Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Message from the Headteacher - Covid-19 update 19th March - pupils of key workers.

  Thu 19 Mar 2020 Mr Wallis

  Dear Parent / Carer

   

  Last night we sent you information regarding the latest guidance delivered by the Secretary of State for Education and the Prime Minister.  Although we are not sure at this point what the full implications are for our school, we wanted to write to you all to reassure you that we will do all we can to make things work for the Walkley Primary School community.

   

  We know that there is a growing anxiety from many families and staff about continued school attendance but having watched the briefing from the Secretary of State for Education, I have to say that I think his plan is absolutely the right thing to do.  It will be a challenge for us to deliver what is being asked but I am lucky to be backed up by an amazing staff who are always ready to go above and beyond.  Last night, soon after the announcement, I was contacted by many staff who have expressed their willingness to support the effort to keep the country going – their dedication is an inspiration and I am humbled to serve this community alongside them.

   

  If you haven’t seen the news yet, the essential points as we understand them are as follows:

  • English schools will be closed to most children from the end of school on Friday.  This will be until further notice and an end date was not given. 
  • Schools will stay open to look after the children of ‘key workers’ from Monday next week.  We expect to receive a list today detailing which jobs are considered to be key workers but our best guess at this time is that some examples may include:
    • NHS Staff
    • Emergency Service staff
    • Social Care staff
    • Teachers/School staff
    • Certain delivery drivers
    • Refuse collectors
  • Schools will also be open to vulnerable children e.g. those with EHCPs or who have an open Social Care case etc.
  • Schools may stay open for some of the Easter holidays.

   

  In order to help offset the pressure that this will cause, the Government has pledged that:

  • There will be no Ofsted inspections during this period.
  • There will be no formal assessments i.e. no SATs     

  ​​​​​​​

  ​​​​​​​For families who do not include any key workers, we will continue to support learning by providing online resources through the Lockdown Learning Log and the class pages on the school website.  We are saddened that we may not see many of our children for a while after this week but be assured that they are still our children – we want to continue to support them and are happy to do what we can from a distance until they rejoin us.  Also, please do continue to contact us for any family support or safeguarding matters – we are still, and will remain, your school.  We’ll still be here so give us a call if you need anything.

   

  For families who do include a key worker and who will continue to attend school, we are beginning to plan what provision might look like.  We will be open for these children so that families can keep delivering essential services.  We intend to do everything we can to do our bit in what is the worst health crisis in 100 years; hopefully this will mean that health workers can continue to provide the care they need to, that Social Workers can keep checking on the vulnerable and that drivers can keep food and essential supplies being delivered.  Whatever it takes, we will be here to support for as long as we are able.

   

  We would ask that families who think they may include a key worker, complete the slip on the letter sent home or emailed to you today and return it to school tomorrow, or alternatively contact us via email at enquiries@walkley.sheffield.sch.uk as soon as you can.  We need key worker families to let us know if you would like us to maintain a place for your child over the coming weeks.  This will help our planning in terms of knowing the number of children we need to take care of, and will help us mitigate the staffing challenges we continue to face.  It will also help us get on with planning some really fun educational activities and make sure the children have some brilliant memories made!  If you do not contact us, we will assume you do not require a place.

   

  I will leave it there for now but am sure you will have many more questions about logistics and we will do our best to answer them over the next couple of days.  We may not have all the answers yet but we will update you as we progress. 

  Thank you all for your continued support and understanding and especially to those parents and carers who have taken the time to send in encouraging messages over the past couple of weeks.

   

  We all need to build new routines to accommodate the massive changes we’re facing whilst remaining purposeful and positive and as is the Walkley way, we will do this! Be sure, we will be here when you need us.

   

  Yours sincerely

  Val Sian
  Headteacher and all the Walkley family

• Reminder: Golden Assembly - Pupils only Friday 20th March 2020

  Thu 19 Mar 2020 Mr Wallis

  A reminder for parents that regretfully, Golden Assemblies this Friday will be for pupils and staff only.

   

  We thank you for your continued understanding

• Coronavirus update for parents 18th March 2020

  Wed 18 Mar 2020

  Dear Parent / Carer

   

  The latest guidance from Prime Minister Boris Johnson is that schools in the UK will close on Friday 20th March to prevent the further spread of coronavirus. It is indicated that schools will close from Friday except for looking after the children of keyworkers and vulnerable children. We expect more information on this in the coming days and will keep you informed through the usual channels.

   

  We appreciate your patience and cooperation at this challenging time.

   

  People in household isolation should avoid leaving the house. Pupils who have been absent from school with the symptoms of Covid-19 should continue to self isolate for 14 days along with their siblings.

