Dear ALS Community,
As we enter our third week back on site since we were able to resume learning on site, we sit in the space between the excitement of the return to school and the eventual easing of restrictions and the return to a more ‘normal normal’. Whilst it means there are not big assemblies to write about or after-school fixtures to champion, it does mean that there is still a joy in being able to write that the children were all on site, having fun with their friends and learning a great deal. After Easter, we are planning on opening up more of our extra-curricular programme and the resumption of things like swimming within our curriculum so there is much to look forward to.
For next week, our mantra is from Veritas: Do the right thing at the right time. As can be the case with the Veritas mantras, this is potentially conceptually challenging for the children but it can also stoke much debate (who decides on the ‘right’ thing? How can you know if it’s the ‘right’ time?). As such, I hope that you can find value in discussing this concept at home and I know the teachers will use it in school next week, too. If we look at the past year, the view of the “right” thing in combating the virus has often been a clash between public opinion, science, politics and the resources needed. Even if we just consider the decision making around schools and the rules put in place for the current return, there’s huge discrepancy between what the guidance says, what ministers report the guidance to say and what the Department for Education say we must do as a result. All we can do is be guided by doing our best to do the “right” thing with the information we are given. In that vein, thank you for your cooperation with our first week of home testing this week. As a reminder for our Senior Phase please do the tests on Monday & Thursday morning (before to coming into school) or the night prior if timings are tight in the morning. Please see the letter sent last week from Mr Preston regarding home testing. On Wednesday, pupils will bring home the next set of tests which will cover the weeks over the Easter holidays with the final test being done on the Monday 26th April ahead of returning to school for the Summer Term. To confirm, testing is to continue over the Easter holidays being carried out twice a week as it currently is.
When dropping off by car in the morning, please drop off at the middle gate and pull up to the second building with the “Senior School of the Year” banner. This stops traffic backing up on the road which can cause quite an issue with traffic. For next week, we’ll put out a sign to encourage you to “drop off from here” as well. The middle gate is the best place for dropping off by car with the side gate used really for pedestrian access. I’ll be around with Mr Owen and Mr James as well to help out if you’re unsure. As we are on the topic of safety, as schools reopen and pupils return to walking or cycling to and from school, please can we remind them to be vigilant as to their safety and aware of their surroundings. We have received a notification of an unknown male driver approaching a pupil from North Leamington School whilst cycling home in the Church Road area of Lillington. The pupil was unharmed and rode away from the car. Please do just remind everyone to be aware of their surroundings whilst we all get back to a sense of normal.
For Senior pupils, I’d like to send a reminder that mobile phones are not to be used on site. I understand that it is important for children who walk to school or catch the bus to have a means of communicating with you so having a phone with them is fine (it should be turned off and stored safely). The device should not be used at any point in the school day. If a pupil is seen with a mobile in their hand for any reason, the device will be confiscated. If a child needs to be in touch with you, they will always be allowed to Reception and we will make the call home. We are currently reviewing our policy on ‘smart watches’ as well in order to make sure that children are focused on their learning and not on the messages coming through on their ‘smart watch’ as a means of avoiding the mobile phone ban.
For me, from 8:30am to 4:00pm during the school day children - especially our eldest children - should be focused on their learning and on catching up with their friends in person during break and lunch time. It’s important to remember that children are still learning whilst they are not in the classroom…it may not be a subject they can take an examination in but emotional intelligence as well as building and managing friendships is just as much a necessary skill for later life. When children have a falling out and we speak with the children, more often than not both parties say they want to be friends, that they used to be friends and that they’d like to be friends again. When we ask why they are still upset, so often the response starts with “well, on [insert social media platform]…”.
Social media is a part of modern life and we have to accept that there are positives that come from the platforms. However, it should not replace day to day interactions with other people and it certainly should not dominate life at home or in school. If you’d like any advice about your child’s use of social media, we’d be very happy to provide whatever support we can.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Best wishes,
David Preston | Headteacher
March 19th 2021
