Easington CofE Primary School

Hall Walk, Peterlee SR8 3BP

Easington C of E Primary School
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Leavers Service – Monday 26th July 2021

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Dear parents,

As you will have seen from the update earlier today, the PCR test returned a positive result. Once again, as a school we wish the child concerned a swift and speedy recovery.

As a result of the above, I can now confirm that the Year 6 Leavers Service will take place on Monday 26th July at 3:30pm. Grandparents are welcome to join parents for the service as well. Please can we ask that children arrive at school at 2:00pm so that they can practice the service and have a run through with Mrs Appleby.

Weather depending, we would still like to hold the service on the back field. Families are welcome to bring their own picnics to enjoy after the service.

We are also hoping to hold a disco for the children from 5:00-7:00pm. We are just in the process of arranging this and will confirm details at a later date.

We look forward to seeing you all on Monday 26th July for a lovely afternoon together and to celebrate the children’s time in our school.

Best wishes

Mr Appleby

Update for Year 5/6 Parents – 16/7/21

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FOR PARENTS OF CLOSE CONTACTS OF COVID-19

Dear Parent,

Advice for Child to Self-Isolate for 10 Days 

We have been advised that there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19 (via PCR test result) within our Year 5/6 class in school.

We have identified that your child has been in close contact with the affected case. In line with the national guidance we recommend that your child now stays at home and self-isolates until 24th July 2021 (10 days after last contact). Sunday 25th July will be the first day your child will be able to come out of isolation.  Your child must not go to school or any public areas: your child must remain at home. Further details of what your child needs to do are in NHS Guidance:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-for-coronavirus/nhs-test-and-trace-if-youve-been-in-contact-with-a-person-who-has-coronavirus/

We are asking you to do this to reduce the further spread of COVID 19 to others in the community. If you need support with isolation, please contact your local Council.

Other members of your household can continue normal activities provided your child does not develop symptoms within the self-isolation period.

If your child is well at the end of the period of self-isolation, then they can return to usual activities.

 

Apply for a Test and Trace Support Payment

As a parent or guardian of a child who has been told to self-isolate, you may need to take time off work to look after them.  If this is the case you may be eligible for a self-isolation payment of £500. For more information please see: www.gov.uk/test-and-trace-support-payment

 

What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19

For most people, especially children, COVID-19 will be a mild illness.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are recent onset of:

  • new continuous cough and/or
  • high temperature and/or
  • a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

If your child develops any of these symptoms of COVID-19, they should remain at home and you should arrange a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test for them.

Testing can be arranged by calling 119 or via gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

If your child has developed symptoms, all other household members must begin to self-isolate, this means staying at home, not go to work, school or public areas, even for exercise.

When you receive the result of your child’s PCR test, further advice will be provided via the NHS Test and Trace Service.

 

How to stop COVID-19 spreading

There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19:

  • wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
  • use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
  • wash your hands as soon as you get home
  • cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
  • put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
  • keep a regular flow of fresh air into indoor areas.

 

Help, support, and further information.

To help you comply with the requirement to self-isolate, the County Durham Together Community Hub can provide access to essential supplies, financial support and emotional support as well as other services. Please visit durham.gov.uk/covid19help or call the Community Hub on 03000 260260 for further details.

There is also support available the coronavirus section via durhamlocate.org.uk

 

Useful Websites

www.gov.uk/coronavirus

www.nhs.uk/coronavirus

www.durham.gov.uk/coronavirus

www.durham.gov.uk/covid19help

www.durhamlocate.org.uk

In light of this news the Year 6 Leavers Service will now take place on Monday 26th July at 3.30pm.  Please can children arrive at school at 2.00pm on the Monday so they can have a run through of the service.  

Yours sincerely

Mr Apppleby

Headteacher

Update for Year 5/6 parents – 15/7/21

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Good morning everyone,

First of all, I would like to say I am sorry for the decision I had to make yesterday. I fully appreciate and empathise with how upset and disappointed everyone will be, especially the children. Unfortunately, our hands are tied, and guidance has to be followed. I’m sure you will join me in wishing the child who has tested positive via the Lateral Flow Test, a speedy recovery.

We are currently waiting for the result of the PCR test. If the PCR test is negative and the results comes back in time, then the children and the relevant staff can return to school tomorrow and the Leavers Service can go ahead tomorrow afternoon. If the PCR test is positive, then we will rearrange the Leavers Service for Monday 26th July at 3:30pm. On this day, Year 6 children will also be able to collect all of their belongings from school.  We will arrange another day for the Year 5 children to collect their belongings.

Please be rest assured that we will not let our wonderful Year 6 children leave our school without celebrating their time with us and giving them the send-off that they all deserve. I will provide an update as soon as we receive confirmation regarding the PCR result.

We have been through many tough times together over the past 18 months, but we get through them by sticking together and supporting each other. Our school community is special, and we will not let things like this beat us, we will come back stronger.

See you all soon.

Best wishes

Mr Appleby

Urgent Message- Year 5/6 Class

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Dear parent/carer,

We have been informed tonight that there has been a positive case of COVID-19 via a Lateral Flow Test.  We have identified your child as being in a class with the child who has tested positive and therefore your child needs to self isolate until we have been notified of the confirmatory PCR test result, when we will be able to share further information.  We will communicate further information as soon as possible.

Regarding the Year 6 Leavers Service, Mr Appleby will provide an update on this tomorrow as we are hoping to rearrange this event.

Thank you for your continued support.

It’s coming home………

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Dear families,

As you are aware, on Sunday night, England are playing in their first major final for 55 years.  The tournament has given our nation a much needed lift after the challenging times everyone has been through.

