COVID19 Information for Year 2

30th May 2021Mr Bennett

Dear Parents and Carers,

We need to inform you that there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the school, we need to update you with the following information:

We have carried out a full risk assessment and are speaking to Local Authority Public Health Advisors.

A pupil has tested positive.  The Year 2 children have been identified as in close contact with the case. In line with the national guidance we recommend that your child now stays at home and self-isolate until the end of Monday 7th June.

Your child must not go to school or any public areas: your child must remain at home. Further details of what your child needs to do are in NHS Guidance:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-for-coronavirus/nhs-test-and-trace-if-youve-been-in-contact-with-a-person-who-has-coronavirus/

We are asking you to do this to reduce the further spread of COVID 19 to others in the community. If you need support with isolation, please contact your local Council.

Other members of your household can continue normal activities provided your child does not develop symptoms within the self-isolation period.

If your child is well at the end of the period of self-isolation, then they can return to usual activities.

Pupils will need to remain off school until Year 2 reopens to pupils on Tuesday 8th June 2021.

The education of your child will continue via our online platforms as used in previous closures for Monday 7th June.

What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19

For most people, especially children, COVID-19 will be a mild illness.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are recent onset of:

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

If your child develops any of these symptoms of COVID-19, they should remain at home and arrangements should be made for them to be tested. At that time all other household members must also stay at home, not go to work, school or public areas, even for exercise.

Testing can be arranged by calling 119 or via the NHS website: nhs.uk/coronavirus

When the result of the child’s test is known further advice will be available.

How to stop COVID-19 spreading

There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19:

  • wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
  • use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
  • wash your hands as soon as you get home
  • cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
  • put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

Further information

Further information is available at nhs.uk/coronavirus

Yours sincerely

Mrs Cunningham

Headteacher

MyCATS

28th May 2021Mr Bennett

Dear Parents/Carers,

As you are already aware, Mortimer Primary School is working with a team of researchers at the University of Oxford on a research project called MY-CATS. The MY-CATS team are testing out a new way of identifying and supporting young children who might benefit from help to build confidence and reduce the chance of problems with anxiety, now and in the future. 

We are delighted to inform you that your child’s class has been randomly selected to be a part of the research project. Therefore, we are inviting all parents/carers of children in your child’s class to take part, and we would love it if all families in the class got involved! As this project is to help reduce problems with fears and worries now and in the future, your child does not need to be experiencing difficulties with anxiety to take part.

We’ve attached more information about the project in the information booklet below. This short video also outlines the project:  

MYCATS video

You can also watch a longer, more detailed video about the project here:

MYCATS parent information session

We really do hope that you choose to be a part of this important and much needed research and follow the link below to complete the consent form. When clicking on the link to the consent form, please make sure that you proceed to page 2 in order to provide us with your contact details:

MYCATS parent consent and contact details 

You will then receive an email with a link to the screening questionnaires.

Please complete the consent and screening questionnaires by 13th June 2021. We ask one parent/carer to complete the consent and questionnaires for a child. If you have more than one child across the participating classes, you can complete the consent and screening questionnaires for each child.

Thank you in advance for your time,

Mrs Peacock

Assistant Head/Wellbeing Lead

Start 2 Finish After School Clubs

28th May 2021Mr Bennett

Start 2 Finish will be offering the following clubs next half term.

To aid administration, we are trialling sign up via electronic forms.

All clubs are £21 for the half term (7 sessions). Payment to be made prior to the first session. All clubs start 1st week back.

Wednesday

KS1 Athletics for Years 1 & 2

https://forms.gle/ecYLNQ92kUMob89n7

Thursday

Gymnastics for Years 2, 4 & 5

https://forms.gle/oMTpPXfcaNezPnxJ8

Friday

KS2 Athletics for Years 3 & 4

https://forms.gle/iySXEhP3WRcGbht38

 

 

Start 2 Finish Sports

Email [email protected]

Instagram: @s2fsports

Facebook: www.facebook.com/start2finishsports

Twitter: @start2finish1

Latest News from Mortimer- 26.5.21

28th May 2021Mr Bennett
Dear all,
it’s been a busy and challenging half term, but we now have half term to look forward to with (hopefully) some nice weather to help the easing of Lockdown.
There is plenty to share:
  1. Mental Health for parents/carers
  2. MY-CATS
  3. National Children’s Gardening Week
  4. Help us win £5000 of library books
  5. School Photos
  6. Robbie-Dean
1.Mental Health for parents/carers

We would like to share this flyer and dates for the year for a mental health parent/carer support group in South Tyneside!

