OAK BITES 20^th JULY 2020

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Happy Monday! See below for a letter from Mr De Silva regarding September. A further letter will be sent out by Mrs Layley in August.

As you know, we will be welcoming back all of our Year 6 pupils for their last day at Junior school on Wednesday 22^nd July. Therefore, we need to stick very rigidly to the 8.45 to 9.00am drop off time for Keyworker children.  If your child isn’t in school by 9am they will not be able to come on site until after all the Year 6 pupils have been thermal image checked and registered – possibly 9.30am

Message for YEAR 5 Pupils (moving into Year 6 in the Autumn) from WYVERN College

WYVERN COLLEGE VIRTUAL OPEN EVENT – 22^nd SEPTEMBER 2020

We have been giving a great deal of thought into how, in the Autumn term, we can make sure that Year 6 families can discover what we have to offer at Wyvern College during the next stage in their children’s education. It is very clear we cannot hold our traditional Open Evening because of the Government's COVID19 guidelines, the health and safety of our whole community is a priority.  

We are going to provide the next best thing by holding a Virtual Open Event on Tuesday 22nd September. We aim to provide you with a real sense of our College, its ethos and vision, including the wide variety of learning and development opportunities we provide for all our students. Most importantly, we will want to answer your questions about life and learning at Wyvern. This event will include:

• A Live presentation from our Headteacher, Ben Rule, in the evening, followed by a Q&A session with himself and other senior teachers.
• A virtual tour around the college.
• Presentations from all our subject areas.
• Information about the support services available to students.
• The opportunity to meet our students.
• Outlining what we want from our students and how we help them with their personal growth.

The Admission tours of the college we have offered in the past, are unable to take place due to COVID19 precautions, but we are constantly reviewing the situation and will let parents know if we are able to offer these at a later date.

We hope that you will be able to join us for our Virtual Open Event, please visit our website www.wyverncollege.org.uk, in week beginning the 20th July, where you will be able to access the registration page. This will contain a short welcome video from Ben Rule and more details about what you will able to see on the Event Day onwards. You will also be able to access our 2020/21 Prospectus.

Wishing all a good summer

Mr Ben Rule

Headteacher

Wyvern College.

Letter from Mr De Silva regarding September 2020

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Full opening of Fair Oak Junior School: September 2020

Firstly, thank you all so much for your support over the past few months. School certainly hasn’t been the same without all our children, but we have all pulled together to do our very best for them-so thank you for doing all you can during this time to support yourselves and our amazing children.

As you know, the current plan from the government is for schools to return in September, although a final decision will be made by 11^th August. Once the final decision has been made by the Government, Mrs Layley will write to you with specific details (by Friday 14^th August), however, it’s important that you are aware that we have already begun to plan for September. A detailed risk assessment has been completed and will be shared with parents in Mrs Layley’s letter. We have successfully looked after all those who have come to school over the past few months, whether Key Worker children, those classified as vulnerable, Year 6 children, or those who were able to have the two keep in touch days in years 3, 4 and 5. Our arrangements for keeping the school clean have been very successful, as has our routine of handwashing throughout the school day.

Here are a few points to note for September (these may, of course, change as per guidance):

1. All children are to return to school from September
2. A staggered timetable will be in place for the start and end of school day:

Parents will need to be mindful of adhering to social distancing as much as possible.

1. Bubbles – given the size of our school, we will define bubbles as Year groups NOT classes. By defining bubbles in this way, we are able to ensure the operational working of the school, including providing parents with Breakfast Club and After School Club.
2. Breakfast club: Thank you to those who have completed the online survey. Breakfast club will run from 7.45 am and children will need to arrive at the hall doors (via the main green gate). When the children are in the hall, they will be split into their year group bubbles in the hall. No breakfast will be served and children will not be able to bring their own breakfast, as we haven’t got provision for the extra cleaning during this morning session.
3. After School club (ASC): Mrs Long has been dealing with enquiries and bookings. The slight change to ASC is that it will take place in the hall and NOT the Music and Drama room. This means that parents will need to access the site from the main green gate when they are collecting their child. Food will be provided at ASC.
4. ICON After School Clubs: I am currently liaising with Mr Phillips about how we can run a reduced ICON provision at school. Further details to follow.
5. Pencil cases: Please do not send your child into school with a pencil case. We have purchased pencil cases for all the children. Please note, that children will be able to share resources within their class (and within their bubbles).
6. Hygiene arrangements:
   1. Children will have opportunities throughout the day to wash their hands in their classrooms with soap. Please note that some children have found this difficult due to the frequency of washing. Please do speak to your child about drying their hands appropriately. You may wish to send in a small tube of hand cream.
   2. Hand Sanitisers: Each class will have hand sanitiser in it and there are a number of hand sanitiser stations around the school. Please note that our hand sanitiser has a 70/75% alcohol strength.
   3. Cleaning: We have recently purchased enhanced cleaning products which have both antibacterial properties as well as providing a coating to surfaces which will eliminate bacteria.
7. Full School uniform is required. From September, all children are expected to be in the new school uniform, as per previous communications. Please do not send your child into school with a large school bag.
8. School dinners: Hot school dinners are available for children to order. These will be delivered to the classrooms and children will eat in their rooms or outside if the weather is appropriate. The menu has been created and will be on the website by the end of this week. Please note that the menu is not the standard HC3S menu and that the price for lunch remains at £2.40.
9. Parents and visitors: Parents will not be granted access to the school site unless they have an appointment. Please contact the office (adminoffice@fairoak-jun.hants.sch.uk or 02380693195) if you wish to come onto site during the school day or to arrange for your child’s teacher to call you.
10. Parking: Only valid parking permits will enable vehicles to enter the Wyvern Campus. During the lockdown period, this has been relaxed, but will be enforced from September.
11. Break time snacks will not be sold at school, but your child will be able to bring in their own healthy snack.

