Newsletter: 6th November 2020

Update on our Lockdown Routines

As some fo you will have seen via messages displayed at both school gates, we have updated some of our procedures and routines in light of the national lockdown which began yesterday.

Most crucially for you is that we are asking all parents and carers to wear a face covering at drop off and pickup times during the Lockdown period. Although we are enormously grateful that you have all been so good at socially distancing when waiting for your children, we are aware that bringing together so many parents from so many different communities carries considerable risk at the present time. To mitigate this risk we have already, of course, been running staggered starts and ends to the day. However, we now feel it is prudent to ask for this additional measure in order to keep everyone as safe as possible. Please remember that social distancing and only sending one parent to the gate remain really important as well.

I have also asked staff to wear face coverings when moving around the school. Although this is optional for the Primary sector, it seems a sensible additional precaution and I have asked all staff to explain why your child will be seeing members of staff around school wearing masks. Staff may also now choose to wear masks as well as their school-provided visors when doing close work with children, but not for whole-class teaching.

Several of our Year 6 children have asked whether they need to wear a face covering as they fall into the “11yrs and over” category. The DfE have been very clear that the 11+ rule applies only to secondary schools (so in other words, Year 7 upwards) so our children should not be wearing masks in school.

Please could I also take this opportunity to remind you that your child should not be bringing in unnecessary items from home. This includes pencil cases and stationery items as school provides all of those things. If your child doesn’t need to bring a back pack it’s better that they leave them at home and just carry their book bag. Packed lunch children must also take their uneaten food and wrappings home with them and not put them in the school’s waste bins. Thank you.

Burscott Class Space Dome Visit

Unfortunately due to the Lockdown we have had to cancel the planned space dome visit later this month. For parents who have already paid, you can either ask for a refuund or we will leave your account in credit against future trips or expenses. Please email admin@woolsery.devon.sch.uk if you woud like a refiund. Thanks.

Ashmansworthy Class

Unfortunately, Miss Butler will not be back until the end of November at the very earliest, so Ashmansworthy Class will continue to be taught by Mrs Ferris, except on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings when I will continue to cover the class as has been the case this week. I can only apologise for this disruption but as I am sure you will understand, it is unavoidable at the present time.

Flu Immunisations

Just a reminder that Flu immunisations will be taking place in school for Reception to Year 6 next Wednesday. We’ve had an excellent sign-up rate from you (thank you!) so the vast majority (over 95%) of children will receive the nasel spray.

Christmas Toy Bank

One of our parents is coordinating a Christmas Toy Bank for disadvantaged children (a bit like the food bank scheme).  She has a committee of people who have been involved with or have a background in nursing and safeguarding.  She has contacted companies like Asda, Argos etc if they can donate toys – and she has been overwhelmed with them and donations of money to buy toys.

Although the school can (and will) nominate families that we’re aware are struggling financially at the present time, you can also self refer if you are going to be unable to afford Christmas presents this year. This can be done by sending  the following information to this email address: christmastoybank@gmail.com
  • Age of child
  • Gender of child
  • Ages/genders of other children in the family

If you are accepted, you will receive a wrapped parcel with a blank label for you to write your own message.

Please note that this wonderful idea is for genuine hardship cases only so please only self-refer if you are in true need. Thank you.

All toys will be packaged to meet Covid guidelines and will be quarantined for the required period before being handed over to the recipient’s family.

School Photographs

As previously mentioned, Tempest Photography are booked to come in for individual and family portraits on 17th November. We have confirmed with Tempest that this visit will continue to take place despite Lockdown and all their processes are covid-secure.

Children In Need

Next Friday is BBC Children In Need day and although our celebrations will be different this year, we will still be marking this important day. Each class will be doing their own Pudsey-themed activities during the day (so please send your child in with small change if you can). Every class has also chosen to opt for a non-uniform day for a 50p contribution to this amazing charity. Various classes had different takes on what the “non-uniform” might look like and so to keep it simple for everyone we will have a mix and match of pretty much any form of non-uniform including Wear Yellow, Wear Spots, Crazy Hair, Inside-out Clothes… We’re really happy for you to make the decision that is easiest for you to manage in your households. We just ask that, if your child is wearing a costume of some kind, that it doesn’t affect the Covid arrangements we have in school (for example, very large costumes or those which will need changing out of during the day).

Christmas Card Designs

The standard of the children’s card designs this year has been amazing! I hope you’ve enjoyed looking at them and, hopefully, placing an order for cards, wrapping or even a mug!

As you know, FOWS judged all of the entries this year and have now chosen three winners who will receive a prize in Assembly later on today.

Congratulations to:

Early Years, Reception & Year 1: Elliott C

Year 3 & Year 4: Elouise

Year 5 & Year 6: Josh

Josh’s Snowman

Elliott’s Santa

Elouise’s Robin Pyramid


It was lovely to have another step back towards normality today when we re-started our Celebration Assemblies, albeit via Google Meet!

Well done to everyone who was awarded with a Headteacher Award today:

  • Cranford: Robyn – being kind and helpful all the time; Thomas – his independent work this week
  • Burscott: Bella and Lyonie:  both for writing detailed stories with excellent vocabulary for their elicitation task for The Great Balloon Hullaballoo
  • Stroxworthy: Melanija – consistently putting maximum effort into her work
  • Alminstone: Farley – helping lots of people in Forest School making willow sharks; Louie – being kind, helpful, polite and a great member of the class
  • Ashmansworthy: Henry – great work in maths dividing fractions; Imogen – awesome art work for our Street Art topic

Whatever you’re doing in your locked-down bubbles this weekend, have a lovely time. We’re looking forward to seeing you all next week!

Matt Cole, Headteacher

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