The following message went out to parents on Wednesday 5 January 2022:
We start another new term, and with the latest COVID twists and turns, I wanted to give you an update on school’s approaches over the next few weeks.
The wider picture in education is likely to be messy over the next few weeks – you can read about here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-59761865
This email will cover the following items:
* Existing COVID Measures
* Face-Masks
* COVID Testing
* Home Learning
* Other News
Existing COVID Measures
I am not going to rehash my last message for you to read again but if you want a reminder on the staggered start and testing arrangements then please follow this link for the details: https://www.friaryschool.co.uk/2021/12/26/staggered-start-to-spring-term-2022/
Face-Masks
You will likely be aware that the government have said that children must now wear their face masks in classrooms, as well as the communal areas where they were worn at the end last term.
There is no fixed date on this but they have said it will be for as short a time as is possible: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59854920
We would be grateful if every parent could ensure their child is kitted out with two face-masks – ‘One to Wear and a Spare’ – when they return to school.
Most parents are fantastic in supporting us with this, though regrettably, we usually see a disappointing number of children arrive without one which means they have to queue to get one and our staff have to input the details onto ParentPay, etc. You will appreciate this takes up time and resources we do not have.
COVID Testing
Nationally, we are seeing higher numbers of COVID+ results than at any other time and it is evident that we can reduce the risk of the infection spreading in schools if everyone is regularly tested.
We will continue to send test kits home as long as the government get them to us. We would urge all families to test regularly.
If we get high numbers out, particularly of staff, then it will bring substantial problems for everyone. Testing is a pain, it is getting tedious, but please keep going.
Home Learning
It seems very unlikely that we will see a full-scale school lockdown in the months ahead, but there is a real risk we may have some students on home learning for some blocks of time.
If we get too many staff isolating at home then we cannot deliver all the lessons in school. There are not the supply staff out there to cover all the gaps across the country.
It is possible we may need to do home learning blocks for certain Year groups. Our priority will be those children facing exams this year.
If your child’s Year group is asked to work from home then they will be set work via Show My Homework – but this will not be ‘live’ lessons on Teams. This is because the teachers who are in school will be covering the lessons where children are in school. They cannot do a Teams lesson for their usual class at the same time.
We will look rotate Year groups so that there is a balance to any home learning blocks.
If you have problems accessing Show My Homework then visit the online help page to sort access at: https://www.satchelone.com/login.
If you are hitting brick-walls then email: office@friary.greywoodmst.co.uk
Other News:
(i) Senior Staff:
Following the departure of Mr Drury and Mr Baker in the Summer, we are delighted to have two new members of senior staff joining in us in the new term.
Stacey Walsh will be joining as Assistant Headteacher for Behaviour & Personal Guidance, whilst Richard Barnett-Richards will be joining as Assistant Headteacher for 16-19 and Careers / Aspirations.
Rest assured, they are both well-experienced, are very capable, and if you draw them when you need to speak to senior staff you will get a good deal.
(ii) Website:
Please be aware that the school website is: www.friaryschool.co.uk.
You may recall that we had to change from .com a year or so ago. Unfortunately, that website was shut down due to a processing issue in the domain, but has now come live. It is simply, very out-of-date.
We are working to remove it but I am keen that no one gets confused by terms dates, etc.
Matt Allman, Headteacher, said: “With COVID continuing saying ‘Happy New Year’ may seem a little out of kilter, but with last term a real step up from the previous school year, we can go into 2022 with high hopes. We are looking forward to your children returning to us and getting them moving.”
