Back to school arrangements 03.09.2021

Dear families,

Welcome back to the new school year, we are really looking forward to seeing you all again next week. Our focus this term is to establish routines for the coming term. The leadership team have worked over the holidays planning to ensure we can return safely and you will notice a number of measures in place to enable a full return to school. Whilst the good news around the vaccine is a positive sign, we are still acutely aware that there may be disruption as a result of Covid-19. Leaders have put in place measures to mitigate this disruption and we do not foresee any changes to our policy to use existing Drake staff when covering classes in the event of a teacher absence. In order to keep teachers and support staff safe we are asking that all communication take place virtually/telephone/email wherever possible. Ensure you alert the office if you are contacted by the NHS contact tracing team as soon as possible.

This term we welcome new staff to our team

Chloe Jones - Trainee Teacher joins our existing year 6 team

Harvey Raven - Caretaker to join our existing team

Alexandra Adiguzel, Kelly Clements and Sarah Morgan – joining our MSA team

Class newsletters will be sent out on Monday 6th September and will include further details of educational visits, curriculum and PE/Forest School/Swimming times. Our curriculum is available on the website for all year groups.

It is vitally important for every child to have outstanding attendance in order for lost time to be made up. Please make sure you contact our PSA Mrs Kane if you have any difficulties psa@drake.norfolk.sch.uk .

Term dates

First day of term - Monday 6th September

Half term – Monday 25th- Friday 30th October

School closed for training – Tuesday 9th November

Last day of term – Friday 17th December

School day timings for children in Years 1-6

We are returning to our usual school day timings of 0845-1515.

At 0830 the Stag gate will open to admit children from Years 5 and 6. Parents to wait outside the gate please. At 0830 Fredericks gate will open to admit children from the SRB and Years 1-4. Parents are allowed on the field but not onto the playground. Please do not use your phone while on site. Please see the picture at the end of the letter which shows where each year group will be entering the school site. Both gates will close at 0850. Any child arriving after this time will be late and needs to come to the gate opposite the school office and wait to be collected by a member of SLT. In the afternoon gates will open at 1510. Children will be brought out by their class teachers at 1515.

These timings may seem tight, however our experience on the gates over the last two years has shaped our expectations. This will keep staff safe, reduce the anxiety for families who have expressed concern about multiple gates and create more space for social distancing.

School day timings for children in Reception

This information has already been emailed to families and we will see you all in the week starting Monday 13th September. Please contact the school office if unsure of the arrangements.

School lunches

We will be on week 3 of the Norse menu when we return on Monday 6th September. You can see the menus here - https://www.drake.norfolk.sch.uk/school-meals/

All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 will be having one of the school meals. Please do not bring in a home packed lunch.

Year 3-6 can pre-book and pay for meals by using the pupil asset parent app.

If you think your child may be eligible for free school meals you can apply here - https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/education-and-learning/schools/school-meals-and-milk

Communication apps

Children in Years 1-6 - parenthub has been ‘rolled up’ so you will find your children are in their new year groups. Pupil Asset Parent app is as before. Children in Reception – we use two apps to communicate with parents. Please install the Pupil Asset Parent app and the parenthub app. For parenthub our school handle is @PrimaryDrake