Live learning in lockdown!
Covid update
We are grateful to families for keeping the children at home during these difficult times, when it is safe to do so.
Rates in our area in Cramlington are still reducing and the downward trend has been good to see. We are aware of three families in the school community who have recently tested positive but thankfully children have been out of school when they’ve been in contact with a positive case. The virus is still very much in the community and we are applying the usual hands, face and space Covid rules to minimise pressure on our local health teams.
Unfortunately as a precaution we have also isolated our Y3 bubble under advice from our local public health team. The bubble can return to school on Monday the 1st February. If you are in this bubble and develop symptoms please let us know as we will need to report any positive cases.
The classroom has been deep cleaned and windows and doors opened to allow for air flow.
Lateral Flow Device (LFD) Tests for staff
To assist with the national mission to reduce transmission rates the whole staff team are voluntarily taking part in twice weekly LFD testing from now on. This will identify any staff who are asymptomatic and will provide even more reassurance to the school community that we are continuing to work hard in our efforts to minimise risks in school.
Our whole school live learning lessons were trialled on Thursday this week with amazing success. Huge well done to everyone who managed to use their villageprimary email address to be able to join in. There were only 2 or 3 pupils in each class who couldn’t join their friends and we’ll be workinghard to get them included next time.
There will understandably be a few teething problems getting used to the technology so please try and stick with us so we can work with anyone who struggles to get them online. Huge well done to our fabulous staff team for being brave enough to see them at home. We will be reminding the children about the need to use the huge variety of e-safety approaches they’ve been taught but if as a family you would like to promote more e-safety please don’t hesitate. These are some links for E- safety support for families if you would like further information on how to support your children at home. There are child friendly video clips suitable for different age ranges that you can watch together and then discuss.
www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre
www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/jessie-and-friends
www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety
FOR SAFEGUARDING REASONS, PLEASE ENSURE PUPILS ONLY LOG ONTO THE LIVE LESSONS AND INTERVENTIONS USING THEIR VILLAGEPRIMARY.ORG EMAIL ADDRESSES
Curriculum Success
Sarah Koratzitis and I were excited (and a little nervous) this week when we delivered an overview of the CVPS learning curriculum to an online conference. It reminded us both of the many amazing experiences that we have put in place over the past few years, including a real circus, performances at Blyth’s Phoenix Theatre, musical recitals, museum takeovers, forest school innovation, tea parties, care home visits and so much more.
The academic rigour behind the learning sequences, and the many learning expeditions to Paris, London and even Edinburgh have inspired our children to develop a love of learning and to recall with enthusiasm the sense of excitement they had when they were at CVPS. We were both so proud to hear positive feedback from delegates on the conference. We have to remind ourselves that we will return to these amazing experiences over the coming weeks and months. If you and your family are newer to CVPS and you want to see more of what we’ve done in the past – please check out the curriculum section on our school website.
https://villageprimary.org/curriculum/
Thanks Amanda and Melissa
Huge thanks to both our very capable vice principals who have held the fort so well while I took bereavement leave this week. In a week with freezing weather, isolations to oversee, new lateral flow test device administration alongside all the usual school busy-ness it’s always great to know that there is a wealth of experience to lead in my absence. Thanks to you both and to the team for pulling together. Thank you to Sarah, Angela & the CVPS team too. The staff have worked hard to provide devices, secure passwords and to train on how to use the google classroom platform. This has taken hours to set up and alongside this the rest of our teaching team has all worked hard to take the new approaches on board and set up the live lessons. With parents getting sorted with their children at home as well it’s been a great team effort. Well done for great CVPS teamwork everyone!
Ashleigh’s outdoor idea
This week I would like you to help our birds by making a bird feeder for your garden / local area. You could use a toilet roll tube, spread on some peanut butter and then roll it in some seeds or you could use half of an orange and mix together some lard and seeds. I can’t wait to see your creations!
Close of school on Fridays.
Please remember that school closes early on Fridays for staff planning time. Children in school will not be served lunch at school on Fridays but takeaway meals can be purchased should you wish one.
Achievement Awards
Dates for your Diary
