Home Learning
Latest update - 22-06-20
Good morning everyone,
Can I just start by saying how lovely it has been welcoming more children back to school from last week - it now feels more like a school should, and we are so happy to be able to provide some sort of provision for those children who are able to attend.
On this note, for most of our groups (year 6, 1 and reception) we have now reached our capacity with current staffing and resources and can admit no more children at this time. This is being constantly reviewed in light of any changes to government guidance, so watch this space - but for now, any children in reception, year 1 and year 6 who would like to return to school will be added to a 'wait list' until we have the room and the staff to be able to care for them safely. There are some spaces on some days for children in the critical worker/vulnerable group, so if you think your child may fit into this category and would like them to return, please get in touch and we will see what we can do.
It is looking extremely unlikely, unless directives given to schools change significantly in the next couple of weeks, that we will be able to welcome any children back from other year groups (y2-5) before September - we realise this is disappointing, as it is for us too, but ultimately it is a decision made based on safety implications for all.
Online learning is continuing to be uploaded to our website - www.gunterprimary.org, on the 'children' drop down menu. As of today, there will be a new, clearer structure to this, so please do visit the site later and click on the link to this weeks new learning (W/b 22nd June). There will be a new set of work uploaded each week until the summer now.
In addition to this, I have added some suggested work for those children in year 6 who are not currently attending school, to help them prepare for the move to year 7 in September - if at all possible it would be really useful for your child to work through these in the coming weeks.
With regards to staffing for September, I will shortly be in a position to share this with you and the children, so they know which staff they will be working with in their next year group - where possible, at least one member of staff (teacher or Teaching Assistant) is moving up with each year group, to help them with the very challenging transition that we are all going to face this year.
Your child's end of year report will be sent to you via email in July, with the opportunity to give feedback or ask questions remotely. Please look out for this.
For September, we are still waiting to hear from government what schools will look like when we return - it is expected that an announcement will be made this week with regards to possibly shortening the social distance required, which will obviously make it much more possible to be able to get all children back - but watch this space please.
And finally, just a reminder that children attending school MUST only arrive on site within their allocated time slot - this is to ensure that we have no cross over of children or families in different 'bubbles'. This is vital for the continued health and safety of all children and staff, so please do your absolute best to stick to these times. If you are unsure about anything, get in touch via email or on 0121 464 2367.
Key worker/vulnerable group (y3-5) 8.30 to 8.45am arrival
Year 6 group 9am to 9.15am arrival
Year 1 group - 9.30 to 9.45am arrival
Reception group 9.45 to 10am arrival.
The Department for Education updated their guidance for parents on 18th June, and the link to this is below:
Thank you.
School updates:
Pupil's work:
Back to school social stories:
Support for children
Need someone to talk to? Struggling to cope with feelings? Pause is here for you, if you are under 25 and have a Birmingham GP.
We offer a non-judgemental listening ear, self-help strategies plus skills for managing difficult situations and feelings. We are open 10-6 seven days a week.
Drop us an email on askbeam@childrenssociety.org.uk or call 0207 8414470 and we will arrange for one of our friendly team to call you back.
For more info check out https://www.forwardthinkingbirmingham.org.uk/
SEND support
Support for Parents
Star Academies have launched a national helpline for parents. Parents can speak to qualified teachers about home learning. It will be open six days per week. The StarLine: 0330 313 9162.
DfE coronavirus helpline
Telephone 0800 046 8687
If you have a query about coronavirus (COVID-19), relating to schools and other educational establishments in England contact our helpline.
Lines are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm and weekends 10am to 4pm.
Children's Advice and Support Service
If you have a safeguarding concern about any child please contact CASS on 0121 303 1800.
If you encounter a dangerous or unsafe situation please contact the police.
ONLINE MUSIC OFFER
SFE’s Music Service have been busy putting together an Online Learning Platform for your pupils and families to access.
This platform is a suite of videos to support all levels of learning covering every instrument and the voice. It will help those pupils who have whole class lessons in KS1 through to the upper-level musicians in secondary school and 6th form.
These resources are available only to those schools that have a contract with SFE for music provision during the Summer Term.
Please share the following link, username and password with all of your parents and pupils, for example, we are happy for you to share it via your social media or on your school website.
www.sfeonline.co.uk
Username: gunterpri
Password: mG6m3cBR
Unicef - Rights Respecting Schools activities
WHOLE SCHOOL PROJECT
We would like the whole school to engage in a local studies project that can involve all family members. This can be based on any aspect that your child/ren and you as a family are interested in. It could include famous landmarks, historical events, transport networks, famous people from the area, the history of the school or any other ideas that you have.
Children could carry out research, interview(not face to face of course) family members and friends, build models of buildings, create PowerPoints, newspaper reports, record audio reports, do a blog, draw, paint, make collages, make maps, produce collections of items that represent the local area, use Lego or construction equipment etc.
We are always delighted with the creativity and enthusiasm of home projects and can’t wait to see what wonderful ideas you have. All work will eventually be displayed in school and shared with our whole community.
PE
Citizenship
Domestic abuse – lots of help still available
We have seen and heard how our communities are looking out for one another right now and it is sincerely heart-warming.
We know that some people are concerned about friends, family and neighbours who might be suffering domestic abuse – whether that is violence, being threatened or someone controlling their behaviour.
Victims of domestic abuse may well feel there is nowhere to turn to for help and nowhere to go right now if they want to leave an abusive relationship.
We have been talking to our partners, a range of charities that support domestic abuse victims and our local councils. Their message is that refuges are still open and accommodation, advice and support is still available for people who need help.
A list of organisations ready to help people in Birmingham are:
Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid
0808 800 0028
www.bswaid.org
Birmingham Housing Options Hub:
0808 169 9604
Birmingham Council Housing
0121 303 7410 or 0121 303 2296/4806
https://www.birmingham.gov.uk
Adult Social Care
0121 303 1234 or 0121 675 4806
Children’s Social Care
0121 303 1888 or 0121 675 4806
A full list of regional charities can be found on our website: https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/your-options/domestic-abuse
We also know that children often suffer in households where there is domestic abuse. If you are concerned about a child, you can get advice, Live Chat our staff and report abuse to us using this link - https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/your-options/child-abuse
Alternatively you can talk to the NSPCC https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
If someone is in immediate danger and their life is threatened, they should dial 999 and we will get officers to them as soon as possible. If they cannot talk they can make a silent 999 call by typing 55 after the call is answered.
Domestic abuse can be reported to us using our website https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/. It’s easy to use and could be safer than calling.
Anyone can webchat our staff easily via the website for help and advice without having to talk to someone on the phone.
Together we are a community – let’s spread the message that no victim is alone.