Dear Parents/Carers
I certainly didn’t expect to bring this term to a close in such a way. We’ve all been working remotely now for two weeks and I think that the staff will join me in saying that we miss working with your children. That’s why we work in education and that’s why our commitment to you and them remains paramount.
It’s been a challenging couple of weeks whilst we’ve all been trying to find our feet but we feel that we are all making progress and will be ready to move forward after Easter. We won’t be setting work over Easter but I’d encourage students to stay in touch with their work, catch up, read and try to utilise some of the learning links on our website.
You can find our updated learning links here: https://ormistonforgeacademy.co.uk/news/2020/3/16/learning-resources and our reading list here: https://ormistonforgeacademy.co.uk/news/2020/3/27/suggested-reading-lists. If you are looking for a family fitness regime we can recommend The Body Coach every morning live at 0900. We also have a page with contacts for a number of support services listed.
Apart from the Bank Holidays on Friday 10th April and Monday 13th April, the Academy will be open to children of key workers over Easter so we will remain available if we are needed. The best ways to get in touch are through our Facebook Page, calling the Academy main number or using [email protected]. If you are a key worker and you need support or extra coverage, please contact us and we’ll do all we can to support you.
The term starts on the 20th of April and we will assume that the Academy will remain closed. If we receive instruction to open, we will communicate this with you through normal channels. We will continue to set work via Show My Homework (SMHW) and have a little more added structure to this as we have learnt some lessons and are working with families to ensure a better balance. After Easter, we will start to introduce a little more normality in our social media feeds and share some of the incredible stories and work from our students.
When we start back it is likely that our Free School Meal (FSM) provision will change and move to a national voucher scheme; you may have seen this on the news. As I write this we are receiving guidance from our sponsor and from the Government. It is important that the solution is fair and ensures that families are supported, we ask that you give us time to plan properly and communicate this to all. I would expect an update during the Easter break. In the meantime can I ask that you check that we have the correct email address for you. You can do this via EduLink or by calling the main office. If you do not have a valid email address, let us know and we can help you with provision. It’s important that we have an email address as this will be the likely way that FSM vouchers will be distributed. If you are unable to login to EduLink please email [email protected].
Our current FSM system will still be available over Easter (apart from the two Bank Holiday dates) where grab bags can be picked up from school for children who have Free School Meals. To ensure that we are able to continue to provide our delivery system for FSM students, we are only currently providing for families in self-isolation due to a medical condition or families that are physically unable to get here. For the missed FSM pick-up and delivery on the Bank Holiday dates, we will be able to provide double provision on Thursday, April 9 and Tuesday, April 14. We are trying to ensure that this service continues to support those who are most in need. If you have any questions, please email us on [email protected] or send us a Facebook message.
I should also remind you that travel into the Academy is for essential visits only, this includes picking food up or dropping children off and collecting them. For food, we have created a contactless pick-up system where we are strictly enforcing the two-metre rule and you only need to come to the main reception, not into the main part of the Academy.
This will be a different Easter break, perhaps one that is more peaceful. Under normal circumstances, we’d all be busy planning activities for the children and perhaps some days out. Our challenge will be to find new ways to fill the days, it’s a good time to spring clean and for us all to do those jobs that we’ve been putting off. Perhaps getting the children to help out in the garden or around the house? Whatever you do remember that we aren’t stuck at home, we are safe at home. Let’s be thankful for those frontline services and especially the NHS staff who are going above and beyond to keep us all safe and to look after those in need.
Please take care and stay safe.
Yours faithfully,
Dr Lisa Mason
Principal
Ormiston Forge Academy
Don’t forget:
Wash your hands
Cough/sneeze into your elbow
Don’t touch your face
Stay more than 6ft (2m) away from others
Stay home if you feel sick
Please follow Government advice by washing your hands frequently and reduce your social interactions – here’s some Government guidance on social distancing: https://bit.ly/2UxH51F