Update on the past week

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15^th January 2021

Dear Parents and Carers,

Re: Update on the past week

I hope you and your families are keeping safe and well.

As it is Friday, I wanted to write to you to update you on the past week here at Budehaven Community School, both within school and in the virtual, remote provision. Firstly, I would like to thank and commend our students on their hard work this week. Adapting to a new way of working is not easy, but the feedback both from class teachers, support staff, and leaders across school has been that the students’ attitude and engagement has been fantastic. Thank you.

I have been in constant dialogue with the teachers this week regarding the variety of the activities that take place within lessons. Although we have to register, greet and instruct students within each lesson, there is a need to ensure a balance between on-screen learning and time away from the screen. You will see a variety of activities emerging as the half term unfolds. I would also like to thank all of our dedicated members of staff, in all areas of the school, for all they are doing to support our students. With the ever-changing guidance, press releases and information in the media, it is important to give time to consider the many changes we are facing, and to reflect upon our own and others’ resilience at this time. I have witnessed so many successes over the past months, and it is important to not let the uncertainty overshadow a real sense of achievement amongst our students and staff alike.

This week we have carried out Lateral Flow Device Covid-19 tests of all our staff and students in school. We have a trained team of professionals who have carried out the tests with rigour and a smile.

After next week, starting on Monday 25^th January, we will be issuing vouchers to those students in receipt of free school meals. For next week, we will continue with our food hampers, so there is not a gap in the provision whilst the Government-led scheme gets up and running.

If any further national guidance is released regarding the grades that will be awarded to those in Year 11 and 13 this summer, I will let you know as soon as I do. In the meantime, I encourage all students in these year groups to continue to work hard, as they would do if the exams were going ahead as in a normal year. Whatever information is released regarding the awarding of these grades, we will undoubtedly be asked to take the work of the forthcoming months into consideration, along with any in-class assessments and mock examination that have/will take place.

Any parents’ evenings scheduled for this half term will go ahead via our virtual parents’ evening platform. We have trialled this already with other year groups, and the feedback has been positive. Please be patient whilst we also get to grips with the many new systems we are using, and if you can provide us with constructive feedback, along with suggestions of how to make things even better, please do get in touch via the enquiries@budehaven.cornwall.sch.uk email address. We will respond within 48 hours of your enquiry during work days.

Please be assured that we have the best interests of all members of our community at heart, and if you have any questions or concerns, please contact us straight away.

Take care and have a good weekend.

Yours faithfully,

Mr Dominic Wilkes

Headteacher