important action we can all take is to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.   (GOV.UK)

It is important to stress that the facility for sending your child into school during this lockdown is only to be used for emergency childcare for critical worker families when they really require it.

 This is not what I wanted to have to do or a message I wanted to send but I am so fearful that this request for places is threatening the whole of our critical worker provision in school and, more importantly, risks bringing too many children and adults into our school site.

I know the work pressures people are under and I also know that the expectation of children continuing their education at home remotely makes things incredibly difficult for working parents.  This is why we have significantly increased our offer from school for remote learning.

Although we expect children to engage in home learning we recognise that, for working parents, this may mean flexibility in the timetable we have set or in supporting with access to technology.  There are other ways we can support education at home beyond just sending children in to school.  We will work with you on this if it is needed.

If numbers do remain too high, we will be faced with the unwanted task of prioritising using the following criteria.  This may mean your place is no longer available.

The criteria we would prioritise by is:

1.      Vulnerable children

2.      Children where both parents are critical workers or children with single parents who are critical workers.  NHS and education critical workers to take priority if needed

3.      Children where only one of two parents is a critical worker. NHS and education critical workers to take priority if needed

I have already had some parents contact me and decline the offer of a place, as they have reflected and seen ways they could change work arrangements recognising the need to stay home and stay safe and to look after the NHS.  I am hoping that after the initial shock of lockdown that you can think carefully about not whether you can access a place but if you truly need to, and considering the larger numbers, if you really want to.

 Again, this is a virulent strain of the coronavirus and there is a reason that primary schools closed so suddenly.  Let us not under estimate the difficult job we need to do together to prevent transmission.

However, if you are a critical worker, in need of our support, at what must be an incredibly stressful time, know we are here for you.  I can only imagine how challenging this time is for our NHS colleagues.  I ask you to please consider your place under these extremely difficult circumstances.

Lockdown: Further information

Dear Parents,

Thank you so much for your quick response to reading the news feed and completing the attached form.

If you haven't completed the form, we are now presuming that you do not need school provision during lockdown.

We have now collated numbers and those of you who have requested provision can now be offered a place in school, commencing tomorrow. I know some of you have said that you are happy to have certain days and we have also accommodated this. We now need to be able to establish systems and routines for the coming weeks.

Further Information for children attending school from tomorrow

The school day will commence at 9am for all children, please arrive at your normal gate.

The school day will finish at 3:30pm Monday - Thursday and 1:30pm on Fridays. NB: Although we are unable to start straight away with any After School provision; we are looking to put some provision in place hopefully by next week and are trying to ensure that we can do this in a safe and consistent way for pupils and available staff.

Your prompt collection and drop off for the present times will be greatly appreciated.

Please can you also confirm tomorrow if your child will be having school lunches. We would ask that the children attending full time would take a hot school dinner each day and not bring any extra items into school. (This also includes rucksacks/bags)

We are urging everyone to strictly follow government guidance which clearly asks us all to stay at home outside school hours.

Whilst attending school please avoid mixing with any other households. This will help to keep all staff and children safe.

Further Information for children at home

Commencing tomorrow all teachers will have placed learning in their class ‘home learning’ areas. This can be located by clicking on the Home Learning tab on your child’s class page. All teachers can be contacted using their class emails/dojo. Please do be aware that teachers will also be teaching during the day so their response to you may be delayed. Please be patient. Emergencies can be dealt with by phoning the school office.

Finally

We will continue to communicate on a weekly basis so please do read the weekly newsletter and the teacher's blogs. Effective communication is so important and will help us to all work as one caring team to keep everyone safe. We can do this!

We will keep everyone in our thoughts and prayers and ask that everyone try to say the Rosary (even if it is just 3 Hail Mary’s) to keep the health and wellbeing of our whole community in the hands of Mary, the patron of our Church and school.

Tomorrow is also the Feast of the Epiphany: Please look at the Church website (link on our home page) to see Fr Jim’s special (virtual) mass for school.

