Ripon Cathedral School Update
Week ending Friday 26th June 2020
Our Covid Warriors
National Testing Programme
We were pleased to be one of just one hundred schools in the country to be chosen to be part of a national Covid-19 testing programme. Around 80 children and 30 members of staff were tested on Monday morning and it all went as smoothly as clockwork. Thank you to the NHS nurses and of course all our wonderfully well behaved children. We have not received notification of any positive results, which is great news. However, as this probably just goes to show that our class bubbles and socially distanced playtimes are working, we are still going to carry on just as before! Thank you to all parents who consented to their children taking part in this trial, which will help further research into the virus as well as provide reassurance to our school.
We would also like to mention here that we really appreciated the kind comments on Facebook when we posted this news earlier in the week, thank you.
Lockdown Activities
Whilst about half of our children will be back in school on Monday, that still leaves a lot of families continuing with home learning. We know it's not easy to keep up the momentum so are full of admiration for all the interesting projects, completed home learning and community activities which you are managing.
This week we have a special report from the Page family and news of Owen helping the community. Thank you ever so much to their mums for getting these reports to us.
Family Fun - Learning through Play
Our first report is from the Page family:
'Hi, I do hope this reaches you well.
I’ve been told off by my Pipsqueaks for not sending in any photos so I’ve picked ones mostly done this week. In the first photo, I asked them all to make a life size buddy and this is what the outcome was. Then there is Jai with his fairy and plant garden which he made. Also this week I introduced Street PE, where I chalked on the path in front of our house and they had to follow the instructions for hop scotch, walk the line, jump spots, 10 hops, 10 star jumps etc. They all have enjoyed completing the course several times within the day. But it’s also caught the eyes of people passing by and we see them do it.
Then I gave them a giant poster which had to have lots of colour, so we have Rainbow Dino Land. We’ve also enjoyed Lego building, mosaic and designing paper plates for a front window so we have our window display for people enjoy seeing as they go past.
The children have also completed their paper work and I believe their Purple Mash.
Stay safe.
Ms Page and Pipsqueaks'
Meals on Wheels
Owen has been part of a team which has been delivering meals on wheels, as his mum reports:
'During lockdown Owen has been delivering Meals on Wheels as part of the Wholemeal Cafe charity in Ripon. Every Thursday he delivers meals to vulnerable elderly people around Ripon in a socially distanced way. The elderly people love him, he’s very polite and they look forward to seeing him. Today the cafe received a note from the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire to the team of six people, one of whom is Owen.
I thought you might like to see it!'
We certainly did like seeing it Katherine, well done to you all! We were also delighted to know that one of the volunteers is Mrs Kidd our school governor.
Dragons in Reception
Wonderul Warhols
Happy birthday to Sue
Mrs Baker - 20 years and counting
School Crossing Patrol
Open the Book - A Place in the Choir
Worship and Friendship
School Wider Opening Update
Dear Parents and Carers,
It has been another busy week in school. The children whom we welcomed back this week have settled really well and we were very impressed with the children’s attitudes to the swab testing on Monday. Public Health England have confirmed that they will inform us if any tests are positive; however, if we do not hear anything then tests were negative.
School capacity
From Monday, every classroom space along with Oscars will be in use and teachers will continue to teach allocated bubble groups with time provided to help organise home learning.
I know there are a number of families who would really like their children to return to school who have been extremely understanding with regards the difficult decisions that the school is having to take. Communication with families and attendance in key year groups, does indicate an increasing confidence that the school can operate effectively and minimise risk sufficiently to support learning.
From next week, we will have almost half of the main school in attendance. We have all really appreciated the kind and supportive comments that we have received from parents and carers about the current arrangements and the school’s continued focus on safety at this time. Thank you.
Year 2 and Year 3 key worker provision
From Monday 29th June, key worker provision for children in Year 2 and Year 3 will be in Oscars. If you need your child to be in school please book via https://riponcathedralschool.magicbooking.co.uk
Parents should drop children off via the sloped entrance down to Oscars and Reception at the front of the school at 8.40am. Pick up will be from the same place from 3.10pm to 3.30pm
If you have a Year 2 or Year 3 child, who you believe does need even a small amount of time at school due to specific needs, please do contact school on admin@riponcathedral.n-yorks.sch.uk and we will endeavour to explore how we can provide appropriate support.
Year 4 and Year 5 Bubbles
Next week, until the end of the summer term, we are welcoming back a Year 4 and a Year 5 bubble. We have chosen to invite children who need regular care provision and children who have academic needs. Relevant families have been contacted to inform them of arrangements. We would really have liked to have more children back, however due to limited capacity with space and staff we are only able to accommodate a limited number of children.
Drop off and pick ups
Thank you so much to parents and carers for helping us with our start and end of day routines. We know that the staggering of times has caused challenges for some families.
Please can we ask that you try to stick to the times that have been given for dropping off and picking up and do not allow children to play in the playground and school car park areas before and after school. We do ask that you keep your child with you at all times before they enter the school buildings.
End of year reports
We will be issuing children’s end of year reports during the week beginning 6th July 2020. For children who are attending classes, the reports will be sent home by ‘pupil post.’ For children who are working from home, we will post the reports directly to you. If you wish to discuss any aspect of your child’s report please do contact your child’s class teacher via email.
Transition
As a school we are looking ahead to the new academic year and we are mindful of the need for effective transition.
For our new starters Mrs Roberts will be in touch over the next week regarding plans for Nursery and Reception with time available to share (via online) how provision will work. In all other year groups, new teachers will be writing to all children in the week beginning 6th July. Do take the time to share this letter with your child.
We do try to ensure that there is regular communication with all our families, however if you do wish to speak to myself or a member of staff about anything please do email admin@riponcathedral.n-yorks.sch.uk or call the main office on 01756 602335 during opening hours and we will be very happy to have a chat.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Kind regards
Steven Holmes
Headteacher
Friends of the School - Summer Fair
Hello Everyone,
We hope you are all keeping well!
Lily has been busy behind the scenes getting ready for our virtual summer fair that is taking place 29th June to 5th July.
If you have been following our Facebook posts, we have started showing the activities and competitions that you can take part in.
Free games to play are: the marble game, duck races and the lemon in water game.
Pay for games (50p-£1) are: our raffle, guess the name of the teddies, Cathedral School bake off, bucket game, North Yorkshire treasure hunt and guess the football team.
We have had lots of amazing prizes donated from local businesses and the Friends have been extremely grateful for every donation during this uncertain time.
Please head over to our event on Facebook: https://facebook.com/events/s/ripon-cathedral-school-virtual/672711973577079/?ti=cl&__mref=mb
and join in the fun.
We hope everyone enjoys the virtual fair and that it can bring some normality and happiness back to us all.
See you all soon hopefully!
Community Announcements
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Email: admin@riponcathedral.n-yorks.sch.uk
Website: www.riponcathedralschool.org.uk
Location: HG41LT, United Kingdom
Phone: 01765 602355
Facebook: facebook.com/riponcathschool
Twitter: @riponcathschool