Stanmore Post - Arrangements for January 2021
Dear Parents and Carers
I hope that you had a happy and healthy Christmas break. Apologies for this late communication, as you will be aware the situation regarding the opening of schools has been in debate up to and including today.
I write to clarify the position regarding the return to school for our children at Stanmore Primary School. As always we are looking to set out the very best course of action for our school community in line with the latest Government and Local Authority Guidance.
Following the Government announcement on Wednesday 30th December, I can confirm that our school will be open as planned on Monday 4th January and all children are expected to return. The Government has published a list of Local Authorities in Tier 4 where they feel primary schools should not reopen, Stanmore Primary is not on that list. Therefore, our start to term will begin as planned on 4th January.
Understandably some parents are concerned with the news of rising numbers of cases due to the spread of the new variant of the virus. News this morning from the Prime Minister indicates that restrictions may get 'tougher' in the coming weeks and that the situation including school closures remain under review.
With that in mind we have taken the decision to strengthen our risk assessment further. The enhanced measures will be in place for two weeks. By Monday 18th January it is likely that analysis of the latest Tier 4 restrictions will be available and the DFE and Local Authority will provide further guidance to Head teachers.
The enhanced measures include:
Postponing of RWI and other small intervention groups where children mix across a year group
Staggering of break times to further restrict mixing of bubbles
Further limiting adult movement between classes to that which is absolutely necessary to provide the core curriculum
Parents of children in Catkins, Rowan and Maple without older siblings in KS2 to collect children at 3pm to reduce the number of adults on the school site at the end of the day. Please leave the site promptly
Continuing a rigorous programme of handwashing
Maintaining ventilation - ensure children are warmly dressed with layers
Staff to wear masks in corridors and shared spaces
All parents to wear facemasks on the school site
One parent per child on site wherever possible
These enhanced measures will be reviewed on Friday 15th January. I am aware that the small group interventions and further limiting of adults moving between bubbles is a compromise to the quality of education. Therefore this measure is in place for the shortest possible time.
Children who are deemed "clinically extremely vulnerable" will have received a letter from their doctor confirming this, and should not return on 4th January. With regard to children whose parents are deemed clinically extremely vulnerable, the DfE's guidance (published on 24th December) states "Children and young people whose parents or carers are clinically extremely vulnerable can continue to go to school."
Staff who are deemed "clinically extremely vulnerable" will also have received a letter from their doctor confirming this and therefore deployment of staff may need to be changed for this purpose and to accommodate other absences i.e. isolating throughout the coming weeks. We will endeavour to keep as much continuity as possible for the children, but need to be clear that currently this may not always be possible to achieve; keeping classes open will be our first priority.
The confirmation that primary schools will open as usual tomorrow will come as a relief to some families - and will create a great deal of anxiety to others. To those who feel anxious, please be assured that we are rigorously following the risk assessments and infection control measures laid down by the DfE, and will continue to keep these under review, following Government guidance. As a school, we are committed to doing whatever we can to protect children and staff whilst doing our very best to deliver learning within the Government expectations.
We also have to be mindful that this is a changing situation, and the Government may make changes to their plans accordingly - which we will then have to implement. However, until that point, we have to work with the current expectations but will take this opportunity to assure you that we will be in touch if and when any further changes are made. We will communicate this on our website and via text message.
Please continue to help us by respecting the Government's directives on controlling the COVID pandemic.
Thank you for your ongoing support; this is a particularly challenging context for everyone, and your kind words and support mean a great deal. Please continue to contact us via the admin office if you have any concerns. We are here to help as much as we possibly can.
Wishing you a very Happy New Year. There is every indication that the new vaccine and increased testing offers hope that 2021 will be a brighter year.
