We have had a wonderful week back at school the children have been fantastic. The sound of their chatter, the sight of them all learning, playing and being has been a joy.  The children have adjusted so well and for a few it has been so hard to change the routine of being at home for learning to being at school. Others have been worried about so many people being together. All of these worries are expected with such big changes; but with the support of you and the class team  the children have all coped so well.   I hope you have adjusted well to the changes, please don’t underestimate how hard this can be for adults too, with a sense of loss and fears of the virus; if you need any support then please let me know.

Weekly homework starts today and all the children have the expected Reading, Spelling/Sounds, Maths, Timestables (Y1-6) and Project Homework. You will find details of the weekly homework through MarvellousMe/IConnect apps that have always been used for homework.  The project homework is on the Class Pages of the website www.ash-grange.surrey.sch.uk/class-pages/ - this is due in by Friday 26th March.

The children were really excited about our new library that they are creating and have been nominating books, remember you can nominate a book for children too at www.ash-grange.surrey.sch.uk/new-school-library/.  With all the books and trolleys arriving quickly, we may even be ready to launch before Easter.

Next Friday is the day for the Comic Relief charity with everything going on for families we are choosing to ask less from you this year.  We do not want to add any pressure to families so are not asking for any donations for the charity or added expense with costumes for dressing up. Families can of course support the charity through the TV appeals.  The theme this year is Superpowers and we will be exploring this with the children through lessons, assemblies and Me Time.  We are not dressing up on Friday as we do not want families having to buy/hunt down items etc… so the children can add a bit of funny or red to their uniform/PE kit by wearing alternative socks, tights or hair accessories on Friday 19th March.

Community

Sadly, this week I have received calls, emails and a photo (see below) from local residents complaining that at drop-off and pick-up times people are parking over residents driveways preventing them from leaving or accessing.  We all work so hard to have a good reputation in our community and it is so sad that some people are being inconsiderate which reflects badly on the whole school community. Please be considerate and abide by the Highway Code.  I am sure this will also result in Traffic Warden presence in the coming weeks.

Safety Safety

We have our measures in place that will protect the children, staff and school community, which are available through the school website www.ash-grange.surrey.sch.uk/coronavirus-information/. Thankyou for all helping to keep everyone safe.

Well done adjusting to the new PE kit days for classes, when the children come to school in PE kits not uniform:

We have noticed a few children arriving in non-school uniform. We appreciate it is hard to purchase items currently however the expectation is: 

• Plain black leggings or jogging bottoms
• Plain white tshirt or Ash Grange purple tshirt
• School purple hoodie or Plain black hoodie.

We have a selection of new and preloved uniform available. For stock and availability please check on Scopay.

Work being undertaken

Resurfacing the area outside of Funzone back and quiet area – this is in the final stages but the weather slowed progress this week.  Year 3 and 4 will line up in their normal place but be taken in and out of the school via the Year 2 entrance by the class teams until the area is ready.

Lunch Menu week 1

We request all payments are made through www.scopay.com to minimise the risks from handling cash.

Recruitment

We are in the midst of recruiting a number of posts that will become live in the next week:

• 1 Cleaner – staff are moving areas
• 1 Learning Support Assistant for the new EHCPs that have been allocated for children
• 1 Chef as we take over the catering provision from our contractors, very exciting indeed.
• 1 Grounds Manager to develop the landscaping of the site and manage the upkeep (we are moving away from a contracted service with the local authority)

If you or anyone you know is interested in a post, then please see the application process through our website - www.ash-grange.surrey.sch.uk/vacancies/

Keep well, kindest regards,

Mrs Curtis