Spelling Shed Weekly Winners

We've been very impressed to see so many of our pupils using Spelling Shed from home. Well done to all of our Spelling Shed users this week, but particularly those classes who accumulated the most points:

4NZ, 2MS and 3AS

We also have individual winners. Log in to GSuite to see them: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0AMqdBeK-KAm8Uk9PVA

A Week of Hacton at Home

Dear parents and our lovely children,

We’ve done it: a week of Hacton at Home schooling! Well done! The school has felt so very quiet without you all but in doing your bit and staying at home where possible you are helping in the battle to beat this.

As you adjust to your new daily routines, life indoors and online learning, I trust that you are keeping well and looking after yourselves and each other. Thank you for giving us updates about how you are getting on at home. Do try to spend some time laughing together, having fun and doing something you would never usually have had time for.

I know that teachers have loved catching up with you this week and we will continue to make contact next week.

Happy weekend.

Miss you all,
Mrs Leslie

If you are a key worker, your child should only be in school if there is no other safe alternative.

We are receiving an increasing number of telephone calls from parents asking if their child can attend school next week because one member of their household is a key worker. I would like to respectfully remind you of the following.

The fewer children that are in a Child Care setting then the less chance there will be for the virus to spread to staff and children. Together we all need to do what we can to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The recent scientific evidence on how to limit the spread of the virus is clear:

“If children can stay safely at home, they should, to limit the chance of the virus spreading.”

“Parents should do everything they can to ensure that children are not mixing socially in a way which can continue to spread the virus.”

Therefore, if you are a key worker, your child should only be in school if there is no other safe alternative.

Thank you for your continued support.
Mrs Leslie

Key Worker Guidance

Dear Parents/Carers

We have now received guidance (please see below) about which children can still access childcare whilst schools are officially closed, in order to ensure that other members of our society can continue to work and provide the essential services that will enable us to recover as quickly as possible from this current crisis. The roles of our staff team will have to be different over the next few weeks and months, since schools need to focus on providing safety and child care for the identified children, rather than focusing on educational provision.

As requested in my letter sent yesterday, please let us know if you think your child may fall into one of these categories. It should, however, be noted that every child who can be safely cared for at home should be. Please email or call the school office by 10am today with your child’s name, class and details of which category they fall into, including your job role if you think you are a key worker. All other children will need to stay at home, so we ask that you do not send your child into school from Monday.

Advice from the Government – 19th March 2020

The most recent scientific advice on how to further limit the spread of COVID-19 is clear. If children can stay safely at home, they should, to limit the chance of the virus spreading.

That is why the government has asked parents to keep their children at home, wherever possible, and asked schools to remain open only for those children who absolutely need to attend.

Schools are, therefore, being asked to continue to provide care for a limited number of children - children who are vulnerable and children whose parents are critical to the Covid-19 response and cannot be safely cared for at home.

Vulnerable children include children who are supported by social care, those with safeguarding and welfare needs, including child in need plans, on child protection plans, ‘looked after’ children, young carers, disabled children and those with education, health care plans (EHCPs).

Parents whose work is critical to the COVID-19 response include those who work in health and social care and in other key sectors outlined below. Many parents working in these sectors may be able to ensure their child is kept at home. And every child who can be safely cared for at home should be.

Please, therefore, follow these key principles:

1. If it is at all possible for children to be at home, then they should be.
2. If a child needs specialist support, is vulnerable or has a parent who is a critical worker, then educational provision will be available for them.
3. Parents should not rely for childcare upon those who are advised to be in the stringent social distancing category such as grandparents, friends, or family members with underlying conditions.
4. Parents should also do everything they can to ensure children are not mixing socially in a way which can continue to spread the virus. They should observe the same social distancing principles as adults.
5. Residential special schools, boarding schools and special settings continue to care for children wherever possible.

If your work is critical to the COVID-19 response, or you work in one of the critical sectors listed below, and you cannot keep your child safe at home then your children will be prioritised for education provision.

Health and social care

Frontline health and social care staff such as doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, as well as support and specialist staff in the health and social care sector. In addition, it includes those working in supply chains including producers and distributors of medicines and personal protective equipment.

Education and childcare

Nursery, teaching staff and social workers.

Key public services

Those required to run the justice system, religious staff, as well as those responsible for managing the deceased, and journalists providing public service broadcasting.

Local and national government

Administrative occupations essential to the effective delivery of the Covid-19 response or delivering essential public services, including payment of benefits.

Food and other necessary goods

Those involved in the production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery of food.

Public safety and national security

Police, support staff, Ministry of Defence civilian staff and armed forces personnel, fire and rescue staff, and those responsible for border security, prisons and probation.

