Keep up to date with the latest news headlines at Downderry...

• The Windrush Generation

  Fri 26 Jun 2020

  Windrush day 2020 marked 72 years since the arrival of the Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks on 21st June 1948. The passengers, disembarked on 22nd June 1948. The Windrush Generation were invited to Britain to work and to help rebuild Britain after the war. The Windrush arrivals had a big challenge, they were treated badly because of the colour of their skin.

   

  At Downderry we believe that all people should be treated fairly and the same, regardless of their race, skin colour, culture, gender or sexuality. Our community needs and deserves to feel safe and valued. Black Lives Matter! Downderry is made up of 26 different ethnic groups and 3⁄4 of our school population is made up of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic pupils.

   

  Year 1 have written ‘I am’ poems about being different which you can read on our website here...

   

  Throughout the school children have been making beautiful commemorative stamps to mark and celebrate ‘Annual Windrush Day’.

  

• Phased Return

  Thu 25 Jun 2020

  Earlier this week the prime minister announced that schools will reopen with full attendance in September. We await further guidance from the DfE on their proposals for this. As we have done throughout this pandemic, we have adopted a carefully planned approach to wider opening, and next week will see the return of Years 2 and 5.

• Phased Return to School

  Fri 19 Jun 2020

  This week has seen the successful return of Reception classes to the school, in addition to the Key worker Bubble, Years 6 and Year 1 - who have already been invited back.

   

  Next week we are set to welcome back children in Years 3 and 4. Teachers have already been in contact with Parents/ Carers of these year groups and assigned days (Monday and Tuesday or Thursday and Friday). This enables a deep clean of classroom areas on the Wednesday.

   

  Teachers of children in Years 2 and 5 have or will be in contact with their classes next week with a scheduled restart the week commencing 29th June.

  We would like to thank you for your continued support during this challenging time, for observing the staggered collection times, social distancing measures we have implemented, and of course for your support with Home Learning- which teachers are planning for on a weekly basis.

   

   

  Dropping Off and Picking Up

  To facilitate social distancing please adhere to only one adult/ family member dropping off and collecting from school at the appropriate gate and time.

   

  Drop off:

  Gates will be open from 8:30am and lessons start at 8:50am.

  Key Bubble, Years 3, 4 & 6, Key Stage 2 gate

  Reception & Year 1, Key Stage 1 gate

   

  Pick up:

  Reception, 2:30pm, Key Stage 1 gate
  Year 1, 2:45pm, Key Stage 1 gate
  Year 6 & Key Bubble, 2:55pm, Key Stage 2 gate

  Year 3 & 4, 2:55pm, Shroffold Road Gate

• Hopeful Return

  Fri 12 Jun 2020

  Following the Government’s announcement earlier this week that they are no longer planning for all primary age pupils to return to school before the summer holidays, we remain hopeful that all of our pupils from Reception to Year 6 will be invited back to school before the end of term.

   

  The statement referred to primary headteachers having flexibility to determine which children return to school and when, reflecting the approach we have taken at Downderry and across the borough of Lewisham.

   

  Following the successful phased return of Year 6 and Year 1, next week we welcome back Reception. Subject to close monitoring, to ensure that the guidelines around the protective measures and numbers of pupils remain in place, it is our intent to welcome back Years 3 and 4 from 22nd June, and Years 2 and 5, the week commencing 29th June. We will of course keep you posted via the newsletter. Teachers will also be calling Parents/ Carers prior to their scheduled phased return.

   

   

  The children made some lovely comments since returning to school, we just had to share them with everyone.

   

  “I enjoyed the work. I felt nervous about coming back to school, but now I’m happy.” - Lucas, year 1

   

  “This has been the best day ever! Playtimes are better now than they were before.” - Leon, year 1

   

  “At first, I was really sceptical about returning to school but once I got here all the fear went away and I had a ton of fun with my friends…. there are no more test papers to do!” - Victoria, year 6

• Dropping Off and Picking Up

  Fri 12 Jun 2020

  To facilitate social distancing please adhere to only one adult/ family member dropping off and collecting from school. You are reminded that the gates will be open from 8:30am and lessons start at 8:50am.

   

  Children can be collected from school at the following times:

  Reception                      2:30pm

  Year 1                           2:45pm

  Year 6 & Key Bubble    2:55pm

• Black Lives Matter in Lewisham

  Sat 06 Jun 2020

  A message form Pinaki Ghoshal, Lewisham’s Executive Director for Children and Young People and Angela Scattergood, Director of Education.

  The Mayor of Lewisham, Damien Egan has published a statement on behalf of Lewisham Council in response to the killing of George Floyd in the United States. You can read the full statement here: https://lewisham.gov.uk/articles/news/black-lives-matter-in-lewisham

   

  We believe that our schools and settings are key to tackling racism and other forms of discrimination. We will support all Lewisham schools and settings in their commitment to standing against racism and injustice, alongside and in solidarity with the local and global Black community.

   

  At Downderry Primary School we believe that the diversity of our population and workforce is one of our greatest strengths. This is reinforced through our values education which includes: equality, respect, understanding and forgiveness.

• Phased Return: Key Bubble, Y6

  Fri 05 Jun 2020

  This week we successfully welcomed back our Year 6, in addition to our key worker and vulnerable groups, as part one of our phased return.

   

  On Monday 8th June we welcome back children in Year 1. Earlier this week Mrs Deane and Miss Veale contacted their classes to outline days their children are invited to come in and share procedures to ensure the safety of all concerned.

   

  Reception teachers will be contacting their Parents/ Carers next week with an intent to welcome back Reception the week commencing 15th June.

• Government Guidance

  Fri 05 Jun 2020

  You can find information for parents and carers about phase reopening of schools by going to GOV.UK website and searching “Guidance for Parents”.

   

  • What parents and carers need to know about schools, colleges and other education settings during the coronavirus outbreak

  • Opening schools and educational settings to more pupils from 1 June: guidance for parents and carers

• Parent Pay

  Fri 05 Jun 2020

  As a consequence of Coronavirus we are no longer accepting cash payments at the office. All payments now need to be made by our e-payment service ParentPay. Register here; www.parentpay.com/parents/ and make sure you credit your account.

   

  Please telephone the office should you require assistance with ParentPay.

• Home Learning

  Fri 05 Jun 2020

  The Home-Learning timetables for the week commencing 8th June can be found in the Home-Learning section of the Class pages on the school website. We have also added a Mental Wellbeing section to highlight the importance of children’s wellbeing during this tricky time. Here you will find resources on wellbeing and online safety.