Dear parents and carers of Stepney Park Primary School,
I hope you and your families are all safe and well.
Changing weather:
Now the weather is getting colder, it is time to change the location of KS2 packed lunches. From this week, all children who are eating a packed lunch will do this inside instead of outside. We have been able to provide most year groups with a hot meal this week and last week, because Year 5 and Year 3 were self isolating.
Bubble closures:
We are very concerned, as I imagine you are, with the number of bubble closures due to positive Covid cases. We are doing our very best to minimise the negative impact this has on children’s wellbeing and learning. I know that digital learning is working very well, but of course it cannot fully substitute face to face learning. We are constantly reviewing all of our practices to ensure we keep our staff and children as safe as possible.
The bubble lockdowns are taking a huge toll on staff and families, and I understand everyone's concerns and frustrations. I know some families struggle with having their children at home and helping them with digital learning, in particular perhaps where parents’ work is affected. Our staff, some of whom have been through some very challenging Covid related times, are doing an amazing job in keeping things going in school, covering for- and looking after each other and the children.
I know communication is very difficult at the moment, as staff are not as accessible as we would like, due to the Covid restrictions. This is particularly difficult when a parent has a concern. Our staff will always do their best to call a parent who has a concern as soon as they are able to do so. I would appeal to parents to ensure they treat staff with respect when doing this, as sadly this has not been the case at all times recently.
Headbands and Headscarves:
We would like headbands and headscarves to be in the same colours as the school uniform: plain purple, plain grey, plain white or plain black. Thank you.
Picking up younger siblings:
We understand that families may choose to ask older children to pick up younger children. We would like parents to request this in writing, if someone under 16 is expected to do this. A form can be requested from the admin office. We will look at the circumstances in each case, before we agree to this. The distance and method of travel, as well as the relative ages of both siblings will be taken into consideration when we take our decision.
Free School Meals:
We ensure that all children who are entitled to a Free School Meal will receive this during periods of self isolation. Admin staff will contact all relevant families and discuss the process for accessing this service
Kindest regards,
Edith Philipsen
Headteacher- Stepney Park Primary School.
