Issue No 09 - 28.01.2022

Headteacher News

Dear Parents and Carers

I hope this Newsletter finds you and your family well. 

Despite a huge increase in covid cases in the last couple of weeks we have continued to enjoy a wide variety of activities enhancing your children’s learning.  Year 5 classes were visited by Apollo Music Foundation recently.  This organisation work with schools across London with talented and experienced performers who come in to school to share their knowledge of music, the orchestra and individual instruments.  Children will spend a number of sessions over the coming weeks learning about different sections of the orchestra which will culminate in two live performances in the latter part of the year.

We took part in Haringey’s sample dental survey with some of our Year 1 and Reception children.  Thank you to parents for supporting the school with this. 

Year 2 children enjoyed a wonderful “superhero day”.  There were some amazing costumes and the children enjoyed being in character for the day.

Year 6 took part this afternoon in a Shakespeare Workshop learning about MacBeth through drama – thanks to our resident Drama Club teacher, Louise Parsons.  We look forward to hearing more about this when the children are able to write a short report.

Parent Consultations will be held on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 9th February.  I hope you have been able to organise an appointment ahead of these dates.  If you have any issues making an appointment please contact the admin team who will be happy to support you.

I recently met with the Friend of Tetherdown and following a very productive meeting I am delighted to share that we have agreed a number of priorities for fundraising, including:

  • IT devices, technical support and interactive classroom screens.
  • A brand-new activity centre for the Infant Playground replacing the old trim trail.
  • Development of the Woodland slope and the Year 2 outdoor learning area to include bright new floor markings, gardening equipment and a lovely seating area with shade.
  • Contributions towards the school cost of providing swimming provision.
  • Development of the History, Geography and R.E. curriculum with resources and displays around school.
  • A new stage to support the Performing Arts within our school curriculum.

We look forward to being able to share with you our progress in developing this aspect of the school’s work and thank the Friends of Tetherdown in anticipation of their support and hard work.

Please look out for information on our upcoming Readathon which we are holding to support World Book Day.  Details of activities, competitions and dressing up will be available soon.

I would like to thank you and the staff for your continuing support during these challenging covid times.  We have seen many staff absences and on occasions have struggled to obtain replacement support staff from agencies.  Please be mindful that Senior Leaders are continuously monitoring standards and expectations around the school to ensure the continuing safety and warmth that we pride ourselves on.

We understand that managing your family’s covid situation can be time-consuming – indeed we have had around 90 cases in the last two weeks.  It is really helpful when parents report their child absent using the school telephone number or by sending an email into the admin mailbox AND report the covid absence on the school website FORM.

Sadly, we say goodbye to one of our support staff, Barbara Magin, who has worked with our children for the last 6 years in a number of roles, including lunchtime support, Breakfast and After School Clubs.  She has worked in class to support reading and will be taking up a new role as a private Nanny.  I would like to than Ms Magin for all her hard work and support over the years and wish her all the best for a successful future. 

Thank you for your continuing support and I wish you a restful weekend.

Tony Woodward

Headteacher

LATEST NEWS

28 Jan 2022
Year 5 Assembly - World War II
When You're a Kid in World War II
Read more
27 Jan 2022
Year 3 Time Travel to the Stone Age
Year 3 Travels Back to the Stone Age!
Read more
17 Jan 2022
Apollo Music Project
Year 5 started their week off with a bang!
Read more

COMMUNITY NEWS

We need your support

With very few events happening this term, we really need your support to try and reach our target for fundraising. As a reminder, the government generally fund just enough to cover staff salaries, so all additional materials for both teaching and wellbeing need to be funded by our efforts.

The simplest and perhaps most effective way to do this is by way of a monthly direct debit. 

We appreciate times are tough and this isn’t feasible for everyone, but if you are able to commit to anything from just £5-£50 a month (£5 being not even a couple of lattes a week!) we could make a huge difference to our children’s educational experience. 

18% of you have already signed up and for this we’re hugely grateful. For those of you who haven’t and are willing and able, please click here.

Many thanks in advance!

Friends of Tetherdown

MANAGING COVID-19 

Symptoms and Testing for COVID-19

Over the last few weeks we have had an extremely high number of COVID-19 positive cases amongst our families. Our Senior Leadership Team continue to strive for the highest standards whilst managing staff absence and are working flat out to organise appropriate cover arrangements, when needed.  We appreciate your understanding as we move forward.  

Please can we ask you to familiarise yourself with the COVID-19 process.

As long as your child does not have symptoms we are advising all parents to routinely LFD test their children. Public Health England have stated that Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests and Rapid Antigen tests can be used for children under the age of 12.

If your child has a symptom of COVID-19 such as a new or continuous cough or fever or loss of smell or taste, i.e. any of the recognised COVID-19 symptoms as identified by Public Health England, please keep them at home and report the absence. You are then advised to:

  1. Seek medical advice and ring 119 or your GP.
  2. Follow their advice to establish if a PCR is required.
  3. Please inform the office of the advice provided to you via email/call.

If you are instructed to take your child for a PCR test, please inform the school office of the result as per below.

