School Update!

On 12.12.17      

  At 6.30pm 

The school site now has some clear pathways to the main door however, nearby parking and access to and along all public pathways are still very icy as these have not been gritted. Added to which the temperature has not risen and thawing has not occurred. 

We would advise that parents take this into consideration when deciding whether to send their child into school tomorrow. 

On this occasion only you will not need to notify us if you decide not to send your child to school. We will consider no arrival at 10am as notice of your child's absence. 

We expect a high volume of absences due to secondary school closures. 

I cannot stress enough that you must only make the journey to school if you are happy to access the surrounding untouched paths. 

Staff have been hard at work to make clear pathways to school and the nursery. 

We we will continue to monitor forecasts as public pathways are not great at the moment. 

School Update:

Thank you for your cooperation over the past few days. By following the forecasts we have been able to plan ahead to prevent any unnecessary confusion. 

Now for the tricky bit!

The forecast today started with -12 temperatures but will increase with a good chance of rain later and into the evening. 

This in theory should make road and pathway conditions better. 

We are proposing that school will open on Wednesday but some adjustments just in case the school site and journeys into school are still effected. 

School will be open from 10am for pupils and will close at 3pm. 

This will give us additional time to fully assess the school site following the change in forecast and allow extra time for staff and pupil journeys into school. 

We will not be sure what we will all face tomorrow morning until it arrives. A text at 7.30am will be issued with any changes.

When you wake and your journey still presents you challenges then please do not attempt it. 

If you need to make childcare arrangements today  for tomorrow in the event we do close then please go ahead. 

Attendance records will not be effected this week due to our enforced closures and childcare that may need to be arranged. 

Additional changes

There will be no activity club after school.  

The school that caters for school meals has been closed since Friday.  

We need to ensure for those children who are able to get to school have a lunch. 

At this time I can not guarantee this would be the Christmas lunch therefore I ask for all parents to provide packed lunch on Wednesday. We will also ensure there is food on site just in case you are not able to send in a packed lunch. 

As with all events that should of taken place this week my focus Wednesday will be communicating with others to establish what happens next and when. 

So far... 

The pantomime has been rebooked for Wednesday 10th January. 

Christmas lunch will take place on Thursday 14th December. 

The Key Stage 2 Carol concert on Thursday 14th December in church will be confirmed on Thursday. As the event takes place in the evening we need to ensure conditions by then are safe. 

Christmas parties with a special visitor will go ahead on Friday 15th December. 

Still to confirm...

New date and time for the Key Stage 1 Christmas Play. 

New date and time for Singing at Nightingales. 

Please bear with me. It will take me a little time to confirm arrangements for decisions that include other people outside of our school. Just as we have been impacted by school closures so have many others. 

We may not have started the week in the way we wanted but we will end it how we planned. 

Weather Alert!

Due to freezing snow conditions that continue to effect safe travel for all, school will remain closed on Tuesday 12th December. Every effort is being made for school to reopen on Wednesday 

The decision to remain closed is not an easy one as we appreciate the inconvenience this may cause. 

The majority of our teaching staff live at least 25 - 30 miles away from school and are currently stuck. Although main roads are starting  to clear, residential and village roads have not been used making travel conditions very dangerous. 

Our caretaker was unable to get out of his village so we are only now starting to clear the school site this afternoon. The temperature has significantly dipped.

Again we deeply apologise for any inconvenience caused by our closure. All efforts will continue to be made to ensure we are open on Wednesday. 

Weather Alerts!

Due to significant snowfall on Sunday and freezing temperatures forecast school will be closed on Monday 11th December. 

The decision to inform parents today is due to risk assessments that have been carried out, the amount of staff that will be unable to get to school safely and safeguarding advice. It will hopefully provide parents with additional time to arrange childcare. 

Further risk assessments will take place to assess if school can reopen on Tuesday. 

The Key Stage 1 Christmas Play will need to be postponed. 

I have spoken with the headteacher of WCESS who will consult with staff to see when we can use the main hall. We will inform you as soon as we know more. 

Weather Alert!

Due to recent snow fall and more forecast we will close school at 12pm. 

School lunches can not deliver.

Staff that leave a distance will need to leave early.

I will remain in school until all children are collected. 

Final Arrangements

On Monday 11th December the children of Robins and Squirrels will perform their Christmas Play at Wolverley Secondary School (WCESS) in the main hall at 1.30pm.

It will be truly magical but to ensure the day runs smoothly we have provided you with an overview below.

If you have any further questions that we may not have covered please see a member of staff who will be glad to help.

At the start of the day...

We are extremely fortunate that WCESS have confirmed that our children can be dropped off at the secondary school from 9.00am on Monday 11th December.

The secondary school have kindly said that Parents can drive into the coach drop off area (which is clearly signposted) and then you will be able to walk your child over to main hall (again this is clearly signposted)

Staff will be waiting and will be clearly visible to assist with this transition.

If your child attends Early Bird morning club then we will ensure they are safely transported to the secondary school. Please contact the main office if this will apply to your child.

To help with dropping off with any younger or older siblings at the Primary School the main door into our school will be open from 8.30am. I will be happy to take the children into school early to allow you the time to get to the secondary school for 9am.