Best wishes,
Sharon Taylor
Headteacher
Christmas 2020 activities in Stanmore Primary School
Children have enjoyed Christmas traditions with a 2020 twist. Christmas Dinner was served in the ‘bubbles.’ We managed this over the week rather than on one day, thanks to the efforts of Mandy and her team at HC3S. This meant that the children could still eat in the hall with Christmas Crackers and festive music.
Items were donated to the Winchester Basics Bank through our ‘reverse’ advent calendar. Families donated different items each day. Hampers were made for some Stanmore families from members of the Level 10 Church Community. Thank you to all involved in giving so generously.
![IMG_2833[1].jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b545b978ab722298aeeb748/1608302612354-5A1AHH69QQLQ1HYXQWQS/IMG_2833%5B1%5D.jpg)
The team at Christ Church led a very special Christingle Service for us. This was held in class ‘bubbles.’ Every child made a Christingle and took part in the service virtually.
This year we have had to adapt some of our existing traditions. Carols in the Courtyard was replaced by the ‘Festival of Light.’ Each class decorated a Christmas tree, generously donated to us. These were put outside the classrooms so that parents and children could enjoy seeing them decorated and lit up as they walked around the one way system.
NOW SHOWING - Catkins Nativity 2020
Sit back. Relax. Put 2020 behind you and enjoy what is arguably the best nativity in Winchester this year!
Elf on the shelf
It is December, and the elves have been in school. As we find evidence of what they have been up to we will post it here. So check this page each day!
We need the help of all our children to identify the locations around the school where they’ve been. Make sure you fill in the form you will be given by your teacher.
Day 12 - Elf on the shelf - Stanmore Primary School
Day 1 - Elf on the shelf - Stanmore Primary School
Day 2 - Elf on the shelf - Stanmore Primary School
Day 3 - Elf on the shelf - Stanmore Primary School
Day 4 - Elf on the shelf - Stanmore Primary School
Day 5 - Elf on the shelf - Stanmore Primary School
Day 6 - Elf on the shelf - Stanmore Primary School
Day 7 - Elf on the shelf - Stanmore Primary School
Day 8 - Elf on the shelf - Stanmore Primary School
Day 9 - Elf on the shelf - Stanmore Primary School
Day 10 - Elf on the shelf - Stanmore Primary School
Day 11 - Elf on the shelf - Stanmore Primary School
Stanmore Post - 11 December 2020
Dear Parents and Carers,
The children looked very festive in their Christmas Jumpers today. A really lovely start to our end of term Christmas Activities. Our reverse advent calendar has been really well supported. Thank you for donating so generously for the Winchester Basic Bank.
Next week, we are looking forward to hosting class ‘bubble’ Christmas Dinners in the hall. If your child has not decided on their choice of Christmas Dinner please let the office know by Monday.
The children will take part in a virtual Christingle Service led by Christ Church on Thursday morning. Each child will have their own Christingle. As we will be lighting the candles, children with long hair must have it tied back. Parents have the right to withdraw children from the Christingle Service, please request this in writing to Mrs Taylor. I look forward to sharing the photos of the service with you next week.
We are planning to share our ‘Festival of Light’ with you on Thursday after school. Christmas Trees were kindly donated to each class and parents are invited to view the class decorations on Thursday when we switch on the lights and share the trees outside of the classrooms. Trees can be viewed as you walk around the one way system.
On Friday children will enjoy a class Christmas film. They can bring in an individual (nut free) snack if you would like to send one in to school with them on Friday morning. Parents of Children in Catkins can still look forward to a Christmas Nativity. Children and staff have been working hard to film the scenes for this virtual experience. More information about how this will be shared in a letter on Monday. A preview photo can be viewed below.
Year R rehearsing the Nativity 2020 - Stanmore Primary School
Today we held our first Stanmore Christmas Market. I am hoping that this can become an annual event as the children who attended really enjoyed choosing presents for their families. I would like to thank all of the Friends of Stanmore who have worked so hard to make this a memorable moment in the run up to Christmas.
