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  

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)!

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.

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

 

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

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.