Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome Back!
Although it was a chilly and wet start to the Spring term, it was wonderful to welcome all the children and staff back. Despite being in school for only three days last week, we have hit the ground running. My classroom visits have seen engaged children, lively classrooms, and a calm sense of order and purpose across the school. Last week, the children returned to swimming lessons at Woodside. There was some apprehension from some pupils; however, I am pleased to report that the children had an excellent time at swimming, and all of their concerns were quickly alleviated. I commend all children for showcasing the school values and letting their lights shine, as Woodside staff and your teachers’ feedback was phenomenal. You have now set the standard for each week!
Looking ahead, we have the following planned this term: A range of Wellbeing activities for Wellness Wednesday’s, Workshops for drama and Safer Internet Day, a Maths Day and Mental Health Week. All of this alongside our core business—ensuring each child achieves their potential.
SCHOOL VALUE OF THE WEEK (W/C 10th January 2022): Excellence
Values Roll of Honour (W/C 5th January 2022)
| Excellence | Phineas, Joycellin, Zara, Sophia, Ved, Jaydon, Sophia G, Zachary, Christiana, Rhea, Austin, Shemilore, Tayla-Ann & Gabriella. |
| Resilience | Abel, Phineas, Philip, Michael, Chloe, Micah, Ved, Aaron R, Aniyah, Jaydon, Thiago, Emmanuel, Eden & Simona. |
| Independence | Stefan, Eva, Stephanie, Matthias, Idelle, Sophia M, Zara, Marqueza, Nomsa, Oluwaloni & Aaron G. |
| Co-operation | Lucca, Zion, Phineas, Stephanie, All of Year 1, Hana, Ved, Jaydon, Aniyah, Sophia G, Austin, & All of Year 6. |
| Self-Control | Eva, Stephanie, Michael, James, Piers, All of Year 2, George, Aniyah, Kemuel, Jaydon, Sophia G, Austin, & Isaac. |
| Curiosity | All of Early Years, Fatima, Michaela, Ved, Martin, Jaydon, Aniyah, Kemuel, Zachary, Christiana, Rhea, Shemilore, Austin, Amy, Emmanuel, Arjun & Jana. |
| Acceptance | Abel, Zion, Lucca, Joycellin, Matthias, All of Year 1, All of Year 2/3, All of Year 3/4, Noah & Reuben. |
| Respect | Elicia, Eva, Joycellin, Philip, Lucas & Christopher O. |
| **Growth Mind-set ** | Lucca, Stephanie, Piers, Ved, Aaron R, Jaydon, Kemuel, Marqueza, Shemilore & Reeya. |
Stars of the Week (Headteacher Awards) W/C 5th January 2022:
| Nursery | Elicia |
| Reception | Stephanie |
| Year 1 | Fatima |
| Year 2 | Ved |
| Year 3 | Jaydon |
| Year 4 | Rhea |
| Year 5 | Austin |
| Year 6 | Christopher D |
Keep letting your light shine! I am so proud of you all.
