17th April, 2020.
Dear Parent or Carer, I sincerely hope that you and your family are well and that you are coping with the new reality of life at the moment. I also hope that over Easter you were able to spend time together and mark this important time of renewal and hope.
I know that many of you are working on the frontline of the COVID-19 response and that this is more intense and demanding than ever. As a school community we are deeply appreciative and admiring of your commitment and your dedication. I also know from speaking to some of you that many families in our school community have been touched by Coronavirus and that, sadly, some have lost loved ones. I extend the prayers and love of the whole school to you that you may find comfort in your grief and loss. Whatever your experience of recent weeks we stand with you all and your families to provide support, a listening ear and any help that we can. A new term starts (sort of) On Monday, April 20th pupils and staff make a virtual ‘return to school’. I’d love to be saying that we can’t wait to see the pupils on Monday, but unfortunately this cannot happen. We remain open to children of key workers for whom there is no safe alternative and to vulnerable pupils; children should remain at home unless there is absolutely no other option. From Monday our online learning will resume, although we have plans for addressing quickly some of the issues that have caused problems for some families. That said I think all parents and carers deserve a big ‘well done!’ for doing their best with online learning, with juggling the various platforms and websites and with having a go at what must seem to many of you like very tricky work indeed. Our pupils also deserve a pat on the back for doing their best as well - we’re missing you all and really enjoy the contact that we have with you online or by phone. The priority for everyone at the moment is remaining safe and well by following the guidance on social distancing and isolation. Education and learning are important but the health of you and your families is of greater concern. Please remember that you can only do your best with the online learning - we are all just finding our way through this. I hope that the additional support we are providing in the coming weeks will iron out any problems. Helping Other Families One of the best things we can do at the moment is help one another out. I know that some families have benefited greatly from spending extra time together without some of the pressures of normal life. For other families this is not the case at all and the last few weeks have been more stressful and difficult. We don’t want anyone to suffer alone or feel that they cannot get help. If you are aware of another family in the school who could do with additional help in any way please let us know and we will provide whatever we can. Similarly, if you have any spare resources such as books, craft materials or the like that other families could use for home learning activities then please get in touch and we will make them available to families who need them.