   

  Symptoms of Covid-19 include:

  • A new continuous cough and/or
  • High temperature

• Topping Out Ceremony for pupils, staff and the building team

  Wed 18 Mar 2020 Mr Wallis

  In building construction, topping out (sometimes referred to as topping off) is a builders' rite traditionally held when the last beam (or its equivalent) is placed atop a structure during its construction. Yesterday, pupils, staff and the design and construction team signed the topping off steel ready to be placed in the new steel structure over the coming days. Here are some pictures from yesterday's ceremony:

  

• Home Learning with the Lockdown Learning Log

  Tue 17 Mar 2020 Mr Wallis

  Should pupils and staff need to self-isolate and stay indoors and/or the school has to close, we have developed a Lockdown Learning Log which is an interactive document that signposts you to relevant home learning platforms. Phonics, reading and writing (spelling, grammar, handwriting and composition) have been covered by Teach your monster to read, Oxford Owl, BBC Bitesize, Classroom Secrets, the Walkley Primary School website and whole school writing tasks.

   

  Where appropriate, check your child’s Reading Record for an accurate reading level that you can use to access well pitched eBooks through Oxford Owl.

   

  Children should complete any written work in their Red Learning Logs, however if your child’s Learning Log is still at school then do complete your work on paper or digitally if you prefer.

   

  We are able to set work through the class blog, just as we do now in the homework section. In the event of school closure your child’s class teacher will update the blog with daily maths challenges for the children to access. As well as this follow the link to keep up with TT Rock Stars.

   

  There are also activities that your family can do to keep busy (screen time's going through the roof!!). I wonder if you’ll try any? Nursery parents can access relevant online learning on the Elmers class page, Click here

   

  Please open the Lockdown Learning Log and enjoy learning at home.

  EYFS Lockdown Learning Log

  Lockdown Learning Log

• Cancellation of a number of events in Spring term 2

  Tue 17 Mar 2020 Mr Wallis

  Dear parents and carers

   

  Regretfully, we have had to cancel the following planned trips and events:

   

  F2 trip to Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Thursday 26th March.

   

  KS1 Archie Games on Monday 23rd March at the EIS.

   

  Y4 Y5 and Y6 Violin Performance on Thursday 26th March.

   

  Y2 Story Club on Wednesdays after school.

   

  Also, in light of the latest guidance, we will be holding Golden Assemblies for pupils only, until further notice.

   

  Please speak to the school office regarding any refunds for the cost of trips and events.

• Cancellation - Violin tuition for Y4 Y5 and Y6 and performance on 26th March

  Tue 17 Mar 2020 Mr Wallis

  Dear parents

   

  Due to the current Covid-19 guidance there will be no violin tuition in school for Y4 Y5 and Y6 until further notice. Also, the performance planned for Thursday 26th March has also been cancelled.

   

• Coronavirus update for parents Monday 16th March

  Mon 16 Mar 2020 Mr Wallis

  Dear Parent / Carer

   

  The latest guidance from the Prime Minister’s update this afternoon indicates some changes to previous information.

   

  It is now recommended that whole households stay at home for 14 days if one person in the household starts to display symptoms of the Covid-19 virus.

   

  Symptoms include:

  • A new continuous cough and/or
  • High temperature

   

  People in household isolation should avoid leaving the house.

   

  Pupils who have been absent from school today with the symptoms of covid-19 should continue to self isolate for 14 days along with their siblings.

   

  The current advice for schools is to remain open.

• Y4 Cheerleading Competition on Friday 20th March CANCELLED

  Mon 16 Mar 2020 Mr Wallis
  Please contact the office if you have made payment on SIMS Pay for this trip.

• Golden Award Winners 13/03/20

  Fri 13 Mar 2020 Mr Wallis

  Golden Citizens

  Seashells: Abby Y

  Hungry Caterpillars: Jenna A 

  Anansi: Adam AK

  Smartest Giants: Eleanor D 

  Gruffalos: Alfie H

  Storm Whales: Oscar K

  Aslans: Beth W

  Charlies: Dexter S

  Fantastic Foxes: Ewan G

  Skywalkers: Aaliyah G

  Varjak Paws: Robbie W

  Kensukes: Sol J

   

  Whizzy Worker

  Seashells: Maryam J

  Hugry Caterpillars: Joseph L

  Anansi: Holly D

  Smartest Giants: Elijah V 

  Gruffalos: Fred G

  Storm Whales: Ella D

  Aslans: Riley T

  Charlies: Imogen R

  Fantastic Foxes: William H

  Skywalkers: Alyssa G

  Varjak Paws: Amber G

  Kensukes: Hala H

  
  Behaviour Superstar

  Seashells: Crystal H

  Hungry Caterpillars: Micah F

  Anansi: Thurston M

  Smartest Giants: Rose W 

  Gruffalos: Neive W

  Storm Whales: Louis WW

  Aslans: Savannah R

  Charlies: Rashed A

  Fantastic Foxes: Yahya S

  Skywalkers: Yaseen I

  Varjak Paws: Zeyad K

  Kensukes: Brogan S

   

  Attendance Award Winners

  EYFS/KS1 winner for week 02/03/20 to 06/03/20 is Anansi with 100%

  KS2 winner for week 02/03/20 to 06/03/20 is Charlies with 100%