Dear Parents,

I know I speak for all staff when I say how happy we are to have all of the children back this week. It has been so uplifting to see them and the way they have come into school and settled into class is a credit to you all. The school has a wonderful buzz about it again!

Thank you for working with us to ensure that our school is as safe as possible, including those of you who have had to self-isolate or arrange a test to comply with government guidance. We appreciate that it is difficult to know whether symptoms qualify for a coronavirus test - please ensure that you follow NHS guidance online and use the 111 service if you are still unsure. We are not medically trained, so we will be following the same guidance as you. As it is likely children will display only mild symptoms but could still pass on the virus to others, the school will err on the side of caution to protect all members of our community.

Thank you for sticking to the new start and finish times, this will be particularly important from next week when there will be more families on site, as our new EYFS children start their visits to school and Ducklings re-opens. Can we remind you to socially distance from other families, ensuring that your child stays with you and doesn't run around the playground. This helps all parents to feel confident that they are appropriately distanced from other households. Any feedback regarding our new procedures would be very welcome - please email parents@writtleinfantschool.com.

I would like to thank our staff who have worked tirelessly throughout the holiday to create a safe environment and plan for the children’s return. Our emphasis has been on settling the children into new routines, looking after their well-being and rekindling old friendships. I am currently doing assemblies via video call to the classrooms, as the bubbles cannot mix. Today we re-visited our HIPIP values with the children. I do not want our awards and celebrations to disappear, so we are planning how to do those virtually.

We welcome Miss Williams to her first week as Sharks' class teacher. Having worked with us throughout last year in Year 2, she already knows the ropes! We have a trainee teacher, Miss Smith, working with Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Scott-Simons in Dolphins class this year. Mrs. Espinosa-Davis is expecting her baby at the end of September and we cannot wait to welcome the new arrival!

My thanks go to Mrs. Pluck, who met with Councillor John Aldridge and Jonathan Simmons from Essex Highways during the holidays, to discuss options that may allow for another entrance to our school. We will keep you posted. We still intend to build our Health and Happiness Hub, and will work with our Parents Association, WISPA, to consider ways of raising much needed funds. We are currently spending thousands of pounds on measures to prevent Covid-19, which we cannot claim back.

Thank you again for your patience and understanding during these times. Have a relaxing weekend - we expect the children will sleep well!

Kind regards
Helen Castell

It's been so lovely to see the children back! They have all settled in happily. We emailed Parrots parents this week as they begin Forest Schools next Tuesday - please check your ParentMail so that you know what clothes they should be wearing that day! Year 1 homework this week is to look at your child's phonics folders and read books on Bug Club please.

Can all parents please send children to school in joggers/leggings and trainers, so that they are ready to do PE in the playground whenever we choose. Thank you!