Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
28th May 2020
Dear Parent/Carer,
I hope that you and your families are safe and well. Thank you so much for all of your patience, understanding and co-operation whilst we have been trying to formulate our cautious plan for a possible phased return. As you will be aware Lancashire have now made a statement last night, which is advising schools in Lancashire not to reopen to more pupils from 1st June. This is because Lancashire does not meet all five of the government's tests which would allow pupils to return safely.
We will regularly review the situation and provide further information when it becomes available. As it stands, we will only be continuing to open to our 'Vulnerable' and Critical Worker families as we have done so since 20th March.
The safety and welfare of our whole school family is paramount within all aspects of our planning. Therefore, we have decided, in consultation with the governing body, that it is vital that we take very cautious, stringent, and vigilant steps to ensure the safest possible phased return to school.
Please note that there is the possibility that no further children return before the end of the summer term, unless the advice from Lancashire changes.
Once again, we wish to thank you for your continued support of school during these unprecedented times and realise that this is a very frustrating period for all our families. There is nothing better that we would like than to see all our children back in school. We miss you all.
Regards
M Proctor
Headteacher
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I hope that you and your families are safe and well. Thank you so much for all of your patience, understanding and co-operation whilst we have been trying to formulate our cautious plan for a possible phased return. As you will be aware Lancashire have now made a statement last night, which is advising schools in Lancashire not to reopen to more pupils from 1st June. This is because Lancashire does not meet all five of the government's test which would allow pupils to return safely.
We will regularly review the situation and provide further information when it becomes available. As it stands we will only be continuing to open to our 'Vulnerable' and Critical Worker families as we have done so since 20th March.
The safety and welfare of our whole school family is paramount within all aspects of our planning. Therefore, we have decided, in consultation with the governing body, that it is vital that we take very cautious, stringent, and vigilant steps to ensure the safest possible phased return to school.
Please note that there is the possibility that no further children return before the end of the summer term, unless the advice from Lancashire changes.
Once again, we wish to thank you for your continued support of school during these unprecedented times and realise that this is a very frustrating period for all our families. There is nothing better that we would like than to see all our children back in school. We miss you all.
Regards
M Proctor
Headteacher
Thursday 21st May 14:15pm
Key Message: Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives
Total number of pupils in school today = 8
Total number of staff = 4
(Miss Jackson, Mr Hargreaves, Miss Martin, Mrs Davis)
Wednesday 20th May 14:50pm
Key Message: Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives
Total number of pupils in school today = 8
Total number of staff = 5
(Miss Jackson, Mr Hargreaves, Miss Martin, Mrs Davis, Mrs Humphreys)
Tuesday 19th May 15:55pm
Key Message: Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives
Total number of pupils in school today = 7
Total number of staff = 4
(Miss Jackson, Mr Hargreaves, Miss Martin, Mrs Davis)
Today's activities:
Go Noodle!
Building a circus tent
Colouring
Circus masks
Just Dance!
Monday 18th May 10:55am
Key Message: Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives
Total number of pupils in school today = 9
Total number of staff = 5
(Miss Jackson, Mr Hargreaves, Miss Martin, Mrs Davis, Mrs Humphreys)
Activities today:
Photos will be added to the gallery each day.
Friday 15th May 2020
Important announcement regarding pupils’ possible return to school
Firstly, thank you for letting our school know of your feelings on a possible return to school from 1st June following the Government’s announcement on Sunday evening. Children from Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 are now being given the choice of returning to school from this date, but only if it is safe and feasible to do so, since every school context is different. The information which you have kindly provided us with has allowed our school leadership team, staff and governors the time to try to carry out risk assessments and look at various options to see whether it is going to be possible for our school to reopen in some capacity for these children, but at the same time ensure that it is safe to do so. The safety of our children, staff and everyone’s family are of paramount importance and this will be the first and foremost decider on whether our school is able to open for these pupils and if so to what extent.
