Newsletter 2 Spring Term 2022

Covid19 Update

I'm delighted to let you know that (hopefully!) we should be at full numbers tomorrow without any cases of Covid19 in school. The risk assessment has been changed to reflect new guidance on isolation as follows:

From Monday 17 January, people who are self-isolating with COVID-19 will have the option to reduce their isolation period after 5 full days if they test negative with a lateral flow device (LFD) test on both day 5 and day 6 and they do not have a temperature. For example, if they test negative on the morning of day 5 and the morning of day 6, they can return to their education or childcare setting immediately on day 6.

The first test must be taken no earlier than day 5 of the self-isolation period, and the second must be taken the following day. All test results should be reported to NHS Test and Trace. If the result of either of their tests is positive, they should continue to self-isolate until they get negative results from two LFD tests on consecutive days or until they have completed 10 full days of self-isolation, whichever is earliest.

Anyone who is unable to take LFD tests or anyone who continues to have a temperature will need to complete the full 10 day period of self isolation.

Further information on self-isolation for those with COVID-19 is available here.

Guidance on what to do if you receive a positive LFD test result has also changed. Please note that this guidance only applies to people with no symptoms. Anyone with symptoms of Covid19 is still advised to get a PCR test.

Confirmatory PCR testing following a positive result on a lateral flow device (LFD) will be temporarily suspended from Tuesday 11 January. This means that for all education and childcare settings, staff and students who have tested (either at home or through ATS) and reported a positive LFD result will no longer be advised to get a confirmatory PCR test.

This change is informed by public health advice. With high COVID-19 rates, the risk of a positive LFD result being false is very small. We therefore don’t need to ask people to do a confirmatory PCR unless they:
· have symptoms (in which case they need to follow the stay at home guidance, self-isolate and order a PCR test)
· wish to claim the Test and Trace Support Payment
· have been advised to take a PCR test because they are in a clinically vulnerable group
· have been advised to do so as part of a research or surveillance programme

Education and childcare settings are not expected to trace contacts of a positive case as this will remain the responsibility of NHS Test and Trace. 

Clubs

After school clubs will begin again on 31st January and run for 6 weeks. The teachers running the clubs will open the booking system for these clubs and send you information when you are able to book your children in. The planned clubs can be seen below but these may be subject to small changes or additions.

Attendance

We have recently updated our attendance procedures across Dartmoor Multi-Academy Trust. The link between a child’s attendance at school and improved outcomes and life chances is well documented. We want to help all children and young people to fulfil their potential and get the most out of their education.
In line with our policy and government expectations all schools have the following procedures:

• If a child’s attendance starts to drop the school will speak to the child/parent and discuss the reason for absence and any support needed.
• After 10 sessions of absence, you will receive a first attendance letter (there are 2 sessions in the school day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon).
• After 15 sessions of absence, you will receive a second attendance letter and you will be invited to have a meeting to discuss how we can best support your child to attend school more often. You will also be offered an Early Help meeting.
• If your child’s attendance does not improve you will receive a third attendance letter and the Education Welfare Officer (EWO) will be informed.

Of course, there will be unavoidable absences for illness or medical appointments, but we want to minimise these where possible. Pupils and families will not be penalised for legitimate non-attendance due to Covid 19.
No term time holidays will be authorised unless there are exceptional circumstances. Every day in school counts, even a small drop in attendance can lead to a child missing a significant part of their education.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch with school at any time if you have any queries around attendance expectations and procedures.

Parking in the village

Please park considerately in the village and do not park directly outside the church. This is a designated 'No Parking' area as cars parked here significantly reduce the safety of children coming to and from school. Car parking is available at the recreation ground and the King's Arms. Please help us to keep your children safe by using these car parks. 

Menu Change

Please be advised that Thursday 20th January is Census Day so we will be changing the menu to a special Census Day Celebration menu to encourage more children to try the new school dinners. The menu is as follows.

Hot dogs served with chips, peas and BBQ sauce followed by a Rainbow Vanilla Sponge.

If your child is currently booked for a home packed lunch on this day and you'd like them to have a hot meal, please let the office know and we can change this for you. 

Parent Governors Needed

Parents – Your school needs YOU!
There is a vacancy for one parent governor to join the Local Stakeholder Board at the Three Hares.
Local governors are a vital part of the Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust’s connection with schools and community, and parents are an important voice within the governance structure.
To qualify as a parent governor, you must have at least one child on the roll at any school within the Three Hares hub, and must be eligible under the national governing body rules.
Nominations are now open, until close of business on Friday 27th January 2022.
All nominations will then be put forward to a parent vote, which will take place electronically.
The nomination form must be completed in full, and can be obtained by emailing the Clerk to Governors: [email protected]

For an informal chat about the role of parent governor and the responsibilities of the local stakeholder board, please contact the Chair Emma Neath: [email protected] or the Clerk to Governors: [email protected]

Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to receiving your applications

It's Not Ok Campaign

This week, the whole of our Trust have launched the, 'It's Not OK' campaign across all the schools to say no to all forms of sexual violence and sexual harassment. In SCARF/PSHE lessons, children have talked about different ways they are kept safe in school as well as the characteristics of positive relationships. Over the next few weeks, we will revisit the NSPCC Pants Rule and ensure that our children know who they can talk to should they feel uncomfortable or unsafe at any time. 

PTA News

We'd like to ask if anyone received gifts for Christmas (or birthdays) that aren't quite to their taste, or if you received 2 similar gifts, please could you donate them to the PTA to use as raffle prizes in future fundraising events.

We are also collecting Christmas jumpers/tops if you are having a sort through and want to donate!

Please give all donations to the school office or to a member of the PTA!

The 2 Challenge
How about joining us for our 2 Challenge on 2nd February (2.2.22). Please can the children bring in at least 2 coins with the number 2 on (2p, 20p or £2) but feel free to bring in more if you'd like! The teachers will collect in the money and weather permitting will make them into a giant number 2 on the playground, and let's see how much we can raise from all the 2s!

School Disco
Back by popular demand, we are holding a disco on Friday 11th, so get out your glad rags and your dancing shoes! 
It will be the same format as last term with Year R, 1 and 2 from 3:30 - 4:30, Year 3 & 4 from 4:45 - 5:45 and Year 5 and 6 from 6:00 till 7:00. It will only be £2.50 per child which includes drink and a pack of crisps! Permissions slips will be in book bags this week.

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 15th February via Zoom and we will send around a link around closer to the date. If you'd like to get involved then email [email protected]

Thank you so much for your ongoing support from all on the PTA.