Dear Parents and Carers

Congratulations to us all.  How we have managed to get to half term with no classes being sent home is a mystery.  On a serious note can I thank you for helping us to keep our school open by making the right decisions if your children appear unwell.  Nobody knows your children better than you do and keeping them away from school when they are unwell has clearly helped us all to keep the school open and fully functioning.  I can only ask you to continue in the new half term as the situation will clearly continue for some time.  It would be nothing short of a miracle if we made it to Christmas with our school fully open for all the children.  Your kind words of support and appreciation have been passed on to the teachers and although they are exhausted it did raise a smile this morning. 

We are pleased to tell you that parent's evenings have been arranged and you will receive a letter on the first day back after half term.  I hope you find the instructions clear and that you find this useful experience.

We feel that part of our success in remaining fully open is that we have kept simple rules that everyone understands.  These have not changed and the after school clubs will remain the same for the 7 weeks leading up to Christmas.  We will be able to accommodate our Year 1 and 2 children in the hall and polytunnel if the weather is poor.  So far you have been amazing with regard to picking up children at 4.15pm but can I please ask that no one ventures on to the junior play ground and that parents and carers stay on the infant playground when collecting our younger children.  All junior children will continue to be collected at the front of the school as is the current practice.  Having said that our Year 5 children will now be swimming on Wednesday, which will mean that they will come to school in their PE kits and Year 6 will now swap to have PE on a Tuesday so they will need to come in their sports kit on Tuesdays.  In order to keep things as safe as possible Year 6 will now enjoy Tag Rugby on Tuesday after school, which is their PE day and Year 5 will be able to take part in after school circuit training club on Wednesdays which is now their PE day.  All other classes will have their PE on the same day as they have had this half term.  All children are encouraged to wear their plain tracksuits during this half term.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sam for the excellent PE, sport and after school coaching and support that he has delivered to all our children.  Many of you have made lovely positive comments about how much your children look forward to these important activities and I know that Sam very much appreciates them. 

We have now been in school for eight weeks, and although I have accommodated a small number of children with earrings, these must now be removed as we start our second half term.  Each year the Governing Board consider earrings in school and they continue to follow guidance that suggests it is neither appropriate, nor safe when children are playing and engaging in sporting activities.  Can I therefore ask that no children come to school wearing earrings.  Obviously they may put them in at home and throughout the weekend.  The same applies to nail varnish which must be removed if worn at all on Sunday evening.  I am sure that you understand the position of the Governing Board and I would like thank you for supporting this school policy.

I have a number of brand new school jumpers and cardigans which I am unable to return as they have no name in them.  I found the iron on name tags extremely effective and cheap and would ask that you consider this or ensure that all your child's items of clothing and footwear are clearly marked and that you check regularly.  It is so easy to return items to children if their name is clearly marked.

School lunches - I am sure that your children have told you that we have been practising going into the school hall as hot lunches will be available after half term.  If you have not returned a completed menu with your child's name on it then your child will have to have a home packed lunch.  If you would like your child to have a hot lunch the cutoff date is the Wednesday before the following Monday.  This cannot be changed as it is a Sefton Catering issue.  Hot lunches are £2.25 per day (£11.25 per week) and if possible payment by parentmail pay which again help to keep our school fully open.  I have been delighted that our lunch arrangements have gone so well.  Our new reception children have been simply amazing and I am confident that the arrangements that have been made including perspex screens will contribute to maintaining the integrity of our classes as we move into the winter months. 

I am sure I have omitted a number of things, but would like to close by once again saying how delighted and proud I have been that your children have been able to enjoy a rich and full curriculum.  Indeed they all seem so happy and contented that this is something that we should all be collectively proud of.  Sadly as we are now firmly in the highest tier of restrictions, it seems unlikely that the seasonal activities and events associated particularly with a Catholic school will not take place.  This is regrettable but my single priority is to do everything possible to keep our school fully open for all our children.  The teachers have worked tirelessly to provide a happy and welcoming learning environment and our standards and expectations remain as high as ever, and with your support there is every chance that this will continue into the future. 

I have been overwhelmed by your generosity in contributing to our harvest/food bank donations.  Many have asked if they can contribute after half term.  We shall of course accept anything you may be able to contribute for the next two weeks when we return.  During this time I shall contact local food banks to decide where your contributions are most needed. 

Please enjoy some time next week with your wonderful children, their happy, smiling faces and infectious enthusiasm have certainly kept me going in recent weeks.  Both Fr Grant and I pray that your families stay safe and that you continue to support your children during these particularly difficult and challenging times.

Yours sincerely

Mr D MacAreavy - Headteacher