I know many of you have already expressed serious concern over the safety of reopening and how it is going to be possible for primary school children (especially the Reception children) to socially distance and the emotional effect this could potentially have on them. The teaching and learning taking place in classes would not be formal and rigorous as would typically be the case and teachers and teaching assistants would also have to adhere to the social distancing rule of 2m. The typical day, should we reopen, will be very different for our children in order to protect them and the people they come into contact with. Advice we are receiving has been gradual and progressive since the announcement, with all schools having no notice prior to the announcement of what safety measures are being advised. Therefore, your help in giving us this early information at least gives us an initial starting point to risk assess and determine the nature of a possible return.
In addition to the Reception Class, Year 1 and Year 6 pupils, the Government has expressed that critical worker children are also eligible to take up the school’s provision which has been the case since 20th March. There is also the expectation now that all vulnerable pupils attend school, unless it is not safe or appropriate to do so. These children of course, also add to the risk element within school since pupil numbers will be ever increasing and with the Key Stage 1 building out of operation until possibly September, space will be at a premium if we are to ensure everyone keeps to the 2m social distancing rule.
During the course of the next few days, the staff and Governors of the school will be working on the safest model we can put into practice and we are hoping to outline the risk assessment and plan (should the school reopen) by 3pm next Friday, in order for parents to have time to think things through themselves. The ultimate choice will lie with parents and we will support any decision you come to. The Government has already stipulated that parents will not be penalised for non-attendance. We of course are very much missing our children hugely, but at the same time need to keep them and everyone safe.
Please continue to view the school website daily, since we are putting the latest updates on there as more information from the DFE and Lancashire come through.
Please keep safe and take care everyone. You are in our thoughts and prayers constantly.
Yours sincerely
M Proctor
14th May 2020
For children in Year 2,3,4,5 including critical workers and vulnerable children
Dear Parent/Guardian,
I write to you to provide a further update following the Prime Minister’s announcement on Sunday evening, stating that primary school children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 can return back to school from the 1st June 2020 if it is feasible. Firstly, I would like to thank you all for your patience and understanding.
On behalf of all the staff and governors, I wish to express that even though your child’s year group is not yet returning to school from the 1st June 2020, you are all very much in our thoughts and prayers. Staff will continue to provide home learning and support throughout the coming weeks via the school website and using Google Classroom. As stated by the government, “Our ambition is to bring all primary year groups back to school before the summer holidays for a month if feasible…”
As soon as we learn more details and are in a position to plan further steps, we will inform you immediately.
Over the recent months school has been open for the children of ‘critical keyworkers’ and this provision will remain in place until further notice. We kindly ask that if you still require this emergency care you continue to inform us of your requirements by email as you have been doing to: head@st-john-augustine.lancs.sch.uk ,by ringing the school office or telling a member of staff who has been looking after your child.
It is of vital importance that we know this information in order to make safe, accurate and robust plans for school from the 1st of June 2020 onwards. Therefore, we thank you in anticipation of your prompt reply.
There is a continuing expectation that vulnerable children of all year groups will attend school, where it is safe and appropriate for them to do so.
Once again, I ask you for your patience as the information and guidance may well change as time progresses. Please note that Government wording includes phrases such as “if feasible”, “if possible”, and “conditional review”.
Thank you for all your support and understanding at this very difficult and challenging time. We hope that you and your family /friends are all safe and well.
Yours sincerely
M Proctor
13th May 2020
Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6
Dear Parent/Guardian
I write to you following the Prime Minister’s announcement on Sunday evening, stating that primary school children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 can return back to school from the 1st June 2020. Firstly, I would like to thank you for your patience and understanding whilst waiting for information from school. As a school we have had to wait for government and local authority guidance in order to plan our way forward. Information is still being sent to school and we anticipate that this will continue for the next few weeks. I therefore, once again ask you for your patience as the information and guidance may well change as time progresses. Please note that government wording includes phrases such as “if feasible”, “is possible”, and “conditional review”.
It is with this in mind that we will continue our difficult task of planning our next steps. In order to do this, we request that as parents you inform school of your intentions to send your child/children back to school from 1st June 2020. Government guidance states that “children and young people in eligible year groups are strongly encouraged to attend.” In addition, the government information states that “there is a continuing expectation that vulnerable children and young people of all year groups will attend educational or childcare provision, where it is safe and appropriate for them to do so.” We completely understand parents’ concerns/reservations and differing views on this matter.