 The sessions are aimed at those parents/carers of children and young people who have experienced difficulties with their mental/emotional health and who may have accessed services either now, or in the past. The last few sessions have went great and have since been adapted and added a few formal sessions giving parents/carers a chance to meet and develop their understanding on some of the services South Tyneside has to offer.

See attachment

2.MY-CATS

At Mortimer Primary School the mental health and well being of our children is very important and we are working hard to encourage our children to talk about their feelings and ask for help when it is needed.

 With this in mind, we are excited and proud to announce that we have been chosen by a team of researchers at the University of Oxford to take part in an EYFS and KS1 research project called MY-CATS (Minimising Young Children’s Anxiety Through Schools).

 The MY-CATS team are testing out a new way of identifying and supporting young children who might benefit from help to build confidence and reduce the chance of problems with anxiety, now and in the future.

As this is a research project, 2 classes from each year band will be chosen at random by the University of Oxford and qualifying classes will be notified by email before 3.30pm this Friday.

As the Wellbeing Lead here at Mortimer, I am really looking forward to facilitating this research project and must reiterate that this is an excellent opportunity for our EYFS and KS1 children! I really hope that, if chosen, you will take part in the study as we all, young and old, need to look after our mental health to ensure we have a happy and healthy future .

Thank you

Mrs Peacock

image0 (1).jpeg

3.National Children’s Gardening Week

Together, we help children grow.

29th May – 6th June 2021

Introducing Children’s Gardening Week

National Children’s Gardening Week celebrates the fun that gardens hold for kids. Children, parents, grandparents, schools or garden businesses can find ideas for fun garden projects and activities on this site.

https://www.childrensgardeningweek.co.uk/

4.Help us win £5000 of library books!

National Book Tokens are hosting a competition for one very lucky school to win £5000 of library books. We need your help to be in with the best chance of winning. If you would like to nominate us, please follow the link below and enter your details. If yours is the winning entry, you will also win £100 of book tokens for yourself. The more nominations we receive, the better our chances of winning. 

Help us spread the word and get as many entries as possible.

https://www.nationalbooktokens.com/schools

Thank you as always for your support. 

 5. School Photos

Phototronics will be coming into school Thursday 10th June

Each child will have an individual photo taken, unfortunately there will be no sibling photographs this year due to current circumstances.  Also there will only be 1 group photo @ Year 6 leavers. 

6. Please see our pictures and words about our shining star Robbie-Dean.

https://mortimerprimary.co.uk/our-shining-star-robbie-dean/

 

Enjoy your half term and stay safe.

Want to receive the school emails?

Sign up at:https://forms.gle/SXgkxmDm5yF6PdXm8

 

Download (PDF, 448KB)

 

Our shining star – Robbie-Dean

26th May 2021Mr Bennett

Thank you for your support and understanding during this difficult time. The loss of a pupil is tragic and upsetting. We appreciate the messages that have been sent to staff and the school. As we continue to work through this difficult time and plan how we will remember Robbie-Dean, we would like to share these pictures and words from our nursery team.

Yr5 COVID19 Update – 13.5.21

13th May 2021Mr Bennett

COVID19 Update and Further info for Year 5

*As sent via email

Dear Parents and Carers, 

Further to our announcement (via text, email and social media) that there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the school, we need to update you with the following information:

We have carried out a full risk assessment having spoken to Local Authority Public Health Advisors.

A pupil has tested positive.  The Year 5 children have been identified as in close contact with the case. In line with the national guidance we recommend that your child now stays at home and self-isolate until Saturday 22nd May.

Your child must not go to school or any public areas: your child must remain at home. Further details of what your child needs to do are in NHS Guidance:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-for-coronavirus/nhs-test-and-trace-if-youve-been-in-contact-with-a-person-who-has-coronavirus/

We are asking you to do this to reduce the further spread of COVID 19 to others in the community. If you need support with isolation, please contact your local Council.