I’m sure that you will potentially have many more questions. If you do, please email into the office at the address above marked FAO Mrs Layley, so that she can address these points in her August letter. Some of your questions may be answered in the new prospectus and handbook. Please click on the hyperlinked documents.

Thank you all once again. This is a very strange last week at Fair Oak, but I am looking forward to seeing all the Year 6 children back at school on Wednesday for their celebration day.

I will also be in touch one last time this week with the newsletter.

Yours sincerely,

Andrew De Silva

Head Teacher

OAK BITES 17^th JULY 2020

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Maths learning video breakdown: Please visit our YouTube channel for the corresponding videos.

Mental Wellbeing: a message from Mrs Cooper

As the end of term is in sight, and school is busy making sure that everything is in place for our return to school in September, we thought we would share some resources that we have been made aware of, and are available for parents and guardians to use to support children over the summer break and before they return to school if they wish.

Whilst many children have returned to school already, for some the new autumn term will be their first time stepping into a classroom since lockdown began. Understandably, this may be a strange or worrying time for some children and parents, but we would like to reassure you that supporting children’s mental wellbeing during the return to school is a key priority for us.

Please do have a look through the links below, as there may be ideas/activities and suggestions that would be of benefit to your child.

Mindfulness calendar - Mentally Healthy Schools

Practising mindfulness over the summer break will help your child deal with any anxieties or worries for when they return to school. This resource is a two-week calendar with a mindfulness activity suggested each day, which you could use for the last two weeks of summer.

https://mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/resources/mindfulness-calendar-daily-five-minute-activities?pdf=coronavirus-toolkit-return-to-school

Self-care summer activity pack - Anna Freud Centre for Children and Families

Help children create their own self-care plan for the summer holidays with this activity pack.

https://mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/resources/self-care-summer-activity-pack?pdf=coronavirus-toolkit-return-to-school

Going back to school - Partnership for Children

You could work through this sheet with your children to explore the things they may be worried about when going back to school, and ways to calm those worries.

https://www.partnershipforchildren.org.uk/uploads/Files/PDFs/Resilience%20Activities/Going%20back%20to%20school.pdf

Tips for returning to school video – Nip in the Bud

In this short video, clinical psychologist Dr Jess Richardson shares straightforward suggestions for parents, carers and teachers to deal with any potential apprehension or anxiety children may experience on returning to school. There is also an accompanying fact sheet that is recommended to read.

https://nipinthebud.org/information-films/tips-for-returning-to-school/

Letting go & future plans – Partnership for Children

An important part of preparing to go back to school is to reflect on what has happened during coronavirus, as well as looking forward to the future. Completing this simple activity sheet with your child will help them let go of things they may have missed out on during the lockdown.

https://www.partnershipforchildren.org.uk/uploads/Files/PDFs/Resilience%20Activities/Letting%20Go%20and%20Future%20plans.pdf

‘My Back to School Bubble’ e-book – e-Bug and NABU

This simple, illustrated e-book is ideal for parents of young children to explore what the return to school might look like, and help them feel more prepared.

https://ebug.eu/eng_home.aspx?cc=eng&ss=1&t=Information%20about%20the%20Coronavirus

Self-care kit – NHS

Practising good self-care is another important way children can get ready for the return to school. This kit has lots of ideas and activities for children, including mindful colouring, breathing exercises, an emotional check-in, a self-soothe box and more.

https://mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/resources/self-care-kit?pdf=coronavirus-toolkit-return-to-school

Smiling Mind - app

Technology can be a great tool for encouraging mindfulness in children. This app features lots of mindfulness and meditation activities specifically designed for parents and children to do together. (Please note that adults should always explore apps first before sharing with children, and should always monitor their use of apps.)

https://www.smilingmind.com.au/smiling-mind-app

We hope that you find some of these resources helpful for your child, or indeed other family members. As a school, we will be preparing ourselves so that we are fully equipped to meet the needs of all our children when they return. However if, as parents/guardians, you have any concerns about your child’s mental health over the summer break, please see the directory below.

