Sunday 1^st November 2020

Dear Parent and Carers,

I do hope that you all have had a relaxing and enjoyable half term.

My usual newsletter with information about this new term will be out later this week, however, following on from the announcement yesterday evening from Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, I want to reassure you that we will be continuing to ensure the strictest of measures in order to keep your children, yourselves and our staff safe.  Some of these require you, as parents and members of our community, to do what you can to keep each other safe. 

Whilst I appreciate the difficulties that the staggered times with different year groups makes for some, it is the only way we can get all the children in school quickly and safely.

You have told me via the recent parent survey that you think the new system is, on the whole, better but there are concerns about a lack of social distancing or wearing masks at times. I would like to remind you all that we need to protect each other as ‘we are in it together’. 

Please also appreciate that we all have anxieties about this situation and that the person in front of you may be feeling anxious and uncomfortable if you are standing too close.

This means all parents to follow these basic but fundamentally important rules 

1. Only turn up at your time and not 5 minutes before- see timetable  at the bottom of this letter as a reminder.
2. If you feel uncomfortable about queuing, then please stand on the other side of the road, away from others to keep yourselves safe and wait until your line is moving. You will get in on time. This has been a successful strategy for many parents.
3. If you queue, use the markers on the ground that mark 2m distance to stay 2m distance from the person in front of you.
4. Wherever possible, only one adult to drop off/ pick up to reduce numbers.
5. Please wear your masks at all times (unless you are exempt, please have proof)

We have reorganised our staffing so there will be an even greater leadership team presence on Northumberland Avenue who may have to remind you of these rules. Please accept and remember that this is just to keep us all safe.

Finally; a reminder of our Prime Minister's announcement that, from Thursday, we are in a national lockdown where you are to stay at home except for childcare or education purposes; for work ( if you cannot work from home); for exercise with one other; for medical appointments/ treatments; for shopping for basic necessities- food etc. The guidance can be found  here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november

Cliftonville Primary and Pre School remains open. We understand that as numbers are rising and it will take a number of weeks for these measures to start to take effect, then there will likely be incidences of self-isolation where your child is unable to come to school. At the very end of last term you would have received instructions- now on the website - of how to download Microsoft TEAMS in preparation for remote learning. Please, if you have not already, start preparing by downloading this software and familiarising yourself with the remote learning section of our website https://www.cliftonvilleprimary.co.uk/pupil-entrance-to-remote-learning/ . Homework will now start to be uploaded to this.

Finally I would like to thank you all for your support with the new ways of working so far this year. These are tough times for us all but it is clear that the children are settled, enjoying being back with their friends and enjoying the learning experiences that the fabulous staff at Cliftonville are providing. Never has a need for our strong community been so important.

See you all tomorrow

Yours sincerely,

Claire Whichcord

Headteacher

A reminder of the times