Dear parents/carers,
I hope that you are all keeping safe and well.
Most of you will have seen the staff music video that we created for all our wonderful children here at Brighstone. It
was really fun to do, and we hope you enjoyed watching it. Thank you for all your positive comments on Facebook
and on our text system – I know the video and all your comments brought tears to many eyes! I would like to say a
heartfelt thank you to Mrs Aram for organising it all, and to Mrs Rogers and her very talented husband for editing all
the individual videos and putting it all together. If you haven’t seen it yet, it is on the home page of our school
website, and a link to it is also on our Facebook page.
I know that many of you have been enjoying the opportunity to home-school your children, and we really value
seeing all the fun activities that you get up to. Please keep sending in your photos – we love them and it really helps
to keep us all connected. Some of you have also requested phone calls for your children from the adults in school –
it’s a good opportunity for the children to speak with their teacher or other adult, to talk about the learning and the
fun activities that they have been doing, and to help with their wellbeing. It has been lovely speaking with the
children! If you would like an adult in school to call and chat with your child, please send a text, email your class
home learning address or call the school directly, and we will arrange a suitable time. While a lot of your home
learning experiences may be positive, there will be times when it will become overwhelming. Please don’t hesitate to
contact us if you would like some advice or support. No question is too small, and you will find that many of you are
in the same situation and have the same queries and concerns.
The government has recently updated their information and guidance for parents to support them with home learn-
ing. This is attached with this email, and the link is here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/help-primary-school-children-continue-their-education-during-coronavirus-covid-19
Recently, there has been a lot of uncertainty across the nation following the Prime Minister’s announcement that
schools may partially reopen for children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6, and we really appreciate your support,
patience and understanding while preparations have been made and new risk assessments drawn up ensuring that
we are able to meet the regularly updated government advice and guidance. An initial letter was sent out to you all
following this announcement, and a second letter was emailed to you all today, further detailing our plans and
organisation. The government is expected to make a decision on Thursday 28th May, and we will contact you after
this with next steps.
To help lessen the transmission of the virus, social distancing measures are still in place across the country, and we
appreciate your support in continuing this while on the school site and when out and about. We politely request that
parents don’t enter the foyer where possible, as it is difficult to maintain social distancing in this small space. If you
need to contact the office, please ring us on 740285, email office@brighstoneprimary.org.uk or text via our
text system. We are also operating a cashless system as much as possible, so payments can be made via School
Money, or by ringing the office and paying by card over the phone. Further information about the preventative
measures in place are available in the letter that was emailed out this morning. Thank you for your understanding in
these matters.
After half-term, children in school and at home will be starting new topics! Each class will have their own topic (see
below), and these topic webs will be available in the usual home learning packs on our school website, along with
the other subjects, including English, Maths, Spellings/Phonics, Science, etc… Please remember to contact your
child’s class teacher via the class email address if you would like a paper pack of the home learning activities.
It is half-term next week and the sun is expected to shine! Please send in any photos of the half-term activities that
you get up to – we’d love to see them!
We wish you a fun and happy half-term holiday.
Best wishes,
Mrs Lennon and the Brighstone Team
Government advice – Help primary school children continue their education during coronavirus
Brighstone Buzz – Issue 29 – 22nd May