First I would like to thank you for your hard work this half term. School staff have shared many stories with me about family members and what they are doing to support our young people with education in the home. Please accept our heartfelt appreciation of what you have done and continue to do. We know it isn't easy, but you have truly made a significant difference. 

Covid

We have had no new cases of Covid in our community reported to us this week.

Half term track and trace for pupils tested positive with Covid who are attending school

In the upcoming half term week, schools have once again been asked to support the track and trace effort.  This ONLY applies to pupils who have been attending school.   All other track and trace will be completed by the NHS team.

If your child has been attending school and tests positive for Covid-19 up until Wednesday 17th February we would ask that you email  jrigby@meadowhighschool.org or text 07851 254 246  

Please ensure you include:

• your child’s name

• tutor group

• the date when symptoms first appeared (if they had symptoms)

• the date they took the Covid-19 test

• the date of the confirmed Covid-19 test result

• their last day in school.  

We will inform other parents by email if their child has been a ‘close contact’ and is required to self-isolate.  

For clarity, if your child tests positive for Covid-19, having developed symptoms more than 48 hours since being in school, the school should not be contacted in this case.  Please follow contact tracing instructions provided by NHS Test and Trace.

Laptops, dongles and internet access

I thought I would update you on what has happened regarding providing ICT support this half term.

So far, the following devices and access to the internet have been provided to pupils:

• Laptops from the DfE - 58 from school - 60 Total: 118
• Dongles from school: 20
• SIM cards from school: 30
• Wifi vouchers from school: 60

Education on or off site

As all our pupils have an EHCP they are entitled to an on site education should you require it. If you do notify us that an onsite place is now required please be aware it takes upto two days to set up the provision, resources and organise schools transport.

Take a break from screens

Both pupils and staff have been spending considerable periods of time in front of screens and devices this half term. To help everyone rest and recuperate we are asking everyone to reduce the amount of time they spend on screens during half term. Please encourage your child to take daily exercise, get some fresh air and engage in other activities during half term. I am aware that some pupils have screen time as part of their daily routine and reward system but we hope that everyone can keep this to a minimum.

To aid staff in their rest and recuperation time please can I ask that you do not email them during the half term. Planning and preparing online lessons and resources is very time consuming and paired with the live delivery of lessons, staff are greatly in need of some 'Screen free' time. Many thanks in anticipation of your support in this.

Assembly

Thankfully, this weeks whole school assembly went much more smoothly!

It is Kindness Week from Sunday 14th to Saturday 20th February, with Wednesday 17th being 'Random Acts of Kindness Day'. I set pupils a week's challenge which I have included below. 

If you would like to hear your choice of song at the end of an assembly email meadow@meadowhighschool.org and tell me the name of the song and why you have chosen it!

Best wishes to you all for a safe and relaxing half term break.

Mrs J Rigby
Head Teacher