Dear Parents/Carers,

I just wanted to give you an update on the shopping vouchers. I am sure you will understand that the need to distribute vouchers across the country undoubtedly will cause a delay in issue. I recognise that this is frustrating for many of you but want to reassure you all that everything is being done to ensure your e codes are with you as soon as possible.

In the interim I can still ensure that packed lunches are available for collection but in order to receive a packed lunch you need to be eligible and have booked one in with Elizabeth Luke who can be contacted on 07747475913.

I realise that some of you may now be in position to apply for Free School Meals because your circumstances have changed. This can be done on the council website and I have been assured the team are trying to process these applications as quickly as possible. If anyone finds themselves experiencing hardship whilst waiting for benefits there is a hardship fund which families can access in the interim period. Please follow the link below:

https://www.southtyneside.gov.uk/article/69291/Support-for-people-in-South-Tyneside

The council website does also have links to support with other areas such as council tax and information around accessing the community hub which can support with food parcels should you need them.

I know this is a difficult time, your children are missed every day by us all. Please continue to support them with their learning by accessing the home learning section of the website. The staff are updating that regularly to keep your children interested. Staff are available either by phone on 4244859 or mobile 07760495860 or by contacting the school office email on [email protected]

There will be no access to school staff over the Easter bank holiday weekend. If you have any questions I would urge you to contact school today.

Please do try to enjoy the Easter weekend with your families but please follow guidelines STAY SAFE AND STAY AT HOME.

I know I speak on behalf of the whole staff team when I say we look forward to the day when we can all come together again as a school community.

Take care

Kind regards

Andrea Willis

Dear Parents/Carers,

We now have information that will allow us to provide shopping vouchers to those families of pupils eligible for free school meals whose children are of nursery age. To qualify you must be in receipt of identified benefits:

• Income Support
• Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
• Income Related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Your Income Does Not Exceed £16,190
• Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit
• Universal Credit

Eligible parents will receive an e code from us via e mail. If you need to update your e mail address and have not already done so, please do so without delay today on 01914244859 or [email protected]

Once you have received your e code you will receive instructions on how to use your code to create an e gift card which you should receive within three hours. You can currently access  e gift cards for the following supermarkets

Morrisons, Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys, Waitrose and Marks and Spencer.

Once you have received your e gift card you will be able to redeem it in store by either

• Presenting the voucher (gift card) on a smartphone or tablet
• Printing and presenting a paper copy of the voucher

Families are free to select the most appropriate food and drink for their child. Vouchers should not be redeemed for age restricted items such as alcohol, cigarettes or lottery tickets.

There are some useful websites available to access for information on preparing healthy and nutritious food at:

• NHS eat well website
• School food standards.

Any questions don’t hesitate to contact us.

Take care

Kind regards

Andrea Willis

Dear Parents/Carers,

I hope that you and your family remain well during these difficult times. I want to thank you all for the sensible and supportive approach you have all shown and continue to show as we all aim to follow government guidelines.

Our school continues to provide care for those pupils whose families fall into one of the identified key categories and I just want to update you about arrangements for the period that would have been the Easter holidays.

We have no demand for places across the bank holidays and therefore school will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday. There will be no provision of packed lunches on these days. School will reopen for those pupils who are booked in from Tuesday 14th April. Parents who have booked packed lunches can collect them from this day.

Please be aware I believe the packed lunches will be replaced with the e voucher from 20th April. Thank you

Take care of yourselves

regards

Andrea Willis

Dear Parents/Carers,

We now have information that will allow us to provide shopping vouchers to those families of pupils eligible for free school meals – these are the families in receipt of identified benefits and not the universal infant meals that we usually provide in school.

Eligible parents will receive an e code from us via e mail. If you need to update your e mail address and have not already done so, please do so without delay on 01914244859 or [email protected]

Once you have received your e code you will receive instructions on how to use your code to create an e gift card which you should receive within three hours. You can currently access e gift cards for the following supermarkets:

Morrisons, Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys, Waitrose and Marks and Spencer.

Once you have received your e gift card you will be able to redeem it in store by either:

• Presenting the voucher (gift card) on a smartphone or tablet
• Printing and presenting a paper copy of the voucher

Families are free to select the most appropriate food and drink for their child. Vouchers should not be redeemed for age restricted items such as alcohol, cigarettes or lottery tickets.

There are some useful websites available to access for information on preparing healthy and nutritious food at:

• NHS Eat well website
• School food standards.

Shopping vouchers are only payable during term time periods, therefore will not be payable during what would have been the Easter holidays. I believe the scheme will begin after this period. Any questions don’t hesitate to contact us.

Take care

Kind regards

Andrea Willis

If your children are asking questions about the current expectations on us all and to help you explain why we all must practice social distancing and regular hand washing the attached NHS child friendly fact sheet may help.

Take care.

Download (PDF, 3.57MB)

Please ensure you download mySchoolApp onto your mobile phone/device. While school is closed we will continue to keep you updated via the app and the website.

The app will allow you to receive important messages that are sent out throughout the closure and will be our main line of communication.

Please click on the link below which provides instructions on how to download the app.

Thank you

Download (PDF, 711KB)

Dear Parent/Carer,

In order to ensure that we prepare the correct number of packed lunches can I ask that you book a packed lunch for collection next week beginning 30^th March 2020.

The packed lunches are available to those pupils who would be eligible for a free school meal. They are not available as universal infant meals.

If you are in receipt of one of the benefits listed below you will be eligible to book a packed lunch for collection.

• Income Support;
• Income Based Jobseekers Allowance;
• Income -related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA);
• Your income does not exceed £16.190,
• Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit.
• Universal Credit

You can book a packed lunch for next week by calling the school on 4244859 or e mailing at [email protected]

If you do not book a packed lunch then there may not be one available for you to collect. Thank you

Take care

Andrea Willis

Please click on the link below to view the letter.

Download (PDF, 326KB)