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Dear Parents/Carers
Welcome back after what has been a strange half term with the news of what is happening around the world. It seems like we bounce from one crazy situation into another. A global pandemic followed by a war in Europe. My thoughts at this time are very much with the Ukrainian people who must be petrified as they are forced to hide in underground shelters with their loved ones, as fighting and bombs explode around them. I cannot imagine the worry and fear they are going through. My thoughts and prayers are with them.
I spoke to the staff this morning and said that all we can do to combat greed, hatred and a quest for power is to show as much love, care and compassion as we can. We can continue to do that through working with and supporting our children as best we can.
In terms of Covid, national guidance has changed considerably and as a result, school policy has changed significantly in alignment with this. We have very much entered a phase of learning to live with the virus rather than letting the virus dictate our every-day practice. We are making the following changes to procedures:
As a school we will continue to put increased protective measures in place. These include:
Yours sincerely
Paul McLean
Paul McLean
Headteacher
Kirkleatham Hall Schoo
Dear Parents and Friends,
On Thursday 3rd March, it will be World Book Day. This day celebrates 25 Years of encouraging the love of reading. As a school, we would love it if your student can join in the fun by coming into school dressed as a character from their favourite story or in non-uniform. Throughout the first week back after half term we will be exploring stories. The students will be taking part in lots of fun activities from books they like to explore. If your student enjoys stories at home maybe, they would like to share their favourite story in school that week.
We are really looking forward to seeing the students outfits and hearing about their favourite stories.
Attached to this letter is a book token. All students are entitled to use it to receive £1 off a full price book or use it to purchase one of the exclusive 12 World Book day Books. These books can be found in most bookshops and large supermarkets.
Many Thanks
Heather James
Teacher
Dear Parents/Carers
Since school reopened after the Christmas holidays, we have now had over a hundred confirmed cases of Covid within school. This is made up of both students and staff. Unfortunately, as the cases in one area of school subside we appear to be presented with another outbreak in a different area. On top of this, as an employer, if a member of staff is not vaccinated and they are deemed to be a close contact then they too must isolate for ten days.
This situation has presented huge logistical challenges; and we are operating with much lower staff numbers. This includes utilising vast swathes of supply staff in order to keep as many classes open as possible.
As a specialist school, we require sufficient staff numbers and staff who know the students, in order to ensure that all the students are safe within school. It is for these reasons that we have had to have some enforced class closures since we returned from the Christmas break.
As a Head Teacher, I would again like to reiterate that I would like every single child, who is well enough, to be in school as per their right and entitlement. However, I hope you can understand why we have been unable to fulfil this in its entirety.
I am completely aware of the impact of closing classes on our students and families, which is why we have tried to share the burden of class closures across the school. In doing this, it has meant that each child has missed a maximum of one week as a result of an enforced closure. I am aware though that some students have had an enforced closure and been off with Covid so have been hit twice, for this I am extremely sorry.
I keep reiterating that this is hopefully the final steps in what has been a very long and arduous Covid journey. I have my fingers and toes crossed that once we return after half term we will have sufficiently low numbers of Covid that school should be able to function as normal and class closures will hopefully be a thing of the past. In the meantime, may I take this opportunity to thank you for your continued patience and understanding.
Yours sincerely
Paul McLean
Paul McLean
Head Teacher
Kirkleatham Hall School