Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• World Book Day Competition Winners 2023

  Fri 03 Mar 2023

  Congratulations to Drew, Lilah, Eva and Niamh who won the competition to recreate their favourite front cover using items around the home or garden.

  

• Covid Guidelines from April 2022

  Wed 27 Apr 2022

  Below is a summary of the latest COVID-19 government guidance and how it will apply at Summercroft.  Please read the information carefully and if you find yourself unsure of what action to take in any scenario, please call the school office. 

  The full government guidance being referred to can be found here.  This may change over the coming weeks and months and I will keep you updated on how this impacts us here at Summercroft.

  Control measures at Summercroft on a day-to-day basis

  The risk from COVID-19 is still very real and as such, we will continue to have the following control measures to protect our children, staff and families:

  • Promote good hygiene practice for everyone
  • Maintain appropriate/enhanced cleaning regimes
  • Keep occupied spaces well ventilated (using CO2 monitors to assist)

  Face coverings

  Face coverings are no longer advised for staff and visitors in classrooms or communal areas.  Staff however are free to continue wearing face coverings if they wish to.

  Attendance

  School attendance remains mandatory for all children when they do not have COVID-19 or symptoms associated with a respiratory infection.

  When children and young people with symptoms should stay at home and when they can return to education

  Children and young people with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, or slight cough, who are otherwise well, can continue to attend their education setting.

  Symptoms of COVID-19, flu and common respiratory infections include:

  • Continuous cough
  • High temperature, fever or chills
  • Loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell
  • Shortness of breath
  • Unexplained tiredness, lack of energy
  • Muscle aches or pains that are not due to exercise
  • Not wanting to eat or not feeling hungry
  • Headache that is unusual or longer lasting than usual
  • Sore throat, stuffy or runny nose
  • Diarrhoea, feeling sick or being sick

  Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people, where they can.  They can go back to school, college or childcare, and resume normal activities when they no longer have a high temperature and they are well enough to attend.

  If a child or young person has a positive COVID-19 test result they should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days after the day they took the test, if they can. After 3 days, if they feel well and do not have a high temperature, the risk of passing the infection on to others is much lower. This is because children and young people tend to be infectious to other people for less time than adults.

  Children and young people who usually go to school, college or childcare and who live with someone who has a positive COVID-19 test result should continue to attend as normal.

  Remote education

  The school will continue to set work on:

  • Occasions when school leaders decide that it is not possible for their setting to open safely, or that opening would contradict guidance from local or central government
  • Occasions when individuals, for a limited duration, are unable to physically attend their school but are able to continue learning, for example with an infectious illness

  Possible changes to the above arrangements

  Should we have a high proportion of our staff or children absent due to infectious illness, I will consult with HCC and UKHSA and follow their recommendations.  Should we need to partially close, as it would be unsafe to open due to low staffing levels, I will inform you as soon as practicably possible.

  Thank you again for your ongoing support in reducing the risk of spreading COVID-19 within our community.  We do still have a number of staff and children who are clinically vulnerable so your continued compliance with the guidelines is much appreciated.

   

• Big Bang Science Fair

  Fri 18 Mar 2022

  This week, eight Year 6 children  took part in the Big Bang Science Fair at Herts & Essex school. 

  The competition called for groups of students from primary schools across Hertfordshire to put together a demonstration of scientific knowledge and experimentation. It was an all day event and throughout the competition, each of these children represented Summercroft with the utmost confidence and integrity while sharing their science projects with a very large audience, which included secondary school students, 6th form students, teachers and judges who came with a science background. 

  All three groups worked extremely hard to put together three engaging and creative experiments. We are so proud of them all.

  Well done to Ananya, Lloyd Meha, Harry C, Rohan, Dylan B, Aimi and Ajna and a special shout out to Produce Power (Rohan, Dylan B and Aimi) for winning the best all-around project for KS2. 

   

• Football Match Report

  Fri 18 Mar 2022

  On Tuesday 8th March, Summercroft played Richard Whittington and it was a great result. Everyone played very well and in the end we won 8-0! In the first half, we had most of the possession, scoring a whopping 5 goals! In the second half, we didn’t stop our fantastic play style and scored another 3 goals. The amazing goals scored were from Jamie, Reuben, Alex, Rory and Lloyd. We played very well and are proud of our efforts.

