We are very much looking forward to things opening up that little bit more on Monday. Please see below some key points from my letter sent earlier this week below.
Super Bubbles
Covid cases, both nationally and locally, have thankfully dropped considerably and we are all happy to unlock further. I am therefore writing to let you know that, from Monday 17 May, we will be moving to ‘super bubbles’ for Pre-prep, Lower School and Upper School, but still remaining within the Covid-19 safety guidelines. This will provide further opportunities and more ‘normal’ school life for the children. Following 21 June, when we anticipate that all
restrictions are removed, we will move to a one school bubble.
Mask wearing will no longer be needed for staff at school unless social distancing cannot be maintained. All visitors will still need to wear masks and thank you for taking a test before coming on site. Pupils no longer will wear masks in school.
Speech Day
If all goes as planned, following 21 June, then we will alter our plans for Speech Day so that we can revert to just one Year 3 to 8 event in the marquee at the end of term as we usually do, rather than splitting it into two. We would follow sensible safety measures, as expected. At the moment we are planning for both scenarios but very much hope to hold the one St Peter’s School Speech Day. I will let you know nearer the time but have all fingers and toes crossed.
Residentials
We have had it confirmed that residentials for Years 3 to 8 will be able take place (a huge ‘hurrah’ is heard from all children at St Peter’s). Letters with further information will be with you shortly.
Sport and Fixtures
As you know, we made a decision before the Easter holidays that we wouldn’t be able to offer fixtures this term. The rules for schools can be seen to be ambiguous and interpreted in different ways and our focus on safety for the children, which has resulted in no whole year group bubbles being sent home, has been a priority for us. I feel very strongly, and certainly did in March when we had to make the decisions about fixtures, that it is more important for children to be at school than to be able to play in matches. We felt that mixing bubbles with other schools would result in opening up risk to those children playing but also to the whole school and, therefore, the decision to not put on matches was made in good faith alongside many of the other local schools. Pupils are all playing internal matches against each other here at St Peter’s but, as opening up continues to happen, we are delighted to be able to confirm three cricket fixtures with other schools for our older pupils (boys and girls) as follows:
● Mount Kelly (away) for Years 6, 7 and 8 on Wednesday 19 May
● Exeter School (home and away) for Years 5 and 6 on Wednesday 26 May
● Taunton School (away) for Years 7 and 8 on Wednesday 16 June
Lower School will also have matches internally, details of which we will send parents in the information letter, if they wish to attend.
We are already looking ahead to the Autumn term calendar where a full fixture list for all is being planned. Update on cricket whites: Parents did not need to buy cricket whites for this term due to the uncertainty around fixtures and, therefore, school cricket whites have not been purchased by some for over two years. We realise some pupils will have whites due to playing out of school, however not everyone. We have, therefore, informed other schools that we will be playing that we will be in our usual school games kit.
Update on parents attending matches: Updated guidance has led schools to adjust their plans with regards to this. St Peter’s parents are only able to attend home matches at the moment. Please refer to the match information included at the end of the newsletter.
Mrs Charlotte Johnston
Head
