Dear Parents and Caregivers
In light of tonight’s announcement, we can confidently move forward with relatively normal teaching and learning over the next few weeks. The school timetable will return to the normal hours of 8.30 am to 3.10 pm from Monday (Wednesday 9.00 am start). We will continue to have practices for extra-curricular activities within the Alert Level 2 health and safety guidelines.
Please remind your sons of the usual hygiene guidelines which are good practice regardless of COVID-19:
- Regular hand washing
- Sneezing into elbow
- Safe handling and non-sharing of food and drink
- If your son is unwell, he should stay at home
There is an impact on some school events – our Open Night has been cancelled for instance and most sport has been postponed this week. We will continue to follow guidance and decisions from national, regional and local sporting and cultural organisations. It is our aim to participate in all competitions provided they still run. It is important for your sons to have as great a degree of normalcy as possible.
Please remember:
- Do not visit the school site unless it is urgent; communicate via phone and email wherever possible
- Complete contact tracing via the QR codes on display or contact register at the main office
COPING WITH COVID-19
WHAT IS YOUR CHILD EXPERIENCING DURING COVID-19?
- Seeing global pandemic and worrying.
- Feeling a big change in schedule and normal life.
- Hearing parents, trusted adults, and leaders expressing alarm or worry.
HOW DOES THIS IMPACT ON YOUR CHILD’S BEHAVIOUR AND HEALTH?
- Increasing worry and stress.
- Acting out or holding feelings inside.
- Expressing fear in the form of anger or arguments.
- Causing sleeping problems.
- Changing eating habits, which can lead to stomach aches and headaches.
- Provoking tears easily in some children.
WHAT DOES YOUR CHILD NEED?
- To feel safe.
- To belong.
- To have a feeling of control.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Manage moods. Maintain a consistent routine. Connect. Grow.
- Focus on staying calm.
- Help your child cope in a healthy way – play games, be active, draw, listen to calming music.
- Give your child control by giving choices – clothes, foods, chores.
- Set a regular bedtime and turn off devices one hour before.
- Create a daily schedule with your child.
- Spend time together as a family.
- Help your child chat virtually with friends and family.
- Do something new and different.
- Create a warm, loving environment – use calm voices and share kind words.
Acknowledgment: Steve O’Brien, Psy.D., Anxiety in Children During the Covid-19 Crisis: Targeted Strategies to Create Calm and Build Resilience
Regards
Matt Bertram
Head Master
