23rd July 2021Mr Bennett
Mortimer Primary School
Excellence for all
COVID19 Update Year 5/5HA – 23.7.21
Dear Parent/Carer/Guardian,

following on from our initial communications please read the following: 

Advice for Child to Self-Isolate for 10 Days 

Your child’s school has been advised that there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the school setting.

Following a risk assessment with the local authority public health team in line with the latest public health advice, the school has identified that your child has been in close contact with the individual who has had a positive test result for coronavirus (COVID-19) via PCR.

 

Pupils who attended the Monday party 19.7.21 (pupils across year 5)

In line with the national guidance your child must now stay at home until midnight Thursday 29th July. Your child must not go to school, childcare settings or any public areas: your child must remain at home.

Pupils who attend school on Tuesday 20.7.21(5HA)

In line with the national guidance your child must now stay at home until midnight Friday 30th July. Your child must not go to school, childcare settings or any public areas: your child must remain at home.

 

If your child has continued to attend school since Wednesday then this information does not apply.

 

If your child is well at the end of the 10-day period of self-isolation, then they can return to their usual activities.

Other members of your household can continue normal activities provided your child does not develop symptoms within the 10-day self-isolation period.

For more information, please see the guidance for contacts of people with confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection who do not live with the person.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-contacts-of-people-with-possible-or-confirmed-coronavirus-covid-19-infection-who-do-not-live-with-the-person

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  https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

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

If you need support with isolation, please contact your local Council. Please see appendix 1 which gives details of financial support available through the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme.

Yours sincerely

Tom Hall

Director of Public Health

 

Appendix 1

Financial support if you have to take time off work to care for your child while they are self-isolating

If you are on a low income and you need to take time off work to care for your child while they are self-isolating, you may be eligible for financial support from your local council  through the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme.

The Test and Trace Support Payment scheme is open to people who live in England and who meet the following criteria:

  • They are the parent or guardian of a child or young person in the same household and need to take time off work to care for them while they self-isolate; this is limited to one parent or guardian per household for the child or young person’s self-isolation period
  • Are employed or self-employed
  • Are unable to work from home while undertaking caring responsibilities and will lose income as a result
  • They are currently receiving or are the partner of someone in the same household who is receiving at least one of the following benefits:

o          Universal Credit

o          Working Tax Credit

o          income-based Employment and Support Allowance

o          income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

o          Income Support

o          Housing Benefit

o          Pension Credit

  • Their child or young person:

o          is aged 15 or under (or 25 or under with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHC) and normally attends an education or childcare setting

o          has been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace or by their education or childcare setting because they have been identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19

Discretionary payments are also available for people on low incomes who are not on means-tested benefits but who may still face hardship as a result of the requirement to self-isolate. Your local council may have additional eligibility criteria in place for discretionary payments.

If you are eligible, you will receive a £500 payment from your local authority in addition to any benefits and Statutory Sick Pay you receive currently. If you are unsure which local authority you should claim from, you can check on Find your Local Council on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council

Your local council will contact your child’s school to verify the information you provide about your child as part of the process of confirming whether you are eligible for a payment.

You can see the full eligibility criteria for the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme and find out how to apply at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/test-and-trace-support-payment-scheme-claiming-financial-support/claiming-financial-support-under-the-test-and-trace-support-payment-scheme

If you think you meet the eligibility criteria listed above and would like to apply to your local council for a payment from the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme, you should provide this letter to your local council to support your application. You will not be able to make an application for a payment from the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme without this letter.

 

 
Phone: 0191 455 4504
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.mortimerprimary.co.uk

 

22nd July 2021Mr Bennett
Mortimer Primary School
Excellence for all
Year 5 COVID Update – 22.7.21
We have contacted parents of 5HA this morning, as we have had a confirmed positive case via lateral flow test.

Further information has come to light which affects children from other year 5 classes.

