Welcome to Winchelsea School

February 14 Newsletter

14 Feb 2020

Click here to view the February 14 Schoolzine eNewsletter!

Department for Education - Medical Advice

12 Feb 2020

Dear Parent/Carer,

Coronavirus – Advice for all early years providers, schools and further education providers

The government is closely monitoring the spread of the Coronavirus and is taking action at home and abroad.

 The overall risk of Coronavirus to the UK remains moderate. However we understand that people may be concerned where there are children, students or staff returning from or visiting China.

 Public Health England and the Foreign Office have issued advice for anyone travelling to the area. This can be found at:

• https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china
• https://www.gov.uk/government/news/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-and-avian-flu-advice-for-travel-to-china

 Latest information and advice can also be found at:

• https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Advice for parents/guardians

You should not be unduly worried about the possibility of your children catching the Coronavirus.

 There is no reason why your children should not continue to attend their early years, school or further education setting as normal.

 We recognise that some families or children may be planning to travel to China during the forthcoming half term period. If so, please refer to the FCO’s latest travel advice via the link above.

What action you can take

A UK wide campaign has been launched to provide clear advice on how to slow the spread of Coronavirus.

 Please help to support the campaign which promotes basic hygiene practices, such as regularly washing hands and always sneezing into a tissue, to stem the spread of viruses.

 You can do this by sharing DHSC content from the following social media links:

• https://twitter.com/DHSCgovuk/status/1223888531262726144
• https://www.facebook.com/DHSCgovuk/videos/194227541968649/
• https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dhsc_coronavirus-coronavirusoutbreak-coronavirusuk-activity-6629655670331318273-Djpu

Regards,

Geoff Cherrill

Headteacher

School Closure

05 Feb 2020

Please can all Parents / Carers be aware that school will be closed tomorrow and Friday (February 6th & 7th).

As you are aware, we have had a large number of pupils and staff absent from school this week due to sickness and we have decided to have the school deep cleaned. We have informed transport of this decision.

I am very, very sorry for any inconvenience but I am sure you will understand the importance of ensuring we stop the further spread of any illness.

If you have any questions please contact us.

Medical Information for Parents

04 Feb 2020

Dear Parent/Carer,

Please find attached the following letters and information sheets from Public Health England regarding the illness at Winchelsea School.

Public_Health_School_Flu_letter_04.02.2020.docx

Public_Health_School_DV_letter_04.02.2020.docx

Public_Health_School_Flu_factsheet.docx

SWS_Scarlet_fever_FAQs.pdf

Regards,

Geoff Cherrill
Headteacher

Notice to Parents

04 Feb 2020

Dear Parent/Carer,

We currently have a number of children absent from school due to illness.

To limit the spread, if your child is feeling unwell, please keep them at home.

As a reminder, if your child has had sickness and/or diarrhoea, they must be kept at home for a minimum of 48 hours from the last occurrence. 

If your child has suffered from a high temperature or fever, a recovery period of 24 hours, after the fever has subsided, should be left before returning to school.

Regards,

Geoff Cherrill

Headteacher

Safer Internet Week - Monday 10 to Friday 14 February 2020

04 Feb 2020

Dear Parent/Carer,

Next week at Winchelsea School, beginning on Monday 10 February, a number of events are taking place, in relation to Safer Internet Day.  The message this year is ‘Together for a better internet’ and more information can be found at https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/2020  .

 Safer Internet day school activities

Parent Selfie Competition tips

·         No school badges or links

·         Appropriate to share with anyone

·         Real life

·         Fun

Throughout the week, there will be class based activities linked to the competitions and the ‘Top 10 Tips’.

Top 10 Tips

1. "You can always come to me if you need help."
2. "What would you do if this happened…?"
3. "Remember that not everyone is who they say they are online."
4. "Keep your personal information safe, and other people’s too."
5. "Be respectful to others online."
6. "Think before you post."
7. "Remember to ask if it’s okay."
8. "Remember not everything is true online."
9. "The things other people post online might not always show what their life is really like."
10. "Recognise how going online makes you feel and take a break when you need to."

Fancy Dress Competition

On Monday 10 February, pupils are encouraged to come into school wearing internet-related fancy dress.  Suggestions for outfits for your child could include dressing as a character from their favourite computer game or as their favourite Youtuber.  Outfits must be suitable and appropriate for school.

