Lower Darwen Primary School...Bethany Stocks in year 1 for her contribution to our history box. She has writen a fabulous story featuring the flying super nurse Bethany and collected

Lower Darwen Primary School

Milking Lane, Lower Darwen BB3 0RB

We are proud of our school.

Headteacher: Mr S.J. Cumbo BA (Hons), PGCE, NPQH

Tel: 01254 55639

www.lowerdarwenprimary.co.uk

E-mail: [email protected]

Newsletter 37

Friday 17th July 2020 Diary Dates

School closes for the summer holiday Friday 17th July 2020

Years 1, 2 and 3 return to school date Thursday 3rd September 2020

Years 4, 5 and 6 return to school date Friday 4th September 2020

Dojo of the Week Every week we will tell you on the newsletter, of the name of the child in each class, who has been awarded ‘Dojo of the Week’, in respect of good work. Obviously, teachers are looking for children who are working extremely hard at home. A virtual Freddo to all this week’s winners.

This week’s ‘Dojo of the Week’ winners were:-

Reception All the children in the Reception bubbles Year 1C: Henry Holmes Year 1S: Ellie Howarth Year 2V: The Whole of Class 2V Year 2S: Leyton Wright Year 3C: Lily-Louise Hayes Year 3B: The Whole of Class 3B Year 4M: The Whole of Class 4M Year 4O: The Whole of Class 4O Year 5RT: Lucas Hargreaves Year 5H: Kayleigh O’Reilly Year 6B: Hollie Feeney Year 6C: Holly Baron and Ismail Nadeem HIP: Muhammad Hasnain Riaz and Manha Sajid

Well done…

A special mention must go to Bethany Stocks in year 1 for her contribution to our history box.

She has writen a fabulous story featuring the flying super nurse Bethany and collected lots of artefacts.

Office News Invoices We request payments are made via our on-line banking service as no cash is being accepted at the present time. However, in line with other organisations, we recognise that because some parents may be struggling with reduced incomes due to furloughing or a cut in hours that it may not be possible to pay all outstanding debts to the school. If you fall into this category I would ask you to e.mail the office (for the attention of Mrs MacDonald or Mrs Dixon) and we will consider your requests for a payment holiday plan. All outstanding balances for Year 6 children must be paid prior to your child leaving.





Tel: 01254 55639



Year 6 Assembly Today, (Friday, 17th July 2020) we held our special Year 6 farewell assembly in the school grounds. Due to social distancing, only one parent was able to attend, but parents at home could watch it virtually. The children were presented with graduation certificates and autograph books. The following pupils won special awards:

School Achievement- Governors’ Award Jensen Lovejoy and Hollie Feeney Madison Allan Determination Award Olivia Jackson Maths Award Thom McIlvenny English Award Ben Gardner and Jessica McAuliffe Reading Award Eve Fitzgerald Sporting Achievement Award Holly Baron , Harvey Higgins and Sam Savage

I would also like to thank the Year 6 Prom Committee for their support. Unfortunately, this crisis took away many of the children’s rites of passage including the end of year prom, but these parents ensured the children marked the end of their time at LDPS with a lovely goodie bag and personalised gift.

Finally, I would like to wish all our Year 6 leavers all the very best for the future and they are always welcome to visit and tell us of their achievements. We are proud of you! They have been a wonderful cohort and, for me, watching them grow and mature from tiny four year olds to the lovely young people has been a pleasure. I wish them every success in life.

Holiday Club Reminder please that Holiday Club needs to be paid for in advance of your child attending.

School Reports Both your child’s end of school year report and a letter advising who their class teacher will be for the next academic year were sent out earlier this week. There was also a copy of the Autumn menu and an up to date school uniform list attached. School Sports Kit Please return any school sports kit to school if not already done so, at the start of the new school year.

COVID-19: social media and the school website The school has a dedicated COVID-19 section of the school website. These pages include information and useful telephone numbers to help support you and your family. This can be accessed at:

https://www.lowerdarwenprimary.co.uk/information-about-co-vid-19/ Good hygiene can help prevent the spread of infection Prevent the spread of the virus by promoting good hand and respiratory hygiene with our children:

Frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol

Catch coughs or sneezes with a tissue, throw the tissue in the bin and wash hands

Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands

https://www.lowerdarwenprimary.co.uk/information-about-co-vid-19/





Tel: 01254 55639



Test and Trace Information

Update on Bailey (School Therapy Dog) I have been catching up with Bailey, our therapy dog, who will, hopefully, be working in our school very soon. This is what he had to say: “This week has been very exciting in my house – lots of different things have been happening. Firstly, someone who follows my “Bailey’s Journey to Therapy Dog” Facebook page has sent me a wonderful new harness and lead.”

“I also got a fantastic donation from Year 6 children. Their Leavers’ party had to be cancelled and after party bags for all the children had been bought, it was decided I could have the rest of the money towards my training and certification. Huge thanks to all Year children and everyone else involved in helping with this fundraising.”

Bailey has been given a provisional date of when his training can resume. These will be Thursday 8th and Friday 9th October 2020.

“Please keep your fingers crossed that this can go ahead – I’ll definitely be keeping my paws crossed Thanks to all of you for continuing to support me – I really want to get into school to meet everyone. I hope you all have a lovely summer – stay safe and much love!” added Bailey.





Tel: 01254 55639



School holidays and thank you Today (Friday 17th July 2020), school closes for the summer holiday following a very disrupted year. I would like to thank all my staff for their dedication and expertise. I am fortunate to have a team of professionals around me who ‘go the extra mile’ to ensure our children have the best possible outcomes and they have still continued to do this during the Covid-19 crisis.

