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Dear all,

Due to the CoronaVirus outbreak, Mortimer Primary School will close at the end of the school day on Friday for an unspecified time.

The school remains open.

Staffing

No further staff are isolating due to symptoms.

4 staff members have taken the decision to self-isolate due to underlying health conditions.

School update

1. As you will have heard, schools in England are to close from Friday to all but most vulnerable and children of key workers.
2. Following the government announcement, the school is waiting on full clarification of the closures. We need to fully understand the impact of the key worker situation and what it means for our pupils, our staff and parents. We will update as and when we have further information.
3. Learning packs will be given to all children in school today. These will contain a mix of paper based and online learning activities.
4. If your child is absent then be assured that we will get the pack to you.
   1. They can be collected from the school office from 1pm Thursday until Friday 12pm.
      1. Where possible, could close neighbours collect for others.
   2. If you are unable to get to school, we will get the pack to you over the next 24 hours. Please be patient as we organise
5. To help alleviate parents standing waiting we are using the following for the rest of the week.
   1. KS1 pupils can come straight into school from 8:40
   2. KS2 pupils continue to access the yard
   3. KS1 and KS2 end of school days remain different
   4. Some staggering of classes exiting the school to avoid build up. Years 2, 5 and 6 will be promptly out as the bell goes.
6. After school clubs: Signing club cancelled until further notice.
7. Communication – we will continue to update via our Facebook page and website. Thank you for your supportive messages. They are greatly appreciated as we go through this unique period of time. Please don’t send private messages via Facebook. Our phone number remains the same and we will help with any queries where possible.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding at this time.

Wednesday 18^th March 2020 – Covid19 Mortimer Update

The school remains open.

Staffing

No further staff are isolating due to symptoms.

3 staff members have taken the decision to self-isolate due to underlying health conditions.

School update

1. Year 3 trip: At present the trip is still booked as the venue is still operating. We are monitoring this daily and will update with any changes.
2. Parent’s evening: We have cancelled this event (23.3.20). We will endeavor to rearrange these, if possible, in the future.
3. Attendance: Our normal procedures are still in place and there will still be some children absent for regular colds, sickness etc. Parents should ring on the 1^st day of the child being ill. 19. In cases where individuals have been provided with professional advice from medical professionals or have clear justification to self-isolate as determined by the latest guidance, we will record this absence under exceptional circumstances.
4. Children in self-isolation: We have asked all year groups to prepare two weeks’ worth of suitable home learning for any child in isolation and in the case of the school being required to shut. This work will be ready to collect from the end of school Thursday. If you are unable to get to school for the pack, please let us know and we will post this out to you. We are also supporting children in accessing their Google classroom accounts to support home access. Please note these are precautionary measures and we have had no indication that we will close.
5. School dinners: Please continue to pay and book lunches as normal. In light of a school closure your credit will not be lost.
6. Booster sessions: These continue to be active.
7. After school clubs: Athletics & Netball clubs will continue to run as normal.
8. Musical instrument lessons: Peripatetic teachers have stopped from attending all schools.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding at this time. We will update again tomorrow.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection#if-you-are-living-with-children

Mrs Mackay is delighted to announce that we have received the gold award from the Green Tree project run by the Woodland Trust. Our plaque will arrive in school within the next two weeks and we will display it proudly. The children and parents have all worked towards this achievement so a huge thank you to all. We will not stop there however. Mortimer Primary School will continue to look at ways we can help the environment and discuss current affairs in lessons. We are due to receive another 30 trees in November which we will plant around the school grounds as well as add to our mini-woodland on the turning circle.

The school remains open to all pupils.

Staffing

No further staff are isolating.

We remain at one member of staff isolating with flu like symptoms, but this is not a confirmed case and they reported that they are feeling better.

School update

1. We are limiting the occasions where the whole school meets and other large gatherings. This includes assemblies and singing practice.
2. Staff will continue to talk to the children about the importance of hand washing and general hygiene.
3. Class assemblies for parents will be rearranged to a future date. This includes cancellations for 1BC Mrs Catchpole 20/3/20 & 1MP Mrs Peacock 27/3/20 and all future Friday assemblies until further notice.
4. We ask that parents only come into school on very urgent matters. The disabled toilet at the front of the school will not be accessible at the start and end of the day.
5. Due to the size of choir attendance after school on Tuesday, this is now cancelled from today (17/3/20) until further notice.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding at this time. We will update again tomorrow.

https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

We have been informed that until further notice all sporting events provided by South Tyneside Sports Network have been cancelled.

This includes Mr Mackay’s football fixtures this Thursday. 

Please note that all sporting clubs that are organised and ran in school are still going ahead. We will post a message on our website and social media if this changes.

Mortimer Primary School

We are informing you that one member of the teaching staff is currently self-isolating after experiencing flu like symptoms. After seeking advice, we remain open and continue as normal as possible, whilst ensuring that all precautions in school are taken regarding hygiene and sanitation.

Parents Evening

Parents evening (16th March) will go ahead with the following guidelines:

•    Parents evenings are voluntary and we need to ensure your safety. If you feel unwell or anxious about coming into school, then an alternative appointment can be organised at a later date.

•    Meetings will be strictly 5mins in length

•    Please arrive as close to your allotted time as possible

•    There will be a 2m exclusion in the classroom

•    Pupils exercise books will be unavailable on this occasion

•    Where possible leave children at home to reduce numbers in school

•    You will be directed to hand sanitize on arrival and please repeat on leaving

•    You do not need to inform us if you will not be attending your appointment this evening

We understand that parents and careers will be concerned, but we are working closely with the local authority and Public Health England to ensure that the current guidance for schools is followed and we have all practical measures in place to ensure the health and safety of our pupils and staff.

Mrs Cunningham

Head Teacher

Our Times Table Rockstar for 6th March is Oliver McLean for achieving Rock Hero Status!

Well done!