Welcome back
We are looking forward to all our pupils returning to St Patricks Catholic College in September and welcome our new Year 7 pupils to the community. However, we do know that the return to school may be causing some children and their families to be anxious due to the time we have missed in the classroom because of COVID. We have created some key points below to share with you all, to demonstrate how the staff at St Patrick’s will take the necessary precautions and safety measures to ensure we have a successful return and ease any concerns you might have. It is crucial your children follow these support mechanisms that are in place and we know you will reiterate to your children the importance of these.
We have worked closely as a Trust to follow the government guidance. As you know guidance is changing regularly and we will update this area, along with letters and social media updates, as we receive any developments. In order to effectively manage the risks that remain, things will be a bit different when our pupils return to school for the new academic year. This letter sets out some of the changes and protective measures the government is asking us to put in place and what you will need to do to help ensure we can be as safe as possible for everyone.
How can we be kind, be responsible and be safe?
Staggered return
To ensure the necessary guidance and procedures are communicated effectively with the pupils we will be staggering the return as outlined below and it is important that these stages are adhered to. We will be sharing with pupils through a variety of assemblies and school tours the expectations when they are in school regarding morning arrival, during the school day and after school provisions.
Wednesday 2nd September – Year 7 & Y11 pupils only – Y7 pupils to report to the main reception for today only due to being new to the school site
Thursday 3rd September – Year 7, 9 and 11 pupils only
Friday 4th September – all year groups to return
Before school and after school arrangements
- Pupils should arrive at the school no earlier than 8am for an 8.30am prompt start.
- A breakfast club will be in place from 8am in the dining area, where year group distanced tables will be allocated.
- When pupils arrive at school it is important they follow the 1 metre+ social distancing rule and move to the allocated area on the yard.
- There will be allocated gates at the entrance for pupils to enter the premises
- Year 7 will be supported to wait in the middle yard
- Years 8, 9 & 10 will have an allocated section of the front yard to socialise within their own ‘bubble’
- Year 11 will be directed to a separate yard for before school only.
- Pupils will be supported by their teachers to leave the school site safely at the end of each day, unless the pupil attends an enrichment class. Enrichment is due to begin from the w/c 14th September.
- As you can appreciate parents/carers cannot gather at entrance gates or doors, or enter the school building without pre-arranged consent or appointments.
Movement around the school site
- Movement around the site will be a one-way system where this is possible to keep the social distancing measures. This will be demonstrated to pupils so that they fully understand the requirements that are in place. Designated up and down stairways and specific doors to enter or exit each block will be clear.
- Pupils must walk in single file to allow for distance moving between lessons
- Markers on the floor in corridors regarding the 1m+ reminding students of the need to stay apart from other year group bubbles wherever possible.
- Some lessons will finish a couple of minutes early to allow stages of movement
Classroom layout and lessons
- As suggested by the Government, most subjects will have the pupil’s desks in rows where it is appropriate.
- Pupils will be expected to enter the classroom and take their allocated seat immediately and they are to remain seated unless given permission otherwise. Seating plans will be decided by the teachers.
- Pupils must not share equipment unless clear cleaning has taken place. To be safe for all, it is essential that pupils have their own basic equipment but we will provide some basic essentials on their first day.
- Practical subjects have their own risk assessments to ensure appropriate cleaning of any equipment can take place
- Bins are available in classrooms to support the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ government campaign and the pupils will be encouraged to thoroughly wash their hands following this.