It is important to state that safety is our number one primary concern and all safety measures recommended by the government will be put stringently into place at school. In following the government guidelines, ‘where we can keep children in small groups 2m away from each other we will do so.’ This will mean that there will be a limited number of places within each classroom and the dining hall. Therefore, it is paramount for risk assessing and planning purposes that we now determine how many children will be returning to school so that a comprehensive weekly plan can be formulated.
We thoroughly appreciate that this is short notice but as a matter of urgency please can all parents of the eligible year groups, those parents of vulnerable pupils and those with an EHC plan to email school to inform us if it is your intention for your child to return or not, it is imperative that we receive a reply from all parents/carers. There is a continuing expectation that vulnerable children of all year groups will attend school, where it is safe and appropriate for them to do so.
Please email: head@st-john-augustine.lancs.sch.uk or telephone school on 01254 392717
.
We are asking that these replies are sent to school by 12pm Thursday 14th May 2020.
Once we have collated all responses we will then use this to risk assess and put a carefully considered plan into place before providing you with further information.
Further information for parents can be found at:
We once again thank you for all your support and understanding at this very difficult and challenging time. We hope that you and your family /friends are all safe and well.
Mr M Proctor
Wednesday 13th May 9:49am
Key Message: Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives
Total number of pupils in school today = 8
Total number of staff = 5
(Mr Proctor, Mr Hollinshead, Miss Middleton, Mrs Halliwell, Miss Mortimer)
Reception, Year 1, Year 6 Pupils:
We are currently working on a risk assessment in school to see whether we can safely allow a number of pupils back into school from 1st June onwards. Decisions on how many children we are able to allow back in school from this date will be taken by the school and will be based on how we can keep children of primary school aged children and their families safe. Please keep up to date with this website page and text messages over the course of the next few days as clear updates will be given, once the school has determined the safest course of action. I appreciate your patience on this matter, and I do also completely understand the many concerns many of you are expressing.
M Proctor
Monday 11th May 2:41pm
Key Message: Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives
Total number of pupils in school today = 7
Total number of staff = 5
(Mr Proctor, Mr Hollinshead, Miss Middleton, Mrs Halliwell, Miss Mortimer)
I know that many of you will be thinking and reflecting on the Prime Minister's announcement last night and wondering how this may affect schools on 1st of June.
All I will say at this stage is that there are a lot of conditions that will have to be met before our school is able to accept pupils from these classes from June 1st as the Government hopes. At this stage as there are a lot of variables and things to consider – not least of which that we haven’t actually seen the detail yet of the Government's plan. We do however know that the proposed date of 1st June for at least some Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 pupils is a possibility, but only if certain criteria is met. I do understand that many of you will be feeling apprehensive about this decision and how children are able to be kept safe.
Once the details of the possible return for these classes has been provided to schools and we have a clearer picture of how this will look, I will update parents accordingly. Please do not ring the school to try to ascertain the answers to questions you have about 1st June, since we, as every other school, simply do not know yet.
Our school of course has currently only the Key Stage 2 building in operation for the next few weeks, which will mean that the KS1 building will remain out of use until the construction work is completed. The start date for this has now been confirmed for 18th May, which is good news for us all.
Friday 8th May 9:53am VE DAY
Key Message: Work from home, Protect the NHS, Save lives.
Total number of pupils in school today = 3
Total number of staff = 4
(Mr Proctor, Mrs McLeod, Miss Davis, Mrs Ainsworth)
Message from Mr Proctor
Dear Parents/Guardians,
I hope that you, your family and friends are all keeping well. All the staff here at school are missing you all a great deal. We really appreciate the messages that you have been sending us, it is wonderful to keep in touch this way. We are always amazed at the really interesting and creative things that you have been doing. We equally understand how difficult it must be for you as parents/guardians if you have to do your own work at home as well. We would like to say a heartfelt thank you for all that you are doing.
We do hope that the current timetable of work on Google Classroom is a little more straight forward than it has been in previous weeks.
If you do have the internet and would like further activities to do, the following websites may be of use since there are many online teacher video clips to help you.:
https://www.thenational.academy/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize
This Sunday our country is expecting an announcement regarding the next phase of ‘Lock down’, it is important to say that at this point in time, we as schools have no indication of how and when schools will reopen.
Please understand that any plans will need to be very carefully considered so it will be necessary for us to have time to understand, consider and put the requirements of the Government and Local Authority in place. Please be reassured that we will do this as quickly as possible and in turn inform you as soon as we are able to do so. I thank you in anticipation of your patience regarding this matter.
May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy weekend and hope that you have a lovely Bank Holiday today. We realise that many schools are closed today, but we are still open for critical worker families.
Kindest regards
M Proctor
Schools reopening speculation
DFE Announcement
Schools are closed to all but the children of critical workers and vulnerable children. The Secretary of State has been clear that this will remain the case until the scientific advice says it is safe to do otherwise.
The NEU has today (7 May) said it will be vital for the Government to gain the trust of parents before schools reopen to all pupils, while a survey from the charity Parent kind suggests 9 in 10 parents would be unhappy with schools reopening soon after lock down ends.
6th May, there was speculation that an announcement would be made on reopening schools either today or over the weekend.
The Sun, Telegraph, Guardian, and Mirror all run pieces about schools reopening with different angles as outlined above.
Our position remains clear that no date has been set for the reopening of schools to all pupils.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has not set a date for schools reopening.
Schools will remain closed, except for children of critical workers and vulnerable children, until the scientific advice indicates it is the right time to re-open and the five tests set out by Government to beat this virus have been met.
We are also working closely with the sector as we consider how to reopen schools, nurseries and colleges and will ensure everyone has sufficient notice to plan and prepare.
VE Day
Activities for VE will be taking place in school with the two children we have in school.
FSM:
Future vouchers are now handled by the DFE associated voucher scheme: EDENRED. They will be the ones who will now be processing your voucher codes so that they can redeemed by our families. Once they have been processed the codes will be emailed to the parents who are eligible. From our school's experience with this scheme, it has taken a significant period of time for the codes to be processed.
The National Oak Academy
The DFE have provided a wonderful resource for helping families with online learning. We have had a look at this as a school and we would highly recommend this learning resource to help parents who are struggling with the Google Classroom set up. I hope everyone can appreciate that many of these online tools and learning platforms have been thrown together very quickly and there may well be glitches or difficulties navigating through these. If you would like to have a look at The National Oak Academy as an alternative resource then feel free to do so. From our experience it is proving to be quite an easy website to use and many other schools are also using this. Use the following link:
https://www.thenational.academy/
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Thursday 7th May 9:40am
Key Message: Work from home, Protect the NHS, Save lives.
Total number of pupils in school today = 9
Total number of staff = 5
(Mr Proctor, Mrs McLeod, Miss Davis, Mrs Ainsworth, Miss Tiaba)
FSM: Voucher codes will be sent via email to parents direct from Edenred Select (a company the DFE use). Codes will not be sent from school. Please do not contact school for these codes as we will not be sent these from Edenred. Once you have received your voucher code then this can be redeemed at a supermarket from the given list. Information on how to do this is available on our school website under [Parents, Letters, COVID].
VE Day: Tomorrow is Bank Holiday VE Day. We are undertaking activities in school to celebrate this special day. Photos will soon be available on the school website. Some class teachers have also placed some activities for you to do at home via their class pages or on Google Classroom.
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Wednesday 6th May 11:22am
Key Message: Work from home, Protect the NHS, Save lives.
Total number of pupils in school today = 9
Total number of staff = 5
(Mr Proctor, Mrs McLeod, Miss Davis, Mrs Ainsworth, Miss Tiaba)
FSM: There are still Vouchers left over from this weeks' allocation which have still not been collected. Vouchers only have a short validity period so if you have not collected them please come to the school office where they can be collected. Parents from now on will have to redeem their own vouchers. Further information can be found below:
Redeeming your vouchers
Parents: We have now put the document on our PARENTS, LETTERS, COVID page on how you can redeem upto 4 weeks of vouchers for your child. ie: upto £60 per child.
Tuesday Communication:
Number of messages received: 1 (celebration of pupils work sent into school [KS1])
Teachers email correspondence
Teachers have kindly offered an option to parents to be available for email queries regarding home learning, concerns or just to simply upload and celebrate children's work via their class pages. They are hoping to respond to queries each week.
