Coronavirus Bulletin
Dear Parents and Carers,
We have reached the Summer Term and I am delighted that the sunshine has heralded the start! Everyone seems energised after a lovely fortnight’s break.
Covid Update
We continue to have no further positive Covid cases at Altrincham College, testing at home seems to be going very well and students are abiding by all our Covid regulations brilliantly! A plea from Public Health Trafford: please remember to send twice-weekly LFD test results through to: https://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result - as some families in Trafford are not doing this. Thank you.
Please remember that if your child shows ANY Covid symptoms at all, even if their test is negative, DO NOT send them into school. Instead, please notify us in the usual way and book a PCR test online for your child. A reminder that our guide for home testing can be found on our website along with all other Covid information:
www.altrinchamcollege.com/information/covid19/information-for-parents-and-carers/covid-testing
Positive cases in Trafford currently stand at 25 per 100,000 which is the lowest since August last year. This is most promising. I would therefore urge you to ensure your child(ren) continue to abide by all the Covid regulations, even though the weather may tempt large groups of friends to meet indoors or out, and let’s all pull together to keep Covid out of AC so we can finish the year with a flourish!
Year 11 and Year 13 Teacher Assessed Grades
Please can I remind you of the letter sent out by Mr Moroney regarding information about how students will be assessed and key dates this term? The letter was sent to you on 22nd March (via email) - just before the end of last term. A copy of the letter is attached below.
Code of Conduct
Further to Mr Keegan’s assemblies with all year groups this week, and the letter sent home to you this afternoon, I wanted to let you know that item such as jewellery, hoodies, etc will be confiscated from students starting on Monday (26th April).
Mobile phones will also only be allowed as part of a learning activity as directed by the class teacher, or in students ‘zones’ outside at break and lunch. Phones seen/used at any other time will be confiscated.
The use of phones in school is currently under review and will be discussed over the next few months following on from Gavin Williamson’s announcement in the news recently: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-56663010
School Lunch Update
Next week we are introducing The Meal Deal! For £2.30 students will be able to purchase the special of the day, or something from the grab and go, plus a small bottle of water plus a piece of fruit/a small packet of biscuits.
Please would you also remind your child(ren) that the water fountains are still not in use under our Covid regulations; they must therefore bring in their own bottles of water. Water can also be bought from the school canteen and, in addition, every break and lunch we have put out jugs of water and cups for students to help themselves. They will not be allowed out of lessons to refill bottles I’m afraid (unless they have a medical condition).
Homework Club
Our after-school homework club will start again from next week for students in Years 7, 8 and 9. A letter has gone home from Mrs Sherry-Brennan with more details (a copy is at the bottom of the page).
If you would like to take up a homework club place for your child/ward, please complete this form: https://forms.office.com/r/T9jRTS7P0T to reserve a place, and to advise if a place is needed on one of our late buses.
SEND News
Video Appointments with Mrs Noonan and Mrs Crossley.
We now have appointments available each week via School Cloud to have a video call with our SENDCo, Mrs Noonan and/or our Deputy SENDCo, Mrs Crossley. The appointments are available:
Week 1 Monday 2.20pm-3.30pm
Week 2 Thursday 11am-12pm
This is the same software that is used for Parents’ Evenings so you will be familiar with the booking system. If you log in, the appointment availability will be shown for this half term.
A Wonderful Student
Some of you may know that last year one of our wonderful Y11 students, Abdulla Hasan, sadly passed away from a long-term illness. Abdulla was a quiet, kind, polite and respectful young man who, despite all his problems, always had a smile for everyone.
This year will see one student awarded the Abdulla Hasan Award for Acts of Kindness.
I have asked staff for their nominations; if you feel your child deserves the award this year, please do let me know via the Headteacher email address. This will be an annual award.
We have also planted an olive tree in memory of Abdulla. The olive tree represents peace, healing and goodness. This has been placed in the area near the Pod - in the sunshine in between two benches where students may sit quietly at break or lunchtimes.
Student Star of the Week
The Headteacher’s Award this week goes to….Sam H in Year 11! He has been nominated by Miss Diffley who said he is ‘a shining example to others for the good deeds he does’. Many congratulations Sam!
Staff Star of the Week
The award this week goes to….Mr Stephenson! He has been nominated by some of our support staff who said his manner with the students at break and lunchtimes is wonderful to see! Congratulations Mr Stephenson!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend and greatly look forward to seeing all the students on Monday for another week of fun learning!
Stop the spread! Stay safe!
Kind regards
Ms. Earle
Headteacher