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Principal's Term 2 Update
Dear Parents and Carers,

I wanted to write to you all before our students return to College tomorrow to update you on our current position and plans for Term 2. No doubt you will all have watched or read the announcement from the Prime Minister on Saturday regarding the 4 week national lockdown that is due to commence on Thursday 5th November. I am sure for many of you this causes concerns not only for how your family will be affected but also how your children attending school will be affected.
 
The Government’s current position is that they wish for schools to remain open and have released the following information (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november#stay-at-home):
 
‘The Government will continue to prioritise the wellbeing and long-term futures of our young people and will not be closing schools, colleges or universities. It remains very important for children and young people to attend, to support their wellbeing and education and help working parents and guardians. Senior clinicians still advise that school is the best place for children to be, and so they should continue to go to school. Schools have implemented a range of protective measures to make them safe.’
 
Sadly, we will all return to more uncertainty over the coming weeks and possibly months. With that in mind, I wanted to keep you up to date on what we have in place and to do what we can to put your minds at ease.
 
Face Coverings:
Previously the Government advised that face coverings were not necessary in school settings. During Term 1 our position was that we would make it optional for students to be able to wear face coverings in indoor communal areas if they choose to do so, but we would not permit them in classrooms. Given the current infection rates in the country and indeed in Plymouth, we are going to change our position on face coverings in indoor communal areas and in classrooms.
 
Indoor communal areas:
From tomorrow (3rd November 2020) all students will be expected to wear a face covering in indoor communal areas. From Thursday 5th November 2020 it will be compulsory for students to wear a face covering in indoor communal areas.
 
This means that students must wear face coverings:
  • On entry to the building
  • In corridors
  • In indoor spaces at break and lunch (except when students are eating/drinking)
  • In the Sixth Form Block
 
In classrooms:
From tomorrow (3rd November 2020) we will allow students and staff to wear face coverings in classrooms if they choose to do so, it will not be compulsory.
 
Please note that, as previously stated, we will allow plain, disposable or reusable face coverings (reusable face coverings will need to washed daily) that are secured to the head with ties or ear loops, but NOT scarves, bandanas, handkerchiefs or other improvised coverings. It will remain the responsibility of parents and carers to ensure that all students follow the Government’s guidance on the safe wearing, storage, and disposal of face coverings. Students who do not wear face coverings and/or who do not observe this guidance will be considered as failing to comply with our health, safety, and hygiene arrangements. Students who are exempt from wearing face coverings due to medical conditions will not be expected to wear them but they must provide their reasons for their exemption to their Pastoral Leader, or provide their exemption card.
 
Inclement weather:
As you are aware we have allocated separate indoor and outdoor spaces for each year group during break and lunchtimes. Obviously schools only have limited indoor space available and due to being part of a shared campus we are unable to stagger our break and lunchtimes. Please be aware that as we move in to the winter months the weather is likely to be colder and wetter. We only have limited indoor space for students which means at least half of them will be outside during these times. Please ensure that your child comes to College with suitable clothing to remain warm and dry.
Also, in order to safely operate in our classrooms we will need to continue to keep windows and doors open to aid ventilation for the benefit of all staff and students. This means that despite the heating being on, rooms are colder than normal and therefore some students may wish to wear additional layers under their uniform to ensure they stay warm.
 
PE lessons:
For the foreseeable future, our practical PE lessons will continue to be taught outside. Please see the recent letter to Parents and Carers with regard to PE lessons: https://us18.campaign-archive.com/?u=9617cfb9c93dd96f23ee05850&id=2f3a80fdc8. Please ensure that on days when your child has PE, that they come in to school with adequate kit to remain warm and dry, and that they have their uniform and other spare clothing to change in to following their PE lesson.
 
Progress Reports:
Progress reports from Term 1 are currently being finalised so that they can be uploaded to the SIMs Parent App. While most of you have already downloaded and signed up to the App to access timetables, key dates, attendance, behaviour, achievement as well as reports, please follow this link for further guidance http://www.sjhcsc.co.uk/parents/sims-parent-app on how to download it. We will not be sending out paper copies at this time. Parents/Carers of any student who does not have at least one parent or carer signed up to receive these updates will be sent another invite soon, so please check your emails. If you have any queries in the meantime then please email our Data and Systems Manager on c.harrison@sjhcsc.co.uk.
 
Parents Evenings:
Sadly due to the current COVID restrictions we will not be able to hold Parents’ Evenings as we normally do. We will be in touch with you all in due course to let you know how you can request contact from specific teachers over the coming weeks but in the meantime please feel free to contact us via our contact form on our website if you wish to speak to a specific teacher: http://www.sjhcsc.co.uk/contact-us.
 
I would like to thank you all again for your continued support in enabling us to welcome our students back in to College, and I thank you again in advance for your support ahead of what will undoubtedly be a challenging term.
 
Yours sincerely,
 
 
 
Mrs J Bevan
Principal
Website: www.sjhcsc.co.uk
Email: admin@sjhcsc.co.uk
Phone: 01752 201020






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Sir John Hunt Community Sports College · Lancaster Gardens · Plymouth, Devon PL5 4AA · United Kingdom