Theatre Alibi’s Designer, Trina Bramman, has created beautiful flying puppets for you to make at home. You can choose from various different templates – maybe a bird? A butterfly? A dragon? Or even a winged horse!
Trina has been careful to use bits and bobs that we hope you can find around the house. She’s put together a step by step guide with pictures too, to help children along the way.
Find the instructions and videos for this week’s activity here: https://bit.ly/
Theatre Alibi came in to school at the start of the academic year and you all watched their fantastic play, “I Believe in Unicorns”.
Theatre Alibi are setting you all an exciting challenge – and the opportunity to have your work read by one of the Theatre Alibi actors. Watch the 2 minute video of Derek (one of the main Theatre Alibi actors) who is explaining the task. Can you create your own mythical creature and then draw it, or write a story about it, or create a comic strip about it? Wouldn’t it be great for one of the actors to read your story out online for everyone to hear? Good luck!
And here is the link to the short film of Derek: https://bit.ly/34gnWpJ
Scan or photograph your work and send it to your teachers, who will send it to Theatre Alibi by lunchtime of Monday 20th April. Who knows, you may get to see your work on the Theatre Alibi website.
A letter to parents has been sent out today. Due to its importance we have duplicated it here.
Friday 10th April 2020
Dear Parents and Carers,
I hope you are all well and are keeping safe. Please say hello to your child from all the staff at school – we miss them lots.
As you are aware school remains closed for the vast majority of children. This letter contains important information for the small number of children returning to school on 14th April.
Important information:
• Children will need to wear school uniform.
• Children will be able to order a school meal. The menu will not be as advertised due to reduced staffing. Tuesday’s menu will be burger, salad and wedges with the option of a veggie burger.
• A board near the front door will direct you to the correct classrooms via external doors.
• If your child is showing any symptoms of the virus (high temperature or a new and persistent cough) please don’t send them to school and follow the staying at home guidance.
• If you or any members of the household are showing any symptoms of the virus (high temperature or a new and persistent cough) please do not come onto the school site and follow the staying at home guidance.
The government has produced guidance for schools around implementing social distancing for pupils, parents and staff in school which has meant that we have changed some of our routines and practices during the school day.
• Entrance to school will be through the car park gate only. The car park will be closed unless you have a parking permit and a member of the leadership team will be on duty to supervise the start and end of the day. The park gate and the pedestrian entrance on Broad Lane will be closed to ensure social distancing can be maintained.
• 2 metre markings will be in place outside the classrooms to support social distancing, similar to those being seen in supermarkets currently.
• 2 metre markings in the hall and cathedral will support the children in applying social distancing.
• Children will wash hands on arrival and will regularly wash hands during the day.
• We will talk to the children about social distancing and posters will be displayed in school to remind them.
• Children will not sit next to each other at the tables or on the carpet and will sit with a gap between them.
• Toys that are used will be washed daily.
• We will consider the number of children we have in each classroom to ensure we can implement social distancing.
• The minimum number of staff will be in school each day.
Thank you in advance for your understanding and support with implementing the above changes to support the guidance by the government. You may want to go through these changes with your child at home before they come to school, so they are prepared.
Just a reminder we have created an online booking form for key workers and those children requiring provision at school over the coming weeks. Please remember that school provision currently is the absolute last resort for families. The DfE advises that every child who can be safely cared for at home should be, and the over-riding message from the Government remains – Stay at home, Protect the NHS, Save lives.
Please click on the link below to book places for your child at school.
https://heathcoat.devon.sch.uk/covid-19-school-attendance/
The home learning page will be updated on 13th April with new learning for the coming week. The teachers will be in email contact each week so feel free to ask them if you have any questions about the learning. Just a reminder that some teachers will be working in school and so may not be able to contact you until the end of the week. Keep sending us your photos of the home learning as we are enjoying seeing all the children’s hard work at home.
We will continue to keep in contact with you via email, text, the school website and Facebook page. The school office remains open during the school day.
I would like to wish you all well.
Take care and stay safe.
Kind regards,
Miss Higginson
Head of School
The Green Parent magazine has shared five great ideas for your Easter weekend – do take a look.
They have also made a list of useful Lockdown resources here.
1. MAKE Eco Easter
Why not go all-natural with your Easter crafts this year? You’ll find all you need to dye eggs in your store cupboards – red cabbage, turmeric, onion skins and more – pro tip, try to track down some white eggs. If you’re feeling a little more creative, you might try making imprints using leaves on your eggs. Or pick up materials on your walks to make a sweet bird nest, perhaps you might even put it into a tree or onto your window sill and see if anyone makes it a home. Find more ideas for Easter fun and rituals here.
2 DO Nature on Demand
The sun is shining, blossom is on our trees, there are butterflies circling the budding bushes; Spring is most certainly not cancelled. Small connections with nature are uplifting and comforting, but this year, you may be missing seeing gambolling lambs and wild flowers. The Wildlife Trust has a series of webcams that provide a direct link to birds and creatures across the country. Spot kittiwakes in Newcastle, ospreys in Wales, and barn owls and badgers in Essex. If you’re really lucky, you might even spot a chick hatching.
3 DO The Grand Tour
Missing a big Easter holiday day out? Take a virtual trip around some of the biggest draws instead. Bonus: no queues to get in, it’s free and no gift shop stress. Many galleries and museums have taken their exhibits online, and have ideas for home activities. We like the tours and demonstrations at the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum’s apps and activities that prompt you to explore the wildlife in your back garden or park, Tate’s creative ideas for art projects, gentle explorations of artists’ work and lives, and child-friendly quizzes, and Kew’s colourful digital gardens.
4 DO Find Your Space
Sunday is the International Day of Human Space Flight, celebrating the beginning of the space era for mankind. Find out about the day and find resources here. Get a closer connection to fellow humans in space by watching the ISS pass overhead – this tracker will tell you when it’s next due to fly over your town. The space station moves in a continuous, straight line, and is visible when the sky is clear.
5 RECIPE Simple Simnel
More than any other year, this Easter we have time to bake. Christians are nearing the end of Lent, a time of self-denial and simple living, so will be craving sugary treats. Try making something truly over-the-top such as this Triple Chocolate and Peanut Butter Layer Cake, a traditional Simnel Cake or get the whole clan to help make Nest Cakes. If you’re more of an Ostara family, or don’t want to attempt Bake Off-style showstoppers, why not make this super-simple Honey Cake?
New guidance (29th March 2020) on supporting young people’s mental health (including specific advice for children with special education needs), can be found here.