Quick Answers about School: Updated 25th September, 2020

Assemblies: We won't be having assemblies at the moment, but we are still collecting team points and giving out class certificates. I'll also be emailing you certificates so you can show off at home, and you'll get team points for spellings, mental maths, tables and class certificates, as well as the usual things like kindness, hard work, thoughtfulness and all the other lovely things you do many times each day.

End of the Day: We will line up just inside the school gates and keep an eye out for socially-distanced adults appearing at the top of the drive. It's really helpful if you keep an eye out, as you're more likely to recognise your nan when she's wrapped up in three anoraks, a woolly scarf and a facemask, so don't be afraid to say if you see Uncle Jim appear at the top of the drive. It all helps!

Hand sanitiser and hand-washing: Everything needed is in the classroom. We will be washing our hands regularly as a preference to hand sanitiser, but we might do either, depending on the situation. You do not need to bring your own hand sanitiser, because we want to keep home things and school things separate. If, like Mr. Speck, you prefer handwashing over the hand sanitiser, that'll be fine; we have a sink in the classroom and all the equipment necessary.

Lunch: We are eating in the hall. There are some changes about where we queue and sit, but nothing to worry about. We will go into the hall at 12:00, spaced out after the Inca-Jays, and will go out to play on our own playground area.

Pencil cases: You don't need these, so please don't bring them. Everything you need is at school already.

PE - This is on Tuesdays and Fridays, although Friday is a slightly-shorter session. We change in two separate groups in the hall and the classroom, but some people are more comfortable simply coming to school in their PE Kit on those days; there is no problem with that. We use outdoors as much as possible for Tuesday PE sessions, and Fridays is an aerobic-style keep fit session, so you are spaced apart in the hall.

Playtimes: We are separate from the rest of the school. Our playground is at the top of the school, where the minibus would normally be parked. No-one else will be using that playground. After a class discussion we have arranged for the minibus to be moved so there is as much space as possible, and we've repurposed some of the barriers to make separate areas for those who want to run and play, and those who prefer to wind down with a little peace and quiet. After half-term we are planning to swap playgrounds with the Golden Eagles and take a turn on the MUGA.

Reading books: Like pencil cases, we want to keep home things at home and school things at school. To start with, we will be reading all together, but don't worry—I won't be making you read out loud to everyone. You will have a library book that only you have touched which will stay in your tray at school. You may have one to take home, but that'll be a little different, because when it comes back to school it will have to go in a special place for 72 hours. You may read to adults, but will sit side-by-side with a little distance between you, and this won't be happening as often.

Seats: You are sitting in rows, so you are not facing each other, and it's important that you resist the temptation to turn around to speak to the people behind you. We are not working in groups at the moment, but you are able to work in a pair, though again it's best to try not to face each other whilst talking. Lessons are spent sitting down, and there isn't as much chance to move about.

Snacks: Bring your snacks as normal. We will eat them on our own special area of the playground. There is no change to the rules about snacks, and I will be enjoying my usual diet of apples and way too many carrots! Mrs. Essex, I think, favours the low-calorie cereal bars from B&M Home Bargains.

Taking books home: Some people will be given a selection of book-banded books to take home, although not everyone. You will have a library book to read in school, but you may also take a library book home if your home book collection is running a bit short or you just fancy something different. Let me know you've chosen a book (Only touching the one you're taking home, please!) and when it comes back to school it will have to go in the tray in the cloakroom for 72 hours. We will not be taking home a reading record because of the 72 hour waiting period, but you can log on at home and use your school email to tell me about your reading, or write in your reading record at school.

Team points: We're collecting these just like normal. The only difference is that there won't be an assembly on a Friday, but the scores will still be displayed in the hall so you can check them during PE or lunchtimes. We are still doing three class certificates each week, but they'll be given out in class and also emailed to you rather than handed out in a celebration assembly. There will be team points for certificates (as well as team points certificates!) and things like tables scores, spellings and so on.

Toilets: We will be using the toilets next to the office. They are now unisex, and no-one else will be using them.

Wet Play: I will provide activities that you can do during wet play, but sadly the COVID restrictions mean there's a long list of things you simply can't do. You may colour, play Top Trumps with your partner, talk to other people or read your library book, and we may also have a film of some kind playing. You can't move around, swap places, play with toys or touch other people's things, and you should try not to face people as you speak to them.