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Our vision is to provide an inspirational educational experience to encourage lifelong learning and fulfil all of our pupils unique God given potential.
19 June 2020
Dear Parent / Carer,
Return to school
We are delighted at the number of children who are returning to school and numbers are increasing weekly. If you are a parent with a child in Year R, 1 or 6; or you are a keyworker and require a place for your child it is important that you let the school know immediately. If you have not yet taken up the offer of a place in Year R, 1 or 6 then we will offer this capacity to another pupil in which case you may not subsequently be able to take up a place later this term. At Sholden we have a limited number of places still available, which we are currently beginning to offer to individual children who are vulnerable, have FSM or have been identified as those who would particularly benefit from being in school due to a particular need.
Classes for Next Year –no changes
I would like to reassure you that from September there will be no changes to class teachers.
Class teachers for next year 2020-2021:
- Ducklings – Ms Pye
- Kingfishers – Miss Deary
- Herons – Miss Brown
- Swans – Mrs Bowman
Teaching Assistants will be confirmed following interviews for the current TA post.
Holiday Clubs
At this current time there are no plans to run the key worker holiday club at Hornbeam Primary School. The DfE are hoping to issue further guidance on summer activities this week. As soon as I am made aware of alternative holiday clubs I will contact you.
School Uniform
During Term 6 school uniform is desirable but if clothing does no longer fit then a suitable alternative, in muted colours, may be worn and trainer may be worn instead of shoes.
Normal school uniform will be required in September. Order forms are available, please email; office@sholdenprimary.org.uk
KCC Public Transport
From Monday 15th June, it is a requirement that, where possible, users of all KCC transport or those travelling using a pass issued by KCC use a face covering whilst travelling. Consistent with the national guidance, there will be some exceptions where this is not appropriate notably in respect of younger children (identified as those under the age of 11) where use of a face covering is still recommended but not a strict requirement. In addition other exemptions to this requirement exist such as where use of a face covering; presents a risk to the passenger, would cause distress, cannot be safely put on or taken off or where it would interfere with a need to administer medicine or other medical requirements.
To be clear, the requirement is for a form of face covering that covers the mouth and nose and is distinct from any medical grade PPE. With this in mind, it is the responsibility of parents to equip their child with an appropriate face covering for their journey. In addition to pupils wearing face coverings, those who support children with their journey to school will also be required to wear a face covering in line with the national guidance.
KCC has produced guidance for all bus users but many of the principles will also apply to other transport types such as those accessing coaches, minibuses and taxis.
Further information about the use of face coverings and other information for the public is available at; https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
Free School Meals (FSM)
If your circumstances have changed and you are not sure if you are eligible for FSM now, the eligibility criteria for free school meals can be found at https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals
Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
Please keep the school office informed if your FSM status changes. office@sholdenprimary.org.uk
If you have difficulties with completing the KCC online registration form please contact the school office for support.
Online Safety at Home (Think U Know)
Think U Know have created an online safety videos to support parents during Covid-19 and the closure of schools to many children.
You can find the videos here: https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/Support-tools/presentations-for-parents/
Coronavirus Covid-19 information and support (Children's Society)
The Children's Society has a range of support materials for young people, parents and schools in their mental and emotional health resource 'vault' including:
- Anxiety
- Depression and Mood
- Loneliness / Mental Resilience
- Obsessive compulsive disorder / Emotional resilience
- Phobias / Self care
The resources can be found here: https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/coronavirus-information-and-support
Sunflowers
Many thanks to Mr and Mrs Robert Coe for donating several sunflower plants to the school. They have provided the children with fantastic learning opportunities. The children have been caring for the plants and measuring their growth and progress. Mr Daly has been enthusing the children to look after the plants and I thank him also.
Prayer - by The Church of England, Canterbury Diocese
Lord Jesus Christ,
you taught us
to love our neighbour,
and to care for those in need
as if we were caring for you.
In this time of anxiety,
give us strength
to comfort the fearful,
to tend the sick,
and to assure the isolated
of our love, and your love,
for your name’s sake.
Amen.
Keep safe and well
Yours sincerely,
Dawn Theaker (Headteacher)
Love, Peace, Forgiveness, Kindness and Courage
Previous Newsletter : Monday 8th June 2020
Reopening
Thank you to the overwhelming support you, our school community, have shown Sholden C of E Primary School during this unsettled period of reopening. Your messages of support and encouragement have meant so much to us. I can report that the children have settled well and have enjoyed being back with their classmates and friends. We currently have approx. 32 pupils in school each day. (Year R=9, Year 1=7, Year 6= 6 Keyworker Children=10).
As you are now aware, a reception parent has tested positive for covid-19 over the weekend. The parent and child are now isolating. I have contacted Public Health England who have reassured me that it is safe to keep the Year R ‘Bubble’ open. Please monitor you and your child for symptoms: if you develop symptoms please check the guidance ‘Check if you or your child has coronavirus symptoms’: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/
We continue to monitor the children and uphold high standards of hygiene and cleanliness. We thank you for your support and kind words during this time.
