Headteacher's weekly update

Dear Parents and Carers,

It is hard to believe that it was only last Wednesday when the Prime Minister announced that all schools will be closing and exams cancelled. The world seems to have turned on its head since then. I would like to thank you for your patience while we have been trying to put arrangements in place at such short notice.

This week my staff have been working hard to contact families who may need more help and support at this difficult time. We have remained open for the children of key workers and those with special needs. If your child is entitled to free school meals you will have received a phone call from us offering you the opportunity to collect a food parcel. We have put in place strict social distancing measures at all times on the school premises for staff and students still in attendance.

Mr Anthony is monitoring the ‘Working from Home’ tab on the website. Here teachers are posting work for children to complete at home. We are suggesting that your child follows their normal school timetable as closely as possible to establish a routine. We appreciate that working from home is challenging and there is advice on the website to support you.

We will continue to improve this in the coming weeks and are happy to receive feedback on any problems you are having. Please email Mr Anthony manthony@mariafidelis.camden.sch.uk in the first instance. Teachers and Heads of Department are available to respond via email during school hours but please remember that teachers are also falling ill and are having to care for sick and vulnerable family members so please be patient. Please note that teachers will not be setting work or responding to emails during the Easter holiday period.

We tried to identify pupils without a home computer or Internet access before we closed last Friday so please let us know if this is an issue. Alternative printed materials are ready in packs to be posted out or picked up from the school. Year 11 will be receiving separate advice from Ms Masud and Ms Speller will be in contact with our Sixth Form students. They will be able to advise on what additional evidence is required to support any predicted grades that will be sent to the exam boards. We will update you as soon as we receive more guidance.

This is a time when we need our faith more than ever and it’s particularly difficult as all places of worship are closed. We have added a ‘Chaplaincy Resources’ tab where we are downloading prayers for each week and other guidance for spiritual support. Let us all pray for our whole community at this time and especially our NHS workers who are fighting the virus on our behalf every day.

I will be writing to you each Friday and updates will continue to be posted on the website under the ‘Covid-19’ tab. Keep in touch and let us know if there is anything more we can do to support you, even if you just want to ring for a chat.

Take care and may God bless you and your family.

We will all meet again soon

All Best Wishes,

Helen Gill

Headteacher