We know that it has been more challenging this year to involve you in your child’s learning actively on the school site. The virtual parents evening; the school improvement, phonics and well-being virtual meetings; the photos on our website and the curriculum overviews that came home earlier in the term should have given you a flavour of your child’s recent learning experiences at school. I am proud of the high quality outcomes from the different subject areas that children are producing as they come towards the end of this term’s topic. They have worked hard to recover from any gaps created as a result of the school closure last term. You can see some of the art work from this week here: https://www.stanmore.hants.sch.uk/news/2020/12/11/deep-sea-diving-in-art
Finally, we would like to welcome to Mr Firth who has joined the Stanmore Primary School team as a teaching assistant in Year 3 and 4. We hope that you will be very happy in our school.
Yours sincerely,
Sharon Taylor
PS – don’t forget to check where the elf has been this week
Deep Sea Diving in Art
We learnt how to use tint to create a realistic sea background and then used collage to add to the picture. We also used a tool on Purple Mash called Mashcam to turn ourselves into deep sea divers and added this to our art work.
Stanmore Post - 4 December 2020
Dear Parents,
Our curriculum is designed so that children:
Appreciate – to be equipped with a breadth of language, the inclination to learn something new and a sense of wonder
Participate – to be actively engaged in the entire curriculum experience, as appropriate, using our ‘Keys for Success.’
Innovate – to have the aspiration and expectation that a new idea, method or product will be created as part of the curriculum experience
We have a wonderful YR/1 video that you may have seen on our website or on Facebook. This snapshot of life in Catkins reflects our three curriculum values and we are grateful for the support of Sean Pruen, one of our parents in producing this video. If you know someone who has a school age child in September 2021 please encourage them to visit our admissions page.
Our curriculum planning ensures that children are actively engaged in learning. This week children in KS1 have been exploring sea themed art inspired by past and present artists. During the week, Year 3 and 4 were greeted by their teachers dressed as Roman emperors or Gladiators. The day started with maths - Roman style and continued with Roman myths, Roman mosaics and Roman sandal designing. They even took a trip to the Colosseum, learning about the Roman architecture and history behind this iconic place. Year 5 have been building 3D models as part of their river study while Year 6 have used their persistence and resilience keys to build 3D bridges.
Thank you to everyone who has taken part in the ‘reverse’ advent calendar. We have seen many families donate gifts for the basic bank this week. Activities like this reflect the positive community spirit and our value of Support at Stanmore Primary School.
Earlier this week, parents attended the parent workshop run by Mrs Fenton and Mrs Mason. This was really well received and parents found it helpful to know that they are not alone in noticing that their children struggle from time to time. The simple message following this event is that we are here to support you by working in partnership.
A special mention this week to Freddie and Mahika in Year 6 who won gold certificates in the Primary Maths Challenge! Well done we are proud of you. We know we have some marvellous mathematicians in year 5 too. We will be relying on you to maintain this Gold Standard next year. We will keep you posted. Isabella in Year 4 has received a certificate from the Summer Reading Challenge. You are all super stars.
Yours sincerely,
Sharon Taylor
PS – don’t forget to check where the elf has been this week
River models - Year 5
Year 5 have been making 3D models of rivers this week as part of their geography topic work.
3D river model - Stanmore Primary School
3D river model - Stanmore Primary School
Roman Day - Year 3 & 4
On Thursday, the children in Birch, Sycamore and Willow were greeted by their teachers dressed as Roman Emperors or Gladiators! The day started with maths - Roman style. We made clocks using roman numerals and learnt a great song to help us to count! (You can listen too - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1UmAgekzbs)
After break time, we looked at the Roman myth of how Rome came into existence, called 'Romulus and Remus'.
In the afternoon, we took a virtual trip (using Google Earth) around the Colosseum! We learnt about the blood sports that took place there and could see more detail about this important feat of Roman Architecture that is almost 3000 years old!
After that, we made Roman sandals and helped create our class mosaic.