Please do take care and look after yourselves

God bless

Miss Haggerty and the Our Lady’s Team

National Lockdown: School Arrangements.

Dear Parents,

I appreciate that this has not been an easy time for you and I know that many of you have had to find childcare arrangements today. I also know that after missing so much of the previous school year it was a relief to us all to be finally back in school. The children have thrived during the autumn term and attendance has been fantastic. Although routines and systems have been different we have all worked together to create a safe environment which has helped to bring a small slice of normality back. It has been a joy watching the children falling back in love with their learning, something you all managed to nurture over those many months of home schooling.

Yesterday’s announcement has left us all feeling a sense of disappointment and weariness and for us in school, frustration that learning once again will be disrupted. Please know that the staff within school have also found it extremely difficult too.

Moving forward our aim now is to try our very best to meet the needs of our special school community and to endeavour to keep learning going so that all children are engaged and continue to develop that curiosity for finding out more.

Our plan is to reopen school tomorrow until half term for any children who are classed as vulnerable or those whose parents are Critical Workers. The criteria can be found at the end of this blog. To provide consistency we are only offering full time places which will follow the current school day. Depending on numbers starting and finishing times may vary but these will be published once numbers are collated.

For those children who remain at home, Remote Learning will be made available on a weekly basis on the school website within the class learning areas. This will follow a very similar pattern to what you experienced during the previous lockdown and children will be using platforms they are familiar with.

To help us with our planning, if you feel you urgently need a full time place for your child at school during lockdown as you are a critical worker, please could you complete the online form which can be accessed using the button below before noon this morning. This will greatly help the teachers as they plan their lessons to support learning both at home and school.

Throughout these next five weeks we will try our very best to support every family and continue to offer advice when needed. We have to remember that we have been here before and although this was not wished for we have already proven that together we can ride the storm and emerge triumphant. We are all in the hands of God and together we can gain the strength that He fills us with so that we can each do that very task He has given us to do.

You are all in our thoughts and we pray that we will all be able to return safely to school soon.

God bless

Miss Haggerty

Vulnerable children and young people

Vulnerable children and young people include those who:

·         are assessed as being in need under section 17 of the Children Act 1989, including children and young people who have a child in need plan, a child protection plan or who are a looked-after child

·         have an education, health and care (EHC) plan

·         have been identified as otherwise vulnerable by educational providers or local authorities (including children’s social care services), and who could therefore benefit from continued full-time attendance. 

Critical Worker

Parents whose work is critical to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and EU transition response include those who work in health and social care and in other key sectors outlined in the following sections.

Health and social care

This includes, but is not limited to, doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, social workers, care workers, and other frontline health and social care staff including volunteers; the support and specialist staff required to maintain the UK’s health and social care sector; those working as part of the health and social care supply chain, including producers and distributors of medicines and medical and personal protective equipment.

Education and childcare

This includes:

·         childcare

·         support and teaching staff

·         social workers

·         specialist education professionals who must remain active during the coronavirus (COVID-19) response to deliver this approach

Key public services

This includes:

·         those essential to the running of the justice system

·         religious staff

·         charities and workers delivering key frontline services

·         those responsible for the management of the deceased

·         journalists and broadcasters who are providing public service broadcasting

Local and national government

This only includes those administrative occupations essential to the effective delivery of:

·         the coronavirus (COVID-19) response, and the delivery of and response to EU transition

·         essential public services, such as the payment of benefits and the certification or checking of goods for import and export (including animal products, animals, plants and food), including in government agencies and arms length bodies

Food and other necessary goods

This includes those involved in food:

·         production

·         processing

·         distribution

·         sale and delivery

·         as well as those essential to the provision of other key goods (for example hygienic and veterinary medicines)

Public safety and national security

This includes:

·         police and support staff

·         Ministry of Defence civilians

·         contractor and armed forces personnel (those critical to the delivery of key defence and national security outputs and essential to the response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and EU transition)

·         fire and rescue service employees (including support staff)

·         National Crime Agency staff

·         those maintaining border security, prison and probation staff and other national security roles, including those overseas

Transport and border

This includes those who will keep the air, water, road and rail passenger and freight transport modes operating during the coronavirus (COVID-19) response and EU transition, including those working on transport systems through which supply chains pass and those constructing or supporting the operation of critical transport and border infrastructure through which supply chains pass.