Full school uniform requirements
Pupils will be expected to wear their full school uniform at all times. If pupils have PE that day they are to ensure they have the necessary kit in their bags. We know there are some issues with the company in providing these items. Please contact enquiries to let us know. A reminder of the uniform is outlined below:
BOYS
- Green School Blazer with Badge (Motif 8 and Elizabeth Embroidery)
- White non fitted school shirt (Top button fastened, tucked in)
- Clip on school tie – Y7 – Y10 Green tie with house colour/ Y11 Green and yellow striped tie
- Charcoal Greyschool trousers (No adornments/skinny jeans/leggings/jeggings are NOT permitted)
- Year 7-10 optional plain Green knit Jumper with school badge (Motif 8)
- Year 11 optional plain Grey knit jumper with school badge (Motif 8)
- Plain formal black lace up or slip on shoes. (no trainers, trainer designs, designer labels, boots or Velcro fastening shoes)
GIRLS
- Green School Blazer with Badge (Motif 8 and Elizabeth Embroidery)
- White non fitted school shirt, long or short sleeve (Top button fastened, tucked in)
- Clip on school tie – Y7 – Y10 Green tie with house colour/ Y11 Green and yellow striped tie
- School kilt skirt – must be knee length
- Optional Grey traditional school trousers (No adornments/skinny jeans/leggings/jeggings are NOT permitted)
- Year 7-10 optional plain Green knit Jumper with school badge (Motif 8)
- Year 11 optional plain Grey knit jumper with school badge (Motif 8)
- Plain black formal school shoes (no trainers, trainer designs, designer labels, boots or Velcro fastening shoes)
PE KIT
- Red St Patricks PE Logo sport top (Motif 8)
- Black shorts
- Training Shoes – (NOT Plimsolls, football boots are desirable for football/rugby/cross country)
Optional:
- St Patrick’s hooded Black top (Motif 8)
- Black plain tracksuit bottoms – No logos or stripes
- Plain Black football style socks
Other uniform expectations
- No jewellery is permitted
- Make-up is also not permitted
- No nail varnish, false nails or false eye lashes and hair must be a natural colour.
- Mobile phones must be switched off and in their bag. We are not liable for any breakages or theft.
Break and lunch time provision
Break will take place as outlined on the pupil’s timetables. As these are already staggered it allows for pupils to remain in their year group ‘bubbles’ and allocated zones on the yard area. Pupils must bring snacks and drinks for break time as the dining area will currently not be providing these. Pupils should also bring their own water for the day as the water dispensers will not be in use.
Lunch will also continue as the timetable outlines as we believe it is important for the children to be able to receive a hot meal. However, you might prefer for your child to bring a packed lunch. Y7 initially will have their lunch at 12.35 so they can have this time on their own.
Please ensure that you have topped up your child’s ParentPay account regularly if they need to pay for food at lunch unless they are bringing a packed lunch. This will alleviate the use of the pay machines.
During lessons the toilets will be locked and the key can be obtained from reception. This will allow for the necessary cleaning following each use. At break and lunchtime, pupils will be made aware of the allocated toilets.
Public transport
- Face coverings are required at all times on public transport (for children over the age of 11)
- The government is also encouraging parents to look at other methods of getting pupils to school especially where walking or cycling is an option.
Face coverings
Further to government guidelines regarding face coverings in schools, this remains optional for pupils. If they choose to wear a covering it must be worn only in communal areas and movement in the corridors. They are not to be worn in classrooms at present.
Attendance
All children across England are returning to school in September. The attendance policy will be followed should there be any attendance concerns. However, we do want to keep communicating with parents and carers about their children so please contact the school if you need to discuss aspects of this.
With this in mind, you must not send your child to school if they have coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms, or if you have someone in your household who does. We would ask parents and carers to support us by engaging with the NHS Test and Trace process so that cases can be identified and action taken – this means if your child develops symptoms, you should arrange for them to get a test and you should inform us immediately of the results of that test.
If your child tests negative, if they feel well and no longer have symptoms similar to coronavirus (COVID-19), they can stop self-isolating. If they have another virus, such as a cold or flu, it is still best to avoid contact with other people until they are better. Other members of their household can stop self-isolating.
If your child tests positive, they should follow the ‘stay at home: COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection’ and must continue to self-isolate for at least 7 days from the onset of their symptoms and then return to school only if they do not have symptoms. If they still have a high temperature, they should keep self-isolating until their temperature returns to normal. Other members of their household should continue self-isolating for the full 14 days.
