This week we have 3 entries in the Gold Book for Reception!

Lolly - for trying harder with her recorded pieces of work.

Darcie -for trying her best and being more careful when drawing.

Chloe - for taking more pride in the presentation of her recorded work and adding more detail.

Well done girls!

This week's entrants are Lola and Levy. Lola is a perfect role model for the class. Not only is she always ready to learn, but she also supports her peers, encouraging them to do their best. A fabulous attitude to have Lola.

Levy has come back to school keen to learn and is an absolute star. He has clearly practised his sounds at home and is turning into a fine mathematician!

Harry is our gold book entry for this week. Harry has made solid, consistent progress with his reading since the start of Year 2. This has enabled Harry to enhance his comprehension skills on a deeper level. Harry can now employ skills such as prediction, retrieval, sequencing, and inference. It is a pleasure to hear Harry read and have lively discussions about the content of the texts. Very well done Harry!

It has been assessment week for Year 4 and without exception they have all worked incredibly hard, showing off what they are able to do in their maths and English. Miss Scarlett and I have been very impressed by their commitment to undertaking the assessments and working so hard. Thus, we would like to put them all into Gold Book as we are proud of them all and their achievements. Thank you, Year 4. Well done.

It’s that time of year when we are all busy buying gifts for Christmas. This year we are inviting you to add Sarratt School to your Christmas list and buy a book for our new school library.

We have created wishlists on Amazon of storybooks, non fiction, collections and novels that will really boost our collection and inspire our children to read. The books are a combination of old favourites and modern texts. We have created a list for each Key Stage - just click on the link below.

We simply ask that when you receive your book, you or your child adds a note in the cover to let us know who it is from. All you need to do then is drop off your book into the box located in the new entrance lobby.

We are also grateful for all preloved books that are in good condition.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Warmest regards,

Mrs O’Hare and Mrs Serby

Link for Reception: https://amzn.eu/3oRwRcH

Link for KS1 (Y1 and Y2): https://amzn.eu/3oRwRcH

Link for LKS2 (Y3 and Y4): https://amzn.eu/avQ0C8x

Link for UKS2 (Y5 and Y6): https://amzn.eu/iodHIRN

Click on the link below to find out a little more about a fantastic campaign by local charity, Electric Umbrella. The video was filmed 2 weeks ago just outside the school on Sarratt Green, and features singing from our wonderful children in Year 3 and 4 - you'll also spot a few of us in the video too!

https://youtu.be/XOwpAO3gil8

This week the DFE implemented new guidance for schools with the temporary introduction of new measures as a result of the Omicron variant.

Changes to the guidance include:

• updated advice on Tracing close contacts and isolation to reflect the change in measures for close contacts of suspected or confirmed Omicron cases

• updated advice on Face coverings to reflect the change in measures – they are now recommended in communal areas in all schools for adults and for pupils from year 7 onwards

• replacement of references to Public Health England with references to the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA)

• updated information in the Other considerations section on vaccination of under 18 year olds

• an updated Travel and quarantine section to reflect that pupils arriving from abroad will need to isolate and test on arrival

• an updated Educational visits section to advise you consider whether to go ahead with any planned international educational visits

Guidance for parents and carers can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-parents-and-carers-of-children-attending-out-of-school-settings-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak

The changes have very little effect on Primary Schools. However, with cases of Covid in School, we have implemented our own measures as part of an Outbreak Management Plan along with the Covid Response Team at HCC. This Outbreak Plan will remain in place while we have cases in school.

The measures outlined include:

· Cancelling non-essential indoor visits and visitors in classes with high case numbers

· Increased distancing of class bubbles including cancelling Key Stage assemblies and postponing rehearsals of Christmas productions for classes with multiple cases

· Increased hygiene and cleaning measures

· Mask wearing in school for all staff and visitors in communal areas

Along with measures already in place:

· Staff lateral flow testing at least twice a week

. Staggering of playtime and lunchtime

. Increased ventilation

. Staggering of drop-off and pick-up

Again, we are extremely grateful for your understanding during these difficult times and hope things can improve for all very soon.

If your child is showing symptoms, however mild, you must follow the official guidance below:

What to do if you or your child has symptoms

If your child has any of the main symptoms of COVID-19, even if they're mild:

1. Get a PCR test (test that is sent to a lab) as soon as possible: Get a PCR test to check for COVID-19 on GOV.UK

2. Your child should stay at home and not have visitors (self-isolate) until you get a negative test result – they can only leave home to have the test. Check if you and anyone else your child lives with need to self-isolate. Check if you and anyone else your child lives with need to self-isolate

Common Symptoms

The main symptoms of COVID-19 are:

• a high temperature

• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot, for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours

• a loss or change to sense of smell or taste – this means they cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

We can all have a wobble from time to time and our children are no different. Changes in routines, uncertainty and tackling new challenges can knock confidence and trigger anxious feelings. At school, our staff are here to support. We have a designated Well Being Team leading strategies and programmes to allow our children to thrive at school.

To find out more visit the school website: https://sarratt.herts.sch.uk/curriculum/mentalhealth/

If you feel that your child is in need of additional support, please contact the class teacher or Mrs O'Hare.

Click on the buttons below for further information about additional support available to families in the community.

Make sure your child comes to school with a water bottle each day. This should contain water only. Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are provided with a snack in the morning. Children in KS2 can bring a fruit or vegetable snack to school for playtime.

If your child needs additional medication, please fill in this form and drop it into the school office.

https://sarratt.herts.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/MED-1-Form.pdf

Please ensure your child has a warm outdoor jacket everyday. We always aim to have the children outside as much as possible during playtime and lunchtime.

The climbing frames are out of bounds before and after school.