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3 days ago
Posted on January 15, 2021 by Sara Andrew

Might you be eligible for further help?

We can request mobile data increases for children and young people who meet all 3 of these criteria:

  • do not have fixed broadband at home
  • cannot afford additional data for their devices
  • are experiencing disruption to their face-to-face education

Children with access to a mobile phone on one of the following networks might be able to benefit:

  • EE
  • O2
  • Sky Mobile
  • SMARTY
  • Tesco Mobile
  • Three
  • Virgin Mobile
  • Vodafone

If you meet the criteria above please can you contact me asap with the following information and I will submit a request to get you more data.

I need to know:

  • the name of the account holder
  • the number of the mobile device
  • the mobile network of that device (for example EE, O2 or Three)
Posted in School News, Weekly School Newsletter, Email Bulletin - All, Twitter
4 days ago
Posted on January 14, 2021 by Sara Andrew

Blue Peter on You Tube

We have received an email from the BBC telling us that they have launched Blue Peter on YouTube and they are wondering if our pupils and parents would be interested in this, for entertainment outside of home-schooling hours now we’re in lockdown.

Blue Peter is the longest running kids TV show in the world and we are uploading videos to it that are suitable for 5-11 year olds. We have world record breaking challenges, arts and crafts, environmental videos, cooking and baking how tos, inspirational films, gaming, celebrity appearances, dance routines and music performances. We also feature ways of getting a Blue Peter badge, behind the scenes footage and extra content about our incredible presenters Adam, Lindsey, Mwaksy, Richie and Henry the Blue Peter dog.

If you are interested in this, you can subscribe to https://www.youtube.com/bluepeter – (it’s obviously completely free to subscribe!) and don’t forget you can watch the live programme on CBBC at 5.00pm every Thursday, or on BBC iPlayer.

 

 

Posted in School News, Weekly School Newsletter
One week ago
Posted on January 11, 2021 by Mr Langford

Critical Worker Care

Dear parents and carers of Key Worker children 

On Friday the Government issued new guidance relating to schools providing cover for the children and carers of families where at least one parent is a key worker. 

The term ‘key worker’ has changed to ‘critical worker’ and the eligibility criteria changed to those parents and carers whose:  

‘work is critical to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and EU transition response’ 

The guidance also explicitly asks that: 

‘parents and carers should keep their children at home if they can.’ 

 We are currently looking after, on average, 60 children each day and this necessitates nearly all school staff to be in full time to look after this number of children.  

The Covid-19 pandemic and the threat it poses to society has dramatically increased since Christmas. We are now, once again, in a national lockdown and the strict rules by which we have to live are imminently going to be made more stringent; the Government’s chief medical advisor, Professor Whitty, has spoken this morning explaining that we are about to go through ‘the most dangerous time of the pandemic.’ 

I ask you therefore, if you are currently a key worker family, to look at your situation and, if at all possible, to keep your children at home. 

As a minimum, if you work part time, your children should not be in school on your days off; also, if a parent or carer in the household is working from home then you should not be sending your children to school: 60 children in school and nearly all staff is inherently a dangerous situation. Staff and children are at significantly increased risk of contracting Covid-19 because the transmission rate of the new variant has increased by 70%. Even though the virus has little effect on primary age children, the increased threat for the virus to be passed between households and families, including school staff, now means that, to mitigate this, numbers of children and staff on site must be reduced. At the beginning of the March lockdown, we were averaging between 4 and 8 pupils each day! 

So, in conclusion I ask: 

  • If you are working from home, please keep your children at home. 
  • Ask yourself, ‘is my role absolutely critical to the coronavirus (COVID-19) or EU transition response’. Please do not send your children to school if you are not. 

In this first instance, I hope that my request will lead to a reduction in the number of children requiring critical worker cover. I can then rota staff, especially clinically vulnerable or critically clinically vulnerable staff who are currently coming into school each day, so far less time is spent in school thus reducing the risk of contracting COVID-19. 

As headteacher, my duty of care to my staff is to risk assess and mitigate as much as possible the significant threat that the COVID-19 virus poses. If numbers of required critical worker places does not reduce, then changes in procedures to keep staff safe, including a reduction in on site staff, will inevitably impact on critical worker child cover where it is genuinely needed. 

Thank you in advance for your continued support. 

Mr Langford 

Posted in School News, Weekly School Newsletter, Email Bulletin - All | Tagged COVID-19
One week ago
Posted on January 11, 2021 by Sara Andrew

Surviving the next few weeks…

I’ve seen so many posts on social media recently about parents and children struggling with home learning, and we haven’t done a full week yet – but that is ok we know it isn’t easy.

All our teachers are setting what they believe to be achievable work each day but every child is different, as is every parent, the majority of you are not teachers and probably never wanted to be either! It isn’t easy to teach your own children at the best of times but if you are working from home too that makes the challenge even harder.

