Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• School Uniform

  Mon 13 Jul 2020
  Last week the uniform policy was reshared as there has been a crucial amendment added following demand from the development of our curriculum.
  
  From September, we want to be encouraging learning to take place outside as often as possible. This incentive is being driven by various research that suggests learning outside is beneficial to wellbeing and also helps to reinforce the values needed for children to flourish.
  
  Therefore, we are asking that all children are supplied with wellington boots, waterproof jackets and waterproof over trousers so we are not restricted by the weather. All of these must be labelled with the child’s name so they can be easily identified. These will remain in school in appropriate storage per year group.
  
  Government guidelines for September stresses that all PE and outside learning should be taken outside as much as possible, so could you please ensure that your child has appropriate outdoor PE kit including long tracksuit trousers, jumper and sensible trainers.
  
  Thank you for your time and continued support in this matter.
  Thank you
  Ms Larue  

• Complete the survey attached from Sustrans and be entered into a prize draw to win a bike worth up to £400

  Tue 30 Jun 2020

  Sustrans have developed a survey for parents and guardians, looking at how children and their families travel to and from school (pre Covid-19). The survey is only 10 questions long and should take approximately 4 minutes to fill out. This survey is really important for us determining how school runs can be made safer, easier and more sustainable.

   

   The survey closes on Sunday 12 July:

  https://sustrans.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/essex-schools-parent-survey

   

  Everyone that completes the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win a bike worth up to £400 including accessories (helmet and lock)!

• Price Increase for School Dinners

  Thu 18 Jun 2020
  Please be advised that there will be a slight price increase for a school dinner at school when we return in September. The new price will be £2.30.

• Preparations are under way ......

  Mon 01 Jun 2020
  

• Free School Meal Vouchers

  Thu 09 Apr 2020

  Problems with Edenred – National Free School Meals Voucher Scheme

   

  9^th April 2020

   

  Dear Parent / Carer,

   

  We have been made aware of several issues with the national Free School Meals voucher scheme. This scheme has been established by central Government for schools to use, to issue vouchers to families eligible for benefits-based Free School Meals.

   

  The issues are causing a delay in the vouchers making their way to families, despite schools’ best efforts to access the vouchers. I understand that this is frustrating for families but I ask that you please bear with the schools, who are continuing to order vouchers and work with the central supplier on your behalf, where vouchers have not been received.

   

  We believe vouchers are now beginning to come through and so you should receive these within the next few days. If you have not yet received vouchers, which you know the school have ordered for you, you do not need to take any action. The school can see on their system which vouchers have not yet been issued and are chasing these on your behalf.

   

  However, if you remain concerned at all please contact your school directly.

   

  I thank you for your patience and co-operation at this time.

   

  Yours sincerely,

   

   

  Clare Kershaw

  Director of Education

  Essex County Council

   

• Message for all parents - Re School Closure

  Thu 19 Mar 2020
  At 5.15pm yesterday, the Secretary of State for Education gave a public statement that all schools in England would be closed from the end of the school day on Friday.
  
  Having indicated that all schools would be closed, he then indicated that they would be expected to remain open for the children of key workers and for those in vulnerable categories – providing a safe place and access to meals. We are expecting a definition of ‘key worker’ today from the Cabinet Office. It will take time to determine the nature of this provision.
  
  As a school we need time to reflect on this news, have time to make decisions and think clearly about how we can manage this.
  
  School will continue to operate as we have been already this week and this will include today and Friday. We will update you further once we have clearer information from the local authority later on in the day.
  
  I will be working my senior leadership colleagues, and all staff, and the local authority to clarify as best we can what this announcement means for the school, for our pupils and for you. I anticipate providing more details later today.
  
  Thank you for your support and for your patience in the meantime.
  
  
  Kind regards
  
  Liz Bartholomew
  Head Teacher
  Mayflower Primary School

• Year 3 Colchester Castle Trip - Postponed

  Tue 17 Mar 2020
  Unfortunately due to the current situation we have had no alternative but to cancel the Year 3 trip to Colchester Castle on Monday. This will be re-arranged as soon as possilble.

• After School Clubs

  Tue 17 Mar 2020
  All after school clubs are cancelled until further notice

• Request for parents/carers only to come into the school office if absolutely essential please

  Tue 17 Mar 2020
  Due to the current situation with Coronavirus, we are requesting that parents/carers only come into the school office if absolutely essential. This is to reduce risk to our office staff. If you need to pay money, please put in a sealed clearly marked envelope and send this in with your child. If you have any concerns the office staff are happy to take your calls.
  
  Thank you for your support.

• Advice re the Coronavirus

  Mon 16 Mar 2020

  https://www.gov.uk/.../.../coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-guidance

   

  The advice for anyone in any setting is to follow these main guidelines.
  
  The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of a new continuous cough and/or high temperature. If you have these symptoms, however mild, stay at home and do not leave your house for 7 days from when your symptoms started. You do not need to call NHS 111 to go into self-isolation. If your symptoms worsen during home isolation or are no better after 7 days, contact NHS 111 online. If you have no internet access, you should call NHS 111. For a medical emergency dial 999.
  
  Wash your hands more often than usual, for 20 seconds using soap and hot water, particularly after coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose, or after being in public areas where other people are doing so. Use hand sanitiser if that’s all you have access to.
  
  To reduce the spread of germs when you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, or your sleeve (not your hands) if you don’t have a tissue, and throw the tissue away immediately. Then wash your hands or use a hand sanitising gel.
  
  Clean and disinfect regularly touched objects and surfaces using your regular cleaning products to reduce the risk of passing the infection on to other people.
  
  At the current time and based on our understanding of what is known of COVID-19 and other similar respiratory viruses, it is likely that older people and those with chronic medical conditions may be vulnerable to severe disease. As more information emerges, recommendations may change.

   

   

  If you are in self isolation.
  
  Stay at home
  
  You should remain in your home. Do not go to work, school, or public areas, and do not use public transport or taxis. You can go for a walk.
  
  You will need to ask friends or relatives if you require help with buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication. Alternatively, you can order medication by phone or online. You can also order your shopping online. Make sure you tell delivery drivers to leave items outside for collection if you order online. The delivery driver should not come into your home.