St Anne's Catholic School St Anne's Catholic School

Parent Update 23rd April 2021

1st April 2021

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the summer term! Our girls (and young women and men at sixth form) have hit the ground running and their focus in lesson has been fantastic. Like you, we continue to be very proud of them.

Our year 11s and year 13s are busy with their final assessments as a key part of the evidence their teachers will be using to determine their grades. There has been a lot of preparation for these assessments by both staff and students to ensure they can be as reliable as possible whilst also being as manageable as possible. We have been really impressed by the approach our year 11 and 13 students have taken to what has been such a difficult and uncertain period. I would also like to publicly thank the staff for the amount of work they are putting in to the careful preparation of reliable assessments, ensuring conditions for taking these are as fair as can be given the circumstances, and the future moderation they are planning to ensure fairness.

The children commissioner's Big Ask

We have invited all students to take part in the new children commissioner's Big Ask survey. I share the message to children from the commissioner with you as I think it's important that the voice of as many of our young people is heard.

Hi, my name is Rachel de Souza and I’m the Children’s Commissioner for England. My job is to speak up for children in England, stand up for their rights, and make sure that the people in power listen to what children need and want.

It’s time to give something big back to young people like you after COVID — and we need your help to do it.

This is the largest ever survey of children and young people in England. We’ll use what you tell us to show the government what you think, and what children need to live happier lives.

This survey will only take you 5-10 minutes.

The survey can be found at: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/thebigask/ and children have until the 19^th May to complete it.

Notice from the DfE about travel to and from school

It is likely that the roads and public transport system will be busier than when students returned in March, given other businesses have reopened.

We would like to share the following messages on how pupils can travel to and from school safely:

if you live a short distance from your school or college, walk, cycle or scoot to and from school wherever it is possible and safe to do so
avoid sharing a car with anyone outside of your household or support bubble
if you are using public transport to get to school or college, plan ahead and allow more time for your journey
when you are travelling by public or dedicated school transport, don’t forget to:
wear a face covering (unless you are exempt – including if you are aged 11 and under). It is important  you wear them for the entirety of your journey, including inside a bus or train station
social distance where possible
wash or sanitise your hands regularly
be considerate to fellow passengers and staff.

Online safety

We have had information from various national sources that there have been messages on TikTok circulating online which encourage the recipient to attack people, particularly over this weekend, and particularly against women. Although this is clearly a hoax, it is obviously unsettling, and I just wanted to let parents know in case your daughter or son brings it up. I would point you towards https://www.net-aware.org.uk for more support on online good practice, such as blocking users, and to https://www.safe4me.co.uk/parents/ about general safety advice.

Have a sunny weekend!

God Bless

Mr Rouse

Headteacher