18th September 2020
Dear Parents,
18th September 2020
I hope this update finds you well. It's not intentional to send one weekly, but they are naturally working out that way at the moment.
Thank you!
First of all, a big thank you that many of you are sending your children in with packed lunches, this is really helping keep the queues down in the canteen. It is much appreciated. Also, a big thank you that we have had a big drop in the number of cars or parents waiting for children right outside school. This is greatly helping reduce congestion at the end of the school day. If you are still meeting your child right outside the school gates, either on foot or in a car, I would ask again that you arrange a place to meet which is down the road from the school to allow crowds to disperse. Our attendance remains at 96% for the year so far, matching last week’s attendance and the same period last year! Thank you for your support of the school in this way.
A visit from Ofsted
This week, we invited two of Her Majesty's Inspectors from Ofsted to visit the school to find out how we are doing with returning to full time education for everyone. This visit was a practice run for inspectors before they start to conduct visits for schools across the country in a few weeks' time. These visits are not inspections of schools and no judgements are made. Rather, it is an opportunity for there to be a national collection of information about how schools are dealing with these unprecedented times. It was nice to be able to discuss with them all the adaptations we've made and what our plans are for the year.
Parent Governor Application
We have recently had two vacancies for parent governors which the governing body invite parents to apply for. If you would like to join our amazing governing body and help the school in this important way, then please find out more information, including what the role involves and the application form, on our website at: https://st-annes-soton.eschools.co.uk/web/governor_vacancies. The closing date for applications is Monday, 28th September 2020.
Year 10 Work Experience Cancelled
Sadly, in light the current Covid-19 situation, and updated government guidance, we have had to take the difficult decision to cancel this year's Year 10 work experience. We do not feel that it is possible to guarantee a worthwhile and safe experience for the girls at this time, however we will be organising opportunities for Year 10 to receive alternative work-related learning later in the school year.
Safety on the way home
We've had a report from a member of the public of young people (not St Anne's students!) behaving inappropriately in the carpark in Upper Bannister Street near the school. We have not seen anything, but to be sure, please ask your daughters and sons to avoid that location on her way home just to be on the safe side.
Coming in to school
It's natural that there will be times when you want to speak to a member of staff. At the moment, we are very unlikely to be able to do so if you turn up without an appointment with that member of staff, so please do phone ahead and book before coming in. Thank you.
Thank a member of staff
Our staff have really enjoyed having children back. We hope your daughters and sons have felt the same way too. If you hear your child extolling the wonders of something one of our staff have done, it would be great for us to know so we can pass that on. Please use this form which is also on our website under "Contact Us".
Bedford Place pedestrian zone (A message from the council)
Last month Southampton City Council implemented a number of temporary road closures in Bedford Place as part of plans to support social distancing and boost the local economy. Using a mixture of planters and concrete bollards, the closures have been introduced along Bedford Place from Henstead Road to Carlton Place; along Carlton Place from Bedford Place to Southampton Street; and along Lower Banister Street from Carlton Place to opposite Popworld.
The measures are providing a safer, more spacious environment and enable people walking to follow social distancing guidelines with greater ease. They also form part of the ‘Inside Out’ initiative recently launched by the council and the Southampton Business Improvement District to help hospitality businesses introduce or extend outdoor seating and simplify the application process for pavement licences. More information about this initiative can be found at: https://www.southampton.gov.uk/news/article.aspx?id=tcm:63-429609.
The council is continuing to trial the scheme and is closely monitoring the changes, along with feedback received. You can share your thoughts on the measures by writing to: Traffic.Orders.Legal@southampton.gov.uk.
New NHS-Endorsed guidance launched to support the mental wellbeing of children and young people.
Most families have experienced upheaval in their daily lives during the pandemic. With children and young people now back at school or college, Public Health England (PHE)’s new Better Health – Every Mind Matters campaign provides NHS-endorsed tips and advice to look after children and young people’s mental wellbeing.
Research reveals that the coronavirus outbreak has caused an increase in anxiety in young people and over a third of children report being more worried, sad and stressed than before lockdown. New PHE survey data found that over half (52%) of parents said the mental wellbeing of their children topped the list of their biggest worries.
The advice available on the Better Health - Every Mind Matters website has been developed in partnership with leading children and young people’s mental health charities. It is designed to help parents and carers spot the signs that children may be struggling with their mental health and show the actions they can take to support them. In addition to the advice for parents and carers the site also provides tools to help young people build resilience and equips them to look after their mental wellbeing.
For more information search Every Mind Matters. www.everymindmatters.co.uk
We wish you a happy weekend!
Mr Rouse
Headteacher
St Anne's Catholic School
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