Weekly Update: 28th May 2021

Published: May 28, 2021

As we reach the end of term 5, we’d like to extend a genuine thank you for all your support over the past six weeks. It has been our first full half term back since the lockdown and we are delighted that we didn’t have any bubble closures and that things are starting to slowly return to normal. As mentioned last week too, we’re very grateful for your support with the uniform standards too; the children are looking much smarter and brings a greater sense of uniformity and community to school.

Year 11; End of an Era

So, today sees our fabulous Year 11s leave us for the last time. It really does only seem like yesterday that we welcomed them in for their induction day when they were baby faced Year 6s! They have made us proud over the years and have been a real credit to school and to you. The last year has been challenging and full of uncertainty for them but they have pulled through and shown incredible resilience to deal with all that has thrown at them.

We’ll be celebrating with them this afternoon in style; in the absence of a prom, they’re going to be enjoying a BBQ, bouncy castle and, as I write this, there are lots of activities being set up for them to enjoy; it really does look like a fabulous wedding reception rather than a leavers BBQ celebration!

There was a great buzz in the leaver’s assembly and a really nice touch from Year 10 pupils to make a ‘guard of honour’ for them as they left the assembly hall for the last time! Very symbolic of the changing of the guard!

Activities for Year 11

To help support all of our Year 11s as they prepare to embark upon the next stage of their learning journey, we have collated a number of resources designed to help them strengthen any areas of weakness from subjects you plan to continue with, to prepare for post-16 education, to impart life skills such as financial management and increase employability skills through access to a nationally recognised award. By visiting the dedicated Year 11 page on our website, you’ll be able to find the following resources:

  • iDEA Award
  • Oak National Academy
  • National Careers Service Toolkit
  • A careers link to useful resources

Year 10 Mock Exams

The Year 10 mock exam timetable has now been shared with all year 10 pupils on SMHW and also via Teams. The Revision Booklet including information on how to revise, a suggested template for a revision timetable and also one page revision summaries have also been shared across both platforms.

The exams will be beginning Monday 21st June and will take place in the school hall (and other venues in school for pupils who qualify for access arrangements). Good luck revising!

Getting Ready for Next Half Term

Week 2:

We return next half term on a week 2, so please pack your bags accordingly!

Uniform:

As mentioned earlier, the uniform standards are much improved and therefore, pupils can continue with the privilege of wearing full PE kit or full school uniform. This will revert back to full school uniform in September.

Lunchtimes:

We will be operating lunch times slightly differently and pupils have received assemblies this week informing them of the changes (as well as hearing what makes Mr Ford & Mr Bartel happy!)

Rationale:

Year 11s leaving reduces pupil population enough that we can now accommodate the feeding and social distancing of remaining pupils in a single lunch break.

Timings:
  • 12:45-1:35 KS3 and KS4 Lunch
  • 13:35-13:55: KS3 and KS4 Form Time
Social distancing:

We will still be required to distance the KS3 and KS4 bubbles during social time. We will do this by having “sittings” in the canteen and segregated outdoor areas for KS3 and KS4.

  • 12:45-13:10 – Canteen Sitting 1 (KS3) – Continue reserving lunches before school
  • 13:10-13:35 – Canteen Sitting 2 (KS4) – Continue reserving lunches at break time

Travel and COVID Testing Over Half-Term

Can the comms include the advice from LA today that even though international travel has been ‘relaxed’, people should not travel to ‘amber’ and ‘red’ countries, and that strict rules on testing and quarantine remain in place to protect public health and the vaccination programme, as shown here.

To assist with track and trace, please can families report to school via the email address covid@sjcs.org.uk any new cases from today (Friday) to Monday 31st May so we can contact you if there is an issue.

Half-term Testing

We would be grateful if you would continue to test twice-weekly over half-term and test before returning to school or college on Monday 7th June. The result of a rapid test could be positive, negative or even void. But whatever it is, it should be reported straight away, every time. Recording all test results helps scientists stay ahead of the virus by spotting new
outbreaks quickly and advising how to respond. Reporting results is easy. Go to report a COVID-19 lateral flow test result or call 119 free from a mobile or landline. Lines are open every day, 7am to 11pm. Support is
offered in 200 languages as well as British Sign Language and Live Video Assistance.

Safeguarding

If you have a concern about a child who you think is at risk of harm or experiencing abuse, please report to MASH via 0300 456 0108. If a child is at immediate risk, call 999 and ask for police assistance. The school’s own safeguarding@sjcs.org.uk email is monitored during holiday periods but not as often as during the school day so please use the above contact details in the first instance.

Achievement Points Race

It’s still incredibly close between the top three placed houses. Teresa are just in front, hotly pursued by Vincent and then Margaret.

  • 1st: Teresa with 26, 208 points
  • 2nd: Vincent with 26, 148 points
  • 3rd: Margaret with 26, 140 points
  • 4th: Francis with 24, 358 points

Have a lovely bank holiday weekend and we wish all our pupils a restful half term break!

Mr Rooney

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