Head Teacher / Principal: Mrs J Downes

We are very pleased to have our school family back, but are very aware of how cautious everyone must be.
Thank you to all you who have been taking great care to adhere to the rules to keep us safe when picking your child or children up.

PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU FOLLOW THE ONE WAY SYSTEM, EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE – WE MUST FOLLOW THESE RULES FOR SAFETY.

This week is 94.7% - a super start, well done everyone. Let’s keep aiming for that 100% because we want everyone back together as a school family!

You will receive notice about PE days shortly.

We are also grateful that you have been bearing with us as we find the best times for you to drop off and collect.  We hope that this cruel virus disappears and that we won’t have to do this forever.  Whilst we are doing this though, please make sure that you continue to help us, by doing the following:

Only queue up for your son / daughter at the correct time.

We have had problems where parents of children are queueing up early, which increases risk of spreading germs as queues are held up by the correct parents/carers being too far back in the queue.  If you arrive early, please wait in your car, or where you are able to, or in the park (but take care not to use the equipment or gather closely together). 

Remember the times are:

 - Children with siblings : 8:40am - 3:00pm (Gate A: any child with siblings in KS1, Gate B: any child with siblings in only KS2)
 - Children without siblings at school 8:55am - 3:15pm (Gate A : KS1, Gate B: KS2)

We are aware that we will not always have wonderful weather, so please make sure that you
and your child / children are prepared for this. ALLchildren MUST have weatherproof coats EVERY
DAY. Please make sure that you help your son / daughter organise themselves.

Please park considerately

Some parents have parked their vehicles in the Chuch car park or on the road and have blocked members of staff in, while they go to the park or simply pick up their child. Please make sure that you do not do this as this is not good for our staff who wish to leave, other parents/carers and residents. We know it is difficult to find spaces, but being considerate is the least we can do, especially now.

No large bags and accessories/other items, ONLY use book bags.

We have noticed that some children are bringing in large bags and their own stationery. Please be aware that EVERYTHING in school brings risk of spreading Covid 19. Whilst you add more items to your child’s bag, you contirbute to higher risk. I expect all our boys and girls and staff to feel safe.

Speak up if something is wrong.

Safeguarding is ALWAYS one our first priorities in school, if your son or daughter feels uncomfortable
or unsafe in ANY way, please encourage them to tell us or you.

Father Joseph continues to pray for all our families of our school.
He has been to visit school today and sent his good wishes to everyone. There will be a separate letter for those children who were due to make their First Holy Communion this year.

Assemblies will still take place this year, beginning with recordings from myself for Gospel assemblies
and from Mrs Bullock for Values assemblies. We are now looking at how we can hold other assemblies, with Merit Assembly being one of our priorities. At the moment, we will aim to post them to our website where possible.

Please remember that for safety, children ONLY stay in their classroom for assemblies and do not yet use the hall or any other area to gather.

We have successfully raised £70.50, which we will be sending to the NHS.

As being clean and tidy is always important, I thought I’d share the winners of this week’s tidiest
classroom. It is Year 3.

Well done Year 3! Each boy and girl in Year 3 will receive a house point.

Who will win next week?

Children are welcome to wear non-uniform, but MUST NOT bring anything to share at all on school premises.

I know that you will be sad to hear that Mrs Tucker left at the end of last year, choosing to retire and spend more time with her family. She has been a great friend to our school for so many years and made such a difference to so many children as well as adults’ lives. We are lucky to have had her work at St Francis for over 20 years and I know you will join me in sending her prayers and good wishes for the future.
During this time, we are unable to join together to give a farewell to her, but as soon as we can, we will let you know.
We also say a fond farewell and good luck to Miss Turton who is going to be working in another school in Sandwell. She has left to pursue work with supporting children and we wish her the very best of luck for the future. Miss Turton, though here for less years, has also made an impact on so many people at St Francis and will be missed. Again, I know that you will want to pass on messages and say goodbye. As soon as we are able to do this, we will let you know.