This Week’s Newsletter

Broadbridge Primary School                        Thursday 23^rd September 2021                                                   Note 3

Diary: Monday 27^th September – Sustrans “Bike/Scoot/Walk to school week”

Please note:  All clubs must be booked in advance on the ParentPay App.  The closing time for the 3:00-5:00 club is STRICTLY 5.00 P.M. Children must be collected before this time.  If you feel that this cannot be managed or it will be at a rush, we would advise that you make alternative arrangements for after school care.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Children doing Extra-Curricular Activities outside must have a change of footwear in case the venue changes due to weather conditions.

All activities must be pre-booked on the ParentPay App with the exception of Skill School.

COVID in School –  The guidance has changed on the role the school plays in relation to contact tracing if there is a positive case in your child’s class.  The PHA will contact you, they decide who the close contacts are, not the school.  The school now inform parents of a positive case in the class and send out an “Alert letter” as instructed by the PHA.  You do not have to keep your child off school.  Further guidance is available on the following link, https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/covid-19-coronavirus/information-schools-colleges-universities-and-parents/contact-tracing.  If your child displays symptoms of COVID, the guidance remains the same keep them at home and book a test.

Parents in School – Parents are asked not to enter the school grounds only if it is absolutely necessary to do so.  At present only parents of Primary 1 and Primary 2 are permitted on the school grounds.  Due to the increase in positive cases in school there will be no face to face meetings with the class teachers.  If you wish to talk to the class teacher request a call in your child’s homework diary or contact the school office, the teacher will get back to you at their earliest convenience.  Parents are asked not to exit their cars at the drop off zone, staff are there to offer assistance if your child requires it.

Bike/Scoot/Walk to School Week – This takes place Monday 27^th September – 1^st October.  We would encourage children to bike/scoot/walk to school next week.  This is a great opportunity to get fit and healthy whilst having a positive impact on the children’s health and well-being as well as on the environment.  Please wear a helmet if you are cycling or scooting.  Hi-Vis vests are highly recommended at all times travelling to and from school!

Hi Vis Vests – Thanks to Owen and Jacqueline Curry for donating 150 Hi-Vis vests to the school.  These will be distributed to our road users over the coming week as an added safety measure on their travels to and from school.

Change of footwear – If possible please send in a pair of trainers that may be changed into for playing outside or PE purposes.

Reporting Sickness – If your child is off school due to any illness please contact the school office before the start of the school day.  The school office is open from 8:45 a.m. onwards.  If you wish to contact us before this time please send an email to info@broadbridgeprimaryschool.com stating your child’s name, class teacher and reason for absence.  If the absence is COVID related it must be stated in the email for attendance purposes.  If a child is absent for PCR testing, we would ask that an email of the test result is forwarded to the school at your earliest convenience.  Thank you.

Primary 7 Gortatole – Gortatole for Primary 7 pupils has been provisionally booked.  Children will attend from Tuesday 21^st June – Friday 24^th June.  Payments for Gortatole can be made in instalments on Parentpay.  If you pay towards the trip and your child does not go your money will be returned to you.

Primary 7 Transfer – The closing date for applying for both Transfer tests is tomorrow Friday 24^th September 2021.  Times vary on closing, GL (2:00 p.m.) and AQE (5:00 p.m.), please check the AQE and PPTC website for further information.

Eglinton Scarecrow Competition

Congratulations to Primary 6 children who picked up “Winner of Best Community Group Scarecrow” at the Eglinton Annual Show.  Pictured below is Mrs Gillespie receiving the school prize from Mrs Hester Craig, Eglinton Annual Show Committee.