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

 

 

 

 

      

This message has been sent by St Bartholomew's School. Please do not reply to this email as it is automatically generated. Any contact with the school should be made through the St Bart's email address office@stbarts.co.uk

 

St Bartholomew's School, Andover Road,  Newbury, Berkshire RG14 6JP 

Telephone: 01635 521255                            

www.stbarts.co.uk
www.facebook.com/stbartsnewbury/
www.twitter.com/St_Barts_School

If you wish to unsubscribe from BartholoNews please email bartholonews@stbarts.co.uk with the names of all students you are a contact for.