16^th December 2021

Dear Parents and Carers,

End of Autumn Term 2021

As the end of term draws to a close, may I start by thanking all parents and carers for your ongoing support throughout the term.

School will close on Friday 17^th December with students finishing at 12.00pm. I am aware that students in Years 7 – 9 missed their Christmas dinner this week, due to our partial closure so we plan to arrange a `Missmas’ dinner in January, similar to that organised in families within the Forces where family members are away at Christmas time. Please find highlights from the term in my latest report to Governors which can be found on the school website: https://www.blaconhighschool.net/headteachers-report-december-2021

Students may wear their own clothes on Friday 17^th December with a Christmas jumper or theme and we ask for a donation of £1 where possible, to support the school in resources for our whole school Guided Reading strategy for next year.

School will reopen to staff on Tuesday 4^th January for a training day and to students on Wednesday 5^th January 2022 where we will be undertaking onsite testing for all those who have given consent. A separate letter has been sent to those who have not given consent to support us in reducing the transmission of Covid-19 in school.

This testing will take place at the times shown below, in the sports hall. Students should come in at their allotted time and may wear their own clothes. They will just be in for the testing, which will take no longer than 30 minutes and they will then be able to go home.

All students are then expected to return as usual, in full school uniform on Thursday 6^th January. May I remind you of our uniform policy and ask that you support us in upholding the highest standards, with shoes not trainers, knee length skirts, no extreme hair styles and no piercings other than one pair of plain stud ear rings. The full uniform policy can be found on our school website.

http://www.blaconhighschool.net/school-uniform/

I ask all parents and carers for your support in the continuation of twice weekly lateral flow testing, which will help us to reduce transmission and to keep the school open. As you will know from the news, negative tests will now be required to enter many venues and so this is becoming a part of our lives as we all learn to live with Covid-19.

I ask that you help us in this key area as the figures show that we have lower numbers of students participating in this than other schools and this will be one of the key ways in which you can help us to remain open in the New Year. If your child tests positive over the Christmas break, please keep school informed by emailing admin@blaconhighschool.cheshire.sch.uk.

We trust that families will be supported with the vouchers and hampers issued this week but access to the Food Bank is available over the break. Vouchers are available from the Children’s Centre behind the Arches Primary School and the food bank is located at the Matthew Henry Church in Blacon and open on Friday morning 10.00 – 12.00pm.

Please do look out for further updates on the school website and social media in January, as all of this is correct at the time of writing but the situation may change. In the New Year, we will let you know about a new app which will be the main form of our communication with you so look out for this exciting new development in spring.

May I finish by wishing you all the best for the Christmas holiday and that you have the opportunity to spend time with family.

Yours sincerely,

Rachel Hudson

Headteacher