And we made it!
A massive thank you and well done to everyone in our school community for getting to half term! Everyone’s contributions to adapting to Remote Learning have been incredible and in a time where people could be feeling isolated and lonely, we are thrilled that our sense of belonging remains strong, giving children the care and sense of community which we feel is vital to children and families. Thank you for taking time to attend Face to Face meetings with the class teachers; they really do appreciate the time to talk about your child’s achievements as well as share any worries.
The next part of the ‘road map’ will be announced on 22nd February and we know that schools will not be back before the 8th March. There is a considerable amount of speculation (and panic) in the media about the return to school – try hard not to listen to it!! As always, we feel communication is crucial in these times and we will get information to you as soon as plans are made. As far as ‘catch up’ goes, our teachers will do what they do best – teach the children based on what they can do when they return to school. There will be no panic! Children have continued with the curriculum through this period of lockdown and they have also experienced and learned different things by being at home: whether that is maturing in terms of organisation and resourcefulness, showing resilience, or learning news skills with grownups in their houses. All these new skills are vital and will be celebrated!
I hope you have a relaxing half term, and enjoy some downtime with your families. Please spend time away from screens and get outside in the wind and rain, splash in some puddles and get muddy!
Thank you as always for your continued support through these ‘interesting’ times.
Ms Teagle
COVID Symptoms during the half term break
For children who have been attending school, if your child develops symptoms within 48 hours of our closure on Friday (before 5pm on Sunday 14th February), please get a test and let us know by emailing secretary@threemilestone.cornwall.sch.uk.
In the event of a positive test result, then please let us know immediately by using the same email address and leaving contact details. Our emails will be monitored each day between 10am & 1pm. This is to allow us to comply with track and trace protocols.
If we need to ask a bubble to self-isolate in the event of a positive case, we will make contact with you via text message and email, with next step instructions.
Where a child or member of staff tests positive, having developed symptoms more than 48 hours since being in school, the school does not need to be informed. In this instance, parents and carers should follow contact tracing instructions provided by NHS Test and Trace.
Message from Cornwall Council
The number of infections is reducing in Cornwall because we have seen our residents respecting the social restrictions in place during the third lockdown. Thanks to this, we have slowed the spread of the virus through our communities, and for that we are thankful.
However, as the surge in cases in late December and January showed, if Cornwall lets our guard down infection rates can spiral quickly, and we could soon find ourselves back where we started.
Therefore, we are asking all residents, especially parents and carers to continue to respect the lockdown rules, especially during half term. We know this is a challenge, especially for those parents and carers who are home schooling and we understand the temptation to relax while the pressure of teaching is not there for a week.
However, we have done so well since January and we simply can’t afford to throw all of that hard work away. We are asking those who are on a half term break to avoid travelling distances in the car and “explore from your door” instead.
Laptops/Chromebooks
Kenwyn Parish Council have really kindly donated money to the school to purchase laptops for children who are disadvantaged in their learning due to a lack of technology at home. This is an incredible gesture, showing how important community is at a time when so many families are struggling in one way or another. Thank you.
For the children who are on a waiting list, we will contact you asap. If you are not on the waiting list and your child has limited access to a device to enable them to access online learning then please complete the form here if you need to borrow a machine and we will do our best to help.
Staffing
As you are already aware, Mrs Coleman has taken the decision to leave Threemilestone School after giving our children 23 years of amazing opportunities. The teacher in Carn Brea class for the summer term is Mrs Mel Brown (another Mrs Brown!), and we are really pleased to welcome such an enthusiastic, experienced teacher into our team for the term. As soon as the year 4s are ‘back to school’ Mrs Brown will be coming into school to work alongside Mrs Coleman to get to know the children and meet all parents.
We are also thrilled to welcome Mrs Vale back into school after her time away on maternity leave: baby Zef is doing really well! Mrs Vale will be supporting children in years 2, 3 and 4 with additional interventions and support.
With the staffing changes which have recently happened, it has been a time to look carefully at the leadership team within the school. As part of the leadership team, we now have Ms Teagle (Headteacher) and Mr Hick (Deputy Headteacher) and we have appointed 3 Assistant Headteachers: Mrs Brown, Mrs Ewart and Miss Bowen.
EE Lockdown Learning
A new, free support scheme for schoolkids, who need some help accessing the virtual classroom. Keeping children connected when they need support the most.
https://ee.co.uk/coronavirus/lockdown-learning
Other mobile providers are also offering similar schemes
Free School Meals
The government will not be funding vouchers over the half term period, however the local authority will be. The vouchers have already been issued through the WONDE platform. Vouchers for the 2 weeks after half term will be issued again via Edenred.
Everyone in EYFS, Year 1 and 2 are entitled to Universal School Meals – a free meal when they are at school. This is not the same as claiming additional support if you are on benefits. If you are unsure how the system works and whether you could be entitled, please phone the office to talk it through. In times when you are away from school, it is crucial to ensure that families have all the support you need, and everything everyone is entitled to.
Many family situations are changing due to this ongoing pandemic. If you are needing support and unsure whether you are eligible to claim for Free School meals, click on the link below to find out more. We currently have 20% of our children eligible for Free School meals – the current economic crisis is tough – please seek help if you need it. CLICK HERE
Missing Scooter!
A blue and silver scooter (for older children) may have gone missing from school over the Christmas holidays. Please can you contact school if you have taken it by mistake, or if you know where it may be. Many thanks
THE BIG BASH – FOR ANY DRUMMERS ON ANYONE INTERESTED IN PERCUSSION – AGE 8 AND OVER
The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama are offering two days (19 – 20 Feb) of online interactive workshops, concerts and masterclasses, with special guests Dame Evelyn Glennie and Sidiki Dembele. All events are free and details of how to log on will be supplied once you have registered, click the link below.
The events are free and aimed at young percussionists and drummers from age 8 – 18. No prior experience is needed, just a love or an interest in percussion and drumming. Events are for grades 0-8+, with something suitable for everyone. Hosted by Patrick King and Owen Gunnell this is a wonderful opportunity to stay inspired during lockdown!
Stay Safe
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