Here we are at Friday again…and what a week it’s been! And I’m sure you have had your ups and downs this week too – there’s a lot that’s different this time around and I’m fully aware how difficult some of you will be finding home-schooling. We are here to help as much as we can; please get in touch if you need any support. And please, please don’t worry if you are not keeping up with what’s being offered, or if you miss some days or lessons. The most important thing you can do is look after yourselves – lots of cuddles, laughs and looking out for each other. And if you can fit in some learning, however much that is, then great! And please don’t take any notice of some of the nonsense in the media – ‘A whole generation’s life chances will be ruined’. Absolute nonsense, spouted by people who know nothing about education and children’s development. Do as much reading as you can with your children, if you can manage nothing else. Read to them; read with them; encourage them to read alone.

OK…

Data SIM Cards

We have a small number of data-only SIM cards in school that we can distribute if you are struggling with the amount of data you have on your phone during the lockdown. If you access your child’s learning through your phone, and are struggling for data, then please let us know. They are data-only SIM cards so phone calls and texts won’t be available whilst the SIM card is installed and they are capped at 30GB per month for 3 months.

Pedmore Thrive

Mrs Robbins has put together a newsletter, focused around our mental well-being. It’s called Pedmore Thrive, and you can have a read of it here.

Current Situation Update

As you know, this is an ever-changing situation and we are getting updates from the DfE daily (and in the evening too!). The last one, which came out last night had some bits in it which you may hear about in the media. One of which is the amount of daily learning that schools are expected to make sure you have each day. The minimum amount quoted is 3 hours for KS1 and 4 hours for KS2. That’s a lot that is expected of children of that age. Whilst the learning we provide will cover that length of time, should you wish to do it all, we DO NOT expect your child to spend that much time every day in front of a screen, or on paper, learning. If you and your child want to spend a big chunk of the day working, that’s absolutely fine; I just want to reiterate that school does not expect you too.

I will share this with you though, which made me chuckle…the DfE reminded us as schools to avoid unmanageable workload: sent in a 61-page document about home schooling delivered 2 days after we started doing it! 🙂

Home Learning Hard Copies

If you require paper copies of any of the learning being provided, please let us know in school. We will arrange for you to receive them when required.

Key Worker Provision

The number of children in school at the moment for key worker provision has rocketed by over 200% in comparison to the previous lockdown. Positive cases in Dudley have shot up and because of this I am asking that you carefully consider any key worker places you have been offered and only take them up if you have absolutely no alternative.

Website Issues

You may have encountered a message popping up when you’ve accessed the school website saying ‘this page is not secure’. Please don’t worry – it is! Some browsers put this message on as the website isn’t HTTPS enabled (the same level you have when paying with a credit card online); most schools are the same. You can click though the message and it will take you to the website as normal.

Finally…

Don’t let this be you!

Look after yourselves and each other, Take Care & Stay Safe

Mr Dunn