Other members of your household can continue normal activities provided your child does not develop symptoms within the self-isolation period.

If your child is well at the end of the period of self-isolation, then they can return to usual activities.

Pupils will need to remain off school until Year 5 reopens to pupils on Monday 24th May 2021.

The education of your child will continue via Google Classroom as used in previous closures. Staff will begin to move work to this platform as quickly as possible. Please allow 24 hours for work to appear.

What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19

For most people, especially children, COVID-19 will be a mild illness.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are recent onset of:

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

If your child develops any of these symptoms of COVID-19, they should remain at home and arrangements should be made for them to be tested. At that time all other household members must also stay at home, not go to work, school or public areas, even for exercise.

Testing can be arranged by calling 119 or via the NHS website: nhs.uk/coronavirus

When the result of the child’s test is known further advice will be available.

How to stop COVID-19 spreading

There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19:

  • wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
  • use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
  • wash your hands as soon as you get home
  • cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
  • put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

Further information

Further information is available at nhs.uk/coronavirus

Yours sincerely

Mrs Cunningham

Headteacher

Mental Health Awareness Week 2021

10th May 2021Mr Bennett

Mental Health Awareness Week (10th – 16th May) is an annual event when there is an opportunity for the whole of the UK to focus on achieving good mental health. The Mental Health Foundation started the event 21 years ago. Each year the Foundation continues to set the theme, organise and host the Week. The event has grown to become one of the biggest awareness weeks across the UK and globally.

Mental Health Awareness Week is open to everyone. It is all about starting conversations about mental health and the things in our daily lives that can affect it. This year we want as many people as possible – individuals, communities and governments – to think about connecting with nature and how nature can improve our mental health.

However, the Week is also a chance to talk about any aspect of mental health that people want to – regardless of the theme.

We also want to support our parents. Please note the two meetings below:

Friday 7th May is NSPCC Number day!

5th May 2021Mr Bennett
Dear parents/carers,
Friday 7th May is NSPCC Number day!
Children will be completing fun maths based investigations and activities during the day.
Pupils are welcome to wear something green in addition to their uniform, which is in keeping with NSPCC colours, or something with numbers on if they wish.
Small donations are welcome which can be paid via Parent Pay. The funds raised from Number Day will support vital NSPCC services such as ‘Speak Out. Stay Safe’, which visits primary schools across the UK to teach students all about the dangers of abuse and what they can do to help.

What is the NSPCC?

The NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) is a leading children’s charity that works to protect children from abuse and help those affected to recover. 

Why is NSPCC Number Day important?

NSPCC Number Day is important for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it helps children to become aware of how they can seek support if they need it, such as contacting their Childline service. The funds raised also support the NSPCC and make sure that they’re able to help as many children as possible. 

This event is also a great chance to encourage children to enjoy maths and help them develop their skills in a fun, positive and motivational way. 

£10 Aldi vouchers

30th April 2021Mr Bennett

£10 Aldi voucher sent out today

You may be wondering why families have received a £10 voucher for Aldi? As we shared in our update on the 26th March, all families would receive a £10 Aldi voucher (except those families in receipt of free school meals who received a £25 voucher as before) from South Tyneside Council.  

This is in recognition that all of our families have been in some way affected by Covid 19. The vouchers are funded from the Covid Winter Grant Scheme. This is the same funding that has supported means tested free school meals families since December 2020.

All children came home with an envelope to ensure no one felt left out. If you are in receipt of free school meals then a slip was included rather than a voucher to explain the situation.

Enjoy!

If you aren’t yet receiving our email updates, please sign up below:

https://forms.gle/JvdeTAS3ZScMsrZ97

Our original post.
https://mortimerprimary.co.uk/easter-and-a-whole-lot-more-26-3-21/

School Reports

30th April 2021Mr Bennett
Dear parents/carers,

One of the difficulties we have faced, during the pandemic, has been conducting parents’ evenings in our usual way.

With some level of normality, the summer written report will be sent to all parents on Friday 16th July.

If you have any queries, before or after the report, please contact the school and we will be happy to help!

Enjoy your Bank Holiday Weekend.