Newsletters

News from Mr Grady

Hello everyone.

Looking back over my messages, as we approach the halfway point of the school year (Oh yes, on Friday, we’re half way through exactly!) I realised that quite a few, jolly as I hope they are, are about quite specific aspects of school, subjects and the challenges we face.  So, I thought I’d take a slightly different approach this week: 

On my drive into school today, I was driving through the fields around Cawston, and ironically enough one field was, as usual covered in crows.  The collective noun for a large gathering of crows is, some of you will know, a murder of crows. And what better description can there be for a sinister gathering of those large, angular and ebullient creatures?  I’ve always been a bit switched off by the finer details of English Grammar, but there’s something joyously creative about collective nouns that always cheers me up when I discover a new one. 

So, I knew about a murder of crows, and the phrase popped in my head as I spotted them, giving me that little smile of pleasure you get when you think of something you know, but that perhaps not everyone does.  But this morning, in addition to my collective noun remembering, something else caught my eye:  Tucked into the murder of crows there was a flash of gold, auburn, autumnal colours: a pheasant. 

As I drove past, although all the crows were happily pecking about, and minding their own business, the pheasant’s head shot up, and, first looked slightly embarrassed, as if something had gone wrong, and she hadn’t got the memo that the rest of the pheasants weren’t turning up until a bit later. Then, the pheasant seemed to conquer the embarrassment, stuck out her chest and proudly pottered about as if this were exactly where she wanted to be, and there was no reason whatsoever to be concerned.  The crows remained oblivious to anything other than themselves, but I fancy the pheasant knew exactly what she was doing. 

It was a striking image, and it sent me, once I’d arrived in school, looking immediately for the collective noun for a group of pheasants.  I was genuinely pleased to discover that a large gathering of pheasants is a bouquet.  The joy I took in learning that small fact cheered me up for the rest of the day, and meant I wanted to share that learning with the audience I’m lucky to have each week: YOU.  Halfway through the school year, if we’re still curious to learn something new, if we can take joy in learning that little extra fact that we didn’t know before, and then excitedly pass it on like a tiny present, then quite frankly we’re doing very well indeed! 

Enjoy the half-term break, stay safe and well, and make sure you get a break,

Best wishes,

Mr Grady

Health Matters - Simple reminders about health in school 

If you've had diarrhoea or vomiting, stay off school or work until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 2 days.

Colds, coughs and sneezes can all be spread very easily.  Wash your hands often with warm water and soap, use tissues to trap germs when you cough or sneeze and bin used tissues as quickly as possible.

For more serious flu-like symptoms, always check with a doctor or the NHS 111 helpline.
 

Key public information regarding Coronovirus (which is regularly updated) can be found online at the links below and, in particular, this gives advice regarding returning travellers.

The government is monitoring Coronavirus and taking action at home and abroad. The risk to individuals remains low.

Advice to those who have travelled recently

Public Health England has changed the advice for individuals who have travelled recently as follows:

Travellers from Wuhan and Hubei Province

If you have travelled from Wuhan or Hubei Province to the UK in the last 14 days you should immediately:

stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with the flu

call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the area

Please follow this advice even if you do not have symptoms of the virus.

Travellers from other parts of China and other specified areas

This advice applies to travellers who have returned to the UK from the following areas:

Elsewhere in China, Thailand, Japan, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Macau.

If you have returned to the UK from any of these areas in the last 14 days and develop symptoms of cough or fever or shortness of breath, you should immediately:

* stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with the flu

* call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the country

* encouraging good hygiene

As always, if you have symptoms of a cold or flu, then there are measures you can take to stop germs:

* always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.

* wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.

* avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

* avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

Latest information

Updates on Coronavirus:

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2020/01/23/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-what-you-need-to-know/

Warwickshire County Council are currently working alongside colleagues in Public Health England and the NHS, as well as wider partners, to support preparations if the situation changes and to address any local concerns that emerge, including advice and support for schools.

Internet Safety Day Competition

Return of  leased BYOD devices

I will now accept any returned leased BYOD devices.
They must be returned ASAP.

You must hand them in person, so I can sign you off the list.

You must return the charger and the case with the device.

Any issues please let me know.

With best wishes
Mr Quinn