We continue to follow current Covid updates and act accordingly. In the last couple of days, we have received a letter from West Northamptonshire Local Authority that has requested that we consider our contingency plans in case changes are needed in January. You can access our current approaches and strategies towards managing this situation on the home page of the school website. We would presume that if the local situation worsens, that class bubbles will need to go back in to place with staggered starts and finishes again.  I will keep you up to date with the situation and all guidance received. 

We continue to follow guidance to provide the very best of care for our whole school community and are committed to staying open, providing continuity and normality for our children.  Where we have higher numbers in a year group, we are supplementing sanitising cleans with antiviral fogging sprays.

Current cases throughout the school are as follows:

Reception - 1, Year 1 - 0, Year 2 - 1, Year 3 - 2, Year 4 - 3, Year 5 - 8, Year 6 - 0

We currently have had no confirmed cases of the Omicron variant and all staff that have recently had Covid, are now back in school. 

Our very best wishes extend to everyone unwell at the moment. 

Chair of Governor Updates

Despite it nearly being the end of term, the governors and I have still been busy with meetings.

As Chair, I have been joining the BNTO (Be Nice To Others) committee on Wednesday afternoon. The children on this committee are raising awareness of positive behaviour in the school, as well as encouraging children to be there for each other. I have been extremely impressed with the committee’s enthusiasm and commitment to this ideal and I want to thank Miss Stanley and children for welcoming me and allowing me to share in this important work.

I continue to join in the Wednesday virtual assemblies and on December 1^st participated in a celebration of the Jewish festival of Chanukah. The children across the school shared with me what they had learnt about the festival and I was able to share my personal experiences of this festival and the various traditions associated with it. It is part of the schools' ethos that we understand the different faiths and their traditions and subsequently respect each other as individuals.

On Friday December 3^rd the assembly celebrated the first Sunflower Award in memory of our late Bursar Mrs Robson. Children from each year were chosen by their classmates, they represented the positive qualities shown by Mrs Robson and received a special badge pin. I want to thank Peter Nickoll for attending the virtual assembly and representing the Governors.

I had a Catch-up meeting with Mrs Rice on Monday and we discussed various issues including staffing, covid update and safeguarding. As I have said on numerous occasions, these meetings are extremely valuable in ensuring all governors are kept informed of the daily running of school.

The following day a hardy group of Senior Citizens, myself included, enjoyed an outdoor performance by the Reception and Year 1 children. As I said afterwards, their energy and joy overcame the cold weather and left everyone with a warm feeling inside. Well done to all the teachers and children involved.

Yesterday, Peter Nickoll joined a virtual Learning walk with the school and Local Authority. 

Finally, with suitable precautions, governors and SLT enjoyed a meal and social evening on November 30^th. It was lovely to be able to come together in a social environment and relax for a while.

This is probably the last newsletter before the Festive Season, so can I take the opportunity to wish all of you a Very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year and hope you are able to share this time with Family and Friends in a safe and positive environment.

David Aaronson

Chair of Governors

ChairofGovernors@deanshanger.northants.sch.uk