We recognise for many there are other hurdles, it will be difficult for children to access work on small tablets or smartphones. All we ask is that you do what you can. What we don’t want is to be creating unnecessary stress for you or your children during these difficult times. Here are a few suggestions for getting through each day.

  • Take lots of breaks.
  • Ask for help if you need, whilst all our teachers are in school teaching keyworker children they are checking emails and will happily help where they can.
  • Don’t be afraid to move on to something different.
  • When it all gets a bit much read a book to your child or why not put on an audio book for them.
  • Get them to write thank you cards (for Christmas gifts)
  • Let them learn some life skills. You are never too young to sort the coloured laundry from the whites or match the socks are you?.
  • What about teaching money management. Give your child a budget and let them pick the weekly shopping. They can add the items to your online basket and when you are free later on you can go through it with them and see what you will be eating for the week. Have they forgotten anything? Discuss it with them? Have they remembered the toilet rolls. It could be fun and will definitely teach them about where the housekeeping money goes!
  • What about learning some basic first aid and the recovery position? I’d love to see your photos if you try this! First Aid for primary school children
  • This is a lovely resource Kindness Activity Pack
  • Do some gardening, or perhaps grow some herbs on a windowsill?
  • Learn some basic DIY for our older children they could learn to wire a plug?
  • Create a scrapbook of all the life skills you learn. This can be mostly pictures in the case of very young children.
  • Who doesn’t love baking? Hopefully many of you have the lockdown cookbook for recipe ideas. If it isn’t too stressful get your child to clean up afterwards too.
  • Put on the television, there are lots of educational resources out there and its ok to say enough is enough and just watch a film!

Don’t believe everything you see on social media, your friends’ children might have worked solidly for six hours and completed all the tasks. In reality they possibly haven’t. One sibling might be studious and have excellent concentration another may not be able to concentrate for more than 5 minutes. That is ok, our children are unique and that is something to be celebrated!

Hopefully this will make you smile. I’ve just had a message from my daughter, my grandson is in breaktime detention. He just suggested his younger brother measure Mummy’s waist because it is a ‘big’ circle!

 

Posted in School News, Weekly School Newsletter, Twitter | Tagged COVID-19
One week ago
Posted on January 11, 2021 by Mr Langford

Wraparound Club – CANCELLED from Tuesday 12th January (until further notice)

As of tomorrow, Tuesday 12th January, Wraparound Club is being cancelled. This is due to the dramatic increase of Covid-19 cases locally and across the country since Christmas and the increased transmission rate of the new variant.  We realise that this will be an inconvenience for the few who are using it and apologise for any inconvenience.  Senior Management will be reviewing the situation every fortnight and we will let you know as soon as we can reopen it.

In the first instance, bookings that have already been made for the next fortnight will be cancelled (your payments will go into your child’s credit on School Money).

Thank you for your understanding.

Mr Langford

Posted in School News, Weekly School Newsletter, Email Bulletin - All
Mrs Butler
11 days ago
Posted on January 7, 2021 by Mrs Butler

Alternative ways of accessing Google Classroom and Microsoft Teams at Home

Apparently you can use an Xbox or PlayStation games console to access Google Classroom and Microsoft Teams.

If you have an Xbox One, XBox Series S, X Box Series X, PlayStation 4, PS4 Pro or PS5 plus a USB keyboard and your child should be able to access online schooling services, such as Google Classroom.

Here are a couple of guides we’ve found on how to access Google Classroom on either an Xbox or PlayStation console.

How to use Google Classroom on Xbox One & Xbox Series X/S

The Xbox consoles each have access to Microsoft Edge – the web browser that comes preinstalled as part of the Xbox user experience. This can be used to access Google Classroom (or another online education service approved by your child’s school).

1. Plug a wired keyboard into your Xbox One, Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S via one of the USB ports on the front or back.

2. Press the Xbox button top-centre of a game controller and head to “My games & apps” in the side menu.

3. Click on “See all”, scroll down to “Apps” and you will see Microsoft Edge in the icons on the right-hand side. Open it.

4. Type classroom.google.com into the URL bar at the top and log in as you would on a PC using your school email account.

5. You can either use an Xbox controller to move the cursor or a separate USB mouse plugged into one of the other ports.

How to use Google Classroom on PS4 & PS5

The PlayStation 4 has its own web browser that is easy to find on the PlayStation 4 (in the content menu as an icon with WWW written on it). However, it’s currently a bit trickier on PS5, as there is no way to open the browser natively.

Instead, you can open the System Settings, then the User Guide. This will open up an online user manual inside a web browser page so you only have to change the URL at the top. Otherwise, the rest of the steps are the same.

1. Plug a wired keyboard and/or mouse into the USB ports on the PS4 or PS5 – each console should recognise them.

2. In the URL bar of the browser, type classroom.google.com and then log in using the details provided by your child’s school.