Transport

Those who will keep air, water, road and rail passenger and freight transport modes operating during the Covid-19 response.

Utilities, communication and financial services

Staff required to keep oil, gas, electricity, water and sewerage operations running. Staff in the civil nuclear, chemical and telecommunications sectors. Those in postal services and those working to provide essential financial services.

Thank you for your continued support during this difficult time. It should be noted that every child who can be safely cared for at home should be.

Yours sincerely

Mrs Leslie
Headteacher​

Key Workers, Hacton at Home and Safeguarding

Dear Parents,

I must begin by saying that at this unprecedented time, your kind messages of encouragement, support and gratitude have been so gratefully received.

You will no doubt have heard the news that schools in England will be closed until further notice from Monday. The exception being for vulnerable students and children of key workers. We are yet to receive clear guidance as to the definition of ‘key worker’; however, in order for us to make plans for Monday to look after and occupy those pupils who need to attend would you please inform us if you consider yourself to be a key worker, your job role and your employer. We will then be able to confirm this once we have clearer government guidance. I would be grateful if you could email this information to contact@hacton.havering.sch.uk .

Hacton at Home

Yesterday your child brought home their individual log in for our online learning platform. This should be used to access all the teaching and learning materials for your child whilst the school is closed.

We are today sending home packs of additional work and textbooks for children to complete their online work in. I must stress that there is not an expectation that work is printed or sent back on the online system.

Along with the weekly teaching materials, there are a number of high quality, free online resources that can be used to support your child and to keep them busy. A list of these is available on the ‘Hacton at Home’ page on our website.

Remember to keep in touch with us and send us pictures of the work you are doing by emailing hactonathome@hacton.havering.sch.uk​ .

Safeguarding our pupils

Whilst our school is closed, it is really important to remember that the safeguarding of our pupils is everyone’s responsibility and should you need to make contact with a member of our school safeguarding team, please contact the school office and a member of the team will make contact with you.

I have been so impressed by the way we have pulled together over the past few weeks. When things are sent to test us it forces us to reflect on what’s important and the strength that the Hacton community has shown truly is the reason for our continued success.

I will be in touch when I have further clarity and information for you.

Keep safe.

Mrs Leslie
Headteacher

School Closure Announcement

Once we get clarification from the DfE on the precise details of this evening's school closure announcement, I will email you as early as possible tomorrow on ParentMail. Our staff, parents and pupils have been wonderful during this time and I know we will get through this as a community together.

Mrs Leslie
Headteacher

Wednesday Update: Hacton at Home

Dear Parents,

It was great to see so many smiley, positive faces at the school gate this morning, showing a real community spirit. Our best wishes are also being sent to all of our families and staff who, under government guidance, are in self-isolation. Look after yourselves and know that our thoughts are with you.

Reminders:

• Our website has generic resources for you to access at home to keep you busy whilst in self-isolation. https://hacton.havering.sch.uk/athome/
• The use of ‘my maths’ is highly recommended for ongoing maths learning. https://www.mymaths.co.uk/
• ‘Oxford Reading Buddy’ is suggested for ongoing reading. What better way to switch off from the madness of society at the moment than to get lost in a good book! https://www.oxfordreadingbuddy.com/uk
• We’d love you to email us your ‘Extreme Reading’ pictures albeit from the inside of your house! How many different places can you read indoors? Send your pictures to hactonathome@hacton.havering.sch.uk

Actions for today:

Your child will this evening be coming home with their individual log in details for our online Google platform which will be used to share work should the school need to close. Can I please ask the following:

• Check tonight that your log in works and that you can access the resources
• Do not start to use the resources unless prompted to do so as a result of school closure. Teachers have worked incredibly hard to prepare the first week of potential closures work and this should be used only in this instance.

If you are already in self-isolation please call the school office who will provide you with your log in details over the phone.

Please rest assured that we continue to follow government guidance in all the decisions we are making in school.


Mrs Leslie
Headteacher

Latest Coronavirus Information

Dear all,

I’d like to start by thanking you for your continued support and optimism at this difficult time. My staff are working incredibly hard to maintain ‘normality’ in school at the moment despite the measures we are putting in place. As in every other sector, following the latest government guidance, we do have a number of members of staff who are self-isolating as a precautionary measure only. I will keep you up to date with any further changes.

