Please read the next RfP newsletter for this week's book recommendations.

Miss Mansfield, Literacy Co-ordinator

Schools have been asked by the Department for Education to share information about a new government website with parents. This new resource is designed to support parents in identifying and reporting sexual abuse.

The website quotes the shocking statistic that an estimated half a million children in 2019 experienced some form of sexual abuse. This work builds on other key areas of work and research such as the peer on peer sexual abuse focus from Ofsted and the Children’s Commissioner’s work on talking to your child about online sexual harassment.

The new website “Stop Abuse Together” provides guidance on identifiable changes in children’s mood, behaviour, environment and appearance which could, potentially, be a sign of abuse. As the site explains, ‘There aren’t always signs that a child is being sexually abused, but you can learn about some of the most common things to look out for. They don’t always mean that a child is being sexually abused – but it’s best to reach out for support if you have concerns.’

The site also provides a direct link to the NSPCC helpline.

Please remember that if you have any concern about the safety of your child, the school will support you.

We remain committed to ensuring our school is as safe as possible with regard to COVID-19. Due to a small increase in COVID-19 cases at the school, we have moved to Level 2 within the Suffolk Framework and have implemented control measures to reduce transmission. This means we will not currently have any whole school indoor activities. We have updated our Risk Assessment accordingly - please see sections 1, 13 and 14.

We will review this on an ongoing basis and keep you informed of any changes. During this time, we request that you continue to treat your child as though they are likely to have mixed closely with a positive case. Suffolk Public Health strongly recommends close contacts undertake daily LFD tests for 7 days and should isolate if they feel unwell with any COVID-19 symptoms, or if they return a positive LFD test. Under 5’s are exempt from daily testing.

We therefore encourage all parents/carers to undertake daily testing and to log their test results, whether negative or positive, on both the government portal and on TestRegister.

Your child can continue to attend school during this period unless they start to show symptoms or test positive on an LFD test. You do not need to arrange a follow-up PCR test if you have already taken an LFD test and the result was positive.

If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19 they should remain at home, and you should arrange for a PCR test via https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling NHS 119. Please also inform the head teacher via the school office. If their PCR test is negative they can return to school when they are well.

If any test is positive (PCR or LFT), the case will need to self-isolate for 10 days from the date after their symptoms started. Cases can return to their setting once the isolation period is complete or if they have had a negative LFD result on days 6 & 7 and they have had no fever for 48 hours.

Government guidance

Symptoms

The symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are:

• recent onset of new continuous cough or

• high temperature or

• a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia).

For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness. If you are concerned about your health or the health of anyone else in your house, please seek advice from your GP or NHS 111 by phoning 111.

Further Information

Further information is available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

The frequently asked questions on the SCC website are available at Latest guidance COVID-19 | Suffolk County Council.

As always, we encourage you to ensure your child continues to attend school if they are well and do not have a positive COVID-19 test result.

It's National storytelling week from 29th January-5th February. Storytelling is such an important part of children's development, which is why we will have such a strong focus on Read Aloud Texts. In a sense, storytelling is the oldest form of teaching and has so many benefits including:

• Promotes brain development and imagination
• Develops language and emotions
• Strengthens relationships
• Encourages curiosity and imagination
• Develops empathy and allows children to experience different worlds, countries, and traditions.
• Develops their focus and social skills

Miss Mansfield

Mrs Williamson, Foundation Governor

We are pleased to see that Suffolk County Council has confirmed a discretionary grant is available to support low-income families over the February half term holiday. The grant will be issued as a £15 Edenred supermarket voucher for each eligible child and is designed to help families with their essential living costs during the half term.

We have registered our eligible families (those on income related Free School Meals) with SCC and should have voucher codes to you prior to half term.

Camp 21-25 February 2022

Mon 21 Feb: AM Skateboarding / PM BMX or Target Games

Tue 22 Feb: AM Gymnastics / Pm - Dance OR Parkour

Wed 23 Feb: AM- Ipswich Town Football OR Parkour / PM- Ipswich Town Football OR Capoeira

Thurs 24 Feb -Nerf and Laser Tag / PM Nerf and Laser Tag

Fri 25 Feb- Am Multi games and Inflatables / PM -Multi games and Inflatables

The Clubs timetable is now online.

After School:

Monday - Multisports with Mr Hurkett

Tuesday - Gymnastics with Mr Hurkett

Wednesday - Tag Rugby with GVTSSP, Stephen

Thursday - Indoor Ball games/racquet sports with GVTSSP, Helena

A reminder that we will not be running an After School Club on Fridays, due to low uptake, we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. Clubs have all restarted and are bookable on Arbor. Please ensure you pack a healthy snack for your child to have during After School Club and - as ever - let the office staff know if you don't need your place so they can free it up for someone else.

Your child may be eligible for free school meals throughout primary school. This could save you approximately £437 per year.

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To check or apply online, visit: https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/children-families-and-learning/schools/school-meals-uniforms-and-trips/apply-for-free-school-meals/

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Check if you're eligible

Your child will get free school meals if you receive any of the following:

• Income Support

• Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• Guarantee element of State Pension Credit

• Child Tax Credit but no element of Working Tax Credit and have an annual income (as assessed by HM Revenues & Customs) that does not exceed £16,190

• If you are supported under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• Working Tax Credit during the four-week period immediately after your employment finishes or after you start to work fewer hours per week

• Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400 (£616.67 per month), as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods).
  

To check if your child is eligible, apply online for an immediate response or call 01473 260989.

We encourage you to apply, because the school receives additional funding (Pupil Premium) for all children on income-related Free School Meals.

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