This week we welcomed back all our pupils and are very pleased to say that due to all our efforts in the past few weeks, we did not have any further spread of COVID across the school.  This is something that Surrey County Council has been very impressed with and complimentary about the way our community worked through this challenging period.

Guardian Angel Week

Next week is Guardian Angel Week.  All pupils and staff have now selected someone in their class to be Guardian Angel for.  We hope the everyone will make the extra effort to put a smile on their nominated persons face with random acts of kindness, good manners and friendship. Please take some time this week to talk to your child about this and things they could do to be a good Guardian Angel.

NO MONEY IS TO BE INVOLVED.

Parent Consultations

We are making steps towards purchasing an online parent consultation app and hope that after Christmas we can start our parent consultations for all year groups to update you “face to face” on your child’s progress – We very much look forward to seeing you soon !

Star of the Week

Leading up to Christmas

Our attention is now fully turned to the run up to Christmas making sure we offer our pupils as much fun and festivity as normal.  6^th Form are making up Christmas Boxes for each class so they can decorate their rooms/tables for Christmas lunch and Mrs Sims and Miss Baker are working away on a Christmas Quiz for after lunch. SLT are planning a small Festive Fiesta with support from the PFA who are also running our Christmas Raffle.

Please see the dates below:

27^th November – Mufti day – bring chocolate, sweets or non alcoholic drinks for the Festive Fiesta

14^th December – Mufti day – bring cakes for the Festive Fiesta

15^th December – Festive Fiesta – bring your money to visit our stalls and games at our Christmas Fair – pupils and staff only

16^th December – Christmas Dinner – bring a festive hat etc and wear a Christmas Jumper if you wish

17^th December – KS3 Celebration Assembly & KS4 Celebration Assembly:  Parents of prize winners will be invited to join us on Zoom.

18^th December – KS5 Celebration Assembly: Parents of prize winners will be invited to join us on Zoom.                          

18^th December – School ends 12.30pm

Who can I contact about school work if my child has to self isolate due to COVID ?

You MUST contact the school as soon as you become aware that there is a COVID issue with your family / child.

If you are then asked to isolate at home our Blended Learning Team can be contacted for support

Our Blended Learning Coordinator can be contacted on  victoria.fearnley@philip-southcote.surrey.sch.uk.  Mrs Fearnley will also be leading on support for Year 11 pupils at home.

In addition:

Mrs Page will be our Blended Learning Welfare mentor for year 7 and 8.  katie.page@philip-southcote.surrey.sch.uk.

Mrs Windsor will be our Blended Learning Welfare mentor for year 9 and 10. jwindsor@philip-southcote.surrey.sch.uk.

All 3 of these ladies will be available until 2^nd December during school hours to support should your child be self-isolating from school due to COVID.

What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19

If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, they should remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when their symptoms appeared. Anyone with symptoms will be eligible for testing and this can be arranged via https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119. 

All other household members who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days.

The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.

Household members should not go to work, school or public areas and exercise should be taken within the home.

Household members staying at home for 14 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:

•new continuous cough and/or

•high temperature

•a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

If your child or anyone in the household does develop symptoms, you can seek advice from NHS 111 at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/check-if-you-have-coronavirus-symptoms/ or by phoning 111.

How to stop COVID-19 spreading

There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19

Do

• wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
• use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
• wash your hands as soon as you get home
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

Further Information

Further information is available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Financial Support for families struggling

We understand that the past few months have been hard going for many families in our community.  If you are experiencing financial difficulties, then the link below may be able to offer some support and guidance.

https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/people-and-community/emergency-planning-and-community-safety/coronavirus/need-help/finance

Access our weekly newsletters and more………..

On the “Latest News” Page on our website  https://www.philipsouthcoteschool.co.uk/

Or

“The Schools App” from your app store

Yours Sincerely

Mary Rome

Headteacher