Latest News | Bishops Waltham Infant School

A Little Help Where Needed

Mon 30 Mar 2020

Dear Families of Bishops Waltham

I have been contacted by Reverend Hunt regarding a grant that the church is putting together to help families who need it at this time. As we are not currently seeing you every day, if you feel this would help in a time of unexpected hardship, please email the school office explaining your current situation. All emails will be held in the strictest confidence. Each case will be looked at individually by the church.

For families who need to use the food bank, it is now doing deliveries instead of being open to pop in. Please also contact us, including your address and telephone number, for this service and we will fill in the relevant forms and pass them on.

If you would like to donate food to the food bank, please put it in the trolley outside Budgens, where it will be collected.

Can I also remind parents that they can apply at any time for ‘Free School Meals Pupil Premium’ if you are affected by financial hardship. This will ensure that there will be some help available for food during term time.

https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals

We are aware that some families are finding the lockdown very hard. It is tough, especially on families who have only children, or are trying to juggle work commitments from home too. Children are finding it hard not seeing their extended families and friends in person. I know many of you are coming up with online meets ('zoom' and 'houseparty' are a couple we have tried).

In line with the government guidelines, we are running on skeleton staff in the school building, looking after key worker’s children. However, teaching staff are still available 9-3.10 daily during term time, working at home. If anyone needs to speak to a teacher urgently, please ring the school office and leave a message, with your telephone number or email in and someone will get back to you as soon as they can. We are currently exploring safe internet/phone solutions for us to keep in touch even more. The teachers are loving all the blogs and seeing what you are getting up to!

Thank you all again for bearing with us. We are all upskilling as fast as we can regarding teaching in a virtual world and hopefully we will get better week by week.

Best wishes

Ginene Riches

Free School Meal Voucher Scam - Be Aware

Wed 25 Mar 2020

Dear Parents,

It has come to our attention that there is a free school meal voucher scam which is sent to email addresses.

Please do not act upon this email it is a scam, delete it.

We are currently in the process of sorting out vouchers for those children who are eligible for free school meals, we should have more information by Friday, when we will contact those parents directly by telephone.

Kind regards

School Office

A really good website

Wed 25 Mar 2020

To all the Parents, Carers and Children

I hope you are all adjusting to this strange time. All of the teachers are very busy either in school or at home uploading to our website. We are all trying our very best to ensure you have support to help your children at home.

For those of you who have not found 'BBC Bitesize' yet, it is being rapidly updated with different subjects to support at home. Key Stage 1 is for Year 1 and Year 2. Key Stage 2 is for Year 3,4,5 and 6. This is a rough guide, and if your child is finding something really easy, you may want to look at the next Key Stage for a bit of a challenge.

We are all still finding our way and trying to help as much as we can. The teacher blogs are set up for children only, to stay in touch with their teachers. Any adult conversation/questions need to be emailed to the office and we will do our best to answer you within the week. If ill, this may not be possible but we will try our best.

We are all missing you. Remember to keep washing our hands and keep safe

Lots of love

Mrs Riches

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize

A Message For Parents and Carers

Tue 24 Mar 2020 Mrs Campone

Dear Parents and Carers

I just wanted to write a not of reassurance in these strange times ahead. From emails, the Blog and even Facebook let me say you are all doing an amazing job!

I am sure you are all feeling a bit lost, overwhelmed and sad. I know I do! The children will be feeling this too but might not be able to put these feelings into words but show it in their behaviour. They have lost their routine, their friends, school, clubs and even seeing extended family, and you have too! It will take a while for you all to settle into your new routines.

At school there are lots of opportunities to 'play', chat, create, read stories and make choices. Lots of our learning is 'hands on' and practical with no recording or even sitting down! So play games, read to them, make models, cook and talk!

Allow the children and yourselves to grow into a routine which suits you all! It doesn't need to be a rigid timetable as the internet suggest, unless that works for you! Getting bored at times stimulates the imagination, creativity and independence. Have a cuppa and let them chose what to do next.

The wellbeing of you, your children and family is vitally important! Stress and confrontation of learning is not a solution for anyone. I can remember myself and my daughter shouting at each other and crying over homework. It really isn't worth that! So... STOP. Walk away. Change the activity. Try again tomorrow!

Best of luck to everyone and try to enjoy this special home time together.

Love to you all

Penny Campone

Help during this stressful time

Tue 24 Mar 2020

Tuesday 24th March 2020

Dear Parents/carers,

We all find ourselves in a position where we are taking on new roles and thinking about how best to support our children, ourselves and each other through this uncertain time. We have put together some ideas and suggestions for approaching days at home and managing worries and anxiety.