Teacher's emails
Miss Martin EYFS: miss.martin@st-john-augustine.lancs.sch.uk
Miss Middleton Y1: miss.middleton@st-john-augustine.lancs.sch.uk
Mrs McLeod Y2: mrs.mcleod@st-john-augustine.lancs.sch.uk
Mr Hargreaves Y3: mr.hargreaves@st-john-augustine.lancs.sch.uk
Mrs Jesson Y4: mrs.jesson@st-john-augustine.lancs.sch.uk
Miss Jackson Y5: miss.jackson@st-john-augustine.lancs.sch.uk
Mr Hollinshead Y6: mr.hollinshead@st-john-augustine.lancs.sch.uk
Update on the KS1 building
We are hoping that the contract company will begin work again on 11th May, but we are also awaiting confirmation of this on Friday.
Message to our pupils:
We are all thinking of you in school and we know that you will be trying your best with your online learning, google classroom or your Joe Wicks physical activities. If you are worried that you are falling behind your friends with your school work, you mustn't, as everyone is feeling the same and doing very similar tasks and activities at the moment. One thing you must remember is that this situation will not last for ever and it will come to and end soon. For our Year 6 children, I want to say not to worry about getting together at the end of the year should you not return back before the summer holidays, come what may, we will organize a whole class get together in some capacity.
Stay safe everyone and thank you for your support.
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Monday 4th May 1.21 pm
Key Message: Work from home, Protect the NHS, Save lives.
Total number of pupils in school today = 5
Total number of staff = 5
(Mr Proctor, Mrs McLeod, Miss Davis, Mrs Ainsworth, Miss Tiaba)
FSM vouchers are available for Tesco today and tomorrow (Same arrangements as the last two weeks with parents picking up in alphabetical order.)
This week parents will be asked to order their own vouchers which can be for up to 4 weeks [£60 per pupil]. If you are in doubt of how to do this please ring the school office on Wednesday. Information will be sent to those parents who are eligible in order for them to redeem their vouchers.
For parents wanting to make enquiries for home school learning or to speak about issues regarding their children, either myself (Mr Proctor) or Mrs McLeod will be available on Tuesdays to try to answer your concerns. Please be aware we only have very few staff in school, so emails are preferable, but calls can also be made.
We are fully aware that our pupils will be experiencing a great deal of worry at the moment and to let let them know we are all thinking of them. You are all doing an amazing job with your home learning tasks and sending in some lovely photos. Hopefully, things won't stay like this for too much longer and then we can get back to seeing you all again.
Google Classroom Home Learning
For the past few weeks, we have made a great addition to the home learning provision which is accessed via entering the login details for Google Classroom.
Here tasks for the week will be ‘assigned’ to pupils and once they have been completed or attempted will change status to ’Turned in’. It has taken our staff sometime as well to get used to this facility to help with home learning and is now getting to the stage where we are more confident in setting tasks.
By using the Class then ‘Instructions’ menu children should be able to access the online material set by their class teacher and submit this as ‘turned in’.
Please note the following:
The school website will also be an additional option for extra material as well. I know many of you like to send in the photos.
(Search: Home - Children - Gallery - 100 Challenge).
Friday 1st May 11.05 am
Key Message: Work from home, Protect the NHS, Save lives.
Total number of pupils in school today = 5
Total number of staff = 5
(Mrs McLeod, Miss Martin, Miss Jackson, Mr Hargreaves, Mrs Clemson)
Thank you to all of the children who have taken part in the 100 Challenge. It has been lovely to see your photographs/ videos.
Check out the gallery to see the challenges that have been done so far!
(Search: Home - Children - Gallery - 100 Challenge).
Thursday 30th April 11.30 am
Key Message: Work from home, Protect the NHS, Save lives.
Total number of pupils in school today = 7
Total number of staff = 5
(Mrs McLeod, Miss Martin, Miss Jackson, Mr Hargreaves, Mrs Clemson)
This morning we have been completing different 100 x challenges to celebrate Captain Tom Moore's 100th birthday! Have a look in the gallery to see which challenges we have completed.
I have also uploaded the challenges that have been sent in to the gallery too. Remember if you complete any of the challenges email your photographs to Mrs McLeod.
(Search: Home - Children - Gallery - 100 Challenge)