FREE Virtual Para Sport Fitness Sessions

MESSAGE FROM ELVAN DIXON, YOUTH SPORTS OFFICER, LONDON BOROUGH OF HAVERING

We are offering a FREE 10 week Virtual Para Sport Fitness session for children and young people with disabilities (S.E.N.D). A fun zoom fitness activity for all the family to enjoy with our very experienced fantastic coach Sheila. Starting today….

School update

Wednesday 27th January 2021 

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope you are well and are managing to navigate through these challenging times. Below are some important updates that you should be aware of.

Bubble places at Mead Primary School during the lockdown

We have now received over 140 requests for places which is stretching our staffing resources to the limit. Places should only be taken for children of critical workers and those defined as vulnerable to attend where it is absolutely necessary. If you have requested a place for your child in school, please urgently and seriously consider whether it is essential for them to attend school. The safest place for your child is at home. Please keep your children at home if at all possible.



School closure over half term

Mead will close on Friday 12th February (1-00) and will reopen until Tuesday 23rd February (8-30). This is the half term break and INSET day. During this time, essential building works are taking place which have been planned for some time. They include replacing a number of KS2 windows, upgrading the WiFi and several areas of redecoration.

During half term, we will not be posting work on Google Classroom. It is important the children have time away from their learning and have the opportunity to have much less screen time!



Chromebooks

This month, we have issued over 140 Chromebooks to our children. We are currently awaiting delivery of another 40 Chromebooks from the DfE but there has been a delay. If you require a device, please contact the school office who will note your request. Only in very exceptional circumstances, are paper copies provided.

Google Classroom

Thank you for supporting your children with this. We now have an average of 85% engagement which is really encouraging. However, we would like this to be event greater. Please do get in touch with your year group if you need any help or support.

ARP kjolly@mead.havering.sch.uk 

Nursery & Reception eyfs@mead.havering.sch.uk 

Year 1 year1@mead.havering.sch.uk 

Year 2 year2@mead.havering.sch.uk 

Year 3 year3@mead.havering.sch.uk 

Year 4 year4@mead.havering.sch.uk 

Year 5 year5@mead.havering.sch.uk 

Year 6 year6@mead.havering.sch.uk 

General enquiries mail@mead.havering.sch.uk 

Thank you for everything you have done since Christmas for your children. Everyone at school is hugely appreciative of the support and care you are providing at home and we understand how challenging this can be.

At present, we know schools will be closed until half-term. However, we should be prepared that this will be further extended. The government has said they will provide schools with 2 weeks notice regarding a return to school. We will share this with you when we are informed, although we often find out key school decisions at the same time as you at the evening government briefings. 

 

Take care and stay safe.

Mr Denchfield

Executive Headteacher

Year 6- CIL

Last week Year Six started a new subject, CIL (Child-Initiated Learning) with the topic of the Titanic. Normally in class, this would involve lots of discussion and debate. As we are working online, we tried to recreate this classroom environment using Padlet. The children are able to write their own ideas on a discussion board. We had some fantastic and thoughtful responses and are looking forward to seeing it expand in the next few weeks!

Dear Parents and Carers in Year 2

Monday 18th January 2021 

Dear Parents and Carers in Year 2

This morning, we were informed that there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 within Mead Primary School.

The positive case is within the Year 2 bubble; the children and staff in Year 2 who have been in direct prolonged contact with the member of staff confirmed to have tested positive for COVID-19 must self-isolate for 10 days. This means our Year 2 bubble will not return to school until Tuesday 26th January.

Please note that siblings who attend a school bubble may still attend school.

Daily online learning will continue through Google Classroom.

I understand that the positive COVID-19 test will cause some concern and potential disruption to you and your family. I sincerely apologise for this but we must follow the strict advice from Public Health and the Department for Education.

Please do contact the school if you have any questions or need any support.

Take care and stay safe.


Mr Denchfield

Year 6's daily challenges

Every day last week we challenged our Year 6's to do something different! Heres a look at what they got up to:

Monday: Movie Night

Tuesday: Make cupcakes

Wednesday: Complete a daily mile

Thursday- Make a lava lamp

Friday: Learn to tie a tie

Well done Year 6, I can't wait to see how they get on with this weeks challenges!