Utilities, communication and financial services

This includes:

·         staff needed for essential financial services provision (including but not limited to workers in banks, building societies and financial market infrastructure)

·         the oil, gas, electricity and water sectors (including sewerage)

·         information technology and data infrastructure sector and primary industry supplies to continue during the coronavirus (COVID-19) response

·         key staff working in the civil nuclear, chemicals, telecommunications (including but not limited to network operations, field engineering, call centre staff, IT and data infrastructure, 999 and 111 critical services)

·         postal services and delivery

·         payments providers

·         waste disposal sectors

Jesus is the Light of our Christmas, the Joy of our hearts and the Hope of our world.

As this school year draws to a close, I would like to thank everyone for their kindness, patience and understanding through what has been one of the most testing times of my professional career. It has been a joy to welcome back the children this academic year and humbling to see how they have relished returning to their classes, their friends and their learning.

As a staff we have tried to keep school as ‘normal’ as possible for the children and it is testament to our wonderful staff that the children have been able to enjoy their broad and balanced curriculum. We have ensured that the children have enjoyed lots of high quality physical activity, art, drama, excellent music teaching and even yoga!

Some of our instrumentalists have put together a little concert of the pieces learned this term. As they were unable to visit any homes/hospitals this year; they wanted to give a little ‘virtual concert’ for everyone: (See below)

COVID latest…

Thank you to those families who have really considered any illness of your child during this past week and not sent them in to school. We want everyone to have the safest Christmas you possibly can. Also thank you to parents for keeping us informed if you or your child have either been a contact of a positive case or have had to take a test. It is imperative we are informed of positive COVID results of children up to 23rd December as this could affect others in your child’s class bubble. We would need to inform families as children may need to isolate.                                                                                                                                   

You can now use a specific email to inform us of a child’s positive result and we want you to continue to do this right up until 23rd December. In this way, a text would then be sent to others in that child’s bubble who would have to isolate due to this. It is vital therefore that we know if your child has a positive result from any test taken. If so please use the email below to inform us.

COVID@our-lady.blackpool.sch.uk

Christmas Break…

A reminder that we break for Christmas on Friday 18th December. Year 4, 5 & 6 (and Family Groups) finishing at 1.05pm (from your usual entrances) and our Year 1, 2, 3 and Reception finishing at 1.15pm on that day. There will be After School Club as usual until 3.30pm.

As we will still have to follow safety guidance in January, school times/structure will remain in place during the Spring Term and be assessed/revised as we are issued with new guidance and safety measures. Therefore, to keep your children as safe as we possibly can, our bubbles and staggered entry and exit times will remain in place.

School reopens at 8.40am for Family Groups - Y6, Y5 & Y4 on Monday 4th January 2021 and for Year 3, 2, 1 & Reception (not in family bubbles) at 9am.

Nativities

It has seemed very strange this year not to celebrate with our usual carol services or nativities. Our classes have therefore put together some special celebration video’s which you can view on your child’s class page on our website. We hope you enjoy watching them as much as the children enjoyed making them!

A final ‘Thank You’…

Thank you so much to parents and families for sending in toys & gifts for church ‘Just Giving’ appeal and for the donations you gave for our Christmas Jumper Day. We raised £179 which is now on its way to Brian House Children’s Hospice.

I hope and pray that you have the best Christmas you can in these current circumstances and that you all get the rest and relaxation you all deserve. Lets hope that 2021 brings joy and happiness (even if in the smallest of ways).

Have a blessed Christmas and Holy New Year.

Miss M Haggerty

Each of us is an innkeeper, who decides if there is room for Jesus...

