Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Late Collection

  Thu 08 Oct 2020

  Dear Parents and Carers,

   

  Firstly, we would like to acknowledge and thank the vast majority of parents/carers who always pick up their children on time.

   

  The impact on a child of not being picked up from school on time cannot be underestimated. The child that has been left behind will feel an increasing level of anxiety and distress the longer that they are unsure of where their parents are. Clearly this is not a good thing to happen to any child.

   

  The impact on the school of having a child left behind at the end of the day is also great as it requires two members of staff to supervise that child. This means that those staff will not be able to undertake their duties in preparation for children’s learning the following day, attend other meetings and this also incurs an additional staffing cost to the school.

   

  Unfortunately, we are seeing an increasing number of occasions where children are being picked up late.

   

  We are fully aware that there are frequently valid reasons or emergencies where carers have been delayed and, when the school is informed in advance of this, we will always take an understanding view.

   

  However, some carers appear to be unwilling to acknowledge the impact that this has on both their child and the school and seem to think that the school is able to offer a free, out of hours’ childcare service. It is because of these few who regularly pick up their child late with no prior contact being made to the school that we are forced to take the following action.

   

  From Monday, 18th November 2019, the following will apply:

  · All parents/carers should be onsite and ready to pick up their children when school learning ends.

  · Children who are not picked up on time will be taken to the front office where parents will be contacted by school staff. They will then be supervised by staff in the front office or taken to Mrs Cvijetic’s office.

  · If it is the first occasion of late collection then no charge will be made for the supervision of the child.

  · There will be a charge of £20 per hour per child applied to contribute to the cost to the school for supervision of children if one of the following applies:

   

  1. A second occasion of late collection with no notification made by the Parent/Carer.

  2. A third repeat occurrence of late collection by the Parent/Carer with a notification.

  · The charge of £20 per hour per child will be added to your Parent Pay account. For example, if two children are collected late in the above circumstances, the parent would be charged a total of £40 for their supervision.

  · In line with the school’s safeguarding policy, if a child is repeatedly uncollected, safeguarding processes will be started and a referral may be made to social services and to the police.

   

  Yours sincerely

  John Veall

  Chair of Governors (on behalf of Berkeley Primary School Governors)

• Flu Vaccinations- Children in Reception to Year 6

  Wed 07 Oct 2020

   

  Flu Vaccinations will be taking place for children in Reception to Year 6 on Monday 12th October.

   

  The School Nurses Team have just sent us some more information about the vaccinations for any parents wanting to know a little more; please click on the link below for this.

   

  Many thanks

   

  http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/flu-vaccination-leaflets-and-posters

• A quick guide for parents - Covid-19

  Mon 14 Sep 2020 Anna Cvijetic
  Please check the table below to help you see if your child can come to school.

  

• What to do if anyone in the school becomes unwell

  Fri 11 Sep 2020 Anna Cvijetic

  COVID-19

  What to do if anyone in the school becomes unwell

   

  If anyone in the school becomes unwell with:

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

  they must be sent home and advised to follow guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection, which sets out that they should self-isolate for at least 10 days and should arrange to have a test to see if they have coronavirus (COVID-19).

   

  If they have tested positive whilst not experiencing symptoms but develop symptoms during the isolation period, they should restart the 10-day isolation period from the day they develop symptoms.

  Other members of their household (including any siblings) should self-isolate for 14 days from when the symptomatic person first had symptoms.

  Any members of staff who have helped someone with symptoms and any pupils who have been in close contact with them do not need to go home to self-isolate unless they develop symptoms themselves (in which case, they should arrange a test) or if the symptomatic person subsequently tests positive or they have been requested to do so by NHS Test and Trace.

   

  If someone tests negative and if they feel well and no longer have symptoms similar to coronavirus (Covid-19), they can stop self-isolating. They could still have another virus, such as a cold or flu – in which case it is still best to avoid contact with other people until they are better. If they wouldn’t ordinarily return to school given their level of illness then they should remain at home in the normal way. Other members of their household can stop self-isolating.

  Whilst questions around negative testing are not specifically addressed in the guidance, it seems reasonable to us that if somebody has a negative test result and feels well (or well enough to return to school) then they should return. If they are not 100% upon return but well-enough to be in school, they should be monitored and if they become more unwell they may need to return home again and seek another test.

   

  What should we do if someone in school tests positive for Covid-19?

   

  The DfE guidance states that if someone in school tests positive the school should contact the local health protection team.  The health protection team will provide definitive advice on who must be sent home. The health protection team will carry out a rapid risk assessment to confirm who has been in close contact with the person during the period that they were infectious, and ensure they are asked to self-isolate.

   

  The health protection team will work with schools in this situation to guide them through the actions they need to take. Based on the advice from the health protection team, schools must send home those people who have been in close contact with the person who has tested positive, advising them to self-isolate for 14 days since they were last in close contact with that person when they were infectious. 

