Alsager Highfields Our News items
Parent Update, by Mrs Muddy
Date: 7th Jan 2021 @ 11:20am
Dear Parents / Carers
I hope you and your families remain safe and well. I apologise for another message from school and I am very conscious of bombarding you with information but these are unusual times. I would like to raise a couple of key points with you;
Day to day school provision for vulnerable children and the children of key workers
We are delighted that so many of the families we contacted have taken up our offer of a school place and are sending your children in to school. We feel this is the best place for them and we are so pleased you agree. However, we have been overwhelmed with requests directly from families contacting the school wanting an on-site place for their child as a ‘Key Worker’. We will of course do all we can to meet those requests, however we are now quarter full as a school and at full capacity in several bubbles. The government advice remains “the single most important action we can all take is to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.” It is in the national interest that if we want to get through this pandemic as quickly as possible, that we must restrict leaving home and mingling with other people as much as possible. Reducing human contact is the best way to keep everyone safe. For this reason, I would urge all parents / carers who are ‘Key Workers’ to please only request a place for your child / children here at school if you have absolutely no alternative and only use this provision on the days that you are unable to keep them at home. If you currently have a place for your child as a ‘Key Worker’, can you please re-consider if you need the place here at school? I fully understand that every family situation is different but if requests for places continue to come in from ‘Key Workers’, we will not be able to accommodate all requests and will have to make the very difficult decision of prioritising certain professions (eg. NHS workers).
Zoom / Live daily tutorials starting week beginning 11/1/21
As I mentioned in my communication to you on Tuesday 5th January, next week all class teachers will begin making daily contact with your son / daughter via Zoom in the form a short tutorial (details will come out tomorrow). Since then, several parents have been in contact with me and asked why all lessons or remote learning cannot through Zoom or Microsoft Teams. We are working towards offering more ‘live’ remote learning in the coming weeks, however, parents / carers must also be aware that as we have around a quarter of our children in school each day (as vulnerable or children of key workers), staff are supervising them during the day on a rota. This means that class teachers will not always be available during the day to deliver live / remote lessons, as they are supervising children here in school (we do not have the capacity in terms of staff here at Highfields, that we have for example at Alsager School). I hope you understand the limitations that our blended approach (remote learning and day to day supervision) creates for staff when it comes to live remote learning.
Finally, please remember that we want to celebrate any achievements of our children during this lockdown period. We are calling this, ‘Highfields Stars from Afar’. If you would like to send in a photo of your child’s work or any achievements they are proud of while working remotely, please do so by sending a message on our Facebook page. We will upload this to be shared on our social media feeds and on our website. This will be closely monitored by our communications team.
Many thanks for your continued support
Best wishes
Richard Middlebrook
Message to parents / carers, by Mrs Muddy
Date: 5th Jan 2021 @ 4:38pm
Dear Parents / Carers
My thanks once again for your patience and understanding with closing the school at such short notice today. Following meeting with staff and suitable planning time, I am now in a position to update you on the plans we have for both the school opening for vulnerable children and the children of key workers and for our provision of remote learning. This will start tomorrow, Wednesday 6th January. Please remember this is a very fluid situation and we have had to respond to the closing of schools at very short notice, so there will no doubt be some ‘teething issues’ initially but we will ‘iron these out’ over the coming days. I will continue to send out regular updates, so please check our school website, Parentmail and our social media feeds.
Even though we have been through a ‘lockdown’ situation previously, during the spring and summer terms of 2020, there are different expectations this time round and it will operate slightly differently this time. We are working on the premise set out by government that this lockdown will run until February half term (12/2/21) and school will open to all children again as normal on Monday 22nd February. Please remember if you have any questions or concerns to contact the school on admin@alsagerhighfields.cheshire.sch.uk We are here to support you, your children and your family through this difficult time. Any concerns or questions about Free School Meals, foodbank access, general welfare, vulnerable children or key workers, please contact Mrs Henshall our Assistant Headteacher on senco@alsagerhighfields.cheshire.sch.uk
Vulnerable Children and Children of Key workers
Today, we have individually contacted all families if we think your child / children are in this category, to offer you a place starting on Wednesday 6th January. If we have contacted you, I would really encourage you to take up our offer, as we feel it would be in the bests interests of your son / daughter to be in school. If we have not contacted you and you feel your child should be in this group and in school, please contact Mrs Henshall on the e mail address above ASAP. When this group of children are in school, they do not need to be in uniform, it will be the same staggered start / end times that we have been using this year (between 8.40am – 3.20pm), arrival and drop off will be at the Asda car park gates and lunch will be provided or they can bring their own packed lunch. Children will be placed in a year group bubble (this might be different from their class bubble) and they will remain in that bubble throughout. They will be supervised by staff and spend the time in school completing the work that has been set for them remotely by their class teach (please see below – Remote Learning). They should come to school expecting to complete the work their class teacher has set them and our staff here in school will support them in doing this.
