BISHOP MARTIN NEWS Headteacher – Mr IJ McDonald Tel No. 01695 724730
Autumn Term 2 - 18th December
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Dear Parents/Carers, In writing my final letter to you all of 2020, I looked back at my Christmas letter 12 months ago in 2019 and just how different the world was then…what a difference a year makes! There is no way ANY of us could have foreseen the truly unique nature of 2020 and I’m sure there are many of us who just can’t wait to see the back of it! We have had to deal with so many challenges and difficult times over the last 12 months. I can honestly say that there is NO other school I would have wanted to be the Headteacher of through a year such this one. It has been a privilege to lead the school this year and the support I have had from all of you has just been incredible. We have had to deal with some unprecedented challenges (remote Learning, classes Isolating, returning pupils to school safely to name just a few) but through it all I have been so grateful for the support from so many of you. There is so much to be proud of that we have achieved together this year: We stayed open for Key Worker and Vulnerable families EVERY weekday during the first Lockdown (including school holidays and Bank Holidays) We were able to welcome all eligible year groups back in June AND offer additional days to other year groups before the summer break School hasn’t needed to close fully since all children returned in September Since half-term we have not needed to close any of the class bubbles These things haven’t happened by accident. They have been the result of meticulous and careful planning and I am truly blessed to lead such devoted and committed team of professionals; all dedicated to the education and welfare of your children. As for the children, what can I say…they are quite simply the best!! They have all returned in September (some having not been in school since March!) and the way they settled back into school life, with all the changes we have had to impose to how school ‘normally’ works, has just been incredible. They are a credit to all of you as parents There is no knowing what 2021 holds for us (the last 12 months have taught me that!). I’m sure there are still challenging times ahead and still work we need to do. We will continue to refine and improve the school provision for remote learning for example and from January this will be done mainly through Microsoft Teams. However, if there is one thing I have learnt from this year it is that we are stronger when we work together in partnership…hence the school motto: ‘Learning Together, Growing in Faith’ I hope and pray that you all have a well-deserved, peaceful, and above all SAFE Christmas and New Year in your Christmas Bubbles and I look forward to seeing you all when school reopens on 4 th January 2021. On Behalf of everyone here at Bishop Martin… Merry Christmas!
Mr Ian McDonald Headteacher