Welcome Back

Welcome and Welcome Back Everyone
All the staff are really excited to see the children back in school; no doubt equally as excited as some of you are to have a bit a of child free time 😉.
Covid Infection Control Measures
The new guidance means that while cases are low in the area, we will go back to almost normal. We’ll keep the same oneway(ish) system with people coming in the double gates on the yard in the morning.
No more bubbles...
There are no bubbles anymore so children will mix at playtimes and lunch. Assemblies will move indoors.
Masks...
We are no longer encouraging parents and staff to wear masks but people are free to use face coverings as they see fit of course.
Hygiene...
Hygiene will remain a priority with extra cleaning especially of toilets continuing.
Ventilation...
The school will still need to be ventilated. Fortunately, the government is providing CO2 meters (something we were about to purchase) which will allow us to know how much fresh air is needed. Hopefully this will be a lot less than last year and mean that the rooms stay warmer.
Testing...
We strongly encourage pupils to be tested twice a week. Staff will be testing frequently.
In the event of a local outbreak...
There are contingency plans which will mean a return to the previous systems if Public Health and Shropshire Council feel it is necessary.

Messy Monkeys After-school Care
After-school care to 5.30 is now available in school along with breakfast club at Morda Pre-School. Details have been sent out but please contact the admin team for more info.

Sports Club Charges
Things have changed a lot since we decided to make sports clubs at Morda free. The main thing being the pandemic and changes to working patterns – some of which are likely to continue as employees and employers alike have learned to appreciate the advantages of home working.
It became clear that over the last year some parents found the extra hour in school quite convenient as it provided enough child-care to finish work perhaps after an early start. This has had a knock-on effect on the pre-school’s after-school service which was already suffering because of the sports club situation.
In order that the new school based after-school care remains viable, we need to generate some income from clubs. This year, sports clubs running from 3.15 – 4.15 will cost £2.50. Other clubs and will cost £4.90. Sports clubs are therefore being subsidised by £2.40 via our sports funding.
Children staying in school to 5.30 after a club will pay £11 which includes any charges for clubs. Children staying for the second session will also receive a snack. So, £11 is the amount parents will pay for child staying on to 5.30 regardless of clubs attended.
We are sorry that this is a necessary change without which we will not be able to provide a crucial service to working parents.
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Welcome New Office manager
We are also welcoming a new member of staff. Laura Ellis has joined us as our new Office Manager working part-time on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Amanda Garstang will continue to her fantastic work in Reception with Laura taking on more of the admin work which has fallen to the Co-Headteachers during Amber's absence.

And finally but most importantly learning!
We have a wonderful term planned. Reception and Year 1 in the Bluebells will be working on the Marvellous Me topic and learning about Morda. Years 1 and 2 in Daffodils will become Artic Explorers roaming the frozen wastes in search of knowledge. Roses (Year 4 and 5) are heading back to the Stone Age to hunt some mammoth. Meanwhile Shamrocks (Y5/6) will be visiting the bazaar to discover Ancient Islamic Societies.
Look out for class blogs with pictures and examples of work.
Mr E and Mrs C :-)