Talking with your children

Talking to our children about anxieties and worries is important – watching Newsround or a clip such as this: https://www.brainpop.com/health/diseasesinjuriesandconditions/coronavirus/

together and exploring afterwards can be a great way to dismiss myths and focus on the facts – follow these tips to guide your children:

· Don’t bottle up worries – talk to a trusted adult

· If you’re worried about elderly neighbours, find different ways to keep in touch

· Get your information from trusted sources

· Don’t worry about what you can’t control, but do what you can to help, for example washing your hands regularly or offering support to others

· Do things that you enjoy to keep yourself busy.

If you would like further advice on this, these websites give some really useful advice: https://youngminds.org.uk/blog/talking-to-your-child-about-coronavirus/ https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/anxiety-stress-panic/worries-about-the-world/#coronavirus. Sometimes children are more forthcoming when they are playing a game, making something or sharing a story.

Structuring your days

All children find routines reassuring so try to create a flexible structure to each day. It is best if it takes into account their need to learn, to exercise, to have fun, and connect safely with others (online platforms and apps such as skype, zoom and houseparty can be great for this). Different children will need different coping strategies so try to help them find ideas that work for them.

Mindfulness activities

Family mindfulness activities can be a great way to come together, get away from technology and focus on the here and now – why not have a go at some of the below:

-Make jars of happiness and gratefulness – fill a box or jar with slips of paper saying all the things you can be thankful about

- A lovely activity to do at home with your child is to create a box of calm or self-soothe box, which is filled with meaningful items and things that appeal to all the senses. They can be decorated in any way your child would like. For ideas, you can watch this short clip from Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyfgodSSdV4

-Run a comb or pencil down your backs – draw a picture and see if you can guess what it is!

-Simple and short breathing and meditation exercises – breathe deeply and slowly in through the nose and out through the mouth; body scans; mindful eating – really notice what you are eating!

-The Headspace and Calm are popular apps for adults and many do have links for children too: children’s section: https://www.headspace.com/meditation/kids https://kidsapp.stopbreathethink.com/parent;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWOHcGF1Tmc

-Anxiety hacks from Dr Pooky Knightsmith covering topics such as using music to flip your mood, using positive affirmations, creating 5 minute mindful moments in your day and calming breathing exercises for children: https://www.pookyknightsmith.com/post/anxiety-resources-worth-sharing-exciting-news

- Colouring/painting/sewing/ Zentangles doodling – ideas and resources on Pinterest/anything creative

- Big Life Journal – a great resource for building emotionally resilient children. If you sign up to their list they will send you a free printable activity every Friday https://biglifejournal-uk.co.uk/pages/freebies

- Acts of kindness: this is a great time for children to think about how they can make a difference by phoning a neighbour or relative, drawing a picture or writing a letter/email or helping to deliver shopping or donating to a foodbank.

- Listen to music!

Stories

-Free ebooks and audiobooks available through Hampshire libraries app https://www.hants.gov.uk/librariesandarchives/library/whatyoucanborrow/ebooksaudiobooks

-Audible have also announced free audiobooks for children during school closures https://stories.audible.com/start-listen

Keeping Active

-Change 4 Life - A website with healthy dinner ideas and some sporting activities https://www.nhs.uk/change4life https://www.nhs.uk/change4life/activities

-The Body Coach - Joe Wicks will be posting daily PE lesson style workout routines – perfect to keep your children active! Everyday at 9am. There’s workouts for kids and adults on this Youtube channel! https://m.youtube.com/user/thebodycoach1

-BBC Supermovers - A website jam-packed with fun videos which link to your child’s learning and getting them moving. Suitable for KS1 and KS2 – this will support their physical health and keep them learning! https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/supermovers Yoga for kids - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X655B4ISakg

Looking After Ourselves

Don’t forget about looking after yourself!

-A coping calendar – 30 actions to look after ourselves and others during this global crisis https://www.actionforhappiness.org/media/863032/coping_calendar.jpg

-NHS Every Mind Matters has lots of ideas and resources for looking after your mental wellbeing while staying at home. Click here for advice on healthy habits, relaxation techniques and staying on top of difficult feelings: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-staying-at-home-tips/

and https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mindfulness/https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mindfulness/ https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/self-care/

Support

At times, all of us can feel under strain and need a little extra support. In these challenging circumstances affecting our daily lives, you may wish to talk things through and seek guidance or support – the following organisations provide free, confidential helplines for parents and families:

· Family Lives offers a confidential and free helpline service for families in England and Wales (previously known as Parentline). Please call us on 0808 800 2222 for emotional support, information, advice and guidance on any aspect of parenting and family life. Our helpline service is open 9am – 9pm, Monday to Friday and 10am – 3pm Saturday and Sunday. https://www.familylives.org.uk/how-we-can-help/confidential-helpline/

· Shout (in partnership with Place2Be) Text CONNECT to 85258 for anyone in the UK, available free, 24 hours a day. More info: giveusashout.org · https://www.mind.org.uk/ 0300 123 3393 Email: info@mind.org.uk Text:86463. Information line is open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except for bank holidays) and provides an information and signposting service · https://www.barnardos.org.uk/what-we-do/helping-families · https://documents.hants.gov.uk/childrens-services/SFP-SupportingFamiliesleaflet.pdf

