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Andrew Cumpstey

Heating up

Head Teachers Blog
​ What a week it has been! I mentioned last week that the weather was due to improve and I hope you have been able to enjoy it. I know for some it was too hot at times, but for me, the hour or so I was able to enjoy it at home each evening was welcomed for the first three days. I would have loved more. I do hope that the improved weather continues ...
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Andrew Cumpstey

Start as I mean to go on

Head Teachers Blog
It has been so good to get all the children back together this week, especially as we have been able to gather in the Hall again for our daily act of Collective Worship – you may know this as assembly but please help to slowly change this vocabulary so that it more closely reflects our Christian status. It has been ingrained in all of us for so lon...
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Andrew Cumpstey

Vectors

Head Teachers Blog
I do not want to be political in any way but if you had asked any member of my staff or indeed any other educationalist, I'm sure they would have been able to tell you that children do and always have, acted as vectors (or transferors) of this and any other illness. Why it has taken until now to see or admit this is beyond me. What I am now focussi...
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Andrew Cumpstey

Glitter

Head Teachers Blog
​Sadly not everything that "glitters is gold". We are due to hear within the hour what the Prime Minister has to say to the nation and there is lots of speculation about what this might be and I won't share my thoughts here. Instead, a lovely thought I heard this morning which resonates... A doctor speaking on BBC Breakfast described children and C...
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Andrew Cumpstey

Tightening Tiers

Head Teachers Blog
Mid-afternoon today, it was announced in the House of Commons that Braintree, as with much of Essex, is moving to Tier 3 on Wednesday. Difficult news to hear for many people I'm sure, especially anyone linked to the hospitality industry. I've taken time to look tonight as to why this might be in terms of figures in the area - they are not good whic...
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Andrew Cumpstey

Christmas Jumper Day prep

Head Teachers Blog
​I hope you're all excited about tomorrow (Friday); I said in jest to one parent this morning that entry will be barred to parents who don't enter into the spirit. Please remember to give your donation too; Save the Children is a recognised charity that will put our money to good use. For 50 of you now, not only will you get to wear something brigh...
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Andrew Cumpstey

Nearly 'mist' you all

Head Teachers Blog
​The weather this morning, and throughout the day, has been gloomy (hence my deliberate spelling above) but I hope that again the music helped cheer you if needed. I realise that my e-mail this evening turned out to be quite long so a brief one here - the main point was to impress on you all, the need to slow down when coming onto site.  I kno...
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Andrew Cumpstey

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Head Teachers Blog
​Before school began, we managed to capture some images which show how beautiful snow can be. Sadly, after the children had their time on it at break, and the weather warmed a little, it doesn't look quite as good now.
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Andrew Cumpstey

Season of goodwill & cheer

Head Teachers Blog
​I hope that for all of you that came in through the Clare Road gate this morning, you appreciated the music. I've waited until this morning to hear my first Christmas tune (played loud on my drive in) and it gave me such a great energy I felt the need to share the joy. Hopefully as you passed around the school, you saw some of the decorations that...
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Andrew Cumpstey

December is here

Head Teachers Blog
​Well, it depends when you're reading this. The intention is that it is published as soon as the month begins. Hopefully, those of you who come to school tomorrow and throughout December will see that once again, although we can't do the usual Christmas celebrations, staff and children have been working on a way to share this season with you a...
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Andrew Cumpstey

Lunchtime with a difference

Head Teachers Blog
This lunchtime, I stepped in to cover for an MDA who was not in to oversee and help out Foundation Stage. I was allocated one class and was glad to help them out - I assisted with cutting up the roast chicken and potatoes but made a point of talking through this process and not going all the way through so that the children still had to do some wor...
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Andrew Cumpstey

Positive response

Head Teachers Blog
​After the news I had to share on Friday about the closure of a class, I was expecting a response today and I am pleased to say it was a good one.  1) A parent contacted me about their situation - elder children isolating due to contact at a Secondary school - not wanting to send the other children in without informing us so as not t...
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Andrew Cumpstey

We continue with clarity

Head Teachers Blog
​Last Friday's first positive COVID19 case show me that most of what we have in place at school is effective in limiting the impact this could have. The immediate response was to change the lunch arrangement, which the kitchen team responded to quickly, to allow the Y1 to eat in their classrooms as a 'treat'. Parents were contacted and most we...
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Andrew Cumpstey

Collectively marking Remembrance

Head Teachers Blog
​As you walk around the school across the week, please keep your eyes open to what all the classes are producing to show you all how each is marking the importance of Remembrance. You may see displays in windows, on doors or even in the garden areas - they are certainly worth pausing at to look at. As more and more are completed, I'll add photograp...
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Andrew Cumpstey

Lockdown guidance

Head Teachers Blog
​I'm trying to cover all bases here. Most of you will have received an email this afternoon outlining how we are increasing the protection for all children and staff from tomorrow morning throughout this second lockdown. The key points are: Face coverings to be worn by all parents on site Stricter adherence to 2m distancing by all parents Collectio...
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Andrew Cumpstey

Same but different

Head Teachers Blog
​It is looking almost certain now, as I begin this before 2:00pm on Saturday 31st October, that the country is about to enter another 'Lockdown' to tackle the second wave of Covid19. One anticipated difference is that schools are to remain open - I hope this is correct otherwise I'll be blogging again within a few hours. For us in schools, thi...
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Andrew Cumpstey

Tier 2 - surely some "tears too"

Head Teachers Blog
​Just after the tier system was announced the other day, Essex County Council made it known that they would be asking central Government to place the county into the next tier - High. This was granted this morning and as of this weekend, the new restrictions come in to place. The biggest difference is that no household mixing can take place, unless...
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Andrew Cumpstey

Tier 1

Head Teachers Blog
​Today we heard that at present, our area is in the Government's Tier 1 "Medium" concern which means that no extra restrictions beyond the Rule of 6 are in place. A relief to most I'm sure.  However, if you have not seen the briefing slides from today, then what I can share is that there is an upward trend of cases in almost all of the country...
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Andrew Cumpstey

The day escaped me

Head Teachers Blog
​It took a parent on P2 to let me know that today was "National Teachers' Day" - I guess that by not being on Facebook, I miss things like this. However, I want to add here now how grateful I am to my staff for all they have done so far this academic year. The mood in and around school is fantastic and whenever I see them, the children are looking ...
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Andrew Cumpstey

A fleeting moment - perfect example

Head Teachers Blog
​There was a wonderful moment just after the gates had been opened that nearly went unnoticed but I'm glad I spotted it and can share it here. As usual, I was stood welcoming everyone into school and the initial groups had entered.  There was a brief pause with three different people all pausing from their different routes. The reason: they ha...
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