Remote Learning
As a parent myself, please understand that I fully appreciate all the issues that come with remote learning and ‘home schooling’. The best place for children to learn is in school but we must work together to make this work as best we can for the benefit of your son / daughter. The government has recently set out clear expectations in terms of remote learning, it should be a minimum of 3 hours per day. Like last time, all the remote learning for your child will be in their class page on the school website. Staff have been uploading this work today and will continue to do so. The daily work set will consist of maths (using a module called ‘White Rose Maths’ which consists of video demonstrations, followed by activities), English related work and another subject which will be changed each day. In addition, children will be asked to complete some of the various learning packages we use in school, these include ‘Rock Stars Times Tables’, ‘Bedrock’ for English and ‘Spelling Shed’. Reading is always hugely beneficial to a child’s academic progress and please try to continue to do as much reading as you possibly can with your child / children during this period. It is expected that your child / children will complete and engage in all this work on a daily basis. This will be monitored by their class teacher and if they are not completing the work set, we will be in contact with you.
As from the Monday 11th January onwards, your child’s class teacher will also have a short daily tutorial with the class. This will be conducted via Zoom (details and invites etc to follow later). This will be a chance for your son / daughter to see their teacher on a daily basis, discuss any issues they might have with their work, a chance for staff to provide some specific support and it will also be a chance for the children to ask any questions they might have about the work.
We have worked hard over recent months to ensure that all children have access to devices they need to ensure they can complete work on line and remotely from home. If this still presents a problem for you and your child / children, please contact the school office at the admin e mail address above ASAP.
Similarly, if your child is in need of any stationery, to help them complete their work at home or needs to swap / collect a new reading book, please contact school.
During this period of remote learning, we would still like to celebrate our children’s work and achievements. We are calling this ‘Highfields Stars from Afar’. These will be shared on social media and on our website. If you would like to send in a photo of your child’s work or any achievements they are proud of, please do so by sending a message on our Facebook page. This will be closely monitored by our communications team.
We are aware that with the sudden announcement last night, children will have left their belongings in school. If your son / daughter needs to collect something from school (eg. reading book, pencil case) or needs stationery to help them work from home over these next 5 weeks, then they can come and collect it on the specified slots below. Please come to the Asda car park gate, please maintain social distancing, adults please wear face coverings and only the child can enter the school building and go to their classroom;
· Year 6 – Wednesday 6th Jan – 3.30pm - 4pm
· Year 5 – Wednesday 6th Jan – 4.00pm – 4.30pm
· Year 4 – Wednesday 6th Jan – 4.30pm – 5pm
· Year 3 – Thursday 7th Jan – 3.30pm – 4pm
· Year 2 – Thursday 7th Jan – 4.00pm – 4.30pm
· Year 1 and Reception – Thursday 7th Jan – 4.30pm – 5pm
My thanks once again for your support and understanding. Please remember that we will do all we can to support you, your children and your family over the weeks ahead, feel free to contact us at any time. As I said yesterday, it is more important than ever that we work together during these coming weeks for the benefit of our children and our community.
Warm regards
Richard Middlebrook
Acting Headteacher Alsager Highfields Community Primary School
Executive Headteacher AMAT
Message from Mr Middlebrook: School Closure, by Mrs Muddy
Date: 4th Jan 2021 @ 9:41pm
Dear Parents / Carers
I am sorry for this late notice but given the Prime Minister’s announcement this evening about the immediate closing of schools to all but vulnerable children and those of key workers, I am sure you will understand. I am sure you share my frustration with this situation and with the late notice you and we have been given, schools did not know this was going to happen either. To help us plan going forward, I’m afraid we are going to close the school to all children tomorrow (Tuesday 5th January). We will re-open on Wednesday 6th January for vulnerable children and children of key workers only. We will be in touch with all families tomorrow with further details about our partial re-opening on Wednesday 6th January and with our plans for remote learning going forward.
I am so sorry for you, your children, the staff, our school and our nation that we find ourselves in this situation. We are facing very difficult times ahead but as I have said many times before, we must role model positivity and reassure our children and young people. We must give them hope that we will get through this together – and we will, provided we work together!
My thanks for your understanding about closing the school tomorrow and we will be in touch during Tuesday with our plans going forward.
Warm regards
Richard Middlebrook
Acting Headteacher Alsager Highfields and Executive Headteacher for Alsager Multi Academy Trust
Return to School (Mon, January 4th), by Mrs Muddy
Date: 1st Jan 2021 @ 4:40pm
Happy New Year! We are looking forward to seeing the children back at school on Monday the 4th of January.