· Family Support Services or Family Support Hubs in Hampshrie are available for families to self-refer if you feel you and your family need Early Help services. For enquiries phone 0300 555 1384. · Samaritans – Free, confidential listening service. Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org

Meon Valley Food Bank

Many families make use of food banks to support them. If you or your neighbours are struggling with food shortages when finances are even more of a worry than normal, please consider making contact. Our local food bank is the Meon Valley Food Bank and serves the Meon Valley area of Hampshire, including Bishops Waltham, Wickham, Droxford, West Meon and other villages in the area. They are open every Tuesday from 10am to 3pm, based in the Bishops Waltham Youth Hall, Malt Lane, opposite Budgens.

To access and obtain food vouchers, contact one of the following organisations: · Bishops Waltham Citizens Advice · Home Start Meon Valley · Bishops Waltham Surgery · Wickham Surgery · Winchester Council Housing Benefits Department · Vivid Homes

We wish you and your families all the very best. Take care and stay safe,

Commenting on the Blog - new guidance.

Mon 23 Mar 2020 Mrs Moth

BLOGGING NEW NEW GUIDANCE!

Mrs Moth here.

Sorry for the confusion - we are learning as we go, so please bear with us.

We have discovered that you do not need to log in in order to leave a comment or reply to a post. Simply, click on MENU on the home page, select which blog you wish to view, and then the post you want to read. At the bottom of the post, an "add a comment" section will appear where you can write your reply, and add your name. Don't forget - it will not show up until a teacher has approved it.

However, if you wish to post a photo, you will need to log in using the previous guidance.

Thank you everyone for your patience.

We look forward to reading your comments.

Message to All Keyworkers

Sun 22 Mar 2020

Dear Keyworkers

The message is very clear from the government. Children are at risk, and potentially yourselves and your families, by continuing to send your children to school.

We understand some of you have no other choice. Everyone who was offered a place on Friday is on our list and only those will be let in. Do not turn up to school tomorrow expecting to be let in. Staff will not do so and for their well being I am asking you not to make a distressing situation worse.

I understand many more people have emailed us over the weekend. Once we are in on Monday, we will be looking at the situation again. We will then start applying the key worker priority list.

The message is very clear. #stayathomesavelives

Social Distancing and Social Isolation

Sat 21 Mar 2020

Please find a link to the governments latest information regarding social isolation. If any key workers who have an offer for next week fall in this category and are now going to be home with their children because they are now unable to be in their places of work, please contact the office via email on Monday.

Thank you

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

Friday 29th March 2020

Fri 20 Mar 2020

Dear Parents and Carers

Lots and lots of tears today. We would like to thank everybody who have given us kind wishes these past few weeks. Myself and the staff are very grateful. We will cling to the hope that we will be back to school in July. Our children, as always, have been fantastic. We are very proud of them.

Year 2- we are still your teachers. Read everyday, show your parents how brilliant you are at adding two 2 digit numbers, muptilplying , subtracting and dividing. Don’t forget to write something every day too.
Year 1 and Year R- keep learning your phonics, practise your handwriting, adding and subtracting and reading every day.

You are all brilliant. Keep up the super learning and we hope to see you soon.

Key Worker Provision Update

Fri 20 Mar 2020

Dear Parents and Carers

Thank you for the prompt response regarding Key Worker requirements. Thank you to all the families where only one parent is a key worker, who has not requested a place. We have now informed all Key Workers who contacted us, what we will be able to provide for the next 4 weeks. We are now nearly at maximum capacity to reduce social contact and therefore reduce the transmission of the virus.

The government has made it clear in its guidance regarding key workers: Many parents working in these critical sectors may be able to ensure their child is kept at home. Every child who can be safely cared for at home should be.

It remains the case that if a school does not have enough staff to care for pupils safely (even based on the new ‘reduced provision’ approach’) then, subject to a risk assessment and consultation with the chair of governors, a full or partial closure may be necessary. Schools will need to keep this decision under daily review.

After 4 weeks we will assess the situation again. From that point onwards, priority will be given in the following order:

1.Pupils where either parent is a member of NHS frontline staff e.g. doctors and nurses

2.Pupils where both parents are on the keyworker list/single parent keyworker

3.Pupils where one parent is on the key worker list

A meal will be provided for all children who will be in school.

Please note that the school will be fully closed to all Key Workers on Good Friday and Easter Monday.

Children who have free school meals will have the vouchers posted to them when we receive them.

These are unprecedented times. There is no blueprint. The situation is being assessed daily, and we will continue to keep updating parents as and when we receive new guidance.

School will close on Friday 20th March at 3.10pm. Only families with an offer of a place should attend the school on Monday 23rd March. It will be closed for all other pupils until further notice.