Sarratt School Newsletter
A Message from Mrs O'Hare
Dear Parents and Carers,
We've made it to the last day of our first week. The whole community have had lots of changes to take on board and procedures to follow. The children have been amazing, adapting to their new routines and timings quickly along with the normal changes that come with every new school year. Walking around school, the atmosphere has been calm and purposeful with our children getting straight back into learning routines. I have been out and about taking pictures of each bubble hard at work and enjoying the day. It has been lovely to see smiling, happy faces and hear the learning buzz of a full Sarratt School again.
Long may it continue!
Warmest regards,
Mrs O’Hare
Head of School
Our week in pictures
Flick through our image carousels to see what's been going on in school this week.
First up, we have our new Reception Class. They have spent their first week with us settling into the Reception environment, getting to know their new classmates and building relationships with Miss Stowe and Mrs Lee. It's a lot to take in but they have done a brilliant job - well done Reception children! The phased return has meant that they have benefited from increased time and attention from our expert EYFS team, supporting their well being and enabling a more personalized approach in these important early stages.
Next, we have KS1. Children in Year 1 have been getting artistic, painting self portraits which are now proudly on display in the classroom. I caught up with both Year 1 and Year 2 outside during their playtime. Each class were playing happily in their designated zone and enjoying the sunshine - some clever Year 1 children had even set up a game of socially distanced 'What's the Time Mr Wolf?'.
Finally I headed round the KS2 classes where our oldest children were hard at work. Year 3 seem to be having a wonderful time with our new teacher,Mr Williams - they were really engaged in a practical maths lesson, using manipulatives to embed their understanding of number and place value. Further up the school, the children have come back to school ready and willing to work hard and impress in their new year groups. Keep it up everyone!
Music Stars
Well done to Jude and Daisy, both in Year 6, who completed important piano exams during Lockdown. Not to be defeated by the challenges of remote learning, they both did a fantastic job with Jude achieving a merit and Daisy a distinction. Well done and congratulations - we can't wait to hear you play live!
Lunches
This week we saw the move over to our new school caterers Dolce. We are aware that there have been teething problems with some of the systems for ordering and paying. Once all of the issues have been resolved and we are in the position to resume normal procedures for lunch in the hall, this system will be quicker and more efficient to use for all.
Unfortunately, the move over has been made more difficult with official covid guidelines for schools. Having to keep classes apart has meant the majority of children are eating lunch in their classroom. This has led to necessary changes, with grab bag lunch menus in place.
While the children have embraced this approach and seem to enjoy the picnic style feel at the moment, we are aware that there have been some concerns raised about portion sizing and the produce. As a school, we have raised this directly with the area manager of Dolce in a bid to resolve issues as quickly as possible. He has asked that any parents who have any questions or further concerns to contact Dolce directly. You can find details of how to do this on their website. https://www.dolce.co.uk/
Important Information
The climbing frames are out of bounds for children before and after school hours. We have reminded the children in school not to do this both for safety and hygiene reasons.
Here is a link to the latest guidance from the government on what to do if anyone in your household displays symptoms of Covid 19. It is important that you follow this guidance and keep the school informed whatever the outcome may be.
If your child is unwell it is important that they stay at home. If they are showing any symptoms of Covid 19 (A new, continuous cough or a high temperature, or has a loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste or smell) you must follow the guidance in the link above.
We hope you like our new parking signs at the front of school. So far we have not had any vehicles parking in the turning circle this term so far making drop off and pick up time safer for all. Thank you to the Sarratt Parents Association for their funding.
Face to face communication is a challenge at the moment as we are restricting visitors to school. If you do have anything you would like to raise with the school, please do not hesitate to contact us via email or phonecall. If the email is for a particular member of staff, this can be directed via the admin email address. I am on the green gates each morning to welcome our children into school should you wish to say hello or pass anything on.
Local Heroes
The Sarratt and Chipperfield Community are celebrating the work of local people who went over and above to help out during the pandemic. They have asked for our help to spread the word. Please read their attached poster with details of how to nominate someone you know.
Local Heroes.pdfChurch News
Holy Cross Church has held its first live service in many months. It's lovely to hear that the church community are back together with each other and with Reverend Michelle. I'm sure they have missed her a much as we have in school.
This weekend the services are as follows:
In Chipperfield at 9am for Morning Worship
In Sarratt at 10.30am for Communion
Both services will need attendees to book via the hcsp website or by calling the Benefice office.
At 6pm one of the services will also be shown via the website.
We are all looking forward to the time when we can troop across the fields to visit again too.
Goodbye and Good Luck
This month we'll wave a fond farewell to Mrs Carson, our very glamorous Office Manger. Mrs Carson joined us three years ago as administrative assistant, working hard in the school office whilst studying to become a school business manager. We are incredibly proud of her in securing her dream role and pleased that we were part of her journey. Her work ethic and dedication will be a huge miss to the school but she won't be gone from our Sarratt community for many years yet in her other role as proud parent. Mrs Carson will continue to work in the office on Fridays this month to enable a smooth transition.