Following the revised guidance from the Government yesterday evening please be advised of the following:

• Pupils and staff should self-isolate for 14 days if they, or any members of their household present with a high temperature, persistent cough or flu-like symptoms

In response to this guidance, the additional measure we have put in place are as follows:

• All school trips have been cancelled up until at least May
• Swimming will be cancelled until further notice
• Parents’ evenings have been cancelled and will be replaced with a telephone consultation
• An online platform has been set up to provide generic work for those families with children in self-isolation

Over the coming days, children will be issued with log in details to an online Google platform which we have set up should the school be shut and remote learning needs to be put in place. We would ask that you let us know if you do not have access to the internet or technology at home as soon as possible. Once passwords have been issued, we will show children how to access the platform in school and ask them to test their access at home. I will, however, let you know when these have been issued.

At times like this, it is really important that we pull together and do all we can to support each other within our community. Our children will look back on this time and not remember the uncertainty and worry but our response to and actions surrounding the unknown.

Best wishes,
Mrs Leslie

Headteacher​

Advice Regarding Coronavirus

Dear Parents/Carers,

As you’re probably aware, the government’s guidance on the coronavirus has changed from the ‘contain’ phase to one of delaying the spread of the virus. We’re getting in touch to let you know what we’re doing in light of this, and what we expect from all of you, to help make sure our school community keeps safe and calm.

We’d like to reassure you that at Hacton we’re taking all of the necessary steps to protect our community and are continuing to follow official guidance from the government and the London Borough of Havering.

What’s the current situation?

• The school remains open – this is the current official guidance we’ve been given
• All school functions continue to run as normal until further notice
• Pupils should attend unless they feel unwell – if your child has any of the following symptoms they should remain at home for 7 days:
  - a new, continuous cough and/or
  - a temperature
• If your child is unwell, report this as you would normally by contacting the absence number
• We’ll keep you up to date with any changes to the current situation

What we’re doing to protect and support pupils and staff:

• Our cleaners are taking extra care to clean all surfaces thoroughly
• We are checking toilets to ensure there is a plentiful supply of soap
• Hand sanitisers have been purchased and are located in each classroom as well as soap

What we need you to do:

• Talk to your children about the coronavirus. It’s a scary time and we should make sure children feel supported. BBC Newsround has regular updates for younger children.
• Come and collect your child straight away, if we ask you to (we’ll contact you if they become ill with either a temperature or a new, continuous cough)
• Should the school have to close for any period of time, we will ensure that work is provided using systems which I will share with you over the coming days; however, please ensure that your child has access to a computer at home, and let us know if this is not possible (so we can make sure we’re well prepared for remote learning if the school does need to close at some point).

What happens if the school has to close?

We’ll only close if we’re either officially advised to do so or we don’t have enough staff to run the school. In either case, we’ll:

Message parents through ParentMail, Facebook and place a message on the school website.

Please keep in mind that we’re only sending out this information to help the school community prepare. There are currently no plans to close but being prepared and equipped for this possibility is essential.

If you have any questions please consult the:

• School office, if you have any questions about our response to this issue
• NHS, if you want to know more about the symptoms of coronavirus. If you think you or your child may have the symptoms, use NHS 111 online if at all possible before calling 111
• Department for Education’s coronavirus helpline: 0800 046 8687, if you have any questions about the government’s response to coronavirus in relation to schools
• Government’s travel advice, if you want to know whether any upcoming trip or holiday you’re taking abroad should go ahead

It’s a tricky time and we know you’re worried about the impact this might have on our community. It’s important we keep each other safe and talk about these events to help with all concerns.

Thank you for your continued support.

Mrs Emily Leslie
Headteacher

WOW! Winners

We're introducing a new way to celebrate achievements in Reception classes. At the end of every week, Reception teachers will choose a pupil from each class to receive a special WOW! certificate for outstanding achievement. This may include working hard, excellent behaviour, being a helpful member of the class or simply being kind. 

Congratulations to our first WOW! winners.

E for Effort

Every week, teachers recognise pupils in their class who have made an extra effort. These pupils are presented with the E for Effort cup during our whole school assembly.

Congratulations to all of the wonderful children who made an extra effort this week.

Year 6: National Maritime Museum

To complement their History topic about Ernest Shackleton, Year 6 visited the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. They participated in a ‘Polar Explorers’ workshop, where they learnt about Shackleton's ill-fated voyage to Antarctica. Our pupils then viewed some astonishing artefacts, such as oil paintings and letters from members of Shackleton’s crew.

The workshop leader shared many fascinating facts. Did you know that the Endurance had a printing press on board and the crew held a masquerade ball while stuck in the ice?

The children explored the museum and got hands-on with a morse code machine, signalling lamps and miniature crane. Year 6 had an excellent educational day where they gained a deeper understanding of Shackleton’s experiences and a broader knowledge of the history of polar exploration.