Dear Parents and Caregivers

It is great that lockdown restrictions are starting to open up more and more. We are now able to meet up outside with friends and family. We can sit outside and enjoy a drink. Non- essential shops are open. We can go to the hairdressers, the gym and the library. We can attend outdoor attractions, such as zoos, and small outdoor events such as fetes. Children are able to mix out of school with friends in different bubbles and they can attend sporting groups with a wider mix of children. From next week, we will be able to meet up indoors, sit inside in a restaurant, or go to the cinema. We will even be able to hug friends and family- although, we must still be sensible about this!

Unfortunately, whilst this is all wonderful news, it does increase the level of frustration about the lack of change in restrictions in school.

The latest advice we have received from Public Health states that there should be no relaxation in school protocols until 21st June in the first instance and this will depend on the current numbers etc. at the time. This means that all the current regulations need to stand – staggered starts and ends, bubbles, restricted access to the site, etc. We are, however, able to start planning trips, both day and residential, as long as we stay in our class bubbles, have no more than thirty children in the bubble, and don’t use any parent volunteers. This is to maintain the integrity of the bubble.

We share yours and the childrens frustration with the situation!

We are, behind the scenes, making plans for events that may be able to happen towards the end of the school year: sports days (with or without an audience), open afternoons to collect reports and speak to the teacher, end of year parties, and events, year 6 leavers service. We would love to be able to return to a sense of community before the end of the year! All must be done, though, within the current guidance and regulations.

We will keep you posted and our fingers crossed!

With very best wishes,

Tracy and Mike

Website posts you may have missed:

Gardening week 13

News items and updates

Attendance at Elmhurst – w/c 3rd May 2021

Whole school – 96.0%

Year 3 – 95.1%

Year 4 – 98.8% – well done, Year 4

Year 5 – 96.8%

Year 6 – 92.9%

Start and End of the day

Following on from the above we still have to observe social distancing and the wearing of masks while dropping off and waiting to collect the children. This is especially important at the traffic lights gate as there is less room to wait.

Thank you for your understanding.

Reading at Elmhurst

We expect all children to read at least four times a week to an adult. Congratulations to Yew class who achieved 100% in their reading target last week. Two weeks running now! Well done. Who will join them next week?

Bikeability

Thank you to Claire Morey, Annie Cree, and Melissa Whiteley who helped to ensure that the bikeability sessions could go ahead last week. The children had a great few days and learnt vital skills.

The next sessions will take place on Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th. Children involved will have received their pre session packs.

Tree planting at Elmhurst

During last term, the year 5 children were involved in a project to plant trees and hedges on the school grounds. They worked with James Chapman from Re -Imagining the Levels.

As it has been a few weeks, we asked the children to reflect on their experience. Here are a few of their thoughts.

“I liked planting the trees. It was fun and enjoyable. I planted an Oak tree, a cherry tree and dogwood tree.” Bertie

“I really enjoyed this day at Elmhurst. James and his volunteers came and told us that we were planting trees! I planted a Dogwood and a Hawthorn tree. There were three year 5 classes that did this. I hope my tree grows tall.” Bella

“To be honest, I thought it was really fun! I learnt how to plant a tree and it took a bit of time out of my day so I didn’t have to do proper work.” Rosie

“I really enjoyed learning about how to properly plant trees- I had a lot of fun.” Antonia

“It was very fun and interesting learning how to plant a beautiful tree, I will always remember I planted a tree here and remember the day I had at school.” Ryley

“I really enjoyed planting the trees. It felt like I was doing something good!” Rider

Number day at Elmhurst a reminder for tomorrow

On Friday 14th May, we are taking part in Number Day, which is an annual event organised by the NSPCC. 

We will be spending the morning doing exciting maths activities across the school and everybody is asked to come to school dressed in something that has a number on. You can start thinking of creative ways to display numbers on your jumpers or even find items of clothing that already have numbers on!

In return for the non-school uniform, we would like a small donation, which will be sent to the NSPCC. I will be taking lots of pictures throughout the morning, so look at the newsletter in a few weeks’ time.

Ms Prichard

WAP after half term – a reminder

In line with the easing of lockdown regulations and staff availability, we will be extending the opening of the after-school provision until 5.30 pm after half term. There will be a slight cost increase – if you remember we dropped the prices to accommodate the reduced service.

The revised prices are as follows:

Part hourly session from 3- 4:30 pm £4.50
Full session 3-5:30 pm £7.50

Collection after 4.30 and before 5.30, will be charged at the full session price.

Parents are still asked to provide their own snack at this point.

Unfortunately, we are not, as yet, able to increase numbers significantly and open WAP up to everyone but we do have some limited capacity for a few more children. We are able to increase provision for years 3/4 to 15 due to the size of the room and to 10 for years 5/6. Hopefully, with the improved weather, we will be able to get the children outside as much as possible!

Please contact Abbie Laffan directly to discuss any possible bookings if needed. Bookings for after half term will be open from next Friday.

Abbie can be contacted via email: Alaffan@ejsch.co.uk or via the office phone number between 10 – 12.30 am on Monday mornings or 12.30- 3 pm on Friday afternoons.

Just a reminder: All bookings for WAP need to be made by the Friday lunchtime of the week before. With the increase in numbers, you may miss out if you don’t book in time!

School lunches after half term – a reminder

From June 7th we will open up school lunches to the whole school. Unfortunately, due to the guidance currently in force in schools, we cannot increase the numbers using the school hall where hot lunches are served.

Therefore, we will continue to offer hot lunches to children receiving free school meals and will offer a packed lunch for anyone else who wishes to have a school lunch. These can then be taken to classrooms to preserve bubbles. Children who are receiving free school meals will only be able to opt for the hot meal at this point.

If you wish to order a school lunch you can do so on ParentPay and the cost will be £2.60 per meal. All bookings will open from Monday 10th May for the week beginning 7th June. You can block book for the term.

And finally...

Work from the week:

In a change to the gallery work, we will now be including examples of work in the weekly newsletter. Here are some of the things we have being doing at Elmhurst this week.

And just for fun!