Ripon Cathedral School Update
Week ending Friday 19th June 2020
Picture Perfect!
Awesome Art
Staffing Update - Classes 2020-2021
Year 6 - Miss C Heslop
Year 5 - Mrs J McIlmurray
Year 4 - Mrs F Shawcross and Mrs C Spencer
Year 3 - Mrs E McCormick
Year 2 - Miss M Brown
Year 1 - Miss H Jackson
Reception and Early Years Lead - Mrs E Roberts
You may have noticed that we have two new members of staff who are very excited about joining our teaching team. Miss Jackson will be working in Year 1; she has been teaching in Cheshire and she is really looking forward to moving to Yorkshire. Miss Brown has been teaching Key Stage 1 at St Cuthbert's Primary in Pateley Bridge and I know she is really looking forward to working with our Year 2 children.
Thank you Mrs Graham
Mrs Graham, pictured above (pre lockdown!) has worked at the school for over 31 years and given so much to all the children in our school family. She has shown such love and care in all that she has done and I know she will be really missed when she retires this summer.
Mrs Graham, in her usual style, has said she really doesn't want any fuss, however I know that there will be many parents and carers who would like to show their appreciation, therefore when the world becomes a little more normal and we are able to do it properly we will invite Mrs Graham back into school so that we can say a big thank you and give her the good bye that she deserves.
Super learning from home
As always, we really enjoy receiving work and pictures from all members of our school family. It is great to see some amazing arts, crafts and baking as well as thorough research work, well done all!
Daniel has loved learning about Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. He has also designed and created a 3D bus on PurpleMash. Fabulous work Daniel!
Barefoot challenge
Open the Book Jonah and the Whale
Worship and Friendship
School Wider Opening Update
Dear Parents and Carers,
This week we were delighted to welcome back our second group of Year 1 pupils who have settled really well. This group are working in the Year 2 classroom and it has been particularly lovely hearing children engaging in learning from my office, which is just across the corridor.
The updated guidance from the government now states that we can welcome back children from all year groups as long as it is safe and practical to do so. Although we would really like to have all children back, all classrooms are now in full time use and bubbles have been increased to take additional children. As a school we are looking at ways that we can be creative to get a few more children back to school, however any decisions will need to be carefully thought through to ensure that we can staff additional groups and provide suitable hand washing and toilet facilities.
Currently we do not have any guidance from the Department for Education with regards to the way schools will function and operate from September 2020. As soon as I have an understanding of the government’s intentions I will notify you of how the school will be responding. I hope that this will be before the end of the summer term, however based on the experience of the last few months, it is likely that I will need to maintain communication through the usual methods over the summer break.
What has gone well this week
- Children are continuing to social distance and respond appropriately to instructions and guidance
- Systems for cleaning are helping to ensure that classrooms are regularly disinfected
- Use of outdoor space is being used regularly by all bubbles
- Access and egress arrangements are running smoothly so that playground spaces are not crowded – a big thank you to parents and carers for all your help with timings.
What do we need to improve?
- We need to ensure that as many eligible families as possible are able to access key worker provision.
- We need to ensure that children have coats and named water bottles with them.
What’s next?
- Next week we are really looking forward to welcoming more children into our Year 6 and Reception bubbles. These parents have already been contacted and can access information about the organisation for their year group by visiting our wider opening page on the school website. https://riponcathedralschool.org.uk/Wider-Opening/
- You will be aware that the school has been selected for a Public Health England surveillance study which includes weekly swab testing for the coronavirus on a Monday. Thank you so much to the parents who have already returned forms. This study is a way that we can further minimise risk for children and staff and it is one way that our school can contribute to the national effort in tackling this virus.
- Some parents have shared concerns about the swab and if it will hurt– to ensure you are fully aware of how the procedure will be administered the instructions given to nursing staff are as follows:
“Place the tip of the cotton bud gently JUST inside one of the nostrils and gently wipe the cotton bud around the inside of the nose. This should be repeated for the other nostril using the same swab. No force is needed the swab does not need to be pushed far into the nostril.”
Parents can be in attendance and we will start with our youngest children in the area outside Oscars from 9am. However, as there is paperwork that will require completion it may take some time and mean parents would have to wait. We are happy to accompany the children and ensure that they are suitably supported through the process which I am sure will be straightforward. It would really help us if you could let us know if you would want to be in attendance by emailing admin@riponcathedral.n-yorks.sch.uk.
If you are a key worker and your child will not be in attendance on Monday but you would like your child to have the swab test, please do email us to let us know and we will let you know a suitable time when you can come to school to have the swab administered.
If you have forms to return for your child they can either be emailed to the above address, or given to the adult in charge of your child’s bubble. If you want a hard copy of the forms they are available from the school entrance area. We really do appreciate your help and support.
Keep safe
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