It’s suddenly gone very cold! Although, I’m sure you don’t need reminding of that. Winter has properly come this week; I hope you all manage to keep warm and safe over the coming days. Winding up (down?) towards Christmas in school with lots of Christmas activities happening. Have a good weekend.

Nativities

Thank you to everyone who came to share our Reception and KS1 nativities with us. It was lovely to see so many of you in school and, I’m sure you’ll agree, the children were fantastic! Big thanks to them for all the hard work they put in, and a big thanks to staff for putting it all together.

Thanks to your generous donations at these events, we raised £200.66 for the Children’s Society. Thank you!

For to the snow He says, ‘Fall on the earth,’
And to the downpour and the rain, ‘Be strong.’

Job 37: 6-10

Christmas Tree Festival at St Peter’s

School came 3rd in the best Tree competition voted by Suzanne Webb, MP for Stourbridge. That is a terrific result and well deserved. Through everyone’s efforts £1000.00 was raised which will be shared between Mary Stevens Hospice, Dementia Services Russell Hall Hospital and the Church repair project.

Carol Service at St Peter’s

Sunday 18^th December at 10.30 am Informal Carol Service at St Peter’s Pedmore this service is designed with all ages in mind and is especially suited for families it will be great to see you a warm welcome awaits

Many thanks

David Nichol

Rector of St Peter’s Pedmore and St Andrew’s Wollescote

Mrs Woodhouse

Mrs Woodhouse, who has been covering Mrs Newbold whilst she has been on maternity leave, will be finishing teaching in Year 4 on Tuesday of next week. She has been a real asset to Pedmore in the time she has spent with us, and we know that Year 4 have been well looked after! We would like to say ‘thank you’ to her for the hard work she has put in and I’m sure she will be back with us at some time in the future.

Strep A and scarlet fever – what are they and what are the symptoms?

Information for parents, schools, colleges and early years providers

We are seeing an increased number of cases of Group A streptococcus (Strep A) compared to normal at this time of year. There is no evidence that a new strain is circulating and the increase is most likely related to high amounts of circulating bacteria and social mixing.

If you suspect your child may have Strep A they should not attend school and you should contact your doctor (or 999 in an emergency). If there are confirmed or suspected cases in an education setting there is no reason for children to be kept at home if they are well.

As a precaution, here we provide information on the signs and symptoms of Strep A infections and what to do if you think a child has developed these.

What are scarlet fever and Strep A?

Scarlet fever is caused by bacteria called Group A streptococci (Strep A). The bacteria usually cause a mild infection that can be easily treated with antibiotics. In very rare occasions, the bacteria can get into the bloodstream and cause an illness called invasive Group A strep (iGAS).

How can I prevent Strep A?

Good hand and respiratory hygiene are important for stopping the spread of many bugs. By teaching children how to wash their hands properly with soap for 20 seconds, using a tissue to catch coughs and sneezes, and keeping away from others when feeling unwell, they will be able to reduce the risk of picking up or spreading infections.

What are the symptoms of Strep A/scarlet fever?

Symptoms can include a sore throat, headache, and fever, along with a fine, pinkish or red body rash with a sandpapery feel. On darker skin, the rash can be more difficult to detect visually but will have a sandpapery feel.

My child is unwell and may have scarlet fever – what should I do?

If your child becomes unwell with these symptoms, you should contact your GP practice or contact NHS 111 (which operates a 24/7 service) to seek advice. It is important to contact NHS 111 or your GP if you suspect your child has scarlet fever, because early treatment of scarlet fever with antibiotics is important to reduce the risk of complications such as pneumonia or a bloodstream infection. You must tell NHS 111 or your GP if you or your child have been in contact with someone who has had Strep A recently. If your child has scarlet fever, keep them at home until at least 24 hours after the start of antibiotic treatment to avoid spreading the infection to others.

As a parent, if you feel that your child seems seriously unwell, you should trust your own judgement. Contact NHS 111 or your GP if:

• your child is getting worse
• your child is feeding or eating much less than normal
• your child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration
• your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38C, or is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39C or higher
• your baby feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty
• your child is very tired or irritable

Call 999 or go to A&E if:

• your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs
• there are pauses when your child breathes
• your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue
• your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake.

Where can I get the latest information?

The most accurate and up-to-date information can be found on the UKHSA website: UKHSA update on scarlet fever and invasive Group A strep – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Attendance

Whole School – 95.16

Reception – 92.73

Year 1 – 95.39

Year 2 – 95.35

Year 3 – 96.87

Year 4 – 95.79

Year 5 – 93.69

Year 6 – 96.09

Safeguarding Update

An estimated one-third of children have a social media account, so it’s important that trusted adults know what content young people are consuming, what they’re posting and the interactions they’re having. On social media, it can be easy to go down a rabbit hole that isn’t beneficial to our wellbeing. As platforms grapple with managing ‘legal but harmful’ content, lives are being impacted – sometimes to tragic effect. We might be daunted by the scale of the tech giants and their content which enthrals young people, but we can still help children to be mindful of their mental wellness: recognising when something isn’t OK … and knowing what to do about content that upsets them.

In the guide, you’ll find tips such as how to hide content, setting daily limits and discussing what children have seen online.

Take Care & Stay Safe

Mr Dunn