Rossett News Update - 14 May 2021
Update: Face Coverings from Monday 17th May onwards
The DfE issued guidance late on Monday night regarding proposed changes to face coverings in schools.
During the last two days we have been in touch with both North Yorkshire and Leeds councils, speaking specifically to Public Health England for up-to-date advice and guidance. The advice given around the wearing of face coverings, as I am sure that you are aware, differs from region to region nationally at this moment in time. Our year group bubble model remains in place as the most important way of ensuring the separation and safety of students whilst they continue with their learning.
We have waited to speak again today to Public Health for clear guidance on how face coverings should be used in school, before issuing this email to you, our parents and carers. Much of our expectation remains the same:
- All students must continue to wear face coverings on public transport, more specifically face coverings are compulsory on any school buses.
- From Monday 17th May, all staff and students will be asked to continue wearing face coverings in corridors, communal spaces and all other indoor areas of the school whilst moving around the site. This decision will be reviewed on a weekly basis.
- In a change to our current practice, from Monday 17th May we are not expecting face coverings to be worn in classrooms. Again, this will be reviewed on a weekly basis.
- Specifically, students in years 11 and 13 who are sitting assessments do not have to wear their face coverings in examination halls or classrooms.
- We acknowledge that some students may wish to continue wearing a face covering in classrooms or examination halls; they are permitted to do so.
Please be assured that we will review the national and local guidance on a weekly basis, as we have done throughout the pandemic, to ensure that we continue our strong track record of keeping students and staff safe. Our pastoral staff are there to support any individual students or families who may have queries and concerns regarding this change.
I would like to thank you all for your support and patience in the face of these ever-changing updates to school practice.
Student Guide to Awarding Grades Summer 2021
Rawcliffes' Uniform Information
As you may be aware Rawcliffes is our official school uniform provider for all of our school uniform requirements. Since the start of the pandemic Rawcliffes have introduced various safety measures to ensure that parents/carers can shop in a COVID-safe environment. Parents/Carers also have the option of visiting the Rawcliffes' website, where appointments for store visits during July, August and September can be booked. Please click below for:
Sixth Form - Class of 2021
On Thursday 27th May, Year 13 leavers are invited to celebrate the 'Class of 2021' Graduation in the Main Hall between 6.00pm and 8.00pm. Student awards will be presented and drinks and refreshments served and a photo-booth will be available to celebrate their time at Rossett School. Year 13 students will receive a formal invitation with details shortly.
A final reminder that the Year 13 Leavers' Committee have created a yearbook, to celebrate their time at Rossett School Sixth Form.
These can be purchased for £7.50 via the school payment system, SCOPAY. The deadline for ordering a yearbook is today, Friday 14th May. The Yearbooks will be distributed at the Graduation event on Thursday 27th May.
Year 11 – Class of 2021
On Wednesday 26th May, following their GCSE Chemistry Paper 2 assessment , Year 11 students will be joining together to celebrate the end of their Key Stage 4 journey. Students will enjoy a remote assembly with contributions from Ms Woodcock, Mr Royles and Mr Bulmer. The assembly will also include the presentation of a series of awards with the recipients chosen by staff and students. Following the assembly students will gather on the fields where refreshments will be served and they will have the opportunity to collect their Leavers Hoodies and Yearbooks.
At the conclusion of these events (approximately 12:15pm), students will be able to leave the school site as their formal timetable will be end at this point. Students using school bus services will still be able to access this at 3:10pm, or alternatively they may wish to be collected from the Sports Centre car park or make their own way home.
Further details regarding the provision for Year 11 students following the May Half Term will be published at the start of next week and sent by email directly to parents/carers.
Year 7 Park Run
During their PSHE lesson recently, Year 7 students took part in a ‘park run’ style event. The students ran, jogged or walked 2km around the school playing field.
Mrs Grabham (Director of Learning, Year 7) organised the event to support one of our Year 12 students who is completing an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) focused on running and the benefits of exercise.The event was also used to launch our Inter-form Sports Competition. The students were awarded points for completing the course, with additional bonus points for the position they finished in, and the effort they had put in.
We know that the students enjoyed this event that gave them a positive experience of exercise and its benefits.
Read @ Rossett
Rossett Sports' Centre Crowdfunding Update
As you know Rossett Sports' Centre launched its crowdfunding page to help raise funds towards the replacement of the 3G pitch, which was laid in 2010 and is due for replacement. They have received further support from the community with over £1,445 raised in the last week.
The pitch is used by both the local community and the school; facilities like these are particularly important in these post-COVID times where improving mental health and regaining physical strength are both so important. The Sports' Centre, working with the school, are fundraising for a replacement surface. For further information please visit the Crowdfunding site HERE and donate some money to secure this community facility for the future, for the local clubs and groups who use it. Every little helps!
Well done to...
Year 13 student, Richard Taylor, who has been awarded a Reading List Foundation Scholarship of £250 in recognition of his achievements in Years 12 and 13.
The scholarship is designed to assist exceptional students with the purchase of university textbooks. The scheme is supported by individuals and organisations such as the Rothschild Foundation and Blackwell's Bookshops.
Empower Course for Mental Well-being
Empower is a FREE course for teens aged 14+ to explore, explain and improve self-esteem within a positive supportive group.
It is aimed at teens who:
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Lateral Flow Tests
Uniform Recycling Scheme
If you have any items you would like to donate, then please contact Rossett PTA who will advise you how you can donate uniform.
For further details regarding the Uniform Recycling Scheme, please see the Rossett PTA Facebook page – rossettschoolpta or their website www.rossettpta.co.uk. Please note that due to current COVID restrictions, no uniform should be dropped off at the school.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
We would like to remind you of the support groups, websites and text-based helplines that exist to help our students combat any feelings of anxiety. We know that many students continue to have some concerns about their future, or the continuing national coverage of the pandemic.
The Go-To – www.thegoto.org.uk – is a portal or ‘single point of information’ for the wide range of mental health support services available to help children and young people in the county address their social and emotional health needs.
https://www.kooth.com/ https://www.minded.org.uk/
Covid-19: Reporting
Below is a reminder of the reporting procedures and symptom checker before attending each day:
If your child has any of the symptoms described in the attached parental letter from Public Health England here, they must stay at home and arrangements need to be made to have a test. You must call the school absence line (01423 564 444) and leave a voicemail informing us about the situation and the reason your child is not in school.
We would remind you that you should only book a test if your child has any of these three coronavirus symptoms:
- A high temperature: any new high temperature where your child feels hot to touch on their chest or back (you do not need to measure the temperature);
- A new continuous cough: coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours;
- A loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste: a noticeable loss of smell or taste or things smell and taste different to normal.
If your child has been off school for a reason related to Covid-19, it is vital that you contact us before they return and give us the reason they are returning e.g. a negative test result.
- Public Health England has asked us to emphasise with our parents/carers that the NHS Track and Trace App is not applicable to students under the age of 16, and therefore should not be installed on the phones of students who are under 16. If any parent has to inform the school regarding a positive Covid case please email https://rossett.school/positive and complete the form.
Lunch Menu
What's happening this term...
Monday 17th May
- Extended Assessments commence for KS4 and KS5 (see our website here for further details) continue.
Friday 28th May
- Extended Assessments finish for KS4 and KS5 students;
- Half Term - Monday 31st May - Friday 4th June.
Monday 7th June
- Summer Term Commences.
H Woodcock
Headteacher