Upon consultation with Public Health, children who attended a cinema party, for pupils in year 5, on Monday evening (19.7.21) will also need to isolate as they are deemed close contacts.

Please collect your child asap from the main office. Children will be isolated in school until then.

We will update further asap regarding the results of the PCR

Thank you

 
Phone: 0191 455 4504
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.mortimerprimary.co.uk

Y4 Ancient Greece Day 2021

20th July 2021A Stelling

What a day Y4 had yesterday to bring their topic on Ancient Greece to an end!

Lessons using the Greek Alphabet and Greek Numbers marked the start of the day. Followed by a history of the Greek Olympics and a little bit of research about the coming Modern Olympics starting this week!

The children enjoyed perfecting the skill of discus throwing, javelin and chariot racing – all with a little modern twist.

After all this hard work it was time for a Greek feast! Many of the children tried lots of different delicacies and couldn’t wait to come back for seconds.

This was an absolutely brilliant day, made even better by the effort of the costumes being worn! Well done to all the mums, dads and grown-ups who helped to robe the children. It really did make the day.

We hope you enjoy the photos.

17th July 2021Mr Bennett
Mortimer Primary School
Excellence for all
COVID19 Update Reception – 17.7.21
COVID19 Update and Further info for Reception parents

Dear Parents and Carers, 

Please note – The following information relates only to those pupils in attendance on Thursday 15th and Friday 16th July 2021, at present. Parents of children not in school on these dates should speak to the school.

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

At least one child has tested positive and been confirmed via a PCR test.  We have carried out a full risk assessment having spoken to Local Authority Public Health Advisors and pupils are required to isolate as per the following information. 

The Reception 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 midnight Sunday 25th July.

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. Unfortunately, Reception pupils will not return this term and will rejoin school in year 1. Reports release on Friday detailed your child’s new class and teacher.

The education of your child will continue via Tapestry as used in previous closures.

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

Important questions can be asked by replying to this email.

Yours sincerely

Mrs Cunningham

Headteacher

 
Phone: 0191 455 4504
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.mortimerprimary.co.uk

16th July 2021Mr Bennett

Y2 Meet Your Teacher 

Dear parents/carers,

Like you, we are disappointed that the current year 2 pupils will not get to meet their new teacher today. Your reports are being sent out and you will be able to see which class your child is in next academic year.

To offer something useful for the children, we have set up online Meet Your Teacher sessions on Tuesday 20th July. The times are as follows:

  • 10am Mrs Davidson
  • 10:30 Mrs Grant
  • 11am Mr Douglas

A minute or two before the start the children will be let into the meeting – see links below. Please note this is for the children and not the parents! If your child has any questions, then the teachers will be happy to answer them. We’ve allocated 30minutes per meeting but we don’t expect them to last this long.

Please only join the meeting for your child’s new teacher, your child should not attend any of the other sessions.

We hope as many children can join in as possible.

Any questions can be asked by replying to this email.

Many thanks

Mr Bennett

 

Meet Your Teacher – Mrs Davidson

Tuesday, 20 July · 10:00 – 10:30am

Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/ccc-jgke-fsn

 

Meet Your Teacher – Mrs Grant

Tuesday, 20 July · 10:30 – 11:00am

Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/tuu-wsfj-jtz

 

Meet Your Teacher – Mr Douglas

Tuesday, 20 July · 11:00 – 11:30am

Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/nbm-nfqs-cvi

 

Digging for Victory

16th July 2021A Stelling

Our Year 5 gardening monitors have cared for our vegetable garden all term and today Mrs Mackay encountered four Year 6 evacuees who needed to be put to work.

The evacuees worked hard digging up the much needed veg for the war effort and were astonished at what Year 5 had grown. Mrs Cunningham (owner of the land) also pitched in and has taken the crop to be made into some stew.
A huge thank you to the Year 5 monitors for their care and diligence this term and of course to the evacuees who worked in hot conditions digging for victory!