| COVID-19 (Temporary New Arrangements): |
| We are aware that, due to the high levels of COVID-19 infections in the community at the moment, staff absence may be an issue this term. However, we are used to managing these situations and will continue to implement strategies that will minimise any disruption to learning. We have contingency plans and if we need to partially close the school we will be able to switch to online learning quickly. If such plans have to be implemented, we will be communicating with parents via the email address and phone number we have on record for your child. Please let us know if either your phone number or email have changed recently. Hand Hygiene Please continue to support the school by encouraging your children to maintain good hand hygiene throughout the day through co-operating when asked to wash or sanitise their hands. Please re-mind your child of the importance of washing their hands in soap and water for 20 seconds. COVID Symptoms It is also important that you do not send your child to school if they have any symptoms of COVID- 19 and that they stay at home while you seek a PCR test (although you will not be required to get a PCR test from Tuesday 11th January if the lateral flow test is positive – the DfE have advised that this is a temporary measure for now).Commonly reported symptoms for the Omicron variant include a runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing and a sore throat as well as a repeated cough, high temperature and loss of taste and smell. Instructions for reporting positive COVID-19 cases Please advise us if your child has tested positive for COVID-19. NHS Test and Trace will deal with contacting any persons considered to be a close contact. Symptoms that you should consider are; · headache · runny nose · sore throat · new continuous cough and/or · high temperature and/or a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia) COVID-19 Testing and Self-isolation If your child is a close contact (either in the home, at school or whilst out with friends/family) of someone with COVID-19, they do not need to self-isolate. However even if your child does not have symptoms you are strongly advised to: · Do a daily rapid lateral flow test with your child (1 a day for 7 days) to protect your child, family and others from COVID-19 · The DfE has confirmed that even if someone has tested positive for Covid-19 within the last 90 days, if they are identified as a close contact of someone with Covid-19 and are exempt from isolation, they are strongly advised to take part in daily testing Results of tests · If the lateral flow test is negative then your child can attend school. · If the lateral flow test is positive then you should keep your child at home until either they have two negative lateral flow tests, 24 hours apart on, or after days 6 and 7. If they continue to test positive with lateral flow tests, then they should remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when their symptoms appeared or when they first tested positive. If the lateral flow test is negative then please email a copy of the result to school and your child can then attend again · NHS COVID-19 test advice: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/when-to-self-isolate-and-what-to-do/ |
Attendance W/C 5th January 2022:
Each school in the local authority has an attendance target that is set for them. This year our school attendance target is 97%. Of course, we do not expect children who are unwell to come into school. They need to stay at home and rest to get well. They also need to stay at home, so they don’t pass on illness to others.
| Year Group | Attendance % |
| Nursery | 88.77 |
| Reception | 93.62 |
| Year 1 | 90.34 |
| Year 2 | 97.46 |
| Year 3 | 93.69 |
| Year 4 | 97.29 |
| Year 5 | 98.79 |
| Year 6 | 97.68 |
It was lovely to see the children return to school full of beans and ready to embrace 2022. Unfortunately, we have seen unusually large numbers of absences this week. I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of ringing the office on the morning of your child’s first day of absence by 10:00am in line with our school policy. We understand that the building is cold, but we have to keep the windows open for ventilation due to Government regulations, so please ensure that your children arrive at school with lots of layers to keep warm. However, it is imperative that your child attends school regularly in order to achieve their best. Please contact us should you require any assistance
Fundraising Clothes Bank:
Please feel free to donate any unwanted clothes, shoes or textiles which will help raise funds for our school. Please ensure that all items are in a carrier bag/black sack before depositing. Thank you.
Uniform:
Please can we ask that all items of clothing are labelled with your child’s name.
Inclement Weather:
It is always our intention that the school will remain open unless the weather conditions make it difficult for the children and staff to travel to school safely. The decision as to whether the school opens will normally be made by 7am on the day in question. A message will be posted on our website www.stanboroughprimary.org.uk (Please note that the Inclement Weather Policy can be viewed on our website) as well as on Class Dojo. The decision made is based on risk assessment in conjunction with the advice given by Hertfordshire Education Authority, Hertfordshire Police Service and neighbouring schools including our Secondary School.
Key Dates:
| Date | Event |
| 26th January | Drama Workshop (EYFS – Year 3 only) |
| 31st January | Primary School Board |
| 31st January – 4 February | Maths Week |
| 1st February | Internet Safer Day Workshops (Years 1-6 only) |
| 7th -11th February | Children’s Mental Health Week |
| 8th February | Safer Internet Day |
| 9th February | Mastermind Competition |
| 11th February | Spring Term (First Half) Ends |
See link for our school calendar – https://www.stanboroughprimary.org.uk/calendar-2/
Finally, lets us remember to – ‘Trust in the LORD with all your heart. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths’. Proverbs 3 verses 5 & 6.
Love and Blessings,
Mrs Madden
Headteacher
