Dear Parents,
Welcome back to the spring term, although there is nothing spring-like about the weather at present. Whilst I am delighted that the temperature is seasonal, I am aware of the potential for cold children in the playground. We have wonderfully long break-times but children need to be dressed appropriately. It’s good to see so many of our children, including girls, wearing warm trousers and school fleeces but please remember to send your child into school with a warm hat and gloves – named of course.
We have just installed CO2 monitors in the classrooms so we can maintain safe levels of fresh air without keeping windows and doors constantly open. It is important to strike a balance between healthy air circulation and a comfortable indoor temperature. Fortunately, we have high ceilings and our Victorian windows and doors are slightly leaky, so there appears to be a flow of air even when doors and windows are shut. There are benefits (apart from aesthetic) in occupying such an old building. We will transfer the CO2 monitors to the Nursery next week to ensure the rooms are properly ventilated.
The government seems determined to drop all covid restrictions but we will continue to behave sensibly in order to stay open. Children still wash their hands regularly throughout the day and we have boxes of tissues at the ready on every table in the school. We are continuing to ask visitors to the school to wear face-masks indoors. An amended covid flowchart, with testing protocols and self-isolation times, will be uploaded onto the school website over the weekend. There is still a lot of covid about, as evidenced by Ellie Grunewald’s recent infection. She will visit the Upper School on the afternoon of 4th February to introduce herself and say hello to parents. The following week she will visit the Nursery.
The children returned to school refreshed and energetic after the Christmas break – they have been unstoppable and have produced an extraordinary amount of work since their return. Teachers and children are delighted by the return of school trips and workshops, which are filling the school calendar and the school council and eco committee are meeting regularly once again. Enjoy reading about the past fortnight at school and looking at the photos that follow. Finally, a huge thank you for your book donations, which are piling up in a corner of the office – they are much appreciated by us and will be treasured by their lucky recipients.
Please stay warm and well. Enjoy the weekend.
Very best wishes,
Kate