Changes to start of Autumn term 2020

Information for schools and colleges – Novel Coronavirus 2019 n-CoV

The following information has been prepared for schools and colleges to share with parents and carers who may be concerned about the virus and require further information about how to protect themselves and others.

There is no reason why your children should not continue to attend school or post 16 education as normal unless they have travelled to Mainland China in the last two weeks.

For people who have travelled to Mainland China in the last two weeks – we are asking these people to self-isolate at home. For more information on self-isolation, please see www.gov.gg/coronavirus

Guernsey’s Director of Public Health Services has been working with health professionals and colleagues to ensure the Island’s preparedness for a possible public health emergency in the light of the global issues regarding the novel coronavirus 2019 n-CoV.

Guernsey has been following the situation closely as it develops globally and has been taking advice from Public Health England.

What is a coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses found in both animals and humans. Some infect people and are known to cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as severe pneumonia.

Who can catch the virus?

People living or travelling in an area where the 2019-nCoV virus is circulating may be at risk of infection. At present, 2019-nCoV is circulating in China where the vast majority of people infected have been reported. Those infected from other countries have been in contact with people who have recently travelled from China or who have been living or working closely with those travellers (family members, co-workers or medical professionals caring for a patient before they knew the patient was infected with 2019-nCoV. )

How does the virus spread?

The routes of transmission or incubation period of 2019-nCoV are not fully clear yet, however, other coronaviruses are mainly transmitted by large respiratory droplets and direct or indirect contact with infected secretions. In addition to respiratory secretions, other coronaviruses have been detected in blood, faeces and urine

 

 

What can I do to protect myself and others?

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub.

Why? Washing your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water kills the virus if it is on your hands.

• Maintain social distancing – maintain at least 1 metre distance between yourself and other people, particularly those who are coughing, sneezing and have a fever.

Why? When someone who is infected with a respiratory disease, like 2019-nCoV, coughs or sneezes they project small droplets containing the virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the virus.

• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth

Why? Hands touch many surfaces which can be contaminated with the virus. If you touch your eyes, nose or mouth with your contaminated hands, you can transfer the virus from the surface to yourself.

• Always carry tissues and use them to catch coughs and sneezes, and bin the tissue

Why? Basic hygiene such as washing our hands regularly and using tissues when we cough and sneeze can play an important role in minimising the spread of viruses like this.

CATCH IT, BIN IT, KILL IT.

For further information please go to www.gov.gg/coronavirus

 

Public Health Services

6 February 2020

Please see Groupcall emails for updates on Lisia School.

Yesterday the Education Service announced the destination schools for September 2019 which is the first year of a non-selective secondary school system.  All our children will be moving to the school at Les Varendes (currently the Grammar School and Sixth Form Centre).   Go to our Letters page for full details.    For more information phone 733017 or e-mail educationfuture@gov.gg. 

Congratulations to all our athletes for their wonderful performances in the XMA Junior Schools' Athletics Championships. 

Special mention must go to our certificate winners Tiana de Sousa 3rd in the Year 4 girls’ sprint, Gabriel Paul 2nd in the Year 5 boys’ sprint and Joseph Stoller 1st in the Year 6 boys’ sprint.

We are very proud to have been notified that our school has achieved this very prestigious national award for exceptional teaching in science. In May Primary Science Quality Awards have been awarded to 180 infant, junior, primary, middle and special schools across the country to celebrate a commitment to excellence in science teaching and learning.  The Primary School Quality Mark scheme enables schools to work together to share good practice and is supported by professional development led by local experts. It encourages teacher autonomy and innovation while at the same time offering a clear framework for development in science subject leadership, teaching and learning.

The Primary Science Quality Mark is led by the University of Hertfordshire School of Education in partnership with the Primary Science Teaching Trust. It is supported by the Royal Society for Chemistry, the Ogden Trust and the Association for Science Education.

Jane Turner, PSQM National Director said: “Gaining a Primary Science Quality Award is a significant achievement for a school.  The profile and quality of science teaching and learning in each awarded school is very high. Children are engaging with great science both in and outside the classroom, developing positive attitudes towards science as well as secure science understanding and skills. Science subject leaders, their colleagues, head teachers, children, parents and governors should be very proud.”

Thanks go to all the staff and children for their enthusiasm in embracing and developing the science curriculum but special mention must go to Mrs Burchell and Mr Harvey who led this initiative and inspired all of us to be the best in this area.  We are also indebted to Dr Lynne Bianchi FRSA, Director of the Science & Engineering Education Research and Innovation Hub Manchester University, and her team who have supported us throughout this project.

One of the highlights was the Science Fair last summer for which ITV news gave us enthusiastic coverage:

http://www.itv.com/news/channel/update/2017-07-05/pupils-at-guernsey-primary-school-go-science-mad/

Thank you very much to Phil, Sarah, Ellis and the team from PACE, plus Tom for the wonderful Prayer Spaces session today. All our junior children were able to take time out from lessons to reflect on the opportunities we receive during Lent to change our lives. The children revisited the story of Jesus giving Zaccheus another chance; about how we can forgive others and ask for forgiveness ourselves. They also had a chance to thank God for His wonderful gifts.

On Tuesday, eight Notre Dame Year 5  & 6 girls took part in The Ladies’ College Primary Schools Gymnastics Competition. With 60 girls competing, it was a very tough competition with each girl having to perform 2 jumps and a tumble routine.  All the Notre Dame girls performed really well, some for the first time, in front of the large crowd. Kaitlin’s routine, which included a straddle press, was judged the winner of the tumble section. Well done girls!

http://www.itv.com/news/channel/update/2017-07-05/pupils-at-guernsey-primary-school-go-science-mad/

Congratulations to our netball team on their victory against Beechwood