Hello everyone.  

I find it really hard to believe this is my last letter for this year. Although this has been such a challenging year for us all, it has gone very quickly.  

This is not the end of year for the children that I had planned in any way.  

I am so sad that all of the children will not be here for the last few days but we are thinking of you.  

I know there has been a lot in the news this week about restrictions lifting on Monday 19th July, especially around the wearing of face masks.  

I would ask that we can end the year by still wearing them on school premises for Monday and Tuesday. I feel that it is important in the light of the cases we have had in school to keep routines as they are for the last two days. Thank you for your support in this.  

Colourful clothes 

As we have had to cancel the Colour Run until September I would like the children to come in their most colourful clothes for the last two days, Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th July. Hopefully this will cheer us all up. The children at home can join in and send pictures on DB and Tapestry.  

Year 6 

On Tuesday the Year 6 children will be having a fun day on the school field. This is a very different ending for Year 6 but I would like to say that it has been a pleasure to have had all of this cohort of children in Sugar Hill. I am so proud of each and every one of them, having watched most of them through school since Nursery.  

It’s such a shame that they did not get to shine in their SATs because I know that everyone of them would have given their all and achieved well.  

I know that the Year 6 staff have all enjoyed teaching them this year and will be sad to see them go.  

I would like to wish everyone of them the very best of luck in their new schools and hopefully we will hear how they get on.  

Transition and September  

For all other children in school they will be moving to their new class and teacher in September.  

It is unfortunate that transition could not happen but the children will spend their first two weeks settling in and learning the new routines and remembering the old ones.  

Some news about the staff for September too.  

Mrs Preece and Miss Peveral will be retuning form maternity leave. Mrs Preece will teach class 10 for four days, Tuesday to Friday, and Mr Bell each Monday. 

For the other days Mr Bell will be in Year 6 as a third teacher. 

Miss Peveral will be teaching class 3 with Miss Sanderson.  

Miss Morgan will be here for a short time in September and then go on maternity leave. Mr Ferguson will teach class 11.  

COVID News and changes 

DfE guidance is followed at all times and as you know changes in COVID rules apply from Monday. 

From Monday 19th July the school are no longer required to contact close contacts of a positive case. This will be done by NHS Test and Trace. Therefore, for the last two days of term should there be a positive case only that child will not be in school. Test and Trace will ask the person to identify their close contacts 

The test process remains the same and school will still need to be notified immediately should your child test positive.   

Unfortunately, classes isolating now will have to complete the isolation period.  

Face coverings will no longer be required on the premises however this will remain a personal choice.  

As we are keeping the same format for collecting EYs and KS1 children you will still be asked to come in single file to ensure staff can see who the children go with.  

This is all if everything goes to plan. Should anything change then so will plans in school.  

I will send out information in the holiday with reminders and any updates.  

Reminder of Entrances and times for September 2021 

Nursery will arrive and leave at their usual time and entrance.  

Reception times have been sent in letters directly to parents/carers 

New Year 1 will arrive at Entrance C at 8.45am- 8.55am Finish time- 3.10pm 

New Year 2 will arrive at Entrance C at 8.55am-9.05am Finish time – 3.20pm 

New Year 3 will arrive at Entrance B at 8.55am-9.05am Finish time 3.20pm 

New Year 4 will arrive at Entrance B at 8.45am-8.55am Finish time 3.10pm 

New Year 5 will arrive at Entrance A at 8.55am-9.05am Finish time 3.20pm 

New Year 6 will arrive at Entrance A at 8.45am-8.55am Finish time 3.10pm 

Breakfast Club will start on Monday 6th September at a charge of £1.50 per day  

On return to school in September the whole school are following the book, “It’s Your World Now” for the first two weeks. During this time the children will be doing lots of art and really getting to know their new class.  

September standards 

Again, the standards that set us apart will be in place for uniform. Trainers will not be allowed. Hair accessories must be small and green. Uniform should be worn at all times. 

I have allowed trainers for the last couple of weeks of term but this will not be the case in September.  

PE kits will remain the same and children will wear their kit on their PE day. This is school sweatshirt and tracksuit bottoms or shorts, preferably these should be black or grey.  

Thank you 

I want to end this year by saying a massive thank you to you all for the support you have shown me and my staff over the last 18months. It has been a long journey for us all and not always an easy road, but hopefully we are coming out of the other side and will be stronger because of it. We have certainly learned many lessons. 

Your children have been amazing in every way, adapting to a new way of learning and to new systems in school with ease. They have just “got on with it” in a way that has surprised us all. I am so proud of them.   

There will always be a few parents/carers who may not agree with what I do and the way I do it, but at the heart of everything I have the very best interests of the children you trust to my care, including their safety, emotional wellbeing and their academic work.  

I would like to thank all of my staff for everything they do and have done during this time.  

Those who have kept the building clean at all times, the lunch time staff who have kept the children fed, the office staff who have made sure everything runs smoothly and the support and teaching staff who have kept the remote learning happening when needed and been here for the children when we have been back in school.  

A school is a team of people who all do their own jobs but who also work together. I can say that at Sugar Hill I have the best team ever, staff, parents/carers and children. Thank you everyone.  

I want to take this opportunity to wish each and very one of you a very happy and safe Summer. 

School closes Tuesday 20th September 2021 

School re opens on Thursday 2nd September 2021 

Mrs Paula O’Rourke