Monday 21st September 2020
I would like to start by thanking all of the children at Richard Taylor School for the amazing manner in which they have returned to school this September. They have adapted to the new way in which the school day operates and in every classroom they are engaged and eager to learn with positive reports from every class teacher. I am incredibly proud of all our children but would like to say a special well done to the new starters who have used their transition sessions to get used to school and are now ready to begin their full time learning at RTS.
Thank you to parents who have followed the staggered starts and ends to the day and stuck to the one way systems around school allowing us to keep everyone safe and maintain safe social distancing at key points in the day.
As the situation changes in North Yorkshire the local authority have updated their guidance to parents which guides parents as to what they should do in various situations, we will be sending this out to all parents and placing a copy on the school website. I have also written a letter to all families which outlines how we will support learning for children not in school. This will cover children waiting for test results, children forced to self-isolate for up to 14 days with their family and what will happen if a school bubble is forced to shut down for a fixed period. This information will be sent out at the start of this week.
If you are waiting for a test please contact the school and let us know so that we can keep our records up to date.
We know that this is a season where children will have many other annual illnesses including coughs and colds. If your child is not well enough to be in school but is not displaying COVID-19 symptoms please follow the normal protocols and keep them at home until they have recovered.
As school gets used to the new ways of working we have been enjoying our virtual worship times including the celebrating good work in which each class logs into the video link and shares what they have been learning with the rest of the school. Ribblesdale Class were chosen as the class of the week.
Our new guinea pigs, Flora and Blossom have settled into their new home and are being well cared for by the children in Dentdale Class.
We will shortly be publishing our virtual tour of the school for prospective parents which will replace the physical tours that would normally have taken place during this term; if you know of someone who is looking to apply for a place in September please get them to contact the school.
On Thursday this week the children in year 5&6 will be able to enjoy a special science roadshow which is being delivered with all of the appropriate social distancing measures in place.
Andrew Symonds