15th July 2021Mr Bennett
Mortimer Primary School
Excellence for all
End of term update Year 1- 15.7.21
Dear parents/carers,

End of term update – Year 1

Following the isolation of several Year 1 pupils, we would like to inform you of the following points:

  • Reports
    • Your child’s school report can be collected from the school office between 3:30 and 4:00 on Friday 16th July. Any not collected after this time will be posted.
    • If your child is in school, then they will bring their report home as normal.
    • This report will include their new teacher and class.
    • If you have recently moved house and haven’t updated the school, please complete the Google form https://forms.gle/TPMrNjd8Rk391yQo7
  • Meet the teacher
    • Children who miss this Friday’s Class Changeover will have time with their next teacher upon their return to school.
  • Questions
    • If you have any questions, you can reply directly to this email.

 

Kind regards

Mr Bennett

*If you are not receiving school emails, please sign up at https://forms.gle/rRH4Jo8gyF1neeFj6

 
Phone: 0191 455 4504
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.mortimerprimary.co.uk

15th July 2021Mr Bennett
Mortimer Primary School
Excellence for all
End of Term Update Year 2 – 15.7.21
Dear parents/carers,

End of term update – Year 2

Following the isolation of Year 2 pupils, we would like to inform you of the following points:

  • Reports
    • Your child’s school report will be posted to you as they continue to isolate.
    • Children in school will bring theirs home as normal.
    • This report will include their new teacher and class.
    • If you have recently moved house and haven’t updated the school, please complete the Google form https://forms.gle/TPMrNjd8Rk391yQo7
  • Meet the teacher
    • A Google Meet will be set up for Tuesday next week. The times for this will be communicated through the children’s Google Classroom.
  • Return to school
    • We are extremely sad that under the 10 days isolation period, pupils will not return during this term.
    • Information regarding the new term will be communicated with parents in due course.
  • Questions
    • If you have any questions, you can reply directly to this email.

 

Kind regards

Mr Bennett

*If you are not receiving school emails, please sign up at https://forms.gle/rRH4Jo8gyF1neeFj6

 
Phone: 0191 455 4504
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.mortimerprimary.co.uk

15th July 2021Mr Bennett
Mortimer Primary School
Excellence for all
End of term update Year 6 – 15.7.21
Dear parents/carers,

End of term update – Year 6

Following the isolation of Year 6 pupils, we would like to inform you of the following points:

  • Reports
    • Your child’s final school report will be posted to you, if they are isolating.
    • Children in school will bring theirs home as normal.
    • If you have recently moved house and haven’t updated the school, please complete the Google form https://forms.gle/TPMrNjd8Rk391yQo7
  • Last day of school
    • For the vast majority of year 6, Friday 23rd July, will be their last day in school.
    • We are planning to make this a great day with their leavers assembly taking place and we are even trying to pull a disco together…fingers crossed!
  • Questions
    • If you have any questions, you can reply directly to this email.

Kind regards

Mr Bennett

 
Phone: 0191 455 4504
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.mortimerprimary.co.uk

15th July 2021Mr Bennett
Mortimer Primary School
Excellence for all
Year 2 COVID Update – 15.7.21
COVID19 Update and Further info for Year 2

Dear Parents and Carers, 

Please note – The following information relates only to those pupils in attendance on Tuesday 13th July 2021. Parents with children not in attendance on this day should speak to school regarding their child’s attendance moving forward.

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

A child has tested positive and this has been confirmed via a PCR test.  We have carried out a full risk assessment having spoken to Local Authority Public Health Advisors and pupils are required to isolate as per the following information. 

The Year 2 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 midnight Friday 23rd July.

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 we reopen in September. A separate email will follow, which will discuss some points for the end of term.

The education of your child will continue via Google Classroom as used in previous closures.

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

 
Phone: 0191 455 4504
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.mortimerprimary.co.uk