If your child is a football fan and is likely to be staying up late on Sunday to cheer the lads on, then please let them have a lie in on Monday.  We would rather children have a good rest and come into school when they are ready rather than being tired all day.

School will begin at normal time (Breakfast Club as normal) but children arriving up to 11am will not be marked as late and will not miss any teaching and learning.

Lets get behind the nation, talk to your children about patriotism, pride, resilience and this special moment in our sporting history.

Come on England, do us proud!

Kind regards,

Mr Appleby

 

Update for parents – 6/7/2021

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Dear parents,

The DfE has today published operational guidance to apply to schools from step 4 (currently expected to be from 19 July)

Please see a summary of the guidance below.  This will come into effect when the children return on Thursday 2nd September 2021.   After what has been such a  difficult and challenging time for us all, I’m sure you will agree this is positive news and will allow our school community and most importantly our children, to begin to return to normality.

No more bubbles

  • The guidance no longer recommends ‘bubbles’ from step 4.  The guidance expressly states that this means assemblies can resume and schools no longer need to keep bubbles separate at lunchtime.  In some local areas it may be necessary to reintroduce bubbles for a temporary period but this will be communicated with parents.
  • This allows us to end staggered start and end times to the school day.  From September all children can arrive at school between 8.45-8.55am and filter directly into classes. 

No more self-isolation for close contacts (children under 18)

  • From 16th August 2021 children under 18 will no longer be required to self-isolate if contacted by test and trace as a close contact.  Instead they will be advised to take a PCR test.
  • Schools will no longer be required to do close contact tracing from step 4.  Close contacts will be identified by test and trace.
  • Note this will not apply if the child lives in the same household as someone who is a positive case, they must then self-isolate.

No more face coverings

  • Face coverings will no longer be advised for pupils, staff or visitors. These will also no longer be required on school transport.  However, the wearing of a facecovering is personal choice and all visitors are welcome to do so if they wish.
  • If there is an outbreak in school, public health may advise the school to temporarily re-introduce face coverings and this should be reflected in outbreak management plans.

Risk assessments and continued control measures

  • School will continue to have a risk assessment in place in order to comply with health and safety law and put in place proportionate control measures.  There are still control measures set out in the guidance including:-
    • hand hygiene,
    • respiratory hygiene,
    • appropriate cleaning schedule,
    • keeping rooms well ventilated
    • self isolation of those with symptoms, positive cases and those with a positive case in their household

Self-isolation- when it will apply 

  • Pupils and staff should not come into school if they have symptoms (even if they have been vaccinated), a positive test result or are quarantining after a trip abroad.  Anyone who develops Covid 19 symptoms (however mild) should be sent home to follow public health advice to self-isolate and get a PCR test.  The individual’s household should then follow the public health stay at home guidance for households with a possible or confirmed Covid-19 infection (this applies even if members of the household have had two doses of the coronavirus vaccine).

Testing

  • School Staff will continue to undertake twice weekly home tests whenever they are on site until the end of September when this will be reviewed.
  • Staff with positive LFD tests will self-isolate and get a PCR test to confirm the result.

CEV children and staff

  • All previously shielding children should attend school unless there is express medical advice not to attend.

Remote education and free school meals

  • School will maintain our capacity to deliver high quality remote education for the next academic year if required.
  • Free school meal support will be provided to any pupils who are eligible for benefits related free school meals if they are learning at home during term time.

Education recovery and inspections

  • Exam and assessment results from Summer 2021 will not be published in performance tables.

 

The positivity and the sense of community that we have shown throughout this time has been humbling, moving and simply gone to prove how amazing our Easington CofE family really is.

If you have any questions or concerns about any of the points above, please do not hesitate to contact school and speak with Mr Appleby.

Best wishes,

Mr Appleby and staff

Lockdown Learning

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Our beautiful ‘Lockdown Learning Displays’ which show the amazing work our children produced during our enforced Remote Learning. Children were welcomed back to these displays on returning to school on Monday. We wanted to show how much we value all of their amazing hard work.

Well done children, you simply are the best! ❤️

 

 

Update for parents – 02/03/2021

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Good morning everyone,

To welcome our fabulous children back to school on Monday 8th March, all classes will be having a Welcome Back Afternoon! Children will be able to catch up with friends (some of which they haven’t seen for seen for 11 weeks), have some nice treats and have a lovely, fun-filled afternoon with their class teacher. We feel this is the least the children deserve for all of the amazing effort and resilience they have shown over the past months.  Children are to wear school uniform as normal.

As a thank you for all of your amazing, unwavering support during the current lockdown, as a gesture of goodwill, I will not be charging anything for our wrap around care provision during the first week back (WB 8th March). Any parents wanting their children to attend Breakfast Club or After School Club that week, can do so free of charge.

To book sessions please either email easingtonce@durhamlearning.net or simply text us by replying to one of our texts via Teachers2parents informing us which sessions you require.   Please can we ask that sessions are booked by 12 noon on Friday 5th March.

Once we are all back in school on Monday 8th, Mrs Bowden-Stoker will send a letter home to parents to book childcare for weeks commencing 15th and 22nd March.

Any parents who completed and sent payment into school for Breakfast/After School Clubs for January,  your payments will be returned to you via your child on Monday 8th.

Thank you

Mr Appleby

The Local Offer

Durham County Council
Youth Sport Trust
Rights Respecting Schools Unifcef
Quality Mark 5
Healthy School Enhanced
Investing in Children
Partner School
Diocese of Durham