Newsletter
Dear Parents
We made it! This year is certainly one that we all will not forget. I hope you all have a fantastic summer break and enjoy the sunshine.
A huge thank you from all of us to all of you for your support and kindness over the year and supporting the home learning during lock down.
Remember we are back on Wednesday 2nd September; we look forward to starting a new exciting year at Woodford Valley with our family all back together again.
Last of all I want to say a very sad farewell to all our leavers and wish them all the very best in their future lives. We are sorry that the end of year traditions have been different for you this year. We are proud of each and every one of you; thank you for being stars.
So this chapter on your journey is ending,
The next one is soon to begin!
You’ve had fun, you’ve had tears, and you’ve had some marvellous years.
All that learning, all that growing, all those friendships that keep on going,
All that running, all that jumping, all that laughing while you’ve been playing.
You’ve grown strong roots, deep roots;
They’ve kept you grounded,
They’ve helped you to be the glorious you that you are!
But now the time has come to take the big next step,
to open a new exciting chapter …to spread your wings and FLY!
September return
We are really looking forward to all the children returning to school on Wednesday 2nd September. We know that school will be slightly different to how it is usually and so we would like to share with you things that we are putting in place to ensure a safe return for everyone. We have looked at the government guidance carefully and have considered how things will work for us at Woodford Valley Academy.
Drop off
We will continue with the drop off system that we have been using since the return to school on 1st June. This has worked well and we thank you for all your support with this. We have now allocated time slots from September for drop offs so that the carpark does not become too congested with cars. We ask that you keep to your slot so that we can keep a steady flow of traffic through the carpark in the mornings. Staff will be waiting for the children as they arrive and we ask that you do not get out of cars, but that the children have all their bags, coats etc. with them ready so that they can jump out of the car when you arrive. The children will be guided straight to their classrooms where their teacher will be waiting for them.
Drop off times, based on surnames
A-G –: 8.25 – 8.35am
H-O –: 8.35 – 8.45am
P-Z –: 8.45 – 8.55am
Lake Class (new reception pupils and siblings) drop off at 9am for the first two weeks and then please join the 8.45am group.
If you need to speak to your child’s class teacher, please email in to Admin or Office and they will let the class teacher know that they need to, who will make contact with you.
The school bus will continue to run for those children who normally travel by bus, the children will not be expected to wear masks. When arriving at school, an adult will meet them and they will be sent to their classes like everyone else. An adult will also take them to the bus at the end of the day.
Home time
To help with keeping the class bubbles separate, we will continue to dismiss the children from the top field. Key Stage 1 pupils will finish at 3pm. Lake Class will exit from the first gate, Lower Woodford from the middle gate and Netton from the far end gate. Once you have collected your child, unless you are waiting for a sibling in KS2, we ask if you can leave promptly so that parents in KS2 can park. KS2 pupils will be dismissed at 3.15pm; Wilsford from the first gate, Durnford from the middle gate and Upper Woodford and Salterton from the far end gate.
In school
When in school, the children will be kept in their class bubbles, so that we can minimise the contact between the children across the school. We will be asking the children to clean hands thoroughly, more often than usual, and we will be promoting the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach for used tissues to ensure that we prevent the transmission of the virus.
Each class will have their own playtime area and playtimes and lunchtimes will be staggered. Children who have packed lunches will eat in their own classroom and children having hot dinners will be eat in the hall, but again they will stay in their own class bubble.
We would ask that children do not bring in their own stationery from home. We are going to give each pupil their own stationery packs so that they will have everything they need to work in their classes. PE kits will need to be sent in, so please can you ensure that they are labelled clearly.
We will send reading books home but it might be that the children do not get as many sent home as they would previously, as the books will have to be ‘isolated’ on return. Please support the staff in this and read other books that you have at home if your child finishes their school book.
We will continue to have worship in school but not altogether in the hall. We will be using the school radio and other technology to ensure that we deliver our daily worship.
Classrooms will look different to the children. Teachers will set out the tables so that all their class will be facing them. Teachers will be maintaining distance from pupils and other staff as much as possible. PE sessions will take place outside so please ensure that your child has suitable PE kit for outdoor PE from the start of the term.
We realise that some children may feel anxious when returning to school and staff will have prepared activities and work to support their classes in settling back into school. We would ask you to speak to your child and explain how school will be when they return after the summer holidays. See link below for government guidance:-
Thank you for your continued support at this unprecedented time. We are looking forward to our Woodford family being back together in September.
Regards
Donna Young