Miss Hinchliffe

Dear Parents and Carers in KS2

Thursday 14th January 2021 

Dear Parents and Carers in KS2,

Remote education update

As we are now in the second week of our school closure, I wanted to update you on some improvements we are making to Google Classroom.
● From Monday 18th January, all remote learning across the school is through Google Classroom.
● Every school day, learning will be uploaded to Google Classroom by 8-00am.
● A daily Google meet session is timetabled for each year group; this is where a member of staff will be online live to explain the learning and activities for the day. Children are also able to ask questions during this session. This will be recorded and posted to Google Classroom so children can rewatch at any time. Where possible, we want all children to join the live stream.

Live session timings (every school day). 

This session will also be recorded and posted on Google Classroom by 11-00.

Year 3 9-30 (30 minutes)

Year 4 9-30 (30 minutes)

Year 5 8-45 (30 minutes)

Year 6 8-45 (30 minutes)

● In addition to the live daily Google meet, recorded activities will be posted.
● We have produced a series of short films to help our children and parents. These are posted on every Google Classroom page, the Mead YouTube page and the Mead Facebook page. Do let us know if there are any other films you would like us to produce.
● Any parent who requires a Chromebook for their child should phone the school (01708 343616) or email mail@mead.havering.sch.uk. We may be able to help with this.
● Any parent who requires access to the internet for their child should phone the school (01708 343616) or email mail@mead.havering.sch.uk. We may be able to help with this.

● Only in exceptional circumstances. will we provide paper copies. Google Classroom is a much more effective way for children to learn and interact with the staff and children.

Any parent who requires support with their child’s learning is actively encouraged to email the year group or phone the school.

Year 3 year3@mead.havering.sch.uk 

Year 4 year4@mead.havering.sch.uk 

Year 5 year5@mead.havering.sch.uk 

Year 6 year6@mead.havering.sch.uk 

General enquiries mail@mead.havering.sch.uk or 01708 343616

Google Classroom is an easy and safe platform for our children and staff to use and is something we will continue to use when the children fully return to school. We will only issue paper copies in exceptional circumstances.

Thank you for your support with this.

Take care and stay safe.

Mr Denchfield

Executive Headteacher

Dear Parents and Carers in EYFS and KS1,

Thursday 14th January 2021 

Dear Parents and Carers in EYFS and KS1,

Remote education update

Last week, the government announced that schools should provide one online learning platform across the school. This means that from Monday 18th January, EYFS and KS1 children will be using Google Classroom instead of Class DoJo. I apologise for the short notice but schools were only given a short time to make these changes. Below is the key information that you need to know at this stage.


● Google Classroom login details will be posted on Class DoJo today.
● From Monday 18th January, all remote learning is through Google Classroom.
● Every school day, learning will be uploaded to Google Classroom by 8-00am.
● A daily Google meet session is timetabled for each year group; this is where a member of staff will be online live to explain the learning and activities for the day. Children are also able to ask questions during this session. This will be recorded and posted to Google Classroom so children can rewatch at any time. Where possible, we want all children to join the live stream. 

Live session timings (every school day).
This session will also be recorded and posted on Google Classroom by 11-00.

Nursery/Reception 9-30 (10 minutes)

Year 1                 9-00 (20 minutes)

Year 2                 9-00 (20 minutes)

● In addition to the live daily Google meet, recorded activities will be posted.
● We have produced a series of short films to help our children and parents. These are posted on every Google Classroom page, the Mead YouTube page and the Mead Facebook page. Do let us know if there are any other films you would like us to produce.
● Any parent who requires a Chromebook for their child should phone the school (01708 343616) or email mail@mead.havering.sch.uk. We may be able to help with this.
● Any parent who requires access to the internet for their child should phone the school (01708 343616) or email mail@mead.havering.sch.uk. We may be able to help with this.

● Only in exceptional circumstances. will we provide paper copies. Google Classroom is a much more effective way for children to learn and interact with the staff and children.