Parent Selfie Competition

All parents are invited to send in a selfie with themselves and other family members in, if they wish. This is to promote the sharing of appropriate photographs. Please email your selfie to the email address: enquiries@winchelsea.poole.sch.uk.  One photograph/entry is allowed for each person and the subject of the email should say “Parent Selfie Competition”.  Please remember to include your name and contact details in the email.

The closing date for entries is 12 noon on Thursday 13 February.  By entering, you agree to have your photograph in the next school newsletter, for it to be shown on  the screen in the reception area and for it to be displayed during the Friday assembly.  The winner(s) will be invited to attend the Friday assembly to receive their prize.

Competition prizes

Each competition winner will be rewarded with a £10 One4All gift card.

Many thanks for your support.

Regards,
Geoff Cherrill
Headteacher

Lino Print Workshop - Wednesday 5 February

28 Jan 2020

Dear Parent/Carer,

Further to our recent letter, there are a few spaces left for the above workshop, on Wednesday 5 February.

Come and make your very own Spring or Easter cards with Miss Tash.  You will learn how to make safely using lino cutting tools in a relaxed, friendly group.  The cost is just £5.00, which includes all materials, drinks and biscuits.

No experience is necessary and there is a maximum of 10 people to the group, so everyone can get lots of one to one help. 

If you are interested in taking part, and to book your place, please complete and return the slip attached to the orginal letter, together with payment, to the school office, by Wednesday 29 January 2020.

Unfortunately, if we do not have enough people, the course will be cancelled and full refunds given.

Regards,
Geoff Cherrill
Headteacher

E-Safety Talk - Monday 27 January 2020

22 Jan 2020

Dear Parent/Carer,

Further to our letter dated 15 January 2020, please may we remind you about the E-Safety talk, taking place on Monday 27 January from 1.30pm - 3pm in the school hall and will end when the children finish school at 3pm.

Free refreshments (cakes, biscuits, fruit and hot drinks) will be available from our onsite kitchen and in order for us to cater for the event, we would be grateful if you would complete and return the reply slip attached to the original letter to school as soon as possible. 

Without a reply slip, you can still attend on the day, but may not be able to have refreshments.

We look forward to seeing you on Monday 27 January.

Regards,
Geoff Cherrill
Headteacher

Lino Print Workshop - Wednesday 5 February

22 Jan 2020

Dear Parent/Carer,

Come and Learn How to Lino Print - Wednesday 5 February 2020

9:30am-12.00pm

 Come and make your very own Spring or Easter cards with Miss Tash.  You will learn how to make safely using lino cutting tools in a relaxed, friendly group.  The cost is just £5.00, which includes all materials, drinks and biscuits.

 No experience is necessary and there is a maximum of 10 people to the group, so everyone can get lots of one to one help.  If you are interested in taking part, and to book your place, please complete and return the slip below, together with payment, to the school office, by Wednesday 29 January 2020.

 Unfortunately, if we do not have enough people, the course will be cancelled and full refunds given.

Regards,
Geoff Cherrill
Headteacher

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Come and Learn How to Lino Print - Wednesday 5 February 2020 9:30am-12.00pm

 Please complete this slip and return to the school office, with payment, by Wednesday 29 January 2020

Parent/Carer Name(s) attending the course: ___________________________________________________

 Pupil Name: ___________________________________   

Class: _________________________

 I*/we* would like to book _____ (number of places) on the Lino Print Course on Wednesday 5 February and enclose £______ payment (£5 for each place) (cash*/cheque*)(*please delete as appropriate)

Duke of Edinburgh Award Coffee Morning

17 Jan 2020

Our Duke of Edinburgh pupils would like to invite you to their Coffee Morning. The event will be held on Friday 31January from 9.30am - 11.30am in the school hall at Winchelsea School.

 We will be selling cakes and hot drinks and we will be raising money for two charities, Margaret Green Animal Rescue and Waggy Tails. The pupils have been planning the coffee morning as part of the volunteering section of their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award and this will help pupils towards achieving their Bronze Award.

 Classes will be visiting the Coffee Morning at the times shown below and pupils from Sea Lions and Penguin (our satellite classes) will have the opportunity to buy cakes when they come into school in the afternoon:

Therefore, could we please ask you to ensure that your child brings in a small amount of money on Friday 31 January, if they wish to buy a cake.

 Many thanks on behalf of the Duke of Edinburgh volunteering group and we look forward to seeing you on Friday 31 January.