One of the side effects of lockdown has been the increased use of technology.  Most children have really benefited from this when in lockdown but unfortunately sometimes it can go wrong. The misuse of technology that some primary aged children have experienced includes, bullying, fraud and child abuse.  We now need parents and carers to take an active role in keeping their children safe in the online world, just as they would in real life!

The best way of protecting your children is to talk with them about how they use technology, find out about the apps, websites and games they use and make sure they can share any worries they have with you.  Both the net-aware and internetmatters.org websites are full of helpful advice.

As a school we take online safety very seriously and children are taught about keeping safe throughout their time in school, so they develop the skills and resilience needed to keep themselves safe on line.  We should remember that they are still children, they will make mistakes and they will need your support not only to stay safe but to grow and flourish both online and offline.

Below we have listed five useful websites to help support your child staying safe.  Please take some time to talk to your children and find out more on the websites below.  Parents and carers are also welcome to discuss issues and get support from the school – we will help.

Durham County Council now offer free LFD testing and home testing kits. Find out more and book appointments www.durham.gov.uk/CovidLFT.

Please see the rainbow guides below which provide an at-a-glance list of local and national services supporting the mental health needs and emotional wellbeing of adults, children, young people and families.

• MH & ES for adults
• MH & ES for children, young people and families

Please see the letter below from Amanda Healy, Director of Public Health for County Durham and Jim Murray, Head of Education and Skills:

Letter to parents April 2021

We hope everyone has a great Easter break.  School reopens on Monday 12 April 2021.

Reporting symptoms after school closes for the Easter break

If your child develops symptoms of coronavirus at any point over the Easter break you must book a test.

If your child develops symptoms up to and including Sunday 28 March which result in a positive test you must inform the school at byersgreen@durhamlearning.net.

Please include the name of your child, their class and the date that their symptoms started, as well as your own contact details.

If your child develops coronavirus symptoms from Monday 29 March onwards, they must be tested and, if positive, follow the advice of Test and Trace. You do not need to inform the school of any symptoms which occur on or after this date.

Message from Lindsey Davison – Child Poverty Operations Manager, Durham County Council

Whether it’s finding fun things for the kids 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. Covid-19 has meant that many people’s incomes have been reduced and children and young people are keen to get out and spend time with their friends.

This Easter we have launched our Fun and Food programme, providing fun activities with healthy snacks and meals for children and young people. Activities are provided by range of partners including schools, voluntary and community sector groups, sport and leisure services and our Family Centres.

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

Activities are being added every day so please keep checking our webpage.

Thank you for your contributions to this year’s Red Nose Day collection. The total raised was £88.00.

Comic Relief 2021

On Friday 26 March (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.

Please see the letter below from Richard Crane, Head of Education and Skills and Amanda Healy, Director of Public Health for County Durham:

Home testing for coronavirus (COVID-19) for parents carers and childcare and support bubbles