Please see our letter below with information about the return to school.
Alsager Highfields Official Christmas Video, by Mrs Muddy
Date: 22nd Dec 2020 @ 11:13pm
Our wonderful school Christmas video – and incase you missed it, the Annexe production of Whoops-a-Daisy Angel.
Merry Christmas from Mr Middlebrook, by Mrs Muddy
Date: 21st Dec 2020 @ 10:19am
Dear Parents and Carers
From everyone here at Alsager Highfields, we wish all of our school community a very Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2021. School will open as normal for all children on Monday 4th January, we look forward to seeing you then.
Warm regards
Mr Middlebrook
National Songbook 2020, by Mrs Muddy
Date: 15th Dec 2020 @ 11:15am
Congratulations to Mrs Lindblad’s year 3 class for their part in the National Songbook 2020. Schools across the country sang ‘A Whole New World’ from Aladdin and the completed charity video and single have just been released on YouTube. Please click on the link below to see our talented children singing brilliantly and you can also donate to the charity behind the project which is raising money for local foodbanks. Enjoy!
New Headteacher Appointment, by Mrs Muddy
Date: 14th Dec 2020 @ 6:08pm
Dear Parents and Carers
I am delighted to inform you that following a rigorous two day selection process and a strong field of candidates, we have appointed Mrs Rachel Woollam to be the new Headteacher here at Alsager Highfields. Mrs Woollam is an experienced and highly effective senior leader, she is currently Head of School at Rode Heath Primary School. Both the Board and I are convinced that she will be an excellent appointment and will build upon the many improvements we have made in recent months.
Mrs Woollam will take up post after Easter. In the meantime I will continue as Acting Headteacher with the ongoing support from Mr Leech. This was always the plan, my role here has always been Acting Headteacher, once Mrs Woollam takes up post, I will continue to work with her and Alsager Highfields, in my role as Executive Headteacher for Alsager Multi Academy Trust.
I am very excited about the future here at Alsager Highfields, we have made real improvements in recent months and the Board is convinced that Mrs Woollam will build on this and take our school forward.
Kind regards
Richard Middlebrook
Executive Headteacher Alsager Multi Academy Trust
Annexe Production of Whoops-a-Daisy Angel, by Mrs Muddy
Date: 11th Dec 2020 @ 9:23pm
The long-awaited Annexe Production of Whoops-a-Daisy Angel. A special thank you to Albert’s dad, Mr Rowell, for filming our show and making it look so professional.
Christmas Jumper Days, by Mrs Muddy
Date: 9th Dec 2020 @ 9:31pm
A reminder that children can wear their Christmas jumpers or something festive tomorrow and Friday.
Tier 2 ‘High Alert’, by Mrs Muddy
Date: 2nd Dec 2020 @ 6:45pm
A polite reminder that as from 2/12/20 we are under Tier 2 ‘High Alert’ in terms of Covid guidance and government restrictions. Please see the attached government poster for further guidance.
Change for Life – Eat well guide, by Mrs Muddy
Date: 1st Dec 2020 @ 4:20pm
The Change for Life Eatwell Guide is a great way to teach children about what proportion of food they should eat from the different food groups. You could download and print to provide meal inspiration to families during the holidays.
Christmas cards, by Mrs Muddy
Date: 30th Nov 2020 @ 9:04pm
We have created Christmas cards for some of our local elderly residents and are delivering them to share some Christmas cheer and love - these are some of our and Reception and Year 1 children.
Whoops-Daisy-Angel - Coming Soon!, by Mrs Muddy
Date: 27th Nov 2020 @ 10:12pm
Whoops-Daisy-Angel – Reception and Year 1 Christmas Production
Reception Applications, by Mrs Muddy
Date: 27th Nov 2020 @ 2:29pm
A reminder to parents and carers to apply for a Reception place if their child is due to start school in September 2021. Closing date is 15 January 2021. Apply online at: https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/schools/admissions/apply-for-september-2021-school-place.aspx or call 0300 123 5012 and choose option 1 for School Admissions
Our Reception, by Mrs Muddy
Date: 27th Nov 2020 @ 2:38pm
100% of parents who returned our reception questionnaire would recommend our school! Check out this video to see why.
Safeguarding Newsletter, by Mrs Muddy
Date: 27th Nov 2020 @ 9:59pm
In September the Alsager Primary Schools held a Primary Safeguarding conference hosted by Pikemere school. As part of the conference the children were asked to develop a Safeguarding Action Plan and then the plan was to come back together in July to show what they had achieved in school. As the reunion conference had to be cancelled the schools have written an update on what the Safeguarding groups have achieved over the year.
Music For Schools, by Mrs Muddy
Date: 26th Nov 2020 @ 10:44pm
Please download the flyer below to find out more about school music lessons.
