This week we have been focusing on our school value Trust and Respect with particular focus on acceptance and tolerance of others regardless of race, culture, religion or gender.
With Black Lives Matter remaining high on everyone’s agenda, our whole school assembly focused on racism; what it is, where it can happen and how it has no place in our school, our community or our world. We spoke about the fact that when we hear or see something that is racist, we have a responsibility to challenge this.
We celebrated a number of Black Heroes and the impact they have had on our world. People who showed great resilience, perseverance and determination to question attitudes, challenge authority/those with power and stereotypes and demand equal rights and an equal society.
We spoke about the fact that regardless of the colour of our skin, our religious beliefs, our culture, the country we were born in or affiliate ourselves with, or our gender we all share the need to be accepted, to be cared for, to be respected, to be included, to be loved.
As we move through this half term, we are going to continue focusing on this theme and celebrating difference. It is our differences that make us unique and make our relationships with others interesting and exciting.
We are investing in a wide range of books that can be shared across the school to support us with keeping this theme running through our school. Please see the attached link for ideas of books for primary children.
https://www.booksfortopics.com/black-lives-matter
Happy reading and a happy weekend.
With Black Lives Matter remaining high on everyone’s agenda, our whole school assembly focused on racism; what it is, where it can happen and how it has no place in our school, our community or our world. We spoke about the fact that when we hear or see something that is racist, we have a responsibility to challenge this.
We celebrated a number of Black Heroes and the impact they have had on our world. People who showed great resilience, perseverance and determination to question attitudes, challenge authority/those with power and stereotypes and demand equal rights and an equal society.
We spoke about the fact that regardless of the colour of our skin, our religious beliefs, our culture, the country we were born in or affiliate ourselves with, or our gender we all share the need to be accepted, to be cared for, to be respected, to be included, to be loved.
As we move through this half term, we are going to continue focusing on this theme and celebrating difference. It is our differences that make us unique and make our relationships with others interesting and exciting.
We are investing in a wide range of books that can be shared across the school to support us with keeping this theme running through our school. Please see the attached link for ideas of books for primary children.
https://www.booksfortopics.com/black-lives-matter
Happy reading and a happy weekend.
As we begin lockdown life again, I would like to reassure you that we will continue to do all we can to ensure your children remain safe in school. I know that this period of time may bring many anxieties and pressures to families.
I also know that for some of families, the impact has been great; a loss of friends and family members or loss of employment. There are many services that you can access for help. I have included some links below and there are many services that you can access for help. I have included some links below and there are many more useful resources on the Coronavirus Information page of our school website. http://www.topsham.devon.sch.uk/coronavirus-information-and-updates.html
There are also services that are available locally to offer help, advice and support. Rachel Gilpin at Nancy Potter House can be contacted on 01392 879009.
As schools are to remain open this time round, something I completely agree with, the government guidance remains that masks and face shields do not need to be worn by staff working in Primary Schools. However, as an added protection for staff, from Monday we will wearing face shields and/or masks in communal areas around the school and also when collecting children from the front gate.
Outside of school, you will know that the wearing of masks in enclosed places or where space is limited and does not facilitate social distancing of 2m is recommended. As numbers of CV rise in our area and with the lockdown in place, we would like to ask parents to also wear masks and/or face shields when dropping and picking up their child/children, if this is possible. I know the wearing of masks is voluntary when outside and I know that this cannot be enforced, but I do feel that wearing them may support more vulnerable members of our school community, including the elderly who live around our school to feel more protected. I have received a number of emails asking me to make this request, and on their behalf, this is what I am doing. I am very lucky to work in such a caring community and I know parents will continue to be mindful of others so everyone feels safe.
If you have any concerns about your child, please contact your child’s class teacher by email. Teachers’ email addresses are first initial followed by surname @topsham.devon.sch.uk for example, a teacher called Joe Bloggs would be jbloggs@topsham.devon.sch.uk
Stay safe
Mrs Pipe
I also know that for some of families, the impact has been great; a loss of friends and family members or loss of employment. There are many services that you can access for help. I have included some links below and there are many services that you can access for help. I have included some links below and there are many more useful resources on the Coronavirus Information page of our school website. http://www.topsham.devon.sch.uk/coronavirus-information-and-updates.html
- The Overcoming Anxiety Programme for Parents is a guided Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) programme for parents of anxious children which supports parents to become anxiety management experts who can continue to use the strategies they have learned to help their child after the intervention has finished. The Educational Psychology Service can run this programme for individual parents or small groups of 6-8 parents. https://www.babcockldp.co.uk/babcock_l_d_p/Educational-Psychology/Downloads/Resources/GroupOvercoming-Programme-flyer-2018.pdf
- There are a range of parenting course available throughout Devon run by different organisations. They are usually free and can be found on the Pinpoint Devon website. https://www.pinpointdevon.co.uk
There are also services that are available locally to offer help, advice and support. Rachel Gilpin at Nancy Potter House can be contacted on 01392 879009.
As schools are to remain open this time round, something I completely agree with, the government guidance remains that masks and face shields do not need to be worn by staff working in Primary Schools. However, as an added protection for staff, from Monday we will wearing face shields and/or masks in communal areas around the school and also when collecting children from the front gate.
Outside of school, you will know that the wearing of masks in enclosed places or where space is limited and does not facilitate social distancing of 2m is recommended. As numbers of CV rise in our area and with the lockdown in place, we would like to ask parents to also wear masks and/or face shields when dropping and picking up their child/children, if this is possible. I know the wearing of masks is voluntary when outside and I know that this cannot be enforced, but I do feel that wearing them may support more vulnerable members of our school community, including the elderly who live around our school to feel more protected. I have received a number of emails asking me to make this request, and on their behalf, this is what I am doing. I am very lucky to work in such a caring community and I know parents will continue to be mindful of others so everyone feels safe.
If you have any concerns about your child, please contact your child’s class teacher by email. Teachers’ email addresses are first initial followed by surname @topsham.devon.sch.uk for example, a teacher called Joe Bloggs would be jbloggs@topsham.devon.sch.uk
Stay safe
Mrs Pipe