Any parent who requires support with their child’s learning is actively encouraged to email the year group or phone the school. 

Nursery & Reception eyfs@mead.havering.sch.uk
Year 1 year1@mead.havering.sch.uk
Year 2 year2@mead.havering.sch.uk
General enquiries mail@mead.havering.sch.uk or 01708 343616

Google Classroom is an easy and safe platform for our children and staff to use. We will continue to use Google Classroom when we return back as a full school community (e.g. for homework). I would like to thank the staff for how quickly they embraced this new platform and for the training they have undertaken this week so we are ready for Monday.

Thank you for your support with this.

Take care and stay safe.

Mr Denchfield

Executive Headteacher

An introduction to Positive Behaviour Support for parents

Thank you to Miss O'Mahony, one of our parents, for recommending this course.

Mathletics Competition

 

As we are all learning from home at the moment , we thought we would run an in school Mathletics competition. Each week we will be publishing on the blog and the school Facebook page the 5 children from Reception/Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, who have earnt the most points each week. The scores will run from Friday each week until the following Thursday.

The winning class will also be published.

Good Luck,
Mrs Todd and Miss Gibson

Important message

School Kitchen Closure

Due to a positive Covid-19 test in the school kitchen, it will be closed until Monday 18th January. This means we will not be able to offer school lunches.

If your child is attending school and is eligible for a Free School Meal (this does not include Infant Universal Free School Meals), this can still be provided. We are currently working on an arrangement with a local school to provide these.

Any child who is entitled to Free School Meals (this does not include Infant Universal Free School Meals) who will not be attending school during this closure are eligible for a food parcel. Please contact the school office or email mail@mead.havering.sch.uk to request this by Thursday 7th January.

Take care and stay safe.

Mr Denchfield

5th January Update

Tuesday 5th January 2021 

Dear Parents and Carers,

Following last night's announcement of a further lockdown, I wanted to update you with some important information and to try to address some questions that you may have.

Why is there a national lockdown?

The Prime Minister announced a national lockdown and instructed people to stay at home to control the virus, protect the NHS and save lives.

The decision follows a rapid rise in infections, hospital admissions and case rates across the country. Our hospitals are now under more pressure than they have been at any other point throughout the pandemic.

This drastic jump in cases has been attributed to the new variant of COVID-19, which our scientists have confirmed is between 50% and 70% more transmissible.

The four UK Chief Medical Officers have advised that the COVID threat level should move from level four to level five, indicating that if action is not taken NHS capacity may be overwhelmed within 21 days.

How long is that national lockdown for?

All primary and secondary schools will close until at least mid-February except for key worker children and vulnerable children where absolutely necessary. We have been told this will be reviewed by the Department for Education nearer the time and shared with schools. We will continue to update you with all key information.

How is Havering being affected by the Coronavirus compared to the rest of the country? Havering is particularly affected by the new variant of COVID-19. The graph below was taken from the

Havering Council Coronavirus weekly update.

What can I and can’t I do?

This is an ever changing picture and can be hard to keep up to date with! I would recommend you read the current government guidelines to ensure you are aware of the new rules.

Who can attend Mead Primary School during the lockdown?

The Government guidance is clear that Primary schools should only allow children of critical workers and those defined as vulnerable to attend. This should only be considered when absolutely necessary. If you have requested a place for your child in school, please urgently and seriously consider whether it is essential for them to attend school. The safest place for your child is at home. Please keep your children at home if at all possible.

Will exams take place this academic year?

The government stated ‘In these circumstances, we do not think it is possible for exams to go ahead fairly this summer. The Secretary of State for Education will be asking Ofqual to consult rapidly on an approach for alternative arrangements that will allow students to progress fairly.’

Useful medical links

Symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19)

Get a free NHS test to check if you have coronavirus

Social distancing: what you need to do - Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Covid 19 testing sites

Testing and tracing for coronavirus (COVID-19)

People at higher risk from coronavirus (COVID-19)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine

Contact information

Parents, please note that teaching your own children can be REALLY HARD! I suspect some of you discovered this during the previous lockdown. You are doing a great job in very challenging circumstances. Please don’t be too hard on yourself or worry if a day doesn’t go as planned – there is always tomorrow. If you think we can help in any way, please do get in touch, we will do our best to support and guide as best we can.

