In addition to information already issued regarding the start of the 2020 school year, we have published additional information regarding some of the Covid safety measures that will be in place.
You can find this information here:
Executive headteacher Michael Burns has welcomed the appointment of Stephanie Garthwaite as the new head of school at St Peter’s Catholic College in South Bank.
Mrs Garthwaite spoke of her plans to celebrate the unique heritage and take the school on a journey of continuous improvement.
She will take up her role in September, working alongside Mr Burns, the executive headteacher of St Peter’s and St Patrick’s Catholic College, Thornaby.
“As soon as you walk into St Peter’s you can’t help being aware of the school’s unique heritage,” said Mrs Garthwaite.
“I want to use that history to inspire our pupils. I’m looking forward to working with the community to celebrate our 80th anniversary in 2021, which is a significant milestone. Very few schools have a history as rich as St Peter’s and that’s very exciting.”
St Peter’s contribution to sport is a special source of pride. The school was the hub of the famous South Bank production line of footballers, including the game’s Golden Boy, Wilf Mannion.
Plans to celebrate its birthday include inviting former students who have forged successful careers to come back and talk to current pupils and a wall of fame featuring inspirational people from the South Bank and Grangetown area.
Stockton-born Mrs Garthwaite, who began her career as a PE teacher, has already started getting to know her new staff in a series of virtual meetings.
“I’ve had individual appointments with every teacher and member of support staff to ensure expert planning is in place ready for September.
“I want to reassure the whole school community that Mr Burns and I are here for the long haul.
“I have high expectations for all pupils and want them to achieve excellent outcomes. Additionally, my aim is to ensure all pupils receive broad and rich opportunities to fulfil their lives in modern Britain.
“I’m passionate about improving the life chances of young people and I know that education is the gateway for future success.
“We are embarking on a journey to make the school Outstanding, which is our ultimate aim and we will be relentless in our pursuit of this.
“As a Catholic school, Christ is at the heart of everything we do and while making academic progress is important, we want to take our pupils on a spiritual journey, educating the whole child.
Mrs Garthwaite previously worked at North Shore Academy in Stockton and then as vice principal (teacher, learning and assessment) at St Aidan’s Academy in Darlington.
During her five years there, the school rose from being in Special Measures to being rated Good by Ofsted.
“We improved the quality of education, behaviour, pupil outcomes, the culture and ethos and community perceptions of St Aidan’s.
“We went from having 16 first choice places to 150 and became one of the schools of choice within the Darlington area.”
Mrs Garthwaite, whose most recent role was Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust’s learning lead, said she is excited about the trust’s ambitious plans to invest in the fabric of the school, which include external improvements, upgraded classrooms and a new entrance.
Mr Burns said: “It is crucial we build effective leadership across the school and the appointment of Mrs Garthwaite is a strong signal to our community. We are determined and able to appoint the highest calibre of leadership.
“I am fortunate enough to be executive headteacher in two of the longest surviving schools in Teesside. This rich heritage and tradition allows my pupils the opportunity to have a genuine sense of community and an appreciation of history which embeds a deep understanding that everyone can achieve and realise their ambitions like the generations that went before them.”
CEO of NPCAT Hugh Hegarty added: “The appointments being made right across our trust of 27 schools reflect unrelenting commitment to our pupils.
“We will begin our third year of operation in September with a team of quality leaders across our secondary schools,the appointment of Mrs Garthwaite further signifies why so many parents are choosing NPCAT schools, with our provision from two years old right up to our wonderful sixth form.”
Dear Parents/Carer
We believe that keeping our parents updated of our current school position in these testing times for all is important. The situation is very fluid and we are working closely with the trust to inform our decisions. We are also following the daily updated government guidance in terms of our actions and plans.
Currently the school remains open and in full operation – lessons are going ahead as normal and I am proud to say that most students are dealing very well with the situation. We have introduced additional safety precautions such as cleaning hands before lessons involving using a keyboard, and our intensive cleaning routine is focussing on high touch areas.
What is the current situation?
- The school remains open at this time – this is the current official guidance we have been given
- All basic school functions continue to run as normal at this time. However, non-essential excursions, assemblies, travel, concerts and other events such as Parents Evenings, have been postponed.
- Some additional classes for exam groups are continuing – for example Period 6. We are committed to ensuring our students have the best possible chance in their examinations which we are assuming are still taking place in the summer term at present
- If you, your child or anyone you live with has the following symptoms you must follow guidance to stay at home:
– A new, continuous cough and/or
– A high temperature - If your child is unwell or is self-isolating, report this as you would normally by contacting school on 01642 453462. Please leave a clear message and include: your child’s name, Year group and form and the reason for their absence.
- At this time all external examinations are scheduled to run as normal. We will update you as a matter of urgency if more information comes to light on this matter.
What we are doing to protect and support pupils and staff
- If a student reports feeling ill whilst on the school premises home will be contacted as a matter of urgency and parents/carers will be asked to collect their child as soon as possible. Whilst waiting to be collected students will be seated in a designated area 2 meters away from other people.
- Cleaning schedules have been revised. Additional cleaning is now in place for ‘high touch’ areas such as door handles and surfaces.
- Students are being regularly reminded about the importance of good hand hygiene and the need to regularly wash their hands – especially before they eat.
- Students are being emotionally supported by staff and our established pastoral system which is skilled in dealing with students who suffer from anxiety.
What we need you to do
- If you have recently changed your contact details, please inform the school office as soon as possible via telephone on 01642 453462 or by email on [email protected]
- Talk to your children about the coronavirus. It is important to ensure that children feel supported. BBC Newsround has regular updates for younger children and YoungMinds has practical steps older children can take to help with anxiety
- Come and collect your child straight away, if we ask you to (we will contact you if they become ill with either a temperature or a new, continuous cough)
- In the event of St Peter’s Catholic College being asked to close, we will work to ensure that your child’s education continues to the best of our ability. Over the last few days we have been working to ensure that robust systems are in place for this.
- In order to ensure that remote teaching can take place in the event of a school closure, please check that your child has access to the internet from home, and let us know if there are any issues (so we can make sure we are well prepared for remote learning if the school does need to close at some point)
What happens if the school has to close?
We will only close if we are either officially advised to do so or we do not have enough staff to run the school.
In either case, we will:
- Update parents via text, school website and school social media accounts
- Work will be set for students to complete via Google Classrooms and some paper based resources – further information will be given to students and parents in this eventuality
If you have any questions
Please consult the:
- School office (01642 453462) if you have any questions about our response to this issue
- NHS, if you want to know more about the symptoms of coronavirus. If you think you or your child may have the symptoms, use NHS 111 online if at all possible before calling 111
- Department for Education’s coronavirus helpline: 0800 046 8687, if you have any questions about the government’s response to coronavirus in relation to schools
- Government’s travel advice, if you want to know whether any upcoming trip or holiday you’re taking abroad should go ahead
It is an uncertain time and we know you are worried about the impact this might have on our community. It is important we keep each other safe and talk about these events to help with any anxiety. I am very proud of the care and support students are showing to one another at this time, and our attendance to this point shows that the large majority of students and parents are committed to supporting our work to secure the best education we can for our students.
You and your families are in our thoughts and prayers at this time.
Yours sincerely
Mr N Skerry
Headteacher
