From: ST BARTHOLOMEW'S SCHOOL
<SC8695402a@schoolcomms.com>
Sent: 03 April 2020 16:51
To: ARobbins
Subject: Letter from Mr Lawes to
Year 10
Dear
Year 10
I
just wanted to touch in with you all as we reach the end of week two of the
school closure, and prepare to begin the Easter holiday.
The
rest of the staff and I would like to begin by saying thank you.
Firstly,
I’d like to thank all of you who have already taken time to complete the survey
we sent you yesterday. The information you’ve shared is really valuable as we
continue to plan how best we can support you going forward. For those of you
who haven’t completed it yet, please do take a few minutes to do so https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/studentSC1.
Secondly,
and most importantly, I’d like to thank you for the resilience with which you
tackled these last two weeks. It’s been great to see how well you are using
Show My Homework; the majority of you are logging in regularly and working to
complete the tasks that you’ve been set by staff. As you know, the decision to
close school was one that was taken very quickly, and during these first two
weeks of closures your teachers have been working hard on plans to streamline
how we set work for you. We have been listening to your feedback about how
you’re finding that and hopefully, after Easter, you’ll find work is issued in
smaller chunks and with shorter deadlines so you can manage it more easily.
Over
the Easter holiday period, your class teachers won’t be setting you work to
complete. Hopefully the break will give us all a chance to rest and recharge
our batteries. I’d encourage you to take some time during the holiday to
reflect on the last two weeks. It’s important to take stock of the routines and
habits which we’re beginning to form which will help us as we work from home
longer term, and those that may not be so helpful.
Some
important things for you to consider are the quantity and quality of sleep you
are getting each evening. Sticking to set times to head to bed, turning off
phones or other devices so that our sleep isn’t interrupted and getting up and
starting each day with a sensible breakfast is key. Not only is getting enough
rest key to having enough energy to be productive during the day, but it’s also
key to our mood – most of us are shorter tempered when we’re tired and as we
continue to adapt to spending much more time at home with our families being
well rested will not only make us much better company but also help us be more
patient with others too.
Last
week’s Bartholonews had some information about 5 key steps we can each take
daily to boost our wellbeing. If you haven’t read it, I’d recommend you have a
look and consider what you might try to include in the coming weeks https://www.stbarts.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/25-Mar-20-937.pdf.
The
closure and social isolation plans are likely to be in place for some time, and
lots of us will find it a challenge to adapt to this new way of living and
working. If you are struggling and need some support, as always, your house
office is your best first port of call; house staff are checking email
regularly and will respond to any of you who need some support. There is also a
list of resources on the school website which some of you may find useful;
these include NHS approved Apps which you can download, text lines which you
can contact 24/7 and websites packed with useful tips http://www.stbarts.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Support-during-the-closure.pdf.
I
hope you have a restful Easter holiday. I’m sure for lots of us, we may be
beginning this break disappointed that things we had been looking forward to
like holidays, family gatherings or trips out with friends will have been
cancelled or postponed. There will also be times when some of you feel
frustrated by the social distancing restrictions and the requirement that you
stay home during the holiday, especially if the weather remains as bright and
dry. Remember that this will end, and patience now and adhering to the guidance
we’ve been given to stay home in order to protect ourselves and others is key.
I hope that despite the fact that there are restrictions on what we can do for
now, your time together with your families is restful and that you can find
lots of ways to enjoy each other’s company.
Take
care of yourselves, and those around you, and stay safe.
Mr
Lawes
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