Hello everybody, I hope that you are all well and still managing to stay safe.

 

Things have changed since I last got in touch; there has been a relaxation of some of the restrictions and the curve finally does seem to be going in the right direction which is really good news.

 

Clearly, we are going to be living with this virus for some time and it will be a while before we get back to what we feel is 'normal'.

There has been a lot of talk about schools welcoming more children back from June 1st. I wanted to give you an update on how we are responding to that.

 

First of all, we will not be ready until at least 8th June as there are considerable challenges to overcome to prepare the school building and to put in place measures to keep everybody as safe as we can.

 

There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes to see how we might be able to respond; we are busy trying to order appropriate equipment and resources, we are also working out how we can keep anyone who comes in, in their small groups without meeting others outside of it; socially distancing as much as we can.

 

These are just some of the problems we are working on to see if we can overcome them.

Next week would normally be half-term, we are remaining open for the children in the categories identified by the Government.  If the Government announce next week, 28th May, that they are giving the go ahead for schools to start welcoming more children back and we believe that we are ready to respond to it, then we will have to close the school Monday 1st to Weds 3rd June to all children in order to get everything ready.

 

We would then be open 4th & 5th June for the children who currently attend, before welcoming back the year groups we have identified (we have already been in touch with these families).

 

At this stage I cannot give you any clearer information than that. As soon as I am able to give you more information I will of course do so.

 

Finally, in a week in which Christians around the world have celebrated Ascension Day to remember when Jesus returned to Heaven, we also want to say “Eid Mubarak” to all our Muslim families. This year has been a very different Ramadan for you all and I am sure Eid will also be very different & celebrated in a unique way in 2020; every good wish to you all as you celebrate.

 

As always, stay safe

 

M Mackley