Latest News
Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
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Reopening information
Fri 29 May 2020Dear Parents,
I apologise that this is later than intended but I am sure you can appreciate there is a lot to be done!
I hope the letter emailed out last week gave you the information required to make an informed decision on any return to school for Reception and years 1 & 6; today I will give some further information regarding staffing and organisation.
Key worker children
The children will be welcome from Monday 1st June and will have two days with staff to adapt to the new layout and set up in school. They should wear summer uniform.
Key Worker Children
From Wednesday Key worker children can come in at 8.40 through the white door and leave at 3.15 through the same door. If your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 6 they should follow the procedures for their year group on the relevant days. When they are in school whilst their year group isn't, they will be with a member of staff and will not mix beyond their year group.
Key worker Staffing -
Reception - Ms Bardsley
Year One - Mrs Sheppard
Year Two - Mrs Crowe and Mrs Farrell
Year Six - Mrs Patterson
Reception
Reception will be based in the hall with Mrs Guillaume and Mrs Judge. They can restart school on Wednesday 3rd June and will be in school each morning as one bubble. The children should come in wearing their summer uniform and follow the timings set out in my letter.
Year 1
Year One children will be in from Wednesday 3rd June and Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays thereafter. They will be in Bullfinch classroom or School House with Mrs Metcalfe and Mrs Martinez as one bubble, using the space of two rooms. The children should come in wearing their summer uniform and following timings set out in my letter.
Year 6
Year Six will be welcomed back from Monday 8th June and Mondays and Tuesdays thereafter. They will be in Goldfinch and Chaffinch classrooms and will be one bubble, using the space of two rooms. Year 6 will be taught by Mrs Wirth and Mrs Williams. They should come in wearing their summer uniform and follow the timings set out in my letter.
I want to emphasise that this is all subject to change. We have worked hard to provide the best for all children in school. If numbers of children coming into school increase, this may alter whether a year group can stay as one bubble. I will keep parents informed as the situation develops.
I understand some of you may not have summer uniform and the children can return in winter uniform if this necessary.
Finally I wanted to clarify a couple of matters. Caterlink will provide a picnic lunch bag which can be ordered and I will add the menu to Office updates later today. If you choose a Caterlink meal the children will eat it with the rest of their bubble in the classroom.
Mrs Lawrence will be working and will take any messages via phone or email and will relay any messages back to teaching staff. We will not be taking messages on the door.
I hope you find this information helpful and I look forward to welcoming you back. If you have further questions please email me on head@finchampstead.wokingham.sch.uk
With kind regards
Jacquie Vanstone
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School reopening information
Wed 20 May 2020Dear Parents,
I hope you all remain well and that the children are continuing with their learning in an approach suited to your family. It is wonderful seeing all the photos and work on the website.
It has been a challenging time since the announcement that Primary schools may reopen at the earliest 1st June to Year R, 1 and 6 pupils, whilst maintaining provision for our key worker children. Much time has gone by with the frustration of needing clarity on aspects of the guidance. In the last day or so I have been given the clarity I need and I now have a plan for reopening. The plan enables us to welcome the children back in a manner suited to their stage of education and development and most importantly to maintain the greatest safety possible for both staff and children.
Tomorrow I will share my plan with the parents of Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 parents by email.
With kind regards
Jacquie Vanstone
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Letter following Prime Minister's speech
Mon 11 May 2020Dear Parents & Guardians
It is hard to believe that the Year 6 children would normally have begun their SATs week today. I know some children will feel relieved that they are not taking the tests and others disappointed but I hope they know how proud we are of them for their hard work.
Boris Johnson's speech gave us an indication of what may happen regarding school reopening. As we try our best to plan and prepare, we also await further information. I will keep you updated as frequently as I can. If you have information, comments or questions I would urge you to email them to me on the finchparents@finchampstead.wokingham.sch.uk email address with my name in the subject. I will respond as quickly as I can; I may not be in a position to answer questions but I will as quickly as I am able to.
With kind regards
Jacquie Vanstone
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7th May 2020
Thu 07 May 2020Dear Parents & Guardians,
I hope you are all well. We have had a busy week with the group of children at school; we have followed the online learning and made the most of the lovely weather. The current situation can be difficult for different families at different times and it is important to trust that you know what is right for you and your family day by day. It has been lovely to hear of all the life skills being learnt and the fun that is being had. So many children are baking, when we have our new staffroom I think it could need a cake rota!
I know we all await the news on Sunday regarding what will be happening next. I will write to you on Monday and I will keep in touch as we make plans to follow government guidance, however this may look. I will hear the news at the same time as you and will not be in a position to answer any questions at the weekend but as I say, I will be in touch on Monday and we will offer all the support we can going forwards.
In the meantime I wish you all a wonderful Bank holiday weekend, enjoy the VE day celebrations from home and the lovely weather.
With kind regards
Jacquie Vanstone
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1st May 2020
Fri 01 May 2020Dear Parents & Guardians,
We are at the end of another week! This is a short message to say well done and thank you. Staff and families are working hard to support distance learning and I am delighted that you are all enjoying moments of success and fun. It is hard and such a different experience for everyone. It has been a pleasure to speak to so many of you over the past two weeks and if you have a voicemail message from me and would like to speak please ring school and leave a message.
I know this is an unsettling time for the children and I urge you to ask us for any help you need; we will do all we can to support you and the children. I am sure many of you are trying to predict when schools may reopen. We will do all we can to prepare for reopening whenever and however this may happen. Once we have government and Wokingham guidance we will put plans in place and inform you; please keep in mind that we may receive this news at the same time as you do.
I would again thank the staff for their hard work and support with both learning and school provision. I wish you all a lovely weekend at home and hope that we all stay well.
With kind regards
Jacquie Vanstone