Thank you for your support over what has been a very busy half term. It has been a pleasure to have your children back in school and learning once again. The new routines do not feel new anymore and every student has adjusted to them extremely well. Over the next half term, we will continue with the routines that are currently in place, but we will begin to explore whether we are able to let year groups have access to some of the specialist areas. At this stage I cannot say that that will definitely happen as we need to protect the year group bubbles, however, we do want to offer as rich an experience as possible.

For those of you with children in year 11 and 13 you may have seen the announcement from the government regarding GCSE and A Level exams. The government have announced that these exams will go ahead but with a three-week delay for most subjects. Our understanding at this stage is that most exams will take place from 7^th June until 2^nd July. Some exams – such as one English and one maths paper – will be scheduled before the May half term. For some students who have already had their learning disrupted by periods of self-isolation this might be a worry for them. Teaching unions, including the union that I am a member of, continue to lobby the government in terms of what the back-up plan will be if the disruption to education caused by this virus continues.

Over the break it may be a case that your child does fall ill with Covid-19 symptoms. If this is the case, then do please get tested and continue to let the school know if they test positive. If your child does test positive and were in school the 48 hours leading up to symptoms, then we will trace those close contacts in school and inform families. We will inform you via email with a text message directing you to look at your email. We will not announce these cases to the wider community (ie through an announcement on our website) during the break. 

Yesterday afternoon (Friday 16^th October) we were made aware of a case in year 9 and overnight we have been made aware of a case in year 12. In both cases we have now let families know that they have a child who is considered a close contact and who should self-isolate for 14 days.

School contact details over the break are:

Email: office@minster.notts.sch.uk (preferred contact)

Telephone: 01636 814000 (limited hours but available most days)

I do hope that you manage to have restful break. We look forward to welcoming your child back to school on Monday 2^nd November.

Mr Chaloner