Yr5 COVID19 Update – 13.5.21

13th May 2021Mr Bennett

COVID19 Update and Further info for Year 5

*As sent via email

Dear Parents and Carers, 

Further to our announcement (via text, email and social media) that there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the school, we need to update you with the following information:

We have carried out a full risk assessment having spoken to Local Authority Public Health Advisors.

A pupil has tested positive.  The Year 5 children have been identified as in close contact with the case. In line with the national guidance we recommend that your child now stays at home and self-isolate until Saturday 22nd May.

Your child must not go to school or any public areas: your child must remain at home. Further details of what your child needs to do are in NHS Guidance:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-for-coronavirus/nhs-test-and-trace-if-youve-been-in-contact-with-a-person-who-has-coronavirus/

We are asking you to do this to reduce the further spread of COVID 19 to others in the community. If you need support with isolation, please contact your local Council.

Other members of your household can continue normal activities provided your child does not develop symptoms within the self-isolation period.

If your child is well at the end of the period of self-isolation, then they can return to usual activities.

Pupils will need to remain off school until Year 5 reopens to pupils on Monday 24th May 2021.

The education of your child will continue via Google Classroom as used in previous closures. Staff will begin to move work to this platform as quickly as possible. Please allow 24 hours for work to appear.

What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19

For most people, especially children, COVID-19 will be a mild illness.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are recent onset of:

  • new continuous cough and/or
  • high temperature and/or
  • a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

If your child develops any of these symptoms of COVID-19, they should remain at home and arrangements should be made for them to be tested. At that time all other household members must also stay at home, not go to work, school or public areas, even for exercise.

Testing can be arranged by calling 119 or via the NHS website: nhs.uk/coronavirus

When the result of the child’s test is known further advice will be available.

How to stop COVID-19 spreading

There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19:

  • wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
  • use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
  • wash your hands as soon as you get home
  • cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
  • put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

Further information

Further information is available at nhs.uk/coronavirus

Yours sincerely

Mrs Cunningham

Headteacher

Reception visit the Urban Factory!

12th May 2021A Stelling

Some children in Reception were lucky enough to be chosen to visit the Urban Factory. We were so excited as this was our first school trip! We took part in lots of gymnastic activities and our teachers were so amazed at how much confidence we demonstrated.

 

Mental Health Awareness Week 2021

10th May 2021Mr Bennett

Mental Health Awareness Week (10th – 16th May) is an annual event when there is an opportunity for the whole of the UK to focus on achieving good mental health. The Mental Health Foundation started the event 21 years ago. Each year the Foundation continues to set the theme, organise and host the Week. The event has grown to become one of the biggest awareness weeks across the UK and globally.

Mental Health Awareness Week is open to everyone. It is all about starting conversations about mental health and the things in our daily lives that can affect it. This year we want as many people as possible – individuals, communities and governments – to think about connecting with nature and how nature can improve our mental health.

However, the Week is also a chance to talk about any aspect of mental health that people want to – regardless of the theme.

We also want to support our parents. Please note the two meetings below:

Friday 7th May is NSPCC Number day!

5th May 2021Mr Bennett
Dear parents/carers,
Friday 7th May is NSPCC Number day!
Children will be completing fun maths based investigations and activities during the day.
Pupils are welcome to wear something green in addition to their uniform, which is in keeping with NSPCC colours, or something with numbers on if they wish.
Small donations are welcome which can be paid via Parent Pay. The funds raised from Number Day will support vital NSPCC services such as ‘Speak Out. Stay Safe’, which visits primary schools across the UK to teach students all about the dangers of abuse and what they can do to help.

What is the NSPCC?

The NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) is a leading children’s charity that works to protect children from abuse and help those affected to recover. 

Why is NSPCC Number Day important?

NSPCC Number Day is important for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it helps children to become aware of how they can seek support if they need it, such as contacting their Childline service. The funds raised also support the NSPCC and make sure that they’re able to help as many children as possible. 

This event is also a great chance to encourage children to enjoy maths and help them develop their skills in a fun, positive and motivational way. 

£10 Aldi vouchers

30th April 2021Mr Bennett

£10 Aldi voucher sent out today

You may be wondering why families have received a £10 voucher for Aldi? As we shared in our update on the 26th March, all families would receive a £10 Aldi voucher (except those families in receipt of free school meals who received a £25 voucher as before) from South Tyneside Council.  

