Dear parents and carers,

The offices are running on reduced staff this week.

Please can we ask that you email office@abbey-inf.sandwell.sch.uk (Infants) OR office@abbey-jun.sandwell.sch.uk (Juniors) or leave a voice message on the absence line where possible.

If your child is showing any symptoms that relate to the Corona Virus, please can you arrange a PCR test and keep your child at home until they have had a negative result.

If your child receives a positive PCR test, please can you email us with this information.

Many thanks for your cooperation (and patience). 

Abbey Admin Team

PE Clothing

As we informed you on Tuesday, one of the key control measures in place following the latest guidance, is to ensure good ventilation.

As well as classrooms, this also includes the school hall during PE.

Therefore, if you wish, you can add tracksuit bottoms/leggings and a jumper to your child’s PE bag for them to wear during PE.

Please ensure that any extra clothing you send in for PE is clearly named.

Many thanks

Abbey Federation

Abbey Federation Christmas Party Day – Friday 17^th December 2021

Abbey Infants and Juniors will be holding a Christmas party day on Friday 17^th December 2021.Children are welcome to dress in their party clothes for the day and we are asking for a contribution of £1.00 to go towards the cost of the food and drinks.

Please send your £1.00 contribution to your child’s class teacher, no later than Friday 10^th December 2021.

We are asking for a cash payment, rather than using ParentPay as this will enable staff to go and purchase the food and drinks required with the money collected.  

Many thanks for your continued support.  

Abbey Federation

We are aware that some children in Year 2 and Year 6 did not receive their flu vaccination due to the vaccination team running out of time. 

Vaccination UK have arranged a mop up session on Monday 6^th December 2021 for these children and any other children who were absent on vaccination day. 

Some parents have already informed us that they have since taken their child to their own medical practitioner to receive their flu vaccination.  

To ensure vaccinations are not duplicated, we are asking parents to give consent on ParentPay for their child to receive the flu vaccination on the above date. 

Vaccinations will only be offered to children whose parents have previously completed the original flu vaccination consent form.  Unfortunately, we are unable to check which parents have given consent, as the Vaccination Team have these.   

Please log on to your child’s ParentPay account, to give consent by Thursday 2nd December 2021.

Please note that consent via ParentPay doesn’t guarantee your child will get the vaccination if you didn’t previously complete the flu vaccination consent form.   

No child will be offered the vaccine without this consent.  

Many thanks 

Abbey Federation 

Dear Parents / Carers, 

We are writing to update you briefly on Covid-19 safety measures at Abbey following the Government's changes this weekend.  

Few of the main control measures have not changed for Primary schools.  One key measure is to ensure good ventilation.  All classrooms now have CO2 monitors so we can be sure that throughflow is sufficient.  As the temperature drops and windows remain open, the internal temperature can dip.  Please make sure that children have their school jumpers/cardigans with them. You may consider layering clothing with additional vests or t-shirts and warm socks and tights.  We will try to balance temperature and airflow as best we can. 

In addition to these measures, we will continue to follow the guidance on infection.  Any child who has the recent onset of one of the main symptoms of Covid-19 will be asked to stay at home.  If the symptoms are identified at school, we will ask you to collect your child.  Both will require a PCR test before a child returns to school.  We’re not being difficult, we’re not being obstructive, but if parents report that a child has one of the main symptoms or they develop these whilst in school (a new or continuous cough, raised temperature, loss of taste or sense of smell) then going for a PCR test is what’s recommended.  These measures will ensure that the child receives the care that they need and the school community is protected from the spread of the virus.  The most important symptoms of COVID are a new continuous cough, a high temperature, or a loss, of, or change in your normal sense of taste or smell.  More details can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection 

Please can we remind parents that we expect all of our staff to be treated with tolerance and respect; the same way as that we treat you.  We all understand that this is a challenging time but our office staff have experienced extremely unpleasant conversations, where they are not treated well and this is something that will not be tolerated.

Please can we remind you that lateral flow tests are available for families to use and they can support early identification of Covid-19. They can be ordered for home delivery and picked up locally. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing/regular-rapid-coronavirus-tests-if-you-do-not-have-symptoms/ 

Regular handwashing and the use of antibacterial hand gel is used throughout the school and we continue with an enhanced cleaning regime.  

Finally, new guidance recommends that face coverings should be worn on public transport and in shops.  We ask that you consider the use of face coverings during arrival and collection time and observe social distancing.  

We are grateful for the continued support that we have from our school community.  Thank you

Mrs Tracey Flanagan

Executive Deputy Head Teacher

Dear parents and carers,

We would like to remind you that next Tuesday 7th December, is Christmas Dinner Day. 

As the closing date for this was Friday 26th November, we have already given the numbers to the kitchen for everyone who has signed up.

We must make you aware that the kitchen will only be serving either the meat, or vegetarian Christmas Dinner option that day. 

Therefore, for those families who haven't signed up because their children don't like the food choices for that day, we would like to remind you that you will need to provide a lunch from home that day.

Many thanks

Abbey Federation

We are pleased to announce that the school will be serving Christmas Dinner on Tuesday 7th December 2021. Please see attached poster. If you would like your child to receive a Christmas dinner on this date, please can you log on to ParentPay to inform us of your decision. Only children who have expressed their intention will receive a Christmas Dinner on this date, as we will be ordering exact numbers from the supplier. INFANTS - There will be no charge for this as children in EYFS/KS1 are entitled to free school meals. JUNIORS - There will be a charge of £2.40 please ensure this is credited to your dinner money account by Tuesday 7th December 2021. Children who receive free school meals do not need to pay but will still need to express their interest on ParentPay, Bookings are open immediately on ParentPay. The closing date will be Friday 26thNovember 2021. Please note this date will be strictly adhered to.

Many Thanks

Abbey Federation

Dear Parents/Carers,

As a school we are not actively supporting the charity 'Children in Need' and will not be collecting money this year.

We get requests from charities both big and small, frequently.  It's impossible as a school to support everyone and we must be mindful of asking families for donations. 

We have supported Children in Need in the past; and will again in the future.  Our most recent charitable donation was to our local foodbank where we delivered (two minibuses full of food) - thank you for your support.

However, if children have the Children In Need merchandise, they are more than welcome to wear it to school on Friday 19th November.

Please note this is not a 'Dress Down Day' or 'Wear your own clothes', only Children in Need merchandise will be allowed.

Many Thanks

Abbey Federation

WOOHOO… MONDAY 15TH NOVEMBER IS ODD SOCKS DAY!

WHAT IS ODD SOCKS DAY? Odd Socks Day is part of Anti-Bullying Week! To celebrate that we are all unique, we ask that your child wears odd socks to school on Monday 15th November. Andy Day (Cbeebies/cbbc) and his band Andy and the Odd Socks are supporting the Anti-Bullying Alliance to help bring Odd Socks Day to life again this year. Have a listen to the brilliant song they have recorded especially for Anti-Bullying Week, One Kind Word. Andy and the Odd Socks - One Kind Word (Official Video) - YouTube

The day sends an important message that we should all be allowed to be ourselves free from bullying and helps us celebrate Anti-Bullying Week in a fun and positive way.

WHAT DO WE NEED FROM YOU? Make sure your child wears odd socks to school on Monday 15th November. 

Thank you