Dear ALS Community,
As we enter a second national lockdown, I am sure that you are as delighted as I am that schools remain open. Whilst children are capable of learning at home with the right remote provision, there is no substitute for working in class and having the chance to spend break and lunch times with friends. As I have written out on Sunday evening and again on Wednesday, this is a lighter weekly communication than usual…
On Wednesday in the late afternoon, guidance was updated for schools to adopt on Thursday morning. This guidance fell in line with the measures we had already outlined to the school community in a prior correspondence on Sunday evening; sport and ExEn would have to be reviewed and masks would need to be worn for Senior aged pupils and adults in communal areas. All other aspects of our prior risk assessments remain in effect and the children’s learning continues as it did before. As we wade through this second lockdown, ALS will strive to ensure that all of the children in our care continue to feel safe and settled. If this week is anything to go by, the children are quite happy to crack on as normal.
This week, our mantra comes from Amicus: Be grateful for the kindness of others. As ever, I hope that the mantras serve as a good opportunity for you to discuss at home the core values of the school. For this mantra, taking the time to be kind to someone else - and to be grateful for such kindness in turn - is an important aspect of being part of the ALS Community. I am always grateful for the kindness of ALS parents who go out of their way to write to me when things are going well and to send on compliments about what we’re doing. I’d also like to share my thanks to the staff in school who have been unwaveringly positive and supportive since the pandemic forced us to adapt back in March. My challenge to the school community for this week is a pretty simple one - say thank you to at least one person who you’re grateful to for their kindness. The smallest of gestures can go a very long way.
We have launched our new website (it’s still found at arnoldlodge.com). When you visit the homepage, do refresh the home screen a few times as the children that are shown will change. As you scroll through, the designs will also change. I think the new website looks fantastic and I hope you’ll like it when you view the website, too. In the near future, we’ve a new virtual introduction that we will share and we are also having a walk-through of the school completed to help prospective parents who are unable to visit ALS get a feel for the school.
On Wednesday and Friday of this week we’ve had school photographs taking place (for siblings and individuals). You’ll be able to purchase your child’s school photograph in time for Christmas as the perfect gift for friends and family! We’ve used a new company this time with the view of creating some school photographs that are a little more modern. I hope that you’re very happy with the results.
You may have noted that before the half-term break, pupils were able to order additional Arnold Lodge apparel. This included a winter coat (for Senior aged pupils), a hoodie, leggings, a varsity jumper and a gilet. If your child would like one of the additional garments, please pop an email to our uniform store ([email protected]). The list of optional sportswear can be found here. If you happen to particularly like a garment, feel free to order one for yourself, too!
If there’s any support you need over the next few weeks, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We might not have all of the answers, but we’ll do all we can to provide you and your child with any support we can give.
Best wishes,
David Preston | Headteacher