   

  Schools should take the advice of the local health protection teams when deciding who should be asked to isolate.

  

• New arrangements for the start and end of the day

  Thu 10 Sep 2020

  Dear Parents and Carers,

  As part of our commitment to keeping everyone safe and in light of local reports of a rise in Covid19 cases, we are making a few changes to our arrangements for entering and leaving the school grounds. Through implementing these changes, our aim is to maximise the chance of being able to keep our school open and Covid19 free.  These will come in to effect from Monday 14^th September. Please find the information in the letters section on our website. These have also been sent out via email.

   

• PE

  Tue 08 Sep 2020

  From tomorrow, Wednesday 9th September, on the days your child has PE, they can come to school in their PE kit and stay in their kit all day. Please note that all PE sessions are outdoor therefore, we suggest that children wear joggers or leggings and have a jumper with them too. See below for each class' PE days:

  Monday: 1 Oak, 1 Holly, 2 Beech, 3 Beech, 4 Oak, 5 Oak and 6 Oak.

  Tuesday: 3 Holly.

  Wednesday: 4 Holly and 5 Holly.

  Thursday: 1 Beech, 5 Beech, 6 Beech and 6 Holly.

  Friday: 2 Oak, 2 Holly, 3 Oak, 4 Beech

   

  Please can I remind you that earrings will need to be removed for PE sessions. If your child is unable to remove them themselves, please could you remove them before they come in to school.

   

  Also, as part of our Covid19 risk assessment, children with long hair must come to school with it tied back everyday, not just for PE.

   

  Thank you for your co-operation.

• Hot grab bag options

  Sun 06 Sep 2020

  Just a reminder that hot grab bags will be available at lunchtime for the designated classes over the next two weeks as listed below: 

  • Monday - Year 1 - 6 Oak
  • Tuesday - Nursery and reception, Year 3 - 6 Holly
  • Wednesday - Year 1 and 2 Holly, Year 3 - 6 Beech
  • Thursday - Year 1 and 2 Beech

  Week commencing 7th September, these will contain hot dogs and chips. 

  Week commencing 14th September, these will contain fish finger wraps.

   

  Should you wish to clarify anything, please contact the school by phone (01724 867065) or by email (admin.berkeleyprimary@northlincs.gov.uk)

• A few updates

  Thu 03 Sep 2020 Anna Cvijetic

  Dear Parents and Carers,

   

  Your children are WONDERFUL! They really have done you and us proud.  I've had a walk round the whole school today to say hello to all the classes and every class I went into was so settled, working hard and so positive minded.  They are a real credit to you.  I'm always amazed at the resilience of children.  

  Thank you so much for bearing with us this morning getting everyone in.  We are hoping it will be quicker and easier as everyone knows where they are going.  If your child is in Beech please do not arrive at school early.  I understand that a lot of parents wanted to get here early as they were unsure what to do but the point of the staggered times is to limit how many are on the site at one time.  If your child is in Oak please come round everyone so they can get to the gate by 8.45am, and come through, same for Holly to ensure they are in by 8.55am.

   

  A reminder of times:

  • Oak - start 8.45am (allowed in through gate at 8.35), finish at 3.00pm
  • Holly - start 8.55am (allowed in through gate at 8.45), finish at 3.10pm
  • Beech - start 9.05am (allowed in through gate at 8.55), finish at 3.20pm
  •  

  For those families that have siblings in different tree classes please find a space on the empty junior car park until it is your next child's time.

   

  PLEASE ENSURE YOU STAY 2 METRES AWAY FROM OTHER FAMILIES AND STAFF MEMBERS

   

  A couple of changes for 2 Holly and 1 Beech

  • 2 Holly will now use the main infant entrance to get to their classroom at the beginning and end of the day.  This will start from this afternoon.  
  • 1 Beech will now use the entrance at the very back of school, where 1 Oak come in and out.  

  Staff members will continue to be around to help direct you.  

   

  A couple of other bits to remember

  • Please ensure all children with long hair have it tied up, to try to reduce the amount they touch their face.
  • Please make sure items in children's pack ups are simple to open themselves, a few have struggled with things today.
  • Please make sure all children have a drink with them.

   

  Book club books

  If any children still has their book from Book Club last year, please can you send it in to school as soon as possible.  We need to have sets of 9 books for this and we have a lot of gaps.  

   

  Best wishes

  Anna Cvijetic

  Headteacher

• Re-opening - maps and lunch arrangements

  Sun 30 Aug 2020 Anna Cvijetic

  Dear Parents and Carers,

   

  We continue to make our plans for opening to all children on Thursday 3rd September.  I have completed our risk assessment and this has been put on the school website in the letters section if any parent would like to read this.  