This is in recognition that all of our families have been in some way affected by Covid 19. The vouchers are funded from the Covid Winter Grant Scheme. This is the same funding that has supported means tested free school meals families since December 2020.

All children came home with an envelope to ensure no one felt left out. If you are in receipt of free school meals then a slip was included rather than a voucher to explain the situation.

Enjoy!

If you aren’t yet receiving our email updates, please sign up below:

https://forms.gle/JvdeTAS3ZScMsrZ97

Our original post.
https://mortimerprimary.co.uk/easter-and-a-whole-lot-more-26-3-21/

School Reports

30th April 2021Mr Bennett
Dear parents/carers,

One of the difficulties we have faced, during the pandemic, has been conducting parents’ evenings in our usual way.

With some level of normality, the summer written report will be sent to all parents on Friday 16th July.

If you have any queries, before or after the report, please contact the school and we will be happy to help!

Enjoy your Bank Holiday Weekend.

With thanks!

29th April 2021A Stelling
We received a special delivery of five tomato plants recently from one of our Year 5 children’s grandparent.
The plants will be cared for by the children who are currently looking after our vegetable patch. The kind donation also came with larger pots to rehouse the plants once they grow a little bigger. The plants have moved into the greenhouse at school to protect them for a while especially whilst we are experiencing such bizarre weather!
Many thanks again for the donation. We will take good care of them.

Latest Update 23.4.21

23rd April 2021Mr Bennett

Our first week back is nearly over! Shakespeare has been studied, performed and vocalised across the school! Thankfully, no tomatoes were thrown!

Just a few things to update you all with:

  • Aldi Vouchers
  • Swimming
  • Start2Finish after school clubs
  • South Shields Junior Cricket
  • Green Fingers
  • Year 6 Prom
Have a safe and enjoyable weekend!

Aldi Vouchers

We mentioned before Easter that families would be receiving a £10 voucher for Aldi. These will be distributed next week.

 

Start2Finish

A number of clubs started this week.

Wednesday – Athletics Years 1 & 2

Thursday – Gymnastics Years 4 & 5

Friday – Athletics  Years 3 & 4

Email [email protected] for further details.

 

Swimming

Year 3 start swimming lessons next week. 3JDa (Mrs Davidson) are first up. Don’t forget your towel!

 

South Shields Junior Cricket

Get the latest info on free sessions of cricket at https://mortimerprimary.co.uk/junior-cricket-2021/

 

Green fingers

Check out what some green finger pupils have been up to https://mortimerprimary.co.uk/five-a-day-we-are-on-our-way/

 

Year 6 Prom

N.B. The school is not involved in the organising or running of this event.

Parents are making plans using the Friendly Community of Mortimer Primary group on Facebook to stage a Year 6 Prom.

The parents are looking to organise the prom at the Customs House for the year 6 leavers. You can contact Claire Linklater on 07747845232 or email [email protected] for more details. Sure to be a fabulous time for all the deserving children, so don’t delay if your child wants to go.

JUNIOR CRICKET 2021

22nd April 2021Mr Bennett

SOUTH SHIELDS CRICKET CLUB

JUNIOR CRICKET 2021

Boys and Girls Training FREE
School years 1, 2, 3
5-6 pm.
Fridays from April 16th-May 21st.
South Shields Cricket Club
All-Stars Cricket
School years 1, 2, 3
5-6 pm.
Register ClubSpark / All Stars / South Shields CC
Fridays from May 28th-July 16th.
South Shields Cricket Club
All sessions led by ECB qualified coaches,
with Safeguarding Young Cricketer qualifications and DBS clearance.
All equipment provided.
Please email [email protected] to receive registration form or for further information.
Thank you.
South Shields Cricket Club.

Five a day, We Are On Our Way…

21st April 2021A Stelling

Six eager Year 5 children helped Mrs Mackay transform a large planter in the school garden. The planter was overgrown and full of weeds which were cleared and the soil turned over and raked. Each child was allocated a section of the planter which was marked out. They were given either seeds for vegetables such as radishes, spinach or seed potatoes to plant and a marker to signpost what had been planted. The children involved are now on a rota to ensure the seeds are regularly watered. We hope to see some vegetables growing in our school garden soon.