Positive Result for PCR or LFD

If your child tests positive for either a PCR or LFD test you are reminded to fill in both our:

  1. Online form to report your child’s result; and
  2. email/call the school office to report the absence.

Upon filling in the online reporting form for a positive result, a member of the Senior Leadership Team, will email affected families with guidelines as advised by Haringey Public Health. We will no longer send emails and attached letters on new positive COVID-19 cases.

We appreciate that there may at times be some confusion on ways to respond, but we are doing our best to ensure as many children can come to school on a regular basis so that risks to your child’s continuing education in the current climate is reduced.

LOOKING AHEAD AND REMINDERS

PLEASE REMEMBER WE ARE A NO NUTS SCHOOL (green)

Products containing nuts (including for staff as some may also have allergies) must not be brought into school under any circumstances

Tetherdown School Communications to Parents

We have a brand-new website please ensure your explore our website regularly so not to miss any important communications. This should be your 'FIRST PORT OF CALL' for information.

The Parents page is dedicated to you! - here you will be able to find answers and links to everyday questions and queries you may have as well as further useful information and support - to name a few...

  • Calendar - check this regularly
  • Term dates
  • Key Letters
  • School Day & Wraparound Care
  • Health & Welfare

Please do not hesitate to contact the school office if you have explored the website, and you cannot find what you are looking for.

Parent Communication to Tetherdown

Please remember when emailing the admin mailbox to ensure you put your child's full name and class. There are over 400 pupils on roll and as you can imagine finding any child with only their first name can be tricky!

ParentPay - Communication from Tetherdown

ParentPay is the schools Communications and Payment System All communications sent directly from the school are sent using ParentPay only.

Parents will receive an email from platform@parentpay.com - when you receive messages from this email you can be assured this is an official direct school communication.

Any undelivered emails to parents the school are notified - we have not been notified of any undelivered messages to date.

Text and Email Alerts

Parents are advised to set up text and email alerts - this advice has been a standing item in recent newsletters including this one.  If you have missed an email please search your mailbox for platform@parentpay.com messages and check junk mail.

If you are having any problems receiving official school communications please contact the school office after you have checked your mailbox and junk mail and not ParentPay.

Thank you for your continuing support.

New to Tetherdown - Free School Meals Eligibility Checker

Your child may be eligible for free school meals (FSM) if you are in receipt of any of the following benefits:

  • Income Support.
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
  • Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
  • The guaranteed element of Pension Credit.
  • Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190).
  • Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit.
  • Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get).

To find out whether your child qualifies for free school meals, and hence whether Tetherdown Primary school would receive additional funding, please fill in the details requested using the free school meals Eligibility Checker below. In some circumstances we may ask you to provide confirmation that you are in receipt of any of the benefits listed above. Parents can also find a useful FAQ on the Eligibility Checker site to assist them.

Free School Meal Eligibility Checker (lgfl.org.uk)

Eligible pupils will receive free school meals and Tetherdown School will receive extra funding. 

Note: Free School Meals is not the same as Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) where the government provides funding for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2.

REMINDERS

Reporting Absences and pick up

If your child is absent for the day, please call the main office before 9am and select option 1. Leave a clear message with your child’s full name and class and a reason for the absence. Pick up information needs to be communicated before 2:45 pm via the office email admin@tetherdownschool.org stating your child’s name and class and who is collecting them.

Please do not email teachers as they are unable to check emails during the teaching day.

ParentPay – Set Up Text and Email Alerts

To ensure that you do not miss any important information from Tetherdown please set up ALERTS on your accounts. Details of how to do this can be found on our Payment & Bookings System pages.

Children Leaving

If you are planning on leaving Tetherdown it is important that you inform the school as soon as possible. Please fill in the destination form which can found on our School Forms & Links page.

Medicines in School

As a reminder that medicine cannot be given to your child to bring into school. The school can administer prescribed medicine only (the parents form on our website must be filled in). Any over the counter medicine must be administered by a parent / nominated carer. Please refer to our Health & Welfare pages for further details.

Official Appointments

You do not need to fill in the absence request form for medical appointments, or official appointments, but proof must be provided which must be sent to the office. Please remember to include your child's name and class in all correspondence.

Forgotten Items

The school does not accept forgotten items. We aim to promote independence and responsibility in our children. This includes snacks and packed lunches, water bottles, PE kits, instruments etc. We can accept medical and reading glasses. If a child has forgotten their lunch one will be provided and will be charged via your ParentPay account.

Unhealthy Treats

We are a healthy school and as such we kindly ask that children do not bring in sweets or cakes/biscuits to hand out to their friends on their birthday. A class book donation is always much appreciated. We will share your book-gift with the class and insert a special book plate to mark the occasion of your child's birthday.

DIARY DATES TO THE 11TH FEBRUARY 2022

Y5 Apollo Workshop 2
1:00pm – 3:30pm
31
January
Parent Consultations and SEND Open Door (all)
3:45pm – 7:45pm
01
February
Year 6 Phoenix Assembly
9:15am – 9:45am
04
February
Parent Consultations and SEND Open Door (all)
3:45pm – 7:45pm
09
February
Y2 Assembly
9:15am – 9:45am
11
February