As some of you may be aware; the school internet went off line on Friday afternoon. We are endeavouring to work with BT, EiS and Primary Technologies to identify and correct the fault. Unfortunately, this has meant staff have been unable to access their emails. This has had an impact on Home Learning and communication in general. If you have sent an email to staff since Friday and have not had a response, please contact the office so that we can resolve any issues. Tel: 01304374852
Universal Free School Meals and Free School Meals (UFSM and FSM)
Parents and Carers who have been receiving the Edenred FSM vouchers should have received the vouchers during the half-term break. The vouchers were originally ordered and then cancelled following guidance from the government, however during the half term I received an email confirming the government’s change of mind that vouchers were to be issued. Therefore, you should now have received the vouchers for half term – apologies for the delay.
Please remember children in Year 6 and keyworker children returning on 1st June 2020 will need to bring a packed lunch. However, children who are entitled to FSM and are attending school will be provided with a FSM packed lunch from Whole School Meals and therefore will not receive the Edenred vouchers.
Children who are entitled to FSM and are not attending school will continue to receive the Edenred vouchers.
All children in Year R and Year 1 receive Universal FSM and are entitled to a Free school Meal. Currently we are only providing packed lunches due to the difficulties with staggering the different bubbles within the hall and cleaning between bubbles. If you would like your child to have a free school packed lunch then send just let the class teacher know in the morning. The packed lunch menu is below:
Home School Learning
Home Learning Activities continue to be set and uploaded onto our website for children who are not attending school. Mrs Hawker will endeavor to have all home learning on the website before 10am on Monday morning; if the home learning is not available please contact the school office who can assist.
Pfizers
We would like to say a huge thank you to Pfizers for providing our Year R, 1, 6 and Keyworker children with individual pencil cases, pencils, rulers, rubbers and colouring pencils. The children have loved having new resources to use in these challenging times. A special thank you to Annabel for delivering them.
KCC
In addition, we would like to thank Mr Derek Murphy on behalf of Kent County Council for funding our colourful and child friendly Covid-19 Health and Safety Posters. They are a clear and friendly way to remind the children of our social distancing rules and hygiene procedures.
Medication
If your child requires medication such as an asthma pump, please can you ensure that the medication held in school is within date.
Dover Grammar School for Girls (DGSG)
Registration for the DGSG Test has now opened to enable you to express an interest in obtaining an assessment which will allow them to consider an applicationfor September 2021, the process for this assessment has yet to be determined. You must register to be considered.
The closing date for registration is Monday, 13th July 2020. The forms will already have been sent out to Y5 parents, however, further copies can be found on our school website:
https://www.sholdenprimary.org.uk/Year-5-Grammar-Kent-Test/ or at http://www.dggs.kent.sch.uk/368/admissions-1
Dover Grammar School for Boys
Registration for the DGSB Test has now opened. The closing date for this is on Friday 10th July 2020. Application forms are available from DGSB directly via their School Office or by downloading it from the school website at: https://www.dovergramboys.kent.sch.uk/1429/admissions-2021-22-intake
Those boys registered for the Dover Boys Test will take it on Saturday12th September 2020 at DGSB.
However, please be aware that circumstances this year may dictate that the date / time of the test may change at relatively short notice. Any changes to dates/times of the Dover Boys’ Test
will be posted on their website and parents/carers should check this regularly. The results of the tests will be posted to parents on Thursday 15th October and they must complete their SCAF by Monday 2nd November.
Kent Test
Registration is now open and closes at midnight on 1 July 2020 for children due to start secondary school in September 2021. If you have not done so already, please register at: https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/school-places/kent-test#tab-1
If you do not register for the test, you will not be able to place a grammar school on the SCAF Secondary School Form.
Provisionally, students registered for the Kent Test will take it on Thursday 10th September 2020.
Any request for special testing arrangements for children with SEN or disabilities is to be made by the school before 10 July 2020; if your child has SEN and you think they should have a request for special testing arrangements please email Ms O’Keeffe at okeeffel@sholdenprimary.org.uk or senco@sholdenprimary.org.uk or Mrs Bowman at bowmanv@sholdenprimary.org.uk
Further details:
Kent Test Leaflet - For children starting secondary school in September 2021
Prayer - by The Church of England, Canterbury Diocesan
Risen, ascended Lord,
as we rejoice at your triumph,
fill your Church on earth with
power and compassion,
that all who are estranged by sin
may find forgiveness
and know your peace,
to the glory of God the Father,
Amen.
Keep safe and well
Yours sincerely,
Dawn Theaker (Headteacher)
Previous Newsletters:
Term 6 2020:
Term 4 2020:
Term 3 2020:
Term 2 2020