• Netball Competition

  Fri 18 Mar 2022

  On Thursday 17th March, Summercroft's netball team participated in the Birchwood School netball tournament. The two teams played very well throughout the group stages. Unfortunately, the teams had to play each other in the semi-final! Team A proceeded to the final after beating Team B 2-1. They went on to win the final after convincingly beating local rivals Northgate, ​7-0. Everyone played very well and our teachers were very proud of our successes.

  Written by Meha and Reuben.

• Summercroft Covid-19 Changes

  Fri 25 Feb 2022

  Following the government announcement about COVID-19 on Monday, I would like to update you on how the easing of restrictions will be implemented at Summercroft.  While this is great news, I do have to implement the changes with caution so that we continue to protect children, staff and families from serious illness and ensure we can continue to provide high-quality face-to-face learning for the children.  While it is the last resort, there is still the possibility of having to move to online learning if there are not sufficient members of staff in school so it is important that everyone continues to follow the government guidance. Below are some of the changes that will be in place from Monday 28th February.

  
  Attendance
  Attendance remains mandatory for children when they are feeling well and have not tested positive for COVID-19.  If a child has any of the main symptoms (new continuous cough, high temperature or loss of taste or smell) or a positive test result, the public health advice remains unchanged and is to stay at home and avoid contact with other people.  Anyone with any of the main COVID-19 symptoms should order a test and is advised to stay at home while waiting for the result.  They should not return to school until they have had a test to confirm these symptoms are not COVID-19.
  Children and staff who test positive will continue to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for at least 5 full days and then continue to follow the guidance until they have received 2 negative test results on consecutive days.  Once they have received these negative tests they can return to school.

  
  Lunchtimes
  All children who choose a school lunch will now be served from the hatch in the dining hall.  This will mean Mary and her catering team can provide the full hot menu (three choices) from Tuesday 22nd March and from Wednesday 20th April the children in Year 3 – Year 6 will be able to choose a packed lunch option.  I will inform you when SchoolGrid has been updated to reflect these choices so you can make any changes if required.

  
  Parent Consultations and Open Afternoons
  Parents consultations will remain online and further information will be sent to you next week to book your appointment.  There will be an opportunity for parents and carers to come into school on Tuesday 8th March or Thursday 10th March from 2.40pm to look at your child’s work the week prior to the consultations.  Please enter the classroom using the external classroom door, collect your child and their work, take them to the hall (or outside if the weather is good) and look at the learning they have completed so far this year.  You will be able to take your child home once you have finished looking at the work. Please tell the class teacher that you are going so they can sign your child out.

  
  Reading Volunteers
  I would like to welcome back any parents or carers who can spare some time to come and listen to children read.  This can be for just 20 – 30 minutes at pick-up or drop-off time or at a time convenient to you throughout the day.  The children hugely benefit from this and I know the volunteers who have helped us previously have got a lot of satisfaction from the difference they have been able to make.  Please express your interest by sending an email to admin@summercroft.herts.sch.uk which will then be organised by Miss Tarran following the necessary safeguarding checks.

   

  Topic Finales
  We are hoping to be able to share our topic finales face-to-face with parents and carers in the Summer Term.  Class teachers will be in touch with you to let you know when they will be taking place after Easter.  It will be lovely for you to be able to share in these finales again and see the culmination of all the hard work the children are doing.

  
  Other Events
  Hopefully we will be able to welcome you in to school for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration on Friday 27th May and KS1 & KS2 Sports Day on Monday 20th June.  Further information about these events will be sent nearer the time but pencil them into your diary now.

  
  I am really pleased that we are able to start operating more normally but I must reinforce the need for the whole community to follow government guidance to reduce the risk of transmission leading to further outbreaks and contingency measures being reintroduced.  Children with symptoms need to be kept away from school until they have been tested and can then only return after five days and two negative lateral flow tests.  This is our main defence against transmission and I appreciate your cooperation with this.  

  
  Thank you for your support and patience over the past two years which I appreciate has been a real challenge for everyone.  Hopefully we have got through the worst of the pandemic and can look forward to connecting more as a community and enjoy all the benefits that will bring.

   
  Stephen Jess
  Headteacher

• Letter to Parents from East Herts Community Safety Partnership

  Fri 22 Oct 2021

  	East Herts Council
  	Community Safety
  	Wallfields, Pegs Lane
  	Hertford, Herts
  	SG13 8EQ

   

  October 2021

   

  Dear Parent / Guardian

   

  Re: October Half term

   

  We are writing to you as a parent or guardian of a young person who attends a school within East Herts and seeking your support in the forthcoming weeks in regards to Halloween and Fireworks.