I would also like to say a big thank you to my governors and the children for their hard work and effort over the past twelve months and you, as parents, for your continued support, particularly with the home schooling.

School Re-opening Hopefully, the school will re-open to all pupils in September. However, re-opening for the new academic year will be different. A letter was emailed out yesterday detailing our school’s re-opening plan. Years 1,2 and 3 will return on Thursday, 3rd September 2020 and Years 4,5 and 6 on Friday, 4th September 2020, with staggered start and finishing times being set. I have included the contents of the letter at the foot of this newsletter. Please read the arrangements carefully and note that all times must be adhered to for everybody’s safety. Obviously dependent on the ongoing Covid situation, the plans are subject to change but I will keep you informed. Updated information will also appear on the school’s website.

Finally… Farewell! This week, we say a fond farewell to Miss Brandon, who works in Reception class. She is getting married in August and moving to Cyprus, where her future husband serves in the forces. This has been her first year of teaching and over the past twelve months, she has made an impact and a positive influence on our reception children’s lives.

On behalf of the whole school community, I would like to wish her the very best. Good luck and enjoy yourself.

Steven Cumbo, Headteacher

School re-opening: September 2020 This communication is to inform you of the arrangements for re-opening of school which will begin (subject to local authority clearance or another government enforced closure), week commencing Monday 31st August 2020. Please note Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd September 2020 are staff training days. Read the information carefully and any attached documents.

Your child will already have been allocated a class place for 2020-21 and this letter was sent out on Tuesday (14th July 2020). Classes and year groups will be organised into bubbles. When children are in school, they will be in their distinct bubble and will not mix with other year groups. This is to help with track and tracing.

From September, school will be organised differently to comply with the health and safety guidance.

The school will operate on a staggered timetable and this will include different start and finish times for pupils. These times will operate until at least half-term. Drop off and pick up times should be strictly adhered to in order to help with social distancing. The start and finish times for each year group are listed below:

Year Group (s) Start time Finish time

Reception and Year 1 8.45 am 3.00 pm

Year 2 and Year 3 8.55 am 3.10 pm


Year 6 9.20 am 3.30 pm

ONLY one parent/family member is allowed to drop off or pick up and they should observe 2m social distancing when waiting for a child. Parents and children should avoid congregating at the school gates. If a parent has more than one child at school, parents should use the later drop off





Tel: 01254 55639



Year Group (s) Start time Finish time

Reception and Year 1 8.45 am 3.00 pm



Year 6 9.20 am 3.30 pm

ONLY one parent/family member is allowed to drop off or pick up and they should observe 2m social distancing when waiting for a child. Parents and children should avoid congregating at the school gates. If a parent has more than one child at school, parents should use the later drop off time to drop their children off and the earlier one to pick up.

Phased re-opening To help ensure the start of the year runs smoothly, there will be a phased re-opening of school. Please see below for your child’s year group’s start date.

Year Group (s) Start date

Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 Thursday 3rd September 2020

Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 Friday 4th September 2020

Reception children have been given a later start date (from Tuesday 15th September 2020) and this has been communicated to new parents.

Breakfast Club and Happy Days Our wrap around facilities will NOT operate for the first full week of school and will be phased in, in the weeks leading up to half-term as we assess safety and the management of bubbles. Parents will have to make alternative childcare arrangements until these facilities are open. Initially, there may be reduced opening and closing times to these facilities. I hope to give you details of how are facilities will operate week beginning Monday 7th September 2020.

All arrangements have been put in place to maximise the safety for you, your child and staff of LDPS. They need to be adhered to and are non-negotiable.

Preparation prior to re-opening You should prepare your child as much as possible through reassurance, especially, if they have not been in school for six months. However, there will be changes in how the school is managed and how they will be expected to learn. These Include: working and playing in ‘bubbles’, having a different teacher and classroom, the importance of hygiene and social distancing, well-being and behaviour expectations.

During the week of re-opening you will be given some additional guidance and information. The guidance will help prepare you and your child for that first day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is uniform compulsory? Children will be expected to wear school uniform and a list is attached with the school’s requirement.

Will the school’s dinner service be available? It is envisaged that the school kitchen, from September, will run as normal and a full lunch menu will be available. I have attached the lunch menu for the first half term.

Do I have to send my child to school? There is a legal expectation that ALL children will attend school. It will be your duty to ensure that child attends school regularly. From September, the school will record attendance and follow up absences. The school reserves the right to issue sanctions (including fixed penalty notices in line with the local authority’s code of conduct). LDPS will support and work with families who are worried about returning to school.

Will the curriculum be different?





Tel: 01254 55639



Do I have to send my child to school? There is a legal expectation that ALL children will attend school. It will be your duty to ensure that child attends school regularly. From September, the school will record attendance and follow up absences. The school reserves the right to issue sanctions (including fixed penalty notices in line with the local authority’s code of conduct). LDPS will support and work with families who are worried about returning to school.

Will the curriculum be different? The school is aiming to teach and broad and balanced curriculum. Initially, there will be an emphasis on supporting children back to school (who will have had different experiences during lockdown), assessing pupils educational and pastoral needs, the importance of hygiene and social distancing. The school will also set out its expectations on behaviour. LDPS will offer pastoral and well-being support for children and parents where appropriate.

Could the plans change? These plans are provisional and will be dependent on how the coronavirus crisis develops. They are subject to change, but these initial plans will be in place to be both compliant with government and local government guidelines and to keep our school community safe. The school will continue to assess the situation and plan accordingly.

What happens next? In week beginning Monday 31st August 2020, you will receive a re-start pack (via e.mail) with support information and confirmation of arrangements.

Documents

Lower Darwen Primary School...Bethany Stocks in year 1 for her contribution to our history box. She has writen a fabulous story featuring the flying super nurse Bethany and collected