Dear Parents, Carers and friends of The Woodroffe School,
Thank you for taking the time to read through our latest edition of ‘Rough Notes’.
Whilst the school has only been open to the children of key workers and our vulnerable students, we have done our very best to ensure that all our regular methods of communication remain open. As a result, welcome to our slightly different April edition.
Let me take this opportunity to thank you for the support you have given the school during this difficult time. We have worked incredibly hard to ensure that we have supported the ongoing education of our students, whilst the school remains closed, through online learning provided by our staff on the Microsoft Teams platform. Please check back over the emailed information for advice and guidance on using this effectively and should you have any issues, please contact us at:
itsupport@woodroffe.dorset.sch.uk
It is important that students continue to study whilst the school is closed. Currently, we have no clear picture as to when we are to reopen. Recently, Gavin Williamson, Secretary of State for Education said:
“People are anxious to know when we are going to relax restrictions and when schools are likely to be fully back and open again. Of course, I want nothing more than to get schools back to normal, make sure that children are sat around learning and experiencing the joy of being at school. But I can’t give you a date, because before we do, we need to meet five tests:
- First, we must protect the NHS’s ability to cope and be sure that it can continue to provide critical care and specialist treatment right across the whole of the UK.
- Second, we need to see the daily death rates from coronavirus coming down.
- Third, we need to have reliable data that shows the rate of infection is decreasing to manageable levels.
- Fourth, we need to be confident that testing capacity and PPE are being managed, with supply able to meet not just today’s demand, but future demand.
- And, fifth, and perhaps most crucially, we need to be confident any changes we do make will not risk a second peak of infections.”
As soon as this situation changes and more information is available, I will update you accordingly.
So, what have I been doing this month?
In-between the setting work on Teams for my teaching groups, supervising in-school learning for the children of key workers and our vulnerable students, I have managed to take advantage of some of the stunning weather we have had. The garden has required lots of attention and had sadly been neglected since our move. With the warm weather and longer days providing a helping in hand, I have managed to get some control back. Along the way I found a few garden friends too!
For those of you missing the stunning view from school, have a look at the picture below, taken on a sunny Monday morning. I’m sure it will not be too long before we are all able to enjoy the return to more normal ways of working and living. For now, we continue as best we can and do our bit to help those around us. Enjoy the view!
I hope you enjoy our latest edition of ‘Rough Notes’. Should you wish to find out more about our school, news or events, please visit the school website which I am sure you will find useful. In addition, for regular updates, why not look at our social media outlets:
The Woodroffe School Headteacher: @HeadteacherTws
The Woodroffe School: @WoodroffeSchool
Best wishes,
Dan Watts
Headteacher