   

  This time of year can result in an increase of anti-social behaviour (ASB) within the district from young people.  Notably in 2019 there was a significant increase in groups of young people causing a nuisance in public places resulting in several members of the public to feel alarmed and distressed.  In addition one young person sustained facial burns after being hit by a lit firework.  In some areas the ASB was planned and arranged over social media with groups targeting locations and meeting points.

   

  East Herts Community Safety Partnership* (CSP) continues to work together to ensure that these incidents do not take place this year.  As a parent or guardian of a young people we would request your support during this period to keep our communities safe.

   

  We are therefore asking that you ensure you know where your child / children is/are during the half term break and the days that lead up to and after Halloween.  There is advice of Herts Police website on how to stay safe:

  https://www.herts.police.uk/Information-and-services/Advice/Halloween-and-Bonfire-Night/Halloween-and-Bonfire-Night

   

  We would also ask that if you hear of any planned activity that you report it to Herts Police on 101 or email community.safety@eastherts.gov.uk.

  Police will be increasing patrols and also using powers under the ASB Crime and Policing Act to take young people home.  Information of those responsible for any ASB will be shared with schools and other relevant agencies (such as Housing providers).

   

  Proactive work is also happening with firework retailers and also information will be circulated in communities on how to enjoy the Halloween and Firework season responsibly and safely.

   

  The CSP will also be providing free activities for young people (aged 11-19) over the October half term.  Please check The East Herts Community Safety Partnership Facebook page for more details.

   

  We would like to thank you in advance for your support in keeping East Herts a safe place to live, visit and work, and not allowing the behaviour of the minority to negatively impact upon communities.

   

  Yours faithfully

                                    

  Mark Collins                                     Julie Pomfrett

  Safer Neighbourhood Inspector                      Community Safety &                                                            ASB Manager

  Hertfordshire Constabulary                    East Herts Council

   

  

• Follow Up to Ofsted Parent View Survey 2020/21

  Fri 22 Oct 2021

  The governors considered the responses at their meeting in July and asked Mr Jess to come up with ideas to improve certain things. The following has been agreed:-

   

  Changes will be made to the Anti-Bullying Charter so that everyone understands the process of identifying and dealing quickly and effectively with bullying.  Anti-bullying will be a focus on the School Improvement Plan and the children will be involved in writing a new policy.

   

  To show you that the school has high expectations, you will be sent typical examples of what the children are expected to achieve in writing and maths by the end of the academic year and these will also be available on the website.  

   

  To ensure that you know how your child is doing, there will be a clear structure to conversations at parents’ evenings and teachers will use consistent language across the school to discuss a child’s progress and achievement.

   

  Just to clarify about after school clubs, the staff are not asked to run them so that they can use the time for lesoon planning and assessment.  We are offering an increased number of external clubs now that the Covid-19 restrictions have eased.

   

  This has been a productive exercise and the governors aim to run it again this year.

   

  Michael Kirby

  Chair of Governors

   

• Covid-19 Current Guidelines in School

  Fri 17 Sep 2021

  Children

  We are encouraging good hygiene: strategies including hand washing, “catch it, bin it, kill it”, coughing into an elbow, will continue to be encouraged. 

  Children should wash/sanitise their hands before school and will be encouraged to wash hands/use sanitiser during the school day.

   

  Parents

  Face coverings no longer required at drop-off/collection.

  For parents and carers, face coverings are required for use in the reception area and other communal areas, and if visiting school alongside other parents for an event or performance e.g. music performance.

   

  Self-Isolation

  There has been a change to the rules on self-isolation.

  Staff, children and parents/carers should self-isolate straight away and get a PCR test (a test that is sent to the lab) as soon as possible if they have any of these 3 symptoms of COVID-19, even if they are mild:

  · a high temperature

  · a new, continuous cough

  · a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

   

  They should also self-isolate straight away if:

  · they've tested positive for COVID-19 – this means they have the virus

  · someone you live with has symptoms or tested positive (unless you are not required to self-isolate – check below if this applies to you)

  · you've been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace or the NHS COVID-19 app following contact with someone who tested positive.

   

  If someone they live with has symptoms of COVID-19, or has tested positive for COVID-19, they will not need to self-isolate if any of the following apply:

  · they’re fully vaccinated – this means 14 days have passed since their final dose of a COVID-19 vaccine given by the NHS

  · they’re under 18 years, 6 months old

  · they’re taking part or have taken part in a COVID-19 vaccine trial

  · they’re not able to get vaccinated for medical reasons.