Alsager Foodbank, by Mrs Muddy
Date: 12th Nov 2020 @ 1:31pm
Nessie and Pete Howard visited us to collect our donations for the Alsager Foodbank. Our children and staff have been reflecting on how lucky we are to have safe, warm homes and food in the cupboards. We also talked about how good it feels to help other people within our community. Pete also recorded a personalised assembly for us to say thank you.
Children in Need, by Mrs Muddy
Date: 9th Nov 2020 @ 10:38am
It's Children in Need this week and the TV show on Friday night. The theme this year is '5 to thrive' and Joe Wicks is their official ambassador. '5 to thrive' is a great way to consider supporting our own and our children's mental health.
We'll be talking about this a lot in school this week as so if you would like to find out more please visit:
https://www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk/schools/primary-school/five-to-thrive-hub/
Food Bank News, by Mrs Muddy
Date: 9th Nov 2020 @ 8:56pm
Please see the attached letter from Alsager Food Bank about the harvest collections. Thank you all for your continued support.
Visyon Parent/Carer Webinars, by Mrs Muddy
Date: 5th Nov 2020 @ 8:19pm
Visyon Parent/Carer Webinars
Our parent/carer webinars have proved very popular and we have now planned a new timetable of webinars, which are intended to offer information and ideas to help you in supporting your child with understanding and managing their emotions and wellbeing. These are open to parents/carers or other interested family members.
The webinars are delivered as a presentation on Zoom. As a participant you are not connected via video or audio but may interact or ask questions using the typed chat function. You may only want to attend the session which is most relevant to you or you might find all useful, although there will be some overlap between the sessions.
The forthcoming webinars are:
Tuesday 17th November 10-11am Building Resilience and Self Esteem
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UlHLrFmkQ-icQsOZecMhGA
Thursday 19th November 11-12noon Managing Big Emotions (Secondary age)
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OQkyU9ZMQMisOK_v74j3rg
Thursday 26th November 11-12noon Managing Big Emotions (Primary age)
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JsYmUruXRkOyCRPSP2jpYA
Thursday 10th December 11-12noon Supporting your Child’s Wellbeing
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_s0EFHva3ROm0DfXK7wVARA
Thursday 17th December 11-12noon Understanding the Teenage Brain
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_i9kHvpLIQ1aXMnyjmNsOEg
Please click on the relevant link to register in advance for the webinar you wish to attend. You need to register separately for each webinar you wish to attend.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
If you are interested in finding out about other ways in which Visyon might be able to support you and your family, please visit www.visyon.org.uk, follow us on Facebook (Visyonltd) or telephone us on 01260 290000.
COVID Update, by Mrs Muddy
Date: 3rd Nov 2020 @ 12:58pm
Dear Parents / Carers
I hope you and your families had a safe and enjoyable half term. Given the move to a national lockdown on Thursday 5th November, can I please ask you to follow the points below. I apologise if this comes across as rather directive and I appreciate social distancing is difficult for young children to understand but we all have our part to play in keeping everyone safe during these difficult times.
· When you are dropping off and collecting your child / children, please stick to your allocated time and once you have dropped off / collected, please leave the area around school as quickly as possible. Please do not remain near the school gates, donkey path or park to talk to friends or other parents.
· Can I please encourage only one parent / carer to come to the school gates to drop off and collect.
· Can I please ask all parents / carers to wear a face mask when you are near the school gates to drop off / collect your child.
· Please do not allow your children to play on the park before and after school. We need to do everything we can to avoid children in different bubbles mixing.
Many thanks for your understanding and support.
Best wishes
Mr Middlebrook
Acting Headteacher
Remembrance Day, by Mrs Muddy
Date: 3rd Nov 2020 @ 1:02pm
Dear parents / Carers
Apologies for another message from school but I feel it is important we encourage our children to mark Remembrance Day as best we can this year. The British Legion have dropped off collection tins and poppies for us here at school. Normally, children would move around the school, going from class to class to collect donations. However, given that we have to keep children in separate class bubbles we will be doing it differently this year. Each class will have a day when they will have the collection tin and poppies and they will need to bring in a contribution on that day before the tin moves on to the next class. We will have a separate tin in the Annex for Reception and Year 1, which will remain there all week. If you would like your child to contribute to this year’s poppy appeal, can you please make sure they have some money with them on the following days.
· Mrs Walker’s class – Wednesday 4th November
· Mrs Dyde’s class – Thursday 5th November
· Miss Crowther Green’s class – Friday 6th November
· Mrs Windell’s class – Monday 9th November
· Mr Gold’s class – Tuesday 10th November
· Miss Keatman’s class – Wednesday 11th November
Many thanks for your understanding and support.
Best wishes
Mr Middlebrook
Acting Headteacher
