January 2021

The new year started, but I very much feel like it has just merged with 2020. We all know the importance of the lockdown, but for me this time it feels so much harder. The poor weather and fatigue have certainly not helped any of us.

We continue to work hard to maintain the school as a Covid secure environment. After a huge logistical and planning operation over the Christmas holidays, testing for staff and the vulnerable and key worker students in school is up and running. So far so good – no positive tests.

I have been very proud of the way the students have coped with the switch back to remote learning. The high quality lessons the staff are preparing as a blend of live lessons, prerecorded lessons and independent learning tasks ensure we can continue to follow our curriculum but also to recognise that every family’s situation is very different. Some of the work the students have uploaded is impressive and shows their commitment to their studies. Well done everyone, keep it up!

Student engagement with virtual registration has also been good. I know the tutors have really enjoyed having the opportunity to chat with the students. If anyone hasn’t joined virtual registration yet, please check your emails for your invite from your form tutor. The meetings take place in TEAMS, and while a camera and microphone would be great, just being able to see the others and join in via the text chat facility would be beneficial.

A huge thank you to Mrs Rowe who prepared our virtual assembly to commemorate World Holocaust Day on 27^th January. If students haven’t log into the assembly’s folder on the resources area, please do so and watch the relevant year group and whole school assemblies.

Ms Moss contacted all the staff and students a few weeks ago to ask for hints and tips to support our mental health during these challenging times. The response was incredible, and the ideas have all been collated into a padlet of advice, which all the students have been sent the link to. Please do have a look.

I am sure, like me, you watched or listen to the latest government announcement about schools. While having some idea of their plans is reassuring, we also have to remember that this potential reopening date of 8^th March will only happen if we all continue to follow the rules, minimise our contacts and adhere to social distancing.

Despite the reopening date not being set in stone, I would like to encourage as many families as possible to return their testing consent forms now. This means that when we do know a date, we can immediately start to plan a testing programme. These were previously emailed out to parents, but if you need a new copy please contact the office (01379 384837 / office@shs.set.education).

The school will be closed to everyone over the half term holiday (Monday 15^th – Friday 19^th February), reopening to vulnerable students and key worker students where there is no alternative on Monday 22^nd February. It is important that everyone (staff, students, and parents) take a break and forget about school during this time to enable us all to recharge our batteries.

Please stay safe and look after each other.

Mrs Millar