Keep up to date with all the news happening in school at the moment.
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Autumn Term Parents/Carers Conversations with Class Teachers
Dear Parents and Carers,
Under the current circumstances it is not possible for us to hold our Parents/Carers evenings but it is important that we give you the opportunity to find out how your child is doing in school since returning in September. Many schools are sending out a brief written report but I feel it is vital that you have the chance to have a conversation with your child’s class teacher as this means you can also ask questions directly.
How will this work?
Your child’s class teacher/s will be released from class on a nominated day and will then ring and speak to you at some point between 9:30am and 4pm. You can ask for a specific time by completing the attached reply slip and sending it back to school. If you don’t ask for a particular time, your child’s class teacher will ring you at some point during the day. If between 9:30-4:00pm is not suitable (because of childcare/work issues), let us know on the reply slip and we will try to arrange another time.
What do I need to do?
Please make sure we have a working and up to date phone number for you, and also pop our number 2502207 in your phone so you know it’s us ringing.
What if I have a query before the date for my child’s class?
You are always very welcome to ring school or email office@fordleyprimary.org.uk at any point if you have a concern or a worry, and your child’s class teacher will ring you back at their earliest opportunity.
When will my child’s class teacher ring me?
The following dates have been selected for each class (spread out over a few weeks). This is because we only have two outgoing phone lines and must keep one available for emergencies or parents/carers trying to get in touch as normal.
Fordley Flyers conversations will be arranged with parents/carers directly.
What do I need to do now?
Please email school if you would like your phone call at a specific time because of childcare/work issues.
If you are happy to have a phone call at any point between 9:30am and 4pm, you do not need to return anything.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs C.L. Withers
Headteacher
COVID-19: pupil without close contact
Dear Parent or Carer,
We have been advised that there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the school.
We have carried out a full risk assessment and identified all those who have been in close contact with the affected case and have recommended that they stay at home and self-isolate until 14 days after their last contact.
Your child has not been identified as a close contact and therefore does not need to make any change to their usual routine, including school attendance.
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are recent onset of a new continuous cough and/or a high temperature and/or a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia). If your child, or anyone in your household, develops these symptoms, you whole household must remain at home and not go to work, school or public areas. You should arrange testing for the person who has developed symptoms. When the result is known further advice will be available.
Testing can be arranged by calling 119 or via the NHS website: nhs.uk/coronavirus
How to stop COVID-19 spreading
There are things we can all do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19:
Further information
Further information is available at nhs.uk/coronavirus
Yours sincerely
Mrs C.L. Withers
Headteacher
Dear Parent/Carer of child in Reception,
Advice for Child to Self-Isolate for 14 Days
We have been advised that there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the school and following a full risk assessment it is necessary to close both Reception classes for the isolation period of 14 days.
We have identified that your child has been in close contact with the affected case. In line with the national guidance we recommend that your child now stays at home and self-isolates until 24th October. Your child must not go to school or any public areas: your child must remain at home. Further details of what your child needs to do are in NHS Guidance:
We are asking you to do this to reduce the further spread of COVID 19 to others in the community. If you need support with isolation, please contact your local Council.
Other members of your household can continue normal activities provided your child does not develop symptoms within the self-isolation period.
If your child is well at the end of the period of self-isolation, then they can return to usual activities.
What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19
For most people, especially children, COVID-19 will be a mild illness.
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are recent onset of:
If your child develops any of these symptoms of COVID-19, they should remain at home and arrangements should be made for them to be tested. At that time all other household members must also stay at home, not go to work, school or public areas, even for exercise.
Testing can be arranged by calling 119 or via the NHS website: nhs.uk/coronavirus
When the result of the child’s test is known further advice will be available.
How to stop COVID-19 spreading
There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19:
Further information
Further information is available at nhs.uk/coronavirus
Yours sincerely
Mrs C.L. Withers
Headteacher
Dear Parents and Carers,
It is with great sadness that I am informing you of the tragic death of Mrs. Elliott (formerly known as Miss Hansen), who was a teacher at Fordley Primary from September 2009 to July 2018. She was a well-known and much loved part of the Fordley Family and will be missed by so many. Mrs. Elliott died from an ongoing illness which she had been battling for several years. The family also wanted you all to know that she passed away peacefully on 29th September.
Our thoughts are with the family at this time and, in an effort to try and respond to her death in a positive manner, all children in Y5 and Y6 have been informed by me as the vast majority of them were either taught by her or knew her.
Should your child need to talk to any one of us following today’s news, please just let us know and we will take time with them to answer their questions or just listen.
I have also shared the sad news with Mr. Campbell, principal at North Gosforth Academy, as so many of the students there will remember Mrs. Elliott well. He has assured me that his Pastoral Care team will be on hand should anyone need to talk to a school adult.
Mrs. Elliott was a highly dedicated, determined, hard-working, caring and extremely professional teacher and part of our Fordley Family, despite moving onto a new school a couple of years ago.
She will be missed by us all and I ask that you keep her family in your thoughts during this very tough time, and be respectful of their wishes to avoid sharing this tragic news on social media.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs C.L. Withers
Headteacher
Bereavement Advice and Support
Should your child need any support with this you can email ask@winstonswish.org for advice or the website provides advice and support (click the link below):
Winston's Wish - Advice and Support
WAYS TO HELP YOUR CHILD THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT TIME – PARENTS / CARERS
Children do not need to be taught how to grieve. They will do it naturally and in healthy ways if we allow them and if we provide a safe atmosphere, permission and example to do so.
· Listen carefully. Let them tell their story. Tell them that the reactions they are having are normal
· Pay extra attention, spend extra time with them, be more nurturing and comforting
· Reassure them that they are safe
· Don’t tell them that they are “lucky it wasn’t worse”. People are not consoled by such statements. Instead, tell them that you are sorry such an event has occurred and you want to understand and help them
· Do not be surprised by changes in behaviour or personality. They will return to their usual selves in time
· Don’t take their anger or other feelings personally. Help them to understand the relationship between anger and trauma. Help them find safe ways to express their feelings e.g. by drawing, taking exercise, or talking
· Help them to understand that defiance, aggression and risk behaviour is a way to avoid feeling the pain, hurt and or fear they are feeling
· When going out, let them know where you are going and when you will be back
· If you are out for a long time, telephone and reassure them
· Tolerate regressive behaviour such as nail biting, thumb sucking, or the need for a night light
· Share your own experience of being frightened of something and getting through it
· If they are feeling guilt or shame, emphasise that they did not choose for this to happen and that they are not to blame. Even if they were angry with the person who died, or had been mean to them, this did not make it happen
· Work with the school support services and other available services
· As well as advising your child about appropriate use of social media, monitor their use, particularly during this vulnerable time. Useful website: www.webwise.ie