ARP	kjolly@mead.havering.sch.uk
Nursery & Reception	eyfs@mead.havering.sch.uk
Year 1	year1@mead.havering.sch.uk
Year 2	year2@mead.havering.sch.uk
Year 3	year3@mead.havering.sch.uk
Year 4	year4@mead.havering.sch.uk
Year 5	year5@mead.havering.sch.uk
Year 6	year6@mead.havering.sch.uk
General enquiries	mail@mead.havering.sch.uk

Finally, I would like to pay tribute to our staff who have been fantastic over the last few weeks. We have been affected by the virus like most workplaces; we have staff self-isolating as they are clinically vulnerable, staff who tested positive and were required to self-isolate and some staff who have been very unwell with the virus, including admissions to hospital. They have juggled their home life, family commitments and work responsibilities incredibly well during this challenging and ever changing time to support the school as best they can. It is a privilege to work with such dedicated and caring people.

Take care and stay safe.

Mr Denchfield

Headteacher 

School dinners for those who are currently in school

School dinner options, from tomorrow, for children who are currently attending school will be the choice of a Red or Green dinner.

Please see this week's amended menu:

Tuesday 5.1.21

Red - pasta bolognaise

Green - Jacket potato with cheese or baked beans



Wednesday 6.1.2021

Red - Roast Turkey dinner

Green - Vegetarian Sausage dinner



Thursday 7.1.2021

Red - Herb crusted Fish Fillet

Green - Cheese and Tomato Pizza



Friday 8.1.2021

Red - Battered fish fillet

Green - Jacket potato with cheese or baked beans

Next week's menu will be published on Friday

Year 6 Boosters

The year 6 booster sessions that were due to begin at the start of this term have been postponed until further notice. We are sorry if this causes any inconvenience, and we will update you with a new start date as soon as we know more. 

Thank you for your understanding, 

The year 6 team.

Key Worker & Vulnerable Bubble Arrangements

 

Sunday 3rd January 2021 

Dear Parents and Carers,

Key Worker & Vulnerable Bubble Arrangements

Thank you to those of you who completed the Google form and to those who contacted the school with questions or updated family information. I very much appreciate your support with this; it has made the planning process this weekend much easier. Currently, we have been told that this arrangement will be in place for 2 weeks (until Friday 15th January). However, this will be reviewed by the DfE and there is a possibility this could be further extended. I will continue to update you as new information is shared with schools.

On the next page is a summary of the key information for families who applied for a bubble place though the Google form. In line with DfE guidance, these places are strictly reserved for parents who are key workers and those defined as vulnerable.

Once the bubble children are in school and settled tomorrow morning, I will be meeting with key staff to review our staffing arrangements and the online learning.

If you have any questions, concerns or difficulties, please email mail@mead.havering.sch.uk; we will do our best to support and guide where we can.

Take care and stay safe

Mr Denchfield

Executive Headteacher

Bubble start date - Monday 4th January 2021

Bubble finish date - Friday 15th January 2021 (this is subject to DfE review and may be extended)

School start time  (Monday to Friday)         8:30 am

School finish time (Monday to Thursday) 3:00pm

School finish time (Friday)                          1:00pm

Uniform - Full school uniform must be worn. PE kits should be in school every day.

Lunch -  School dinners or packed lunch.

Bubble Learning - Children will complete the online learning set for their year group. 

In addition, they will have additional learning set (e.g. PE, PSHE)

Bubble Staff - Where possible, bubbles will have staff from your child’s year group. This may not always be possible as we do not have a full complement of staff and we are developing a rota to ensure staff can work from home where possible.

Bubble Group	Classroom
ARP	Malta Class
Year N	Nursery
Year R	Barbados Class
Year 1	Australia Class
Year 2	Madagascar Class
Year 3	Scotland Class
Year 4	Italy Class
Year 5	Canada Class
Year 6	Brazil Class