Dear Parents,
We have enjoyed a warm and sunny week at school, with children making the most of their time out of doors. Upper School children have been on constant watering duty, keeping our planters lush and healthy. Physical play has been more subdued than usual, but water play has been a great success. Thank you to parents who remembered to apply sun-block to their child and send them into school with a sun hat.
Sports day on Wednesday was one of our most successful. In our efforts to keep children in class bubbles, we set up activities in each area of the playground; everything from egg and spoon races to a complex stepping-stone race against the clock. Pablo, our sports specialist, made the day challenging but fun. Children moved with their class from one area to the next and were constantly active. By mid-morning we retreated to the cooler halls for a series of relay races, followed by the reward of an ice lolly eaten in the shade. As an eco-school this was more appropriate than a plastic medal and perfect for happy but exhausted children.
A photographer visited us on sports day, as we are in the process of refreshing photographs for the school website and for marketing the new prep school. Please look at our privacy notice if you are concerned about your child's photograph appearing on the website. At one time the use of children's photographs was opt-in, but like other schools we are now opt-out. We are extremely careful about the sorts of photographs we use but would like to publish the expressive faces of children without blurring them. The Parent Privacy Notice is available on the School website.
Plans for the expanded Children's House are moving apace, and we have decided on a new playground design, which will include a small astro-turf sports pitch and climbing equipment. The entire playground surface will be replaced with a combination of astro-turf and a colourful rubberised surface. We are reluctant to lose our beautiful pirate ship, so it will take up residence in the Almorah garden once playground renovations begin. Our Nursery children will love their new play, climbing and seating space.
We have a number of social events planned for the end of term, so I am watching COVID infection rates and government guidelines closely. I will be very sorry if we have to cancel the events we have been looking forward to, but a deferred opening of restrictions seems increasingly likely. If open classes are cancelled, we will send you a film clip; not the same I know.
Enjoy the class contributions that follow and have a relaxing weekend.
Warm wishes,
Kate
PS. Since writing the above, we have had a confirmed case of COVID in the upstairs Nursery. Children and staff from that bubble must self-isolate for ten days.
As there are siblings of upstairs Nursery children on both sites, please be alert to any potential COVID symptoms in your child, particularly a raised temperature. If your child is at all unwell, I would be grateful for your support in keeping them at home and having them tested for COVID. Lateral flow tests are freely available and there is a quick turnaround for PCR tests.
Wishing you all well.
Kate