Latest News
Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
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Phased Re-opening of the School
Fri 22 May 2020Friday 22nd May 2020
Dear Parents and Carers,
Phased Re-Opening of the School
We hope that you and your family are well, and that you are managing to cope with the current situation as best as you can. We are missing you all very much and are eager to welcome you back when it is safe to do so. We are aware of the many challenges you have all faced too. As a Catholic school we recognise the need for regular prayer and a strong faith has never been more important. We continue to update our prayer resources on the school website.
SCHOOL WILL NOT BEGIN To RE-OPEN ON 2nd JUNE
Our priority, as always, has to be the safety of children, families and staff and as I am sure you will appreciate this is made more difficult by the many unknowns and uncertainties that still exist around the Covid-19 virus.
Since the government announcement, we have been working to implement the latest government guidance by, considering the physical space we have for this increased number of pupils and the staffing that we have available. A detailed Risk Assessment form arrived on the late afternoon of Monday 18th May and this is the basis on which we plan to re-open Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School in the safest way that we can.
Although we have been working to full capacity to ensure that the school is safe for further phased reopening, there is still much work to do and this will take some time for the leadership team and whole school staff. This includes sourcing essential items such as soap, hand gel and Personal Protective Equipment.
At this current time, from our initial risk assessments, we are NOT ABLE TO SAFELY start our phased reopening at Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School from June 2nd.
This will be reviewed on a weekly basis and we will keep you up to date with any further decision making. However, please note we will not be able to open to any further pupils until on or after 8th June 2020. The government has stipulated priority groups and we will endeavour to phase these groups back in to school in priority order.
The Local Authority has also issued a letter to parents explaining reasons behind some schools remaining closed to more pupils.
WHEN A PHASED RETURN BEGINS
As we continue to plan for our phased re-opening we wanted to share what returning will look like for our children. We will provide a child friendly version in the coming weeks on our website so that your child can be prepared for the changes.
We have spent much time preparing our classrooms for a phased re-opening and although government guidelines call for 15 pupils per group, our classrooms will only safely cope with 10 children in them, whilst maintaining the recommended 2 metres of social distance between children and staff. Teachers will also have an exclusion zone to support social distancing that the children will not be able to enter.
All other items possible have to be removed from the classroom to ensure all surfaces can be thoroughly cleaned.
- Children will be in small groups organised by the teachers and have be a maximum of 10. They will always remain in this group and will not be able to swap or come into contact with children in other groups.
- They will have the same members of staff; we will make every effort for this to be a teacher who works with your child but this may not be the case as 'home groups', ‘bubbles’ or ‘pods’ within school must remain consistent.
- School will not be following a full curriculum. Teachers will be continuing to set work online to be completed at home or in school.
- The schools’ timings will not be the same. Timings will be staggered, including the start and end of the day; lunchtimes and break times.
- Lunches will be eaten in class or designated areas with a staggered shortened break outside weather permitting
- There will be no assemblies or mixing of small groups.
- Children will not be changing into PE kits.
- All bags must be left at home; children should only come to school with only a lunch box if required but we recommend all children attending school have a school meal.
- Going outside is encouraged; each small group of children will have a designated area and time outside away from other groups and hand interaction between children will be discouraged.
- In classes, desks will be separated, however there is an acceptance that social distancing, especially with younger children, will not happen effectively. Smaller children will also be allocated desks.
- No PPE, at this stage, will be worn by children. At times where social distancing cannot be maintained, staff may need to wear PPE and this will be FULL PPE if a child presents with Coronavirus type symptoms
- Children eligible for Free School Meals and infant children who usually have school meals, will receive a cold lunch each day in school and those children attending school would no longer be eligible for FSM vouchers
Over the next few days I am meeting with other head teachers, seeking advice from the Local Authority and planning with the school leadership team to create a plan for a potential wider opening of Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School.
When it is decided that it is safe for Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School to begin a phased re-opening to more pupils, this will be done in small groups. This is to ensure that the procedures and policies in place are safe and are adapted to new challenges as well as ensuring appropriate staffing and safety arrangements are made.
Key Worker Provision
As I’m sure you are aware, Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School has remained open since lockdown started for key worker children and others in specific groups where attendance at school has been recommended. Key worker childcare will resume on June 2nd for the children already in attendance at school. As a phased reopening begins, places will need to be extended but remain limited. This is based on the rooms that we are able to use and the available staffing. This means requests will be ranked in order of priority using government guidelines. If we are unable to offer you a place, we will assist in finding you a space in Birmingham.
Half Term Break
School will be closed to everyone during half term week; contractors are on site completing essential maintenance works. We have asked the staff to take a break from providing online learning during half term week, as we need our staff to have a full week break from school related activities, however staff have chosen to update their support on the website. New subject pages and advice are on the school website, pupils can continue with online platforms such as Times Tables Rock Stars and their CGP English and Maths books, should you wish to do so.
Does My Child Have to Return?
It will be respectfully left to you as parents to consider this and make appropriate decisions for your child and your family. There will be no consequences for families who choose for their children to remain at home during the remainder of the Summer Term, and I will of course respect the decision that you decide to make. Although the government have shared their ‘ambition’ that ALL primary pupils are expected to return before the summer holidays at this current point in time, we would have significant concerns about doing this and we have many concerns including the space that will be available.
Your thoughts as parents and carers are crucial at this time and will help us with the planning process. We received a tremendous response from our survey sent out last week to the parents of children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6. The survey indicates that currently, 59% of you intend to keep your children at home and 41% intend for their child to return to school when our phased reopening commences. When a date is confirmed for each class will begin their phased return, a form will be sent for you to confirm your choice and indicate whether or not a space can be made available at Our Lady’s.
