Dear Parent/Carer

RE: NSPCC’s Speak out. Stay safe. online programme

I am pleased to tell you that this term we will be participating in the NSPCC’s Speak out. Stay safe. online programme. This consists of an online assembly and supporting classroom based activities. Speak out. Stay safe. is a safeguarding programme available to all primary schools in the UK and Channel Islands. It aims to help children understand abuse in all its forms and to recognise the signs of abuse in a child friendly way. Children are taught to speak out if they are worried, either to a trusted adult or to Childline.

In the online assembly (15.06.22), the Speak out. Stay safe. messages are delivered in a fun and interactive way with the help of their mascot Buddy as well as special guest appearances from Ant and Dec.  Following-on from the assembly, specially trained NSPCC volunteers will also be delivering a workshop to our Year 5/6 children (20.06.22) that will build-on and deepen pupils’ learning gained from the assembly.

We have studied the content of the materials and are extremely confident that they are appropriate for primary-school-aged children. By the end of the programme, we’re convinced children will feel empowered – knowing how they can speak out and stay safe. We are also assured that NSPCC volunteers coming to the school will adhere to safe practice in relation to COVID-19.

If you would like to know more about the Speak out. Stay safe. programme you can find information on the NSPCC website www.nspcc.org.uk/speakout or I would be happy to discuss any questions that you may have.

Adapted assembly for home use

The NSPCC has also developed an adapted version of their assembly for parents/carers to use at home with their children.  This can be found here: www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/safety.  With the help of celebrities, the film focuses on how a child can get support if they have any worries or concerns.

To complement the assembly, there are some resources that can be used to enable further discussion whilst doing activities with your children.  These are hosted on the NSPCC website www.nspcc.org.uk/activities.

Childline Under 12’s Website

Childline also have a website with age appropriate advice for primary school children on topics such as bullying.  It also has games and other interactive tools. Your child can visit it at www.childline.org.uk/kids.

If you’d like to know more about the NSPCC’s work, or take a look at the wide range of information and advice which is available for parents and carers, please visit their website www.nspcc.org.uk/parents.

Talking PANTS with your children

‘Talk PANTS’ is a simple conversation to help keep your child safe from sexual abuse. From P through to S, each letter of PANTS provides a simple but valuable rule that can help keep your child safe. You can find out more and download the free resources at www.nspcc.org.uk/pants.

Penguin and Ladybird have partnered with the NSPCC to create a brand new Pantosaurus book aimed at children ages 4 – 8. You can find copies of the new book on sale, either in Matalan’s selected stores and online, selected SPAR stores or at https://shop.nspcc.org.uk/.  All profits from the sale of this book will support the NSPCC.

Support the NSPCC while you shop

You may also be interested in the NSPCC’s new selection of BUDDY goodies available from the NSPCC shop at https://shop.nspcc.org.uk/collections/buddy which make perfect gifts for children – and all profits go to help keep children safe.

Yours sincerely,

Mr W. Kirtley

Please see the information below from the NHS:

Please see the message below from Durham County Council:

We are super excited about the Fun and Food Platinum Jubilee Celebrations.  There are lots of fabulous Fun and Food projects taking place over May half Term!  We are still adding activities to our webpage so please keep checking to see what’s on over the holidays www.durham.gov.uk/funandfood

Also remember to join our Facebook group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/funandfoodcountydurham

Please see the information below from the NHS:

Durham-Understanding your… series

Please see the information below from the NHS:

Covid Jab for 5-11 yr old flyer

Please see the message below from Durham County Council:

Whether it’s finding fun things for children to do, paying for extra childcare, or even just all that extra food they seem to eat, the school holidays can be a struggle for many families

This Easter our Fun and Food programme is providing fun activities with healthy food for children and young people. Activities are provided by range of partners including schools, voluntary and community sector groups and sport and leisure services.

For information on Fun and Food activities during the Easter holidays check out www.durham.gov.uk/FunAndFood

Also, join our Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/funandfoodcountydurham

We will be adding activities to the list throughout the holidays so please keep checking back to find out more about the fabulous opportunities in our community.

Please see the message below from Durham University:

Durham University are running a range of sports and activity camps during the Easter holidays that cater for children aged 5-16 years of age. Holiday camps include Multi sports, Dance and Drama, Adventure, Football and Tennis camps.

Mini sports/Multi sports/Dance and Drama are all £15 per day (09.30am-4.30pm) with wraparound care available between 08.30-09.30am and 4.30-5.30pm for an extra £1.50 per hour. The Adventure camp is for 12-16 year olds and is £120 for 4 days and includes all onsite/offsite activities and lunch each day.

Here is the link to find out more/book – https://www.dur.ac.uk/conference.booking/details/?id=1893

Here are some FAQ’s relating to the camps – https://www.durham.ac.uk/colleges-and-student-experience/team-durham/community/faqs/

Also, children aged 14 and above can volunteer with the University at the summer holiday camps. Here is the link to register your child’s interest – https://forms.office.com/r/7BUR2CX9jz

Easter Camp Flyer 2022

Children and young people (aged 18 years and under) who have symptoms of a respiratory infection, including COVID-19

Respiratory infections are common in children and young people, particularly during the winter months. Symptoms can be caused by several respiratory infections including the common cold, COVID-19 and RSV.

For most children and young people, these illnesses will not be serious, and they will soon recover following rest and plenty of fluids.

Very few children and young people with respiratory infections become seriously unwell. This is also true for children and young people with long-term conditions. Some children under 2, especially those born prematurely or with a heart condition, can be more seriously unwell from RSV.

Attending education is hugely important for children and young people’s health and their future.

When children and young people with symptoms should stay at home and when they can return to education

Children and young people with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, or slight cough, who are otherwise well, can continue to attend their education setting.

Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people, where they can. They can go back to school, college or childcare, and resume normal activities when they no longer have a high temperature and they are well enough to attend.

All children and young people with respiratory symptoms should be encouraged to cover their mouth and nose with a disposable tissue when coughing and/or sneezing and to wash their hands after using or disposing of tissues.

It can be difficult to know when to seek help if your child is unwell. If you are worried about your child, especially if they are aged under 2 years old, then you should seek medical help.

Children and young people aged 18 years and under who have a positive test result

It is not recommended that children and young people are tested for COVID-19 unless directed to by a health professional.

If a child or young person has a positive COVID-19 test result they should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days after the day they took the test, if they can. After 3 days, if they feel well and do not have a high temperature, the risk of passing the infection on to others is much lower. This is because children and young people tend to be infectious to other people for less time than adults.

Children and young people who usually go to school, college or childcare and who live with someone who has a positive COVID-19 test result should continue to attend as normal.

On Friday 8 April (the last day of the spring term), the children will be given time in class to decorate an egg for entry into our Easter Egg Competition.  If your child would like to take part, they will need to bring in an undecorated, hard-boiled egg and any other materials they would like to use – a range of resources will also be available in school.  Prizes will be awarded in the afternoon and the children will be able to bring their eggs home at the end of the day.

Dear Parents/Carers

Over the last two weeks of this term, we will be holding face-to-face parent-teacher meetings as follows:

• Monday 28 March – Y3
• Wednesday 30 March – Y5
• Thursday 31 March – Y1
• Monday 4 April – Y4
• Tuesday 5 April – YR
• Wednesday 6 April – Y2
• Thursday 7 April – Y6

A letter for each year group with further details and a form to complete and return will follow in due course (about a week before the date of the meeting).

Regards

Mr Kirtley
Headteacher