Download letter here – Full School Letter 2021
14th July 2021
Dear Parents/Carers
As we approach the end of the academic year, we begin to set our sights on the new academic year with the removal of all restrictions. Over the last two academic years, the whole school community has faced challenges that we could never have imagined. Yet we have faced them. Our pupils have faced them and you, as parents and carers, have also faced them. You have shown determination and resilience. For this we thank you. We also thank our pupils. Many have needed to adapt to home learning and have needed to display new skills of resilience and independence.
Mixing and ‘bubbles’
Thankfully, we are delighted to confirm the Government is removing the majority of restrictions from Monday 19th July which means that only those pupils who test positive will need to self isolate and whole bubbles will be able to remain in school which means less disruption to learning.
From Step 4, we will no longer need to group children in consistent groups (‘bubbles’) or to keep groups apart. This means that collective worship and larger group activities can resume.
If there is an outbreak in school we may have to consider the reintroduction of bubbles or to keep groups apart for a temporary period to reduce mixing between groups but we will keep you informed as the term progresses.
Face coverings
From Step 4, face coverings will no longer be advised for pupils, staff and visitors either in classrooms or in communal areas.
Attendance
In September, school attendance will be mandatory. This means that the legal duty on parents of children of compulsory school age will apply. It is vital that children return to school as quickly as possible for their educational progress, wellbeing and wider development. Those pupils who do not attend school will see that our Attendance Policy will be employed and parents will be issued with legal proceedings should their children be persistently absent.
It is the expectation that parents will avoid a holiday in term-time as this will cause further disruption to their child’s education. Holidays in term-time must be in writing to the Head of School using the appropriate form and providing details of the destination to be visited. A request will only be agreed where it is satisfied there is an exceptional circumstance that is in accordance with the Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust policy. Legal powers to enforce attendance will be used where a child misses school without a valid reason and the absence is unauthorised.
Transport
From September 2021, face coverings are also no longer recommended to be worn on dedicated transport to school or college and are no longer legally required on public transport. If however, there is a local outbreak Public Health England may advise that face coverings should be worn temporarily.
Examinations Y11
The Department for Education have announced that they expect examinations for Year 11 to take place in summer 2022. Gavin Williamson has announced that more definitive advice and information will be published in the autumn term 2021. As a school we will keep both pupils and parents up to date with all relevant announcements. For more information please see the link below:
Term dates and Mass Testing
The Government has issued guidance on mass testing ready for the beginning of the new term. “As pupils will potentially mix with lots of other people during the summer holidays, all secondary school pupils should receive 2 on-site lateral flow device tests, 3 to 5 days apart, on their return in the autumn term. Settings may commence testing from 3 working days before the start of term and can stagger return of pupils across the first week to manage this. Pupils should then continue to test twice weekly at home until the end of September, when this will be reviewed.” At St Peter’s Catholic College pupils are to be offered two tests in school before resuming the new academic year. It is vital that pupils attend their test to ensure we can start the term with COVID free disruption. Therefore, we will be operating a staggered start to term as per the DFE guidance. This means all year groups will be back in the building from Monday 6th September 2021. It is crucial that your child attends school on the days allocated below. Year 8 to 11, if you have already consented to testing and we have a record of this you are eligible for an on site test. If you have not consented to testing and would like to receive on site tests please go to the Arbor APP or website to consent for COVID-19 testing. This will automatically update your consent. Year 7 will need to bring with them their consent forms that are enclosed in this pack, without consent we will be unable to offer your child a test.
Tuesday 31st August 2021
| Date | Year groups to be tested | Time | Venue | Transport |
| Tuesday 31st August | Year 7 | 9.00- 9.30am
Surname A – L 9.30 – 10am Surname M – Z |
Sports Hall via Main reception | Make own way to school and return home once tested |
| Year 8 | 10 – 10.30am
Surname A – L 10.30 – 11.00am Surname M – Z |
Sports Hall via main reception | Make own way to school and return home once tested | |
| Year 9 | 11.15– 11.45am
Surname A – L 11.45 – 12.15 Surname M – Z |
Sports Hall via main reception | Make own way to and return home once tested school | |
| Year 10 | 12.15 – 12.45
Surname A – L 1.15 – 1.45 Surname M – Z |
Sports Hall via main reception | Make own way to school and return home once tested | |
| Year 11 | 1.45 – 2.15
Surname A – L 2.15 – 2.45 Surname M – Z |
Sports Hall via main reception | Make own way to school and return home once tested | |
Pupils do not need to wear uniform for testing on Tuesday 31st August 2021
Wednesday 1st September 2021 will be a PD day for staff only.
