A Message to Parents/Carers

by Miss A. Hunter | Jun 25, 2020 | Nursery, Reception, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6

Good morning, St Alban’s Parents/Carers, we posted a similar message very early on into the lock down period, however feel parents may need reminded of some points.

St Alban’s Parents/Carers (otherwise known as newly qualified teachers),

You’re now 14 weeks into your new teaching career, and we just wanted to say you’re all doing a great job!

We have all been working in schools for many years so we fully appreciate how stressful it can be to try and keep little people on task, especially if you have your own work to do at the same time.

Just take a step back and remember… You’re doing great!

Here are some little tips to help boost your morale in the coming weeks:

Create time for yourself – we escape to the staff room and have 5 minutes peace. You need to do the same from time to time and have some time just for you…if you can.

Don’t feel that you have to stick to a timetable, sometimes when the children are really engaged in something, it is best to let them continue with it. Even if it takes them longer than expected, that is absolutely fine. Children may not have completed a worksheet this week, but they have paddled in the sea, completed long bike rides, they have planted flowers, baked cakes and so much more. All of these are providing the children with new learning opportunities and life skills. You could be nurturing the next Jamie Oliver or Bradley Wiggins!

Keep a diary/journal and take photos. We are living through quite a surreal time. Get the children to keep an account of what they get up to – pictures, drawings, painting, write letters, post cards. This can then be shared with classmates when they return to school and even with future generations! We love to see what the children have been getting up to, and sharing this on social media with their friends.

It is a very strange world for everyone at the moment. It is fine that the children enjoy down time during the day, but equally parents/carers need that down time too. Keep in touch! Keep looking on our website and Facebook pages.

So once again, thank you for everything that you are doing to keep the education of your child going. Just remember all children are different – so what works for one child, may not work for another.

We are so looking forward to welcoming the children back, we’re missing them all greatly – whenever that may be and when we do, we will simply pick up from whichever point they are at and once again let them enjoy and excel in the presence of God.

Please do not worry. You really are doing a super job.

We hope that you’re all safe and well, and hope to see you all again soon.

Take care,

From all staff at St Alban’s.

Looking After Your Own and Your Family’s Oral Health: A Guide for Parents and Carers

by Miss A. Hunter | Jun 11, 2020 | Nursery, Reception, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6

The Public Health Team working in partnership with the Oral Health Promotion department for Newcastle Hospital’s Community Health, have produced some resources to support parents and carers to look after their own and their children’s dental health. To view the resources, please click here.

The above information guide provides information on how to look after oral health from baby – adulthood, how to access dental treatment currently and useful websites. It includes tooth brushing tips and facts that readers may be unaware of. A 4 minute film ‘Smile’ has been created, which provides the information in a visual way also. To view the video, please click here.

Letter to Parents 29.05.20

by Mr M. Smith | May 29, 2020 | Nursery, Reception, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6

Westbourne Avenue, Walkerdene, Newcastle upon Tyne. NE6 4HQ (0191) 2625552 

e-mail: admin@stalbans.newcastle.sch.uk

Dear Parents and Carers, 

RE: Reopening of School

Since the Prime Minister first announced that Primary Schools would open to Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 pupils from 1st June, we have worked tirelessly to assess and evaluate the possibility of this happening at St. Alban’s. The safety of pupils, staff and their families, has always been our number one priority throughout the planning process.

Governors and staff have waited for Government and Local Authority guidance on the reopening of schools (i.e. those beyond our current responsibilities to be open in support of children of essential workers and caring for vulnerable children). The government has now published its final guidance. To recap on the Government recommendation: ‘If schools think their local situation and risk plans enable safe reopening, those schools will reopen at the earliest from 1 June, in a gradual and phased return of children.’

Our region however, remains one of national and local concern, specifically because of the rate of infection and the implications upon health. Therefore, under local authority advice and guidance, schools in Newcastle and Gateshead are taking a cautious and measured approach to plans for welcoming children back.   

As a result, It is regrettable that we are not able to re-open school to additional children on the 1^st June but we feel it is so important to adopt the approach of Newcastle City Council based around safety and caution as the guiding principal (refer to Newcastle City Council letter dated 22^nd May- on school website).

In line with local authority advice and our risk management and safety planning, we do propose to reopen the school for Year 6 children from Monday 8th June.

St. Alban’s Governors and staff will assess the school’s safety practices and evaluate the success of the Year 6 return.  This will allow us to make an informed decision about scheduling the return of Year 1 pupils.

I will share more details, such as starting times and new school routines, with you, as soon as it is possible to do so. In the meantime, thank you for your patience and support during this very challenging and anxious time. 

Mr. M. Smith

29^th May 2020

School Assembly

by Miss A. Hunter | May 15, 2020 | Nursery, Reception, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6

Mr Smith has delivered an assembly for all the children of St Alban’s. Please see the video below: