Recent letters shared with parents and carers.

• Year 3 Celtic Harmony Virtual Trip

  Mon 29 Nov 2021

  24 November 2021

   

  Dear Parents/Carers

   

  Unfortunately, due to the current Covid outbreak situation, we are unable to take the children to Celtic Harmony for their trip on The Stone Age. However, we have arranged for the Year 3 children to receive a remote learning experience on The Stone Age instead.

  This will take place on Tuesday 30 November 2021.  We feel that this experience will enrich their learning about this topic and really bring it to life.  Please look at the web link below to see what can be expected; there is information, pictures and videos to watch https://www.celticharmony.org/prehistory-trips/remote-learning-stone-age/

   

  Due to the experience taking place in school, all necessary Covid precautions will be in place.

   

  As we will be doing various activities indoors and out, please can you send your child in wearing clothes that can get mucky and/or muddy. They will also need a change of footwear for when they come back inside, please send in an additional pair of shoes, wellies preferably.

   

  The cost of this experience will be just £2.00 per child.   

   

  This can be paid online via the School Gateway payment system along with giving parental consent.

  If you have already paid, you will receive a refund for the difference, you will be notified when this has been processed.

   

  Please can we make you aware that when trips are arranged, the cost is based on the total number of children in that particular year/class group.

   

  Thank you for your support in this matter.

   

  Unfortunately, if insufficient funds are received, the virtual trip will have to be cancelled. If you have any queries, please speak to your child’s teacher. If you have any difficulties in paying this, please contact the office.

   

   

  Yours sincerely

   

  Mrs Birtchnell              Mrs Higgs                    Miss Keal

  Year 3

   

• Recommended PCR Testing for Y3 Ruby

  Mon 29 Nov 2021

  25^th November 2021

   

  Dear Parent or Carer

   

  As you know, we are currently in an outbreak situation in 3 Ruby and have put measures in place to try and keep them as socially distant from the remainder of the school as we can.  Currently, we now have 5 confirmed cases within the class.

   

  As you know, children are more likely to be asymptomatic, and also seem to have slightly differing symptoms to adults.  Some have presented with sickness as a first symptom that has turned out to be Covid so we all need to be extra vigilant with any signs of illness at this time. What we would like to recommend, if you are able to, is book your child in for a PCR test over this weekend.  The sooner that we can establish any cases that we have in the class, then the sooner that we are able to return to normal measures within the setting.

   

  Information on how to book a PCR test can be found here:

   

  How to book a test online when you have been identified as a close contact but do not have symptoms yourself

   

  1. Go to Get a free PCR test to check if you have coronavirus (COVID-19) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
  2. Scroll down and select start now
  3. Is the person who needs a test an essential worker? Select NO
  4. Test available scroll to bottom Select continue
  5. Does the person who needs a test have coronavirus symptoms? Select NO, none of these symptoms
  6. Has the person been asked to get a follow-up test? Select NO
  7. Is the person who needs a test part of a trial or government pilot project? Select none of the above.
  8. Why are you asking for a test? Select I’ve been told to get a test by my local council, health protection team or healthcare professional. Then Select My local council or health protection team has asked me to get a test, even though I do not have symptoms. Select continue
  9. Complete your details and select how you wish to receive your test.

   

  If your child is currently showing no symptoms they do not need to isolate while waiting for results.  We thank you for your understanding with this and your help in keeping everyone safe.

   

  Kind Regards

   

  Mrs E Birch

  Headteacher

   

• ELF Run

  Tue 23 Nov 2021

  23rd November

   

  Dear Parents/Carers

   

  On Friday 10^th December in the afternoon children will be taking part in a sponsored ‘Elf Run’. We will be raising money for the Peace Hospice. Children will be running or walking whilst wearing elf hats! These hats will be provided by the hospice. You may remember we previously took part in the Elf Run and the Bunny Hop before which were a great success!

   

  Class teachers will talk to the children about the Peace Hospice Charity and how their sponsorship can make a difference.

   

  Please ensure on this day that children have warm clothing they can change into for the run, spare shoes and a water bottle.

   

  Please find attached a sponsorship form and please can this be returned by the 21st December if you choose your child to be sponsored. We will also be setting up a ‘Just Giving fundraising page if this is more convenient.

   

  We are hoping for the run to take place in Key Stages however this will be reviewed nearer the time depending on the stage of our Covid Outbreak.

   

  We are looking forward to hosting this event and seeing all the children getting in the festive spirit!

   

  Yours sincerely

   

  Miss Penning

  PE Leader

   

• Covid 19 Outbreak Letter

  Tue 09 Nov 2021

   

   

  9^th November 2021

   

  Dear Parent or Carer

   

  As you know, we continue to do all we possibly can to maintain high-quality, face-to-face education for all of our Galley Hill pupils while also doing everything we can to keep our school community safe. Since the start of the year, we have had to plan for the possibility of an outbreak (considered to be 5 positive PCR tests across the school or 10% of a class) and consider what actions we would take to reduce further spread.

   

  Unfortunately, an outbreak has now been declared at Galley Hill due to the number of positive cases here.  In line with the latest national guidance and as required by the Public Health team of Hertfordshire County Council we are therefore implementing our Outbreak Management Plan and will be reintroducing the following measures until 07.12.21 when they will be reviewed to see if they are still necessary. We may continue to add additional measures should the situation continue to become worse.    

   

  Face Coverings

  • Primary settings - Re-introduction of face coverings for visitors and staff in corridors and communal areas, including staffrooms (where close contact cannot be avoided).
  • Parents – Reintroduction of wearing face coverings anywhere on the school grounds please (this includes at drop off and pick up time).

   

  Start and End of the Day

  • Please limit the time spent on the school site before and after school.
  • Do not arrive at the school site before 8:45am (8:30am for children in morning Nursery) when the classroom doors open.
  • For children in Years 1 to 6 the soft start between 8:45am and 8:55am will continue to be in place.
  • Reception Garnet children will line up on the playground and be collected at 8:45am. Reception Turquoise will line up on the playground and go in at 8:55am.
  • While waiting on the playground before or after school, children should remain with their parents. The play trails should not be in use.

   

  Limiting activities

  • Planned events and activities will be reviewed and risk assessments conducted to determine if these can proceed in line with an agreed system of additional controls or should be postponed. We will update you regarding events trying to give as much notice as possible.

   

  Re-introduction of bubbles

  • Classes that are impacted by the outbreak will be placed back into a bubble. We will be reducing contact between them and the rest of the children in the school.

   

  Testing

  • If your child has been in close contact with a confirmed case(s) they should be been contacted by Track and Trace and advised to take a PCR test. 
  • We encourage parents and staff to participate in twice weekly LFD testing.

  .

   

  General COVID information

   

  Symptoms

  • a high temperature
  • a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot, for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
  • a loss or change to sense of smell or taste – this means they cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

   

  If you are not sure whether you or your child’s symptoms suggest that they have coronavirus or an everyday cough or cold, you can consult this online NHS symptom checker: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/

   

  For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness. If you are concerned about your child’s health or the health of anyone else in your household please seek advice from your GP, use NHS 111 online https://111.nhs.uk/ or call NHS 111.

   

  There are things you can do to reduce the risk of getting COVID-19:

  • wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
  • use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
  • wash your hands as soon as you get to your destination 
  • cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
  • put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

   

  Further information is available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ 

   

  Thank you for your co-operation, we wish those affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) a speedy recovery.

   

  Yours sincerely

   

   

   

  Mrs E. Birch

  Headteacher

   

  Appendix A

   

  How to book a test online when you have been identified as a close contact but do not have symptoms yourself

   

  1. Go to Get a free PCR test to check if you have coronavirus (COVID-19) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
  2. Scroll down and select start now
  3. Is the person who needs a test an essential worker? Select NO
  4. Test available scroll to bottom Select continue
  5. Does the person who needs a test have coronavirus symptoms? Select NO, none of these symptoms
  6. Has the person been asked to get a follow-up test? Select NO
  7. Is the person who needs a test part of a trial or government pilot project? Select none of the above.
  8. Why are you asking for a test? Select I’ve been told to get a test by my local council, health protection team or healthcare professional. Then Select My local council or health protection team has asked me to get a test, even though I do not have symptoms. Select continue
  9. Complete your details and select how you wish to receive your test.