Thursday 2nd September 2021
Y7 and Y11 pupils will return to school at 8.25 if they have had a negative covid test for transition and progress meetings. Pupils must be in full school uniform with full equipment ready to learn.
Friday 3rd September 2021
| Date | Year groups to be tested | Time | Venue | Transport |
| Friday 3rd September | Year 7 | Tested throughout the morning | Sports Hall via pupil entrance | Make own way to school for 8.25 and remain in school for transition |
| Year 8 | 10 – 10.30am
Surname A – L 10.30 – 11.00am Surname M – Z |
Sports Hall via main reception | Make own way to school and return home once tested | |
| Year 9 | 11.15– 11.45am
Surname A – L 11.45 – 12.15 Surname M – Z |
Sports Hall via main reception | Make own way to and return home once tested school | |
| Year 10 | 12.15 – 12.45
Surname A – L 1.15 – 1.45 Surname M – Z |
Sports Hall via main reception | Make own way to school and return home once tested | |
| Year 11 | Tested throughout the afternoon | Sports Hall via main reception | Make own way to school for 8.25 and remain in school for progress meetings |
Monday 6th September 2021
All pupils must return to school in full uniform, with all equipment ready to begin the new academic year. The School bus will be available from Monday 6th September 2021.
Uniform
High standards and compliance with school rules will be a basic expectation of all St Peter’s pupils. I would therefore like to remind parents that all advice about school uniform and rules are on the St Peter’s Catholic College website. Can I please ask you to ensure that you buy your son/daughter the correct shoes (not trainers) and trousers during the summer holiday. Moreover, pupils are not allowed to wear jewellery, make-up or have haircuts that I deem extreme. Any pupils arriving to school in non-compliant uniform will be given 24 hours to rectify and if the changes are not made in line with our school policy they will be placed in our curriculum support centre until 2.35pm and a parent meeting will follow. For those pupils who have ordered a new PE Kit from St Peter’s, this can be collected from school week commencing 23rd August 2021. The preferred payment is via Parent Pay before collection.
Mobile Phones
In school mobile phones often detract from learning and as a result I have decided that the use of mobile phones in school is no longer allowed. However, I do agree with many parents that mobiles are a source of safety when travelling to and from school. Therefore, please can you remind your son/daughter that pupils must not use mobile phones in school, mobile phones are to remain in bags and switched off. Any mobile phone seen in use will be confiscated and parents/ carers will be able to collect it at the end of the day from the main reception.
Chewing gum
St Peter’s is fortunate to have had a huge capital investment from the trust and over the summer holidays we will be demolishing the PE changing rooms and offices to allow for a state of the art media centre and fitness suite. In addition to this, we will have new purpose built changing rooms outside and a state of the art virtual reality careers facility. To ensure our new facilities remain beautiful, please could you reiterate to your son/daughter that chewing gum is prohibited in St Peter’s Catholic College.
Parent Questionnaire
As we come to the end of year it is important we get your feedback as we continue to evaluate and develop. If you have a spare 5 minutes over the summer holidays please can you complete the parent questionnaire included with this letter and return it to school from 31st August.
After an unprecedented time, I am delighted with the progress we have made this year and continue to make to ensure our pupils get the very best education. Throughout the year we have been fortunate to recruit a high calibre of staff from good and outstanding schools to add further capacity and leadership.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr McNicholas for all the hard work and contribution he has made over the last couple of years and wish him good luck for the future. I would also like to wish Miss Allonby the best of luck in her next adventure. Miss Brooksbank will be remaining at St Peter’s Catholic College but I am delighted to announce she will now be the NPCAT Trust Director of Mathematics.
This just leaves me, on behalf of all the staff here at St Peter’s Catholic College, to wish all pupils and their families a happy, relaxing and safe summer holiday and I very much look forward to welcoming you back in September.
Yours Sincerely
Mrs S Garthwaite
Head of School
