Headlines By James Saunders 9th July 2021
It’s been a pretty hectic week at Honywood. The week kicked off with hope. Hope of lockdown lifting and going completely back to normal next term. I ended last week’s headlines talking about hope. Part of it worked. A week later, we find ourselves in the Euro’s final. As someone who grew up watching England never quite make it, I am hoping that the current generation are able to finally break the curse. So back to Monday. We all heard an announcement that the measures are coming to an end and all is approaching normality in schools - just like the rest of the country apparently. And then we have a week of covid cases to deal with. The picture in schools is really at odds with the national messages right now. Our situation is not unique. Most schools have got one or two year groups out - some have already completely gone to remote learning. I am sorry for the inconvenience and disruption this week has caused families. Despite the national rhetoric and sentiments around the country we must still follow the guidance we have been given even though it may seem contrary to the zeitgeist. We have ended the week with quite a depleted school. As I write this the only cohort fully in school is our C10s. We first had to isolate some C9s and then, due to staff isolations, required them all to work home. This was followed by C8’s and a few C7s and more staff. We wrap up the week with just C10 and part of C7 in the building. What is clear is that the current variant is certainly more transmissible and seems to travel well through teenagers. I am hoping that we can get to the end of the year with no more disruption but this will only happen if we all pull together and remain vigilant and mindful of social distancing and control measures. Masks remain a key part of our daily lives here in school and will be in operation up to the end term - we will not be abandoning any of our control measure on 19th July for the sake of the last three days. We have had to cancel a few events, such as sports day - which will now take place in September when we return. The last thing we want is a situation where people are needing to isolate themselves during their holidays.
In light of the challenges this week we have made the decision to make Monday 12th July a remote learning day for All cohorts. This will ensure at least three day break before any one returns which will break the need to contact trace over this week. It will help us to pick up any positive cases emerging over the weekend with less risk of them transmitting in school on Monday before we have identified contacts. We also have more staff due back in on Tuesday as they will have completed their isolation period and so will be in a better place to operate normally. I am aware that this is further disruption but I hope that you can see that it is to help us minimise anything further happening next week and should provide a better and more consistent learning experience for all. The plan will however, fall apart if everyone spends the weekend mixing and not social distancing so please encourage your children to be mindful and cautious. Next week will therefore look like this: Monday 12th -
All cohorts remote learning (C7 Marks Hall will be rescheduled) Tuesday 13th All those not isolating in C10, C9, C8 and C7 return Wednesday 14th - All those not isolating in C10, C9, C8 and C7 in school Thursday 15th All those not isolating in C10, C9, C8 and C7 in school Friday 16th All those not isolating in C10, C9, C8 and C7 in school It comes with a caveat as we may still need to adapt to the rapidly changing landscape. As always we will aim to keep you informed of developments as soon as we are able to. All individuals that have been asked to isolate will still need to follow the isolation timetable and will return at the end of the period they have been directed to isolate. Next week will be our last headlines of the term and the year. We have almost made it. Well done to everyone and thank you all for your continuing support. Have an enjoyable weekend James Saunders Headteacher