We would support any parent who chooses that their child remains at home as we fully understand your concerns and everyone’s situation is different. Like you, we await the government publication of the scientific evidence that supports their decision in asking schools to return. We will maintain a flexible and adaptable approach, responsive to the changing needs of our school, our local and national community. We will be mindful of on-going government guidelines and legislation.
Questions
The careful and phased re-opening of school will focus on supporting children to learn, to stay safe, and to enjoy being back with their friends and with school staff as much as we can. We hope that this letter has answered many of your questions.
If you have any urgent questions, please do get in touch at enquiry@ourladys.bham.sch.uk .
In the meantime, I will keep you updated on any decisions or changes to what is planned, and we look forward to welcoming you back into school as soon as it safe to do so.
Thank you for your continued support,
V McDonald
Miss V. McDonald
Head Teacher
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Virtual Assembly Now Online!
Mon 18 May 2020Dear Parents and Pupils,
Our first virtual assembly is now online! Awards have been shared and if you are one of this week's winners, look out for your award in the post! If you didn't receive an award this week, don't worry there are lots more opportunities. Keep sending your wonderful learning to your teacher and more winners will be selected on Thursday. Good luck!
Click here for Our First Virtual Assembly
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Update
Tue 12 May 2020Dear Parents,
Following on from recent government announcements, we are working hard to ensure we can support re-opening of the school when it is safe to do so. Governors and school leaders are working closely with the Local Authority and Diocese to ensure any re-opening of the school is carried out in accordance with health & safety requirements at this time. We are still awaiting further guidance and will update you in due course.
Children will remain at home at present and we want to thank you for working with us to provide education and resources to support your children. We have witnessed wonderful examples of learning at home and are looking forward to celebrating work with you in our virtual assemblies beginning on Monday 18th May - send your work in by Thursday 14th May!
To help with work at home, staff have been busy preparing extra materials for every child. Over the next week every child will have a pack delivered home containing, pens, pencils, felt tips, coloured paper, card, work books and more. Please keep these safe and use them to support learning and encourage creative activities. Please feel free to tweet or share photos of activities via email to class teachers!
We will also be delivering some limited school owned Netbooks (conditionally) to families who may require support to access the teaching on our website. Please talk to your class teacher during this week's phone calls if you feel this may benefit your family.
Throughout this period of change, we continue to pray for our entire school community and look forward to welcoming you back soon!
Best wishes,
Miss McDonald
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Watch our first video!
Thu 07 May 2020Our first video has been added to the Video Resource Page, click here to view. It features pupils from Year 4 explaining their deforestation research. Well done to all the children involved in preparing as well as presenting! -
Virtual Award Assembly!
Wed 06 May 2020Award assemblies are back! Children have requested awards for the great work they are doing at home. Some of OL pupils have been working hard to design new certificates, choose rewards and get information to you. You can send written work, photos or videos of anything new you have learned to your class teacher via email who will select a winner each week. The assembly will be recorded in school and uploaded to our school website https://our-ladys-catholic-primary-school-redesign.primarysite.media/
Certificates will be sent home in the post. Start sending in your exceptional learning now! Good luck!
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Y5 Pupils Grammar School Applications
Tue 05 May 2020Registration for the optional entrance test for admission to the eight Grammar Schools in Birmingham in September 2021 is now open. The deadline for registering for the test is 4pm on Friday 26 June 2020.
You can register your child and find more information about the test by visiting www.birminghamgrammarschools.org
Children only need to sit one entrance test to be considered for any of the grammar schools in Birmingham. The entrance test for September 2021 entry will be held on Saturday 12 September 2020 (this may be subject to change depending on the COVID-19 situation).
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Big Brummie Campout
Fri 01 May 2020A message from SIFA Fireside (Homeless charity)
'The Big Brummie Campout is happening in under two weeks and we are very excited for everyone to get involved.
On Friday the 8th May we are asking friends and families to set up camp in their back gardens, build make-shift dens on balcony's or cushion castles in their front rooms to raise money for SIFA Fireside.To sign up as a ‘camper’ we are asking supporters to donate a minimum £5 to the appeal, in return for access to an exclusive Activity pack filled with fun activities including stargazing and leaf printing. The pack will have everything needed for an evening under the stars, including family-friendly recipes and craft activities. The evening will also help bring people together, with a hosted live stream, music performances, and the chance to share camping experiences on social media.
https://www.sifafireside.co.uk/pages/181-big-brummie-camp-out-2020
The campaign is being launched as part of our emergency #SIFASurvives appeal, launched in response to a reduction in support due to the Coronavirus epidemic. We're looking to raise £50,000 over the coming months so that we can continue providing homeless and vulnerable adults access to key services such as showers and health clinics, whilst also helping them to work towards a brighter future.
Thank you so much for your support to SIFA Fireside and the work that we do.'
If you'd like to find out more and donate to this very worthy local cause please see here...
https://www.sifafireside.co.uk/pages/181-big-brummie-camp-out-2020 -
Free School Meals
Fri 01 May 2020Dear Parents,
Many of you have been in contact regarding Free School Meals. We hope we have been able to support you through the process of checking eligibility. Due to the current situation, we are aware many family circumstances may have already changed or will change in the future. The government has issued guidance for schools regarding FSM and access to funding under certain circumstances should families find themselves facing an uncertain future and lacking essential food and items to care for their children.
If you are worried or concerned at all, please do contact our school on fsm@ourladys.bham.sch.uk and someone will contact you to discuss what we can do to help with discretion and confidentiality.
Best wishes,
Miss McDonald
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