Hello again everyone, I hope you are all managing to keep well and stay safe.
As the lockdown continues I am aware that it may be getting more challenging each day to balance keeping the children entertained and getting exercise without it putting too much stress on yourselves. The staff are putting suggested activities on the class pages to help support children in some learning - this can not be a replacement for the classroom but will hopefully assist in something meaningful.
There are a wide range of resources online - BBC Bitesize (https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize), Oak National Academy (https://www.thenational.academy/), White Rose Maths which we use in school (https://whiterosemaths.com/homelearning/) and Lancashire's Professional Development Team have a YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC55zSaI6p5ZhJxL--Q00IjA/featured) which is giving some online lessons. The Lancashire Maths team also have some ideas for you here http://www.lancsngfl.ac.uk/curriculum/primarymaths/index.php?category_id=1211
Staying safe online is vital! Please do remember to make sure filters are set up and that you know what children are doing online - if you need help or support please go to the NSPCC site (https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/coronavirus-advice-suppport-children-families-parents/) and follow the link to online safety.
We appreciate that for many of you this is difficult to manage, you may have seen the article in the LEP (https://www.lep.co.uk/business/appeal-laptops-and-ipads-help-needy-preston-pupils-access-online-learning-during-coronavirus-crisis-2544211) about a local business looking for old laptops for schools and that we are one of the schools! We haven't had anything yet but we are hopeful that something may come soon to help with access to the internet and more ICT equipment.
Even though school is only open for the children in the Government's defined categories, there is still a lot of work going on behind the scenes processing vouchers for Free School Meals (often late into the night due the problems with the Government's website), collecting and distributing food parcels for the most needy and vulnerable and working with other agencies to ensure that everyone is safe. I am very grateful for our staff who are calmly and quietly 'doing their bit' at this time.
A few useful numbers that I hope you won't need but if you do, rest assured that there are people ready to listen:
Childline 0800 1111
Samaritans 116 123
Domestic Violence Hotline 0808 2000 247
Finally, some good news!
Yesterday we were absolutely blown away by the incredible generosity of an elderly lady who wishes to remain anonymous. She called into school with an envelope of cash (a considerable sum of money for her) which she has asked to use in our work providing food parcels for the needy. We are very grateful and humbled by her generosity.
Stay safe everybody and may God bless you all.
Mr M