   

  Parents are encouraged by the Government to visit gov.uk/backtoschool for information and practical guidance to help them plan for their children’s return to school. This includes their latest update to the guidance for parents and carers on what they need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges in the autumn term.  I have attached two leaflets they have produced.

   

  I was hoping to take pictures to aid parents and children to find their entrance, but unfortunately the roofing work isn't due to be completed and scaffolding taken down until Wednesday 2nd September, and this is blocking one of the entrances.  Instead I have attached 2 plans of the school (infant and juniors) with my jottings to try and help anyone who is concerned.  There will be lots of staff members out to help also on the first few days, so please don't worry, we'll get everyone to the correct place.  Please ensure you stay 2 metres away from staff members, other parents and children when coming on the school premises.

   

  The school lunch offer will be a little different in the Autumn term.  For the first two weeks the children will be able to have a cold sandwich option, and one day a week their 'tree' bubble will have a hot grab bag option.  From the 21st September, the children will be able to choose from a hot grab bag (see attached menu) or cold grab bag (selection of sandwiches) every day. The days for the hot option for the first two weeks will be:

  • Monday - Year 1 - 6 Oak
  • Tuesday - Nursery and reception, Year 3 - 6 Holly
  • Wednesday - Year 1 and 2 Holly, Year 3 - 6 Beech
  • Thursday - Year 1 and 2 Beech

   

  We look forward to seeing everyone back at school.

   

  Best wishes

  Anna Cvijetic

  Headteacher

• Arrangements for opening in September 2020

  Thu 16 Jul 2020 Anna Cvijetic

  BERKELEY PRIMARY SCHOOL Back to School effective from Thursday 3rd September 2020 - Arrangements for the NEW ‘normal’

   

  Welcome back to ALL classes

  I hope that you and your family are well and thank you once again for your continued support over recent months during lockdown.  As you read this newsletter, with the changes and adjustments, please be assured that the safety of children, families and staff is our priority and is always at the forefront of our decisions.  The school’s leadership team, including governors, recognise the importance and the seriousness of our current situation, especially in continuing to ensure we try our best, within certain confinements, to ‘social distance’ to a degree.  At all times, we will continue to be guided by Government and Local Authority advice and our overriding focus will be on ensuring that school is as safe as we possibly can.  We will be ensuring that every child has the opportunity to receive a broad and balanced curriculum with new themes for the year, whilst catching up with missed learning.

   

  At the beginning of July the Government announced that it is their plan that all pupils, in all year groups, will return to school full-time from the beginning of the autumn term. They have said in the Guidance for full opening:

  “The prevalence of coronavirus (COVID-19) has decreased, our NHS Test and Trace system is up and running, and we are clear about the measures that need to be in place to create safer environments within schools.  Returning to school is vital for children’s education and their well-being…The balance of risk is now overwhelmingly in favour of children returning to school.  For the vast majority of children, the benefits of being back in school far outweigh the very low risk from coronavirus.”

   

  To ensure that we are fully prepared to welcome ALL children, we have had to alter the school day slightly to enable us to keep children in ‘bubbles’ as much as we can and to limit the traffic in the corridors. We can only do this safely with certain measures in place which poses lots of challenges for the school. As we try this out, there may be changes along the way and we must be flexible and adapt if need be. This newsletter is to be as transparent as possible with our community in our procedures during this period.

   

  We ask that you read it carefully and discuss this with your children in a child friendly way so they understand what the expectations of them and their behaviour will be and to prepare them to come back to school.  These procedures will be in place until further notice.

   

  Government essential measures include:

  • a requirement that people who are ill stay at home
  • robust hand and respiratory hygiene
  • enhanced cleaning arrangements
  • active engagement with NHS Track and Trace
  • formal consideration of how to reduce contacts and maximise distancing between those in school wherever possible and minimise potential for contamination so far as is reasonable and practicable.

   

  The Government ask us to consider the following points when trying to reduce contact:

  • group children together
  • avoid contact between groups
  • arrange classrooms with forward facing desks
  • staff to maintain distance from pupils and other staff as much as possible.

   

  Points to note:

  • There is no longer the requirement that children should be 2m apart from each other.
  • Foundation Stage (Nursery and Reception children) – Transition arrangements for this setting is available separately and distributed to the relevant parents and is on the school website.
  • Our staff may choose to wear some form of PPE.
  • The Government have stipulated school attendance will be MANDATORY again from the beginning of the Autumn term.    Therefore parents/carers may be fined if you choose not to bring your child to school. If you choose NOT TO send your child to school the school WILL NOT be able to support you. The usual school procedures apply.

   

  Please do support the decisions that we make, even if they negatively affect your own arrangements. The logistics have been very difficult to pull together, taking various factors into consideration. Sincere gratitude, once again, for all your support and patience at this time.  Take care and continue to stay safe; this situation is far from over. 

   

  Anna Cvijetic (Headteacher) and Governors at Berkeley Primary School