Important information regarding the arrangements for the Christmas Break. Please read.
December 2020
Dear parents and carers,
Christmas holidays and the return to school
I hope you and your family are well and will be able to enjoy some time off together during the Christmas holiday. I am writing to you regarding arrangements over the break.
Final day of term – Thursday 17th December
The Department for Education has announced that schools are permitted to close on Friday 18th December for an INSET day. They want to maximise the time between the end of term and Christmas Day so that if children develop symptoms before the 25th, they can isolate prior to mixing with family members from outside their household.
Following consultation with Local Authorities and the DfE, Oasis Community Learning has decided to close all Oasis academies on Friday 18th. We do understand this will inconvenience some parents, while others have requested this. The key factor in this decision was what is best for the wellbeing of all our academy community.
Therefore, our last day of term will now be Thursday 17th December.
You can read the latest guidance about Christmas gatherings by searching for “gov.uk Christmas bubble” or by accessing this webpage:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/making-a-christmas-bubble-with-friends-and-family
Reporting COVID-19 over the Christmas holidays
COVID-19 exists in our wider community and therefore it is important to be especially aware of how your child is and whether they have symptoms of COVID-19. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are a recent:
· new continuous cough and/or
· high temperature and/or
· a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)
If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19 they must get a test and remain at home for at least 10 days from when their symptoms first appeared until they receive a negative test result. Anyone with symptoms can receive a test by going to https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.
Before or on 23rd December
If your child has a positive case for COVID-19 between now and the 23rd December, please inform us as soon as possible by contacting us on 07548 648132, so that we can inform close contacts.
24th December – 5th January
If your child has a positive test for COVID-19 during the Christmas holiday you must inform Public Health England. This will be done automatically if your child receives a test from a testing centre, and you can also do this by using the NHS App.
We also require you to let us know by leaving a message by emailing info@oasisconnaught.org or by calling 07548 648132.
Starting the new term
If your child has symptoms, is unwell, or it has been confirmed that they have COVID-19, it is very important that they do not return to school until they have been tested and if necessary self-isolated. Please contact us before bringing your child to school, and we can advise you. If your child is well and is not required to isolate at home, they are to return to school on Tuesday 5th January 2021.
In the New Year we will continue with all our precautions (class bubbles, social distancing, face coverings and visors, additional handwashing, staggered start and finish times etc.) so that we can open safely. We can only do this however if every family follows this advice and is extra vigilant of their child’s health. Please only bring your child to school if they are well, have no symptoms and have not tested positive for COVID-19.
Sincere thanks from me and the whole staff team for your support over this term. As expected, it has been challenging but the children’s determination to learn has been excellent.
Yours sincerely,
George Fraser
Principal of Oasis Academy Connaught