Dear Parents/Guardians
I would like to start by commenting on how superb our students have been on their return. They have dived straight back into their work and have accepted new and ongoing mitigations such as wearing masks in classrooms, having windows open to improve ventilation, wiping down surfaces and using hand sanitiser without a murmur. They are truly an inspirational group of young people who are determined to do their best to look after each other and their families.
Student-Led Conferences
It has been a busy first week back and students have been immersing themselves in the start of new expeditions and beginning to prepare for their Student Led Conferences (SLCs) which will take place in the two weeks commencing 24th January.
We will consider over the course of this week whether SLCs will be virtual or face to face however given the current situation with Covid and the transmissibility of this new variant we are currently leaning towards a virtual meeting. Students will be contacting you this week with an invitation to attend your son/daughter’s SLC and crew leaders will then contact you to arrange a suitable time for you to attend.
Lateral Flow Testing
Please continue to support us with lateral flow testing each Sunday and Wednesday evening and that you make sure you enter results into our website on each of these occasions. If you require any extra LFT testing kits please let us know. This is how we look after each other – We are Crew.
New guidance around PCR testing
As per recent Government announcements, we have received confirmation from the Department of Education that should your child test positive for Covid via a Lateral Flow Test, they are no longer required to accompany this with a PCR test. Instead, they will be required to isolate immediately. If they do test positive, they may leave isolation after 7 days if they receive 2 negative Lateral Flow results 24 hours apart on days 6 and 7.
More details can be found here
‘Confirmatory PCR tests following a positive lateral flow device (LFD) test result are to be temporarily suspended from Tuesday 11 January. This will mean that anyone who receives a positive LFD test result will be required to self-isolate immediately and will not be required to take a confirmatory PCR test.
In line with the reduced self-isolation approach announced on 22 December, anyone who tests positive will be able to leave self-isolation 7 days after the date of their initial positive test if they receive 2 negative LFD results, 24 hours apart, on days 6 and 7.‘
Masks in classrooms
As you know, in light of a recent change to guidance issued by the DFE we are asking students to wear masks when they are in the school building and this includes in classrooms. Students should bring a mask to school with them as an additional part of their daily kit.
REMINDER: PE is now on a Tuesday
Please ensure students arrive with their PE kit each Tuesday.
As usual if you have any questions please contact your child’s Crew Leader in the first instance.
Mark Lovatt
Principal
XP Gateshead