Glenealy School Newsletter
28th May 2020
Message from Chris
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
It has been fantastic to see the children so happy to be back at school this week. We are pleased to report that they have done brilliantly. All of the preparation, consideration, conversations and guidance given to the children has meant they have got back into school and enjoyed each day safely.
I want to take this opportunity to thank parents for all of your support in preparing the children for their return, and for your work in partnership with us over the past weeks as we delivered home learning. Whilst this is not the full return that many would have wished for, we are feeling very positive that the next few weeks will certainly provide the children with a great experience which will set them up well for the new academic year.
I also want to thank our whole staff team in the newsletter today and pay tribute to the incredible hard work they have undertaken to ensure the restart has been successful. In addition to the very visible team - our wonderful teachers and EAs - our site team, admin and support teams have all worked extremely hard over the past weeks and continue to do so to ensure the site was ready for children to return and has been maintained throughout the week. A huge thank you to all involved at this most unprecedented of times.
Important - Staggered Start Times for Next Week
The start to each day has run extremely smoothly this week. Thank you to all parents for preparing the children and supporting us. The videos, assemblies and preparation really paid off. As a result we will be ‘reducing’ the time frame for each year group to arrive. Please also note that siblings are allowed to arrive at the same time (irrespective of their start time - they can go straight up). We have new drop off and pick up times on this page here for next week.
Temperature Check Form - Essential for Coming to School
It is essential that children have their temperature checked at home before setting out to school. This is a key EDB and CHP requirement for the school to be open to students. Thank you in advance for complying with this requirement. From Friday this week (tomorrow) your child will not be allowed access to school if their form is not completed. If your child’s form has not been completed they will be asked to wait in the playground until a member of the household comes to school to complete it. Please note, this is not only a Glenealy School request - it is a mandatory CHP expectation that children do not enter the school without an authorised temperature check from home. If you have not yet printed a Temperature Check Form - please find it here.
Snack
Please ensure your child has a manageable snack for break - one that is hand held and easy to eat. Pieces of fruit or cereal bars are ideal. Some children have had multiple items in multiple containers which are sometimes difficult to handle and it can also take them a very long time to get through.
Masks - Bring at least two - “one to wear and one as a spare”
The children have been truly brilliant this week at keeping their masks on. As a reminder please send children to school with an additional spare mask. Inevitably, they sometimes break or get wet from time to time and it is good to have a replacement.
End of Year Reports and Zoom Conferences
Children’s end of year reports will be available to parents on Friday 5th June. We will send a notification about this on Friday next week when they go live on Gateway.
I am very pleased to be able to let you know that next week we will write to you with booking times for ‘Zoom Parent Teacher Conferences’. These will be 10 minute Zoom meetings between you and your child’s class teacher, and will enable you to follow up on the school report, reflect on progress made this year and, most importantly, ask any questions you may have.
The Zoom parent meetings will be held during the week of 8th to 12th June. Sign up for these will go live next week on Tuesday 2nd June. More details will be sent on Tuesday next week about the sign-up process.
Once again, I would like to thank you all for your continued support over the past weeks and months across this year. Glenealy is a fantastic school, with a great staff team and a wonderful, warm and connected community. All of which have come clearly to the fore during this most challenging of times. I wish you all a safe and happy week to come.
Best regards,
Chris.
Important Reminder
Has your child's visa status changed?
As a reminder, all children attending an ESF school need the appropriate and valid visa status to do so. Please inform the school if your child's visa status changes. For more information, you may refer to the Immigration section on the ESF website.
Useful School Forms
Student Withdrawal Form - required one month before the last date of attendance
Medical Authorisation Form - required should your child need to take medication whilst at school, on a school trip or camp