3. You can now access Google Classroom.

In some cases you might not be able to do everything you can on a laptop or PC, but you can, at the very least, access Google Classroom and see what word your teacher has assigned for you to do.

Posted in School News, Weekly School Newsletter, Communications, Twitter
Mrs Butler
12 days ago
Posted on January 6, 2021 by Mrs Butler

Wraparound Club – important update for this half term

Key Worker parents – if you ever use Wraparound Club at all, Mr Langford is asking if you could book for the whole of this half term in advance as soon as possible, preferably in the next day or so please.

Any sessions that have no children booked in, will be cancelled.  There will be no staff onsite to run the club at late notice for those sessions.

Posted in School News, Weekly School Newsletter, Email Bulletin - All, Communications, Twitter
12 days ago
Posted on January 6, 2021 by Mr Langford

Wednesday 6th January Update For All Parents

Dear parents 

Today we have opened for our Key Worker and Vulnerable children. We have striven to provide a place for all Key Worker families who informed us of a required place by 3.30pm yesterday afternoon. 

I realise that there are still families with at least one key worker parent or carer who may require a place for their children. If this is the case, I ask that you contact me directly using: 

head@pontesbury.shropshire.sch.uk 

Since the country was upgraded to Alert Level 5, as a result of daily infections surpassing 60,00 cases, and we entered full national lockdown again, Government advice now states that society must work from home if at all reasonably possible. Guidance also states that there need only be one family member who is a key worker for that family to be eligible for a school place during lockdown. This has resulted in a significant rise in pupils in school compared to the first lockdown and we are now extremely close to the maximum number of pupils we are able to take whilst ensuring the health and safety of all staff.  

I therefore ask all key workers to please look at your situation at home and consider whether it is essential to send you child to school, especially during these few weeks when infection rates are so high and a family member is working from home. I can assure you that children at home undertake the same work as those in school and that at home they are, quite frankly, in a safer environment. 

Can I also request that children coming to school only bring a coat, water bottle and snack / lunch box. Reading books will not be going home and school will provide all necessary writing materials so no pencil cases please. This is to minimise the amount of items being transferred between school and home. 

Finally, please ensure you DO NOT arrive at school before 8.40am in the morning when doors will open. This morning, several children arrived at 8.30am! 

Home learning started today for all children, whether in school or at home and, as I am sure you can imagine, teachers are now incredibly busy juggling the preparation and uploading of work, looking after keyworker children and assessing completed work. Teachers will respond to emails and communications from children and parents as soon as possible but I ask for your understanding and patience if there is a small delay. I also ask that teachers are not contacted via email in the evening; if you need to email, please contact me using the above link.  

Thank you to all key worker families for your consideration as to whether you feel a place for your child is absolutely essential, especially if you are using our key worker provision 5 days a week. Please rest assured that, as a key worker, you will not lose your place if you feel you are able to keep your child at home: it will be available for the whole of lockdown. 

As always, if any wish to discuss your situation with me, please do not hesitate to contact and to all parents, please do contact if you wish to discuss anything. This is a tremendously difficult and stressful time for all of us so please do contact if you feel you need to, especially with difficulties accessing home learning due lack of usable devices in the home. We will always do our best to help. 

Stay safe 

Mr Langford 

Posted in School News, Weekly School Newsletter, Email Bulletin - All
Mrs Butler
12 days ago
Posted on January 6, 2021 by Mrs Butler

All Crossbar Clubs are CANCELLED during Spring 1 half term

Please note, as Crossbar Clubs are cancelled this half term, if you have already booked a place, these will automatically be transferred to Spring 2 half term if school reopens as normal then and any differences in prices sorted out then.

Thank you for your understanding.

Posted in School News, Weekly School Newsletter, Communications, Twitter
14 days ago
Posted on January 4, 2021 by Mr Langford

Wednesday 6th January

Dear Parents

Further to my post yesterday, unfortunately I have had to take the decision to open on Wednesday for Key Worker Children and Vulnerable Children Only.

This will continue until January 18th 2021 when the situation will be reviewed.

All Key Worker and vulnerable families will be contacted tomorrow and informed of arrangements for their children to attend school on Wednesday.

If you are not contacted tomorrow, please do not send your child to school on Wednesday. If you are a Key Worker and have not be contacted by 3.00pm tomorrow, please email or phone the school office.

Home learning will therefore start again on Wednesday 6th and class teachers will be contacting children in their class tomorrow to ensure everything is prepared.

This decision has been very difficult to make and I fully understand the implications this will have for many of you; I sincerely wish we were moving to more normal times.

Mr Langford 

Posted in School News, Weekly School Newsletter, Email Bulletin - All

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Pontesbury C.E. Primary School
Bogey Lane,
Pontesbury,
Shropshire.
SY5 0TF

Tel: 01743 790226

Headteacher: Mr Richard Langford
School Business Manager: Mrs Sara Andrew

E-mail: admin@pontesbury.shropshire.sch.uk

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