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Parental Bulletin: Friday 19 March 2021 Good afternoon What a difference a week can make! To have been able to welcome every year group back into school, whether for

formal assessment examinations, face to face teaching or sports and activity afternoons, has been just wonderful. TK

has felt more like TK again, with the sound of learning and social time chatter rolling across the campus. The weather

has also helped to lift the spirits but it’s the interaction between children and staff that has really put the smiles back

on our faces.

However, in the words of Robert Frost “…I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep.” To that end, an

update on our building repairs.

School Closure update This week, I met with both our Department for Education Project Lead and a representative from the South West Regional Schools Commissioner’s Office. We met to discuss progress towards our aim of re-opening Thomas Keble on April 19th. I am pleased to update on the following:

Potential contractors, who are bidding for the contract to install the propping solution, have visited Thomas Keble this week.

The core concrete samples to verify design solutions were successfully completed this week.

The current plan is to have a contractor appointed by the end of next week. Early indications are that works can be completed over the Easter holidays.

We are continuing to plan for the school re-opening on Monday April 19th.

I will hopefully have further important updates for our parent bulletin due to come to you on Friday March 26th.

Sports afternoons

What a joy to see so many students meeting with old friends and enjoying a range of fun activity to get the blood

pumping! Thanks so much for those parents who have taken the time to send such uplifting messages:

Just got home from work. XXX tells me he really enjoyed the sports afternoon and can’t wait to see everyone again next week.

XXX really enjoyed the session

today and she is looking

forward to next week’s.

XXX was so happy to see his

new friends again yesterday

and is looking forward to next

week.

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Home Testing

Home testing kits have been delivered for students in order to support home

testing for COVID 19. We have now distributed test kits to all students who

have attended school this week. If you wish to collect a kit for your child, please

contact the school office via adminemail@thomaskeble.gloucs.sch.uk and we

can arrange a time for you to collect them from our temporary reception in our

DT block at the front of the school site.

Please note, the kits were accompanied by a booklet offering guidance on how

to log your child’s test result. You only need to inform the school if your child’s

result is positive.

Your support in administering these tests at home is crucial in ensuring that

when we can open, we stay open. It is important we all work together to

minimise the risk of transmission and keep our students in school. Thank you

for your help with this.

Mental Health & Wellbeing

We will continue to deliver our wellness sports sessions from next week. Over 400 students have now signed up for

these and we can’t wait to see them. The days for each year group are listed below – please note the change of

date for Year 10.

Year 7: Wednesday 24th March

Year 8: Thursday 25th March

Year 9: Tuesday 23rd March

Year 10: Monday 22nd March

From 1 pm on these days, lessons for each year group will be suspended. If your child is unable to attend on site for

the sessions, we would strongly encourage them to take part in some physical activity to support their mental health.

Please note remote lessons will not be set for these sessions. So for example, Year 9 will not have lessons set

for period 5 on Tuesday 23rd March.

Practical information:

1. On arriving at school for 1pm, students will be directed to the sports fields, via the access road that runs alongside

Eastcombe Park.

2. Please note the Bussage and park gates will not be open – all students need to access the site from the front.

3. Students will be asked to sit in tutor groups on the grass by the tennis court marquee to be registered.

4. Students will then be able to mingle with friends for their picnic lunches (all students will need to bring these and

drinks with them).

5. Pastoral support staff will be on hand for any students who want to chat to them.

6. Sports activity will begin at 1:30pm and finish at 3:00pm when students should return directly home and avoid

lingering in the park or nearby neighbourhoods.

7. All school transport will run as normal so those requiring a bus should ensure they have their passes with them.

The weather forecast is encouraging but it won’t be hot so students should make sure their PE kit is topped off with a

sports hoodie or plain blue sweatshirt. TK joggers or plain blue / black leggings are also encouraged for warmth.

Year 10 and 11 face to face sessions – what to expect remote learning wise:

All directed remote learning ceased for Year 11 from Monday March 15th in order to support the assessment

preparation and delivery, without students missing work. They have enough to do in terms of revision and

assessment completion without the added pressure of feeling they are ‘falling behind’ during their exams.

Year 10 live lessons will be delivered on a Thursday for all subjects for the remaining weeks before Easter.

Remote learning using other means (pre-recorded content, PowerPoints and independent study) will still be

set for lessons on other days. This will enable staff to drive to school, deliver live face to face teaching and

then make their way back home. At the current time, we do not have enough space for all staff to work from

site so we need to make suitable, alternative arrangements.

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Live lessons for KS3 will be minimal on Thursdays for the next 2 weeks to support staff delivering face to face

teaching for Y10 / 11 in school – however, live lessons will likely be moved to other days and remote learning

will still be provided on Thursdays.

Mr Patrick has also produced an information film for Year 11 to explain the exams and grading approach we are

adopting this year. Please follow the link if you have not already accessed this: https://youtu.be/G2KOP2_ArKc

Year 7 to 10: In school sessions: Monday 29th March to Thursday 1st April

Please be aware, these will be pastoral in focus and tutors will be working with students for the day,

with their groups. The aim will be to give students a structured opportunity to process their

lockdown experience and then look forward to returning to school.

Year group Face to face day Focus of the day

Year 10 Thursday April 1st 2021

‘Connect’ - tutor activities- work based on impact of lockdown on students.

‘Be active’- the PE element.

‘Take notice’- listening skills activities.

‘Keep learning’- resilience-based activities.

‘Give’- activities around what students can do for others.

Year 9 Wednesday March 31st

Year-based assembly – welcome back and finding out more about Learning to Learn.

A range of Learning to Learn activities to build listening skills; team skills and trust.

A science-focused challenge to test the skills developed over the day.

A house rounders competition culminating in ‘tug of war’.

Year 8 Tuesday March 30th Year-based assembly – welcome back and finding out more about Learning to Learn.

A range of Learning to Learn activities to build listening skills; team skills and trust.

Chelsea’s Choice – a PHSE event to support our students in developing safe practice online.

X-Ability – a range of challenges to encourage activity and teamwork.

A house rounders competition culminating in ‘tug of war’.

Year 7 Monday March 29th Year-based assembly – welcome back and finding out more about Learning to Learn.

A range of Learning to Learn activities to build listening skills; team skills and trust.

Practical challenges to test listening, trust and teamwork.

A house rounders competition culminating in ‘tug of war’.

Pastoral Support for all students

The Thomas Keble community prides itself on pastoral care and values. As many of

you will know we already have an experienced and dedicated team of core pastoral

staff who, along with tutors and all staff, care for our students and help them to feel

supported to be happy and healthy.

If any parent would like to know more or feel would like to get advice or discuss any

issue regarding your son or daughter’s emotional health please do contact us at

studentsupport@thomaskeble.gloucs.sch.uk.

In addition, we recognise the difficulties, stresses and anxieties our young

people and parents have faced over the 12 months of the pandemic.

Therefore, we are delighted to announce two additions to our pastoral

team. Working in conjunction with the local youth support organisation The

Door, Youth worker, Mike Jones will be supporting students and families

two days a week. Youth worker, Willow Driver Sharp will be circulating

and talking to students during their lunch times every Tuesday, advising

them and working with the Pastoral team to identify those students who

may need additional support.

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Please click on https://www.thedoor.org.uk/ if you would like to know more about the fantastic work and support you and your child can receive from this experienced Youth Support organisation. From parenting groups, 1:1 parenting support, student mentoring, family mentoring and helplines, families are not alone. For further information please contact jhurren@thomaskeble.gloucs.sch.uk.