Headteachers Letter – 7th January 2022

Dear Parents and Carers,

It has been a positive start to the Spring term, albeit with some fairly wintery weather!  Thank you for your support with all aspects of the return, from completing testing consent forms, to ensuring that students have arrived with the right equipment, in full uniform with appropriate face coverings and winter coats.

 

Coronavirus Testing

 Thanks to all of our students, parents and staff for ensuring that our testing programme once again ran smoothly and efficiently. I would particularly like to thank the volunteers from our wider school community who gave up their time and expertise to complete such a significant operation in such a short space of time. We are delighted to report that we conducted more tests in the last 2 days than at any other return date during the pandemic.  We greatly appreciate this collective effort to ensure that Wollaston School is as safe as possible.

There were a very small number of positive test results, and of course those students and families have followed all national guidance relating to self-isolation. We also have a small number of existing cases that we were notified of during the school holidays, and best wishes for a quick recovery to all those who are affected.

The current low levels and mass testing mean that there is not a current need for further restrictions at Wollaston, and we remain following all national guidance, although of course we keep case numbers under review and will take advice from Public Health, should we see significant increases in positive test results.

A reminder that all students and staff should continue to test twice weekly (we recommend Sunday and Wednesday evenings) using the school supplied lateral flow tests. If a positive result is received, please note that this no longer needs to be followed up with a confirmatory PCR and please let Jade Fitzhugh FitzhughJ@wollaston-school.net know of any positive test results in addition to contacting the absence team.

 

Face Coverings

 Thank you to students, staff and parents for following the new national guidance so carefully. This will remain in place until the next Government review.  We will continue to remind and promote the use of face coverings throughout the school community, in addition to ensuring that students are clear when exemptions are in place (for example in PE and Dance lessons).

We have also been informed by the Department for Education that face coverings are not required to be worn when students are sitting examinations and formal assessments (although they can remain on if individuals choose to wear them.)    Face coverings must be worn when entering and leaving exam rooms and we will issue all relevant students with clear guidance in their examination venue.

 

Year 7 Parents Evening

Subject staff are looking forward to meeting Year 7 parents and students  to review progress and set targets for further improvement. A reminder that this is a virtual event which will use the Edulink platform for both appointment setting and the video consultation meetings on the evening.

Full details can be found in the letter HERE and please do contact Mr Atherton (Head of Year 7) for any further enquiries.

 

PSHE 

 We are aware that one effect of the pandemic has been an increased need for PSHEE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) for students in all year groups. In addition to our excellent Personal Development drop down days, we are now introducing some “drop down lessons” to enable students to receive their full PSHEE entitlement. These will be structured so that they do not affect the same time slot more than once in any given academic year. The first PSHEE lesson will take place on Thursday Period 6 of next week, and this will follow the curriculum programme detailed by Mrs Walker last half term.  We look forward to working with students, in their tutor groups on this vital aspect of their education.

 

Maisie Summers-Newton MBE

Many congratulations to former Wollaston School student Masie Summers-Newton who has deservedly been recognised in the New Year honours list for her sporting service and achievements. Many Congratulations to Maisie – and a great way to inspire us all to achieve the very best that is possible for us in 2022!

 

As always, thank you for your continued support. Please do get in touch if there is any aspect of our provision which you would like to discuss.

Mr James Birkett

Headteacher