During the Morning

As all pupils from Robins and Squirrels will be at the secondary school from 9am they will be able to practice key parts on the larger stage straight away.

At 10.30am pupils in our school will head to the secondary school to watch the full dress rehearsal.

If there is an issue with any family members not able to see the afternoon performance there is the opportunity to join us for the dress rehearsal. Again, please contact the school main office to confirm with Mrs Hackett as we will need to notify the secondary school of any additional visitors by name.

Lunchtime

Arrangements have been made for all the children to have their picnic lunch in the secondary school main hall. Once finished they will start to prepare for the afternoon performance. Please send in with your child plenty to drink and snacks to keep them going.

Performance guidance

As it is a normal school day for the Secondary School with pupils in lessons we must insist that parents/ family members do not arrive at the secondary school before 1.15pm.

You will be unable to enter the building and the surrounding grounds will have pupils on their lunch break.

For safeguarding reasons we ask that you do not arrive before this time and only park in the designated areas on the school site.

This is a condition of us being able to use the secondary school facilities.

Tickets and Seats

Due to fire regulations and available seating there is a restriction on the amount of initial tickets for the performance.

To start with we have attached 4 tickets per child to assist with keeping within the amount of people allowed in the hall.

We do fully understand reasons for additional requests and will try to assist if possible. If you know that you will not require all 4 tickets please return these to our school office. This will assist with allocating additional places and will inform the site team at WCESS when setting out the seats. At present there have been a couple of requests and a list is in our main office.

Please be aware that people with the original 4 tickets issued should be seated first, if you are granted additional tickets please be mindful that these places may/will need to stand behind the seats set out.

Staff will be on the main door to assist with seating.

During the performance

Photographs and films

Each year we ask all audience members to follow our media policy. This means that any photographs and film taken during the performance should be for personal use only and we recommend that it is not uploaded to any social media forums.

Please respect that due to safeguarding guidance this request is adhered to.

If it is reported that photographs clearly identifying pupils, without parental consent, are posted online the school will have no choice but to enforce a future ban.

Younger children

Please may we ask that any younger children attending the performance use the lobby outside the main hall if they become upset.

The children will be using microphones but for some audience members it may hinder their enjoyment if they are unable to hear their child on stage.

Toilets

The performance is just under an hour in length but if you require the toilet during the performance staff will be on hand to guide you to the nearest toilet. Again this is a condition of using the secondary school whilst their students are in lessons.

After the performance

Once the play has come to a close we will swiftly help you collect your child from the main hall.

The children will have all their belongings with them and will remain in their costumes to reduce the time you will need to wait after the performance.

We have until 3pm to fully exit the main hall and parking area before the students of the secondary school finish for the day and coaches arrive in the parking area.

If your child is to return to school as they will be attending Activity Club, please inform Mrs Hackett at the school office. A list of names will be issued to staff who will safely transport the children back to school.

Meanwhile, Staff back at our school will ensure any siblings are kept in class until you arrive to collect. Please do not worry all staff will be made aware of any delays and are there to help you.

Thank you for your support and apologies for the long list of do’s and don’ts. This is mainly due to guidance from WCESS in order to keep everyone safe.

We would like to make you aware of a potential safeguarding incident within the Wyre Forest area. Please talk to your children about stranger danger. For more information please follow the link below.

https://www.westmercia.police.uk/article/41445/Witness-appeal-after-report-of-suspicious-van-in-Bewdley

Christmas Football

Kidderminster Harriers Community Scheme will be holding our holiday football courses before Christmas. Course run 10am-3pm and are open to children aged 5-14 years. Younger children can attend for half days if they prefer. Cost is £10 for one day, £19 for two. The courses will feature Santa’s Penalty Shoot Out and a mini soccer tournament, everyone who competes receive a prize. The venues are:-

Kidderminster – Baxter College - Wednesday 20^th, Thursday 21st

Worcester – Bishop Perowne College -Wednesday 20^th & Thursday 21^st

Droitwich – Dodderhill School – Thursday 21st & Friday 22^nd

Bromsgrove - Catshill Middle School - Thursday 21st & Friday 22^nd

Tenbury Wells - Tenbury High School - Friday 22^nd

To book a place contact the Community Scheme on 01562 863821 or email harrierscommunity@hotmail.co.uk. Payment can be made in advance or on the day. Please send name, age course attending, any medical conditions and an emergency contact.

MiniKickers

Our weekly MiniKickers sessions in Droitwich and Worcester finish next week (7^th). The last Kidderminster session will be on 13^th Dec

The sessions will restart from January 10th

Kidderminster, Baxter College - Wednesdays 4.45-5.45pm

Worcester, Bishop Perowne College Gym Thursdays 4.45-5.45pm

Droitwich, Chawson First School - Thursdays 5.30-6.30pm

MiniKickers centres are weekly football for children aged 5-9 years (years 1-5) Cost £3 per session. No booking required, just turn up ready to play.

Saturday Soccer

Last Session this year will be 16^th Dec and restart on January 6th

Baxter College, Kidderminster 10.30-11.45am. Cost £3 per session -

Includes AnkleBiters 3-5 years MiniKickers 5-9 years Hot Shots 10-12 years