You can find a list of support available in your area via the Youth Wellbeing Directory

• https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/youth-wellbeing/

or a list of helplines in this resource library

• https://mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/resources/?ResourceFormat=Helpline?pdf=coronavirus-toolkit-return-to-school.

Other helplines that may be helpful if you or your child have concerns about mental health issues:

• SHOUT - text ‘Shout’ to 85258 for 24/7 crisis text support
• Childline - under 19 s can call 0800 1111 for free support
• Education Support - school staff can call 08000 562 561 or text 07909 341229 for 24/7 help and advice
• YoungMinds Parents Helpline - Call 0808 802 5544 for free Mon-Fri from 9.30am to 4pm

Wishing you all a very safe and happy break from school and see you all in September.

Best Wishes

Mrs Cooper

OAK BITES 13^th JULY 2020

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Work Packs

Next Monday (20^th July), work packs for the children will be combined maths/English packs and still available to collect with food packs between 11 – 11.30 am on Monday. The work will also be available on the school website as usual.

Bike it Ray and Bike it Jenny have sent in some links for some fun activities!

• Here’s the link to the Origami Jersey video making if anyone needs a helping hand, looking forward to seeing the finished results on twitter and please copy in @bikeitSH @Bikeitjenny: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDRKCPbOKoY&list=PL5fRA-WbPmiyI8g88ZC3F61Ybtuldf3Jp&index=15&t=0s
• Here’s the link to my bike skills video playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5fRA-WbPmiyI8g88ZC3F61Ybtuldf3Jp
• Also attached is Jenny’s Walking Bingo flyer, to get out exploring!

OAK BITES 8^th JULY 2020

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Reports

I am delighted to inform you that all reports have been created. These will be emailed to parents from today, and should be with you in the next few days. If you haven’t received your child’s report by Wednesday next week, please do contact the school office.

New Classes for September

Thank you to all those parents who completed the recent survey regarding friendship choices for the children. You should all by now have received a letter through the post confirming your child’s new class and teacher. We felt it would be a nice idea if the children in each newly formed class were able to communicate, and as such we are creating a class blog on Purple Mash which will be live by the end of the day next Tuesday (14^th July). Class teachers will have set up a new blog and will have posted a message. We would love for your child to post on this blog so that they can begin to form friendships in their new classmates.

Year 6 Parents/guardians

As more and more Year 6 children come in to school, Year 6 Bubbles are nearly full in every class. If your child doesn’t attend on a Monday, we won’t be expecting them in for the rest of the week unless we have been notified otherwise. Also, please let us know if your Year 6 child will be attending school for the first time during this period, so we can plan accordingly. Thank you for your support with this.

Surveys

Thank you to those who have completed the survey below.

• Year 4 parents/ guardians

Remember to respond to the survey monkey regarding the Year 5 residential trip to Stubbington. The survey can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/PK5HDM6 and closes at midday on 15^th July.

• Year 6 parents/guardians

Remember to respond to the survey monkey regarding food orders for the last day of term. The survey can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/PPH9LRY and it closes at midday on 10^th July. 

OAK BITES 6^th JULY 2020

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A couple of reminders about a couple of Surveys that need to be completed please:

1. Current Year 4 Parents – please find attached again the letter regarding the Stubbington residential trip, which takes place in February 2021. The letter includes a link to a survey to give us an indication of numbers for this event. The survey needs to be completed by 15^th July 2020. Thank you. Please also see previous Oak Bites for link.

1. Year 6 Parents – we have also re-attached the letter regarding the Year 6 leaver’s celebration. Along with information about this event, the letter includes a link to a survey to indicate a lunch choice for the day if required. Please complete this survey by this Friday 10^th July. Thank you. Please also see previous Oak Bites for link.

OAK BITES 3^rd JULY 2020

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Dear Parents/ Guardians

Just a quick additional Oak Bites for this week.

• Year 4 parents/ guardians

Remember to respond to the survey monkey regarding the Year 5 residential trip to Stubbington. The survey can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/PK5HDM6 and closes at midday on 15^th July.

• Year 6 parents/guardians

Remember to respond to the survey monkey regarding food orders for the last day of term. The survey can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/PPH9LRY and it closes at midday on 10^th July.

• Keyworker Parents

Please note that your child may be in a cross year group bubble next week because we are getting more children coming in to school. This is especially the case for the Year 6 children because many more of our Year 6s are now joining their Bubble groups

• Bike It Ray

We are getting really good at surveys! Here is another one from Bike it Ray.

Dear Parents, if you or your child has had any help from me cycling or maybe will in the future, please fill out this little survey for me (2 min tick box job)

and an awesome quote at the end always a bonus! 

Thanks so much Bike it Ray

Keep On Rollin’

https://sustrans.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/parent-survey-june-2020