Good Afternoon To Everyone

Dear Parents/Carers,

Re: Easter Holidays

Good afternoon. Firstly, and most importantly, all the staff hope and pray that you and your close and extended families are safe and well.

There has been a lot of talk about heroes recently, with key workers and especially NHS staff receiving, rightly so, the many plaudits. I would like to add to this list…the children themselves and you, the parents.

A lot of St Gregory’s staff have young children at home due to school closures so fully understand how distressing and intense it can be at home all the time…whilst also trying to do your day job!

We have loved all the photos, pictures of work, videos and comments that parents have sent to us. I know all the staff have endeavoured to get back in touch and I want to encourage you to continue to stay connected. However…

We are now formally on ‘Easter Holidays’ for two weeks. Admittedly, these will not be normal holidays for any of us but I want to share the following with you in the hope it reassures you. All the teachers have contributed to the following points:

1. We aren't expecting families to 'TEACH', but to help their children to recall learning, and to keep things ticking over
2. We appreciate families still need to work from home, and to give reassurance that we understand that you need to do whatever works for your family in terms of your routine/timetable for the children. The timetable on the website might help. Or you can devise your own. We fully understand none of us can work from home and teach at the same time…effectively. It’s impossible!!!!
3. We have decided that after Easter, we will send reports out to parents. This is what we do every year at this time and these will have ideas of personalised things to work on as well as comments about your amazing child. If families want to focus on the areas the teachers highlight…great. However, please do not feel pressurised to do this. It is more important that you ensure your child’s emotional well-being is prioritised first.
1. We want to reassure families that when we return to school, we will assess where the children are at in their learning and will then be working relentlessly to help the children to be where they need to be in terms of their learning and age-related expectations (ARE). Leave that to us.
2. So please don't worry about having to teach new concepts, we'll get them to where they need to be when we are all back.

Instead, if it is possible, treasure this enforced time with your precious children. Enjoy the painting, the drawing, the singing, dancing, games inside and outside, video creations, watching TV and having meals together as well as the reading, writing, maths, baking, gardening, singing happy birthday to Rocky (thanks to Seb and Alex), PE with Joe and the time to just BE as a family.

And finally, you know you can contact us, via email, at anytime. Over the Easter Holidays, we may take a little longer to reply to you, but rest assured we will. I will continue to text as and when I think it is necessary and any additional information for home learning or coronavirus updates will be uploaded onto the school website. Please check into the website regularly.

Have a peaceful two weeks.

Stay safe…Stay at home…Support the NHS…Save Lives.

Yours Sincerely

Mr J Daley

Watch a very special 'Happy Birthday' below ....

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

Please click the links for the most up to date guidance from the Government and Public Health England

Guidance for education settings Information for parents

NHS Handwashing Song at the bottom of this page