We have now reached the second week of Advent and our time of waiting is well and truly underway. I can see (and hear) the excitment of the children around school as they continue with their work but filling each day now with trying to ‘be prepared’ for Jesus’ coming.

This is of course much more difficult than it would seems with the business of our everyday lives, but getting ready is exactly what Christ asks us to do. In fact, stopping and reflecting is probably the one most beneficial things for us all at this time. One way you can do this together as a family is to view some of the advent reflections which are readily available to us each day. On the church website Fr Jim has made a wonderful Interactive Advent calendar with each door opening to the readings or Gospel of that day. You might also notice (if you look really carefully…) some ‘extra’ creatures in the stable this year!

The Blackpool family of Catholic Schools have also made a virtual Advent Service this year as it was obviusly impossible for all schools to get together during this time. It has contributions from all schools with the theme of ‘Advent Hope’. Again, it would be lovely to share with your family.

Christmas Events

There are also many other events which we are still able to continue to celebrate this year as we try to ensure that this Advent can be as ‘normal’ for the children as we can possibly make it, while still ensuring everyone’s safety in their bubbles and around school.

We have our Christmas jumper day on Friday 11th December. Children are invited to wear their Christmas jumper over their school uniform instead of their usual jumper or cardigan. Don’t worry if your child doesn’t have a Christmas jumper there is no need to buy one especially, you can get creative and decorate your own!

We would really like to support a local cause this advent, and would like to ask for a donation to Brian House children’s hospice for Christmas jumper day. This donation will need to be made through our ParentPay system, and you should have received an email with your log in details if you haven’t already activated your account.

Judy (Mrs Fawcett) our school cook is preparing our school Christmas meal on Wednesday 16th December. All children are invited to have the meal, even if they would usually bring a packed lunch on this day. There will be Christmas crackers and music, and it will be a lovely chance for the children to sit down with their class to enjoy the meal together. 

If your child usually has a packed lunch on a Wednesday and would like the Christmas meal please log into parent pay where you will find this set as a special event.  Once you have paid this will ensure your child is counted for the meal.  Don’t worry if your child would rather have a packed lunch, they won’t miss out on the festive occasion!

Our PTFA have kindly purchased a virtual Pantomime for the whole school to enjoy. It’s a production of Cinderella which will be screened in each class over the next two weeks, at a time chosen by each class teacher. This will be a lovely end of term treat for the children.

Many classes are also undertaking some readings, a liturgy, or even a simple nativity with the children in their own bubble and these will be uploaded onto the website for your family to enjoy before we break for Christmas.

Cards and gifts…

School received a lovely letter a couple of weeks ago from the Chaplaincy Team at Victoria Hospital. They reminded us what a difficult time it would be for the patients in hospital over Christmas an New Year, unable to see their families and friends. They asked if the children would make some Christmas Cards, pictures or messages that they could put up in the wards or homes - perhaps even writing a ‘Thinking of you’ message to cheer the patients up. Some of our classes have done this already.

Our instrumentalists have also been rehearsing to send a ‘virtual concert’ to cheer people in hospital or care homes. At this time we would usually visit our local care homes to sing carols, take gifts etc; but unfortunately we cannot do that due to covid, therefore the children have recorded themselves playing some festive songs and carols which they can send to the hospital next week… (Don’t worry - we’ll share this with families too!)

We would ask families however, who are usually so kind and thoughtful at this time of year, sending gifts into school; please, please, please do not send in gifts to us! This is not because we do not appreciate your thoughfulness, but we would urge you to look towards the more needy in our community at this time and perhaps give some food donations for the local foodbanks, or gift a new toy to church for the Blackpool ‘Give a Little’ appeal: (Last day is this Friday!!!!!) There are so many people really struggling at this time and we would rather any gift you wanted to give went to some of our most vulnerable people.

Thank you for your understanding with this.

Please all stay safe during these difficult times and continue to support each other with kindness and respect.

God Bless

Miss Haggerty