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

• Return to full opening from Monday 8th March

  Tue 23 Feb 2021

  Earlier this week the Prime Minister has announced that the Government has set out its plan for the return of all pupils to schools and colleges, as part of the roadmap for leaving lockdown.

   

  All schools will return to face-to-face education on Monday 8th March.

   

  All primary school pupils will return on Monday 8th March. Primary school staff will continue to take two rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) tests each week at home to identify positive cases more quickly and break the chains of transmission.

   

  Wraparound childcare will also resume through our breakfast and after-school Forest Club to support parents and carers. Please contact the school office or email admin@downderry.lewisham to express your interest in these services.

• Benefit Related Free School Meals

  Mon 22 Feb 2021

  If you are eligible for Benefit Related Free School Meals please telephone the school office on 020 8698 5768 or email admin@downderry.lewisham.sch.uk to arrange to collect your eCode for the next two weeks.

   

  Once you have your eCode you need to visit www.edenred.co.uk/reward-recipients/Free-School-Meal-Vouchers/ and follow the instructions to redeem your voucher.

• Top tips for good mental health and wellbeing

  Sat 13 Feb 2021

  Youth Mental Health Ambassador, Dr Alex George has shared his ‘top five tips’ for young people’s good mental health and wellbeing. This is live on the Department for Education’s YouTube channel. 

   

  Ahead of the February half-term and as national restrictions remain in place, he has given advice to young people on how to improve their mood and look after themselves by eating well, getting plenty of sleep and natural light during the daytime. 

   

  As an A&E doctor, Dr Alex will use his clinical expertise to champion and shape government work to improve support for young people in schools, colleges and universities, as well as his personal experience having lost his brother to suicide last year. He will also sit on the new Mental Health in Education Action Group, which will focus on how to support young people’s wellbeing when they return to school and university.

• How to Talk to Children About Coronavirus, in 23 Languages

  Fri 05 Feb 2021

  The Greater London Authority has shared a list of resources for parents who use English as an Additional Language, including information and activities for children about Coronavirus in 23 languages.

   

  These resources can be found on the GLA website:

  www.london.gov.uk/coronavirus/schools-children-and-families

   

  You can find these an other resources to help explain the pandemic to children in the Covid-19 section of our website:

  www.downderryprimaryschool.com/childrens-guide-to-covid-19/

• Children’s Mental Health Week

  Thu 04 Feb 2021

  This week is Children’s Mental Health Week. This year’s theme is ‘Express Yourself’.  Childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk have free resources to explore with children and young people what it means to express yourself, which can be adapted for use in school, for home-schooling, online lessons or independent learning. 

• LGBT+ History Month

  Thu 04 Feb 2021

  February is LGBT+ History Month, celebrating the lives and achievements of the LGBT+ community. It is also intended to raise awareness of, and combat prejudice against the LGBT+ community. Stonewall have developed guidance and resources packs for use from Reception to Post 16.

   

  There are details on the Council’s website of online events and exhibitions in the borough that we can all engage with. To find out more visit: LGBT+ events and resources.
   

• Update

  Fri 29 Jan 2021

  On Wednesday the Prime Minister has announced that it will not be possible to resume face-to-face learning immediately after the February half-term and instead hopes it will be safe to commence the re-opening of schools and colleges from Monday 8th March. This is in response to the national public health data and pressure on NHS capacity.

   

  If the Government achieves its target of vaccinating everyone in the four most vulnerable groups with their first dose by 15th February then those groups will have developed immunity from the virus around three weeks later, that is by 8th March. It is for this reason that we hope it will therefore be safe to commence the reopening of schools from Monday 8th March.

   

  Education settings, as well as students, parents and carers will be given at least two weeks notice to prepare for a return to face-to- face education.

• Access to the Internet

  Fri 22 Jan 2021

  If you do not have access to a fixed broadband connection at home the Department of Education is providing help for disadvantaged children to get online using free mobile data increases or 4G wireless routers. This scheme temporarily increases data allowances for mobile phone users on certain networks or provides a wireless device to provide internet access at home.

   

  Please contact the school office by telephone or email to admin@downderry.lewisham.sch.uk if you think you may be eligible for this scheme.

• Lewisham Zoooom Choir

  Fri 08 Jan 2021

  Lewisham Music will be continuing their Zoooom Choir as we start the new year, focusing on songs which raise spirits and inspire, bringing the joy of singing directly into the children’s homes.

   

  The choir is FREE, live and interactive, with lots of musical fun, activities and singing.

   

  Zoooom Choir will start: Tuesday 11th January for children in Year 2-4 at 4.30pm & Friday 14th January for children in Year 5-8 at 4.30pm.

  In order to take part, parents need to sign up at www.lewishammusic.org/zoooom-choirs/.

• Access to technology

  Fri 08 Jan 2021

  We are awaiting a supply of devices from the DfE to support children with remote learning. Supply will be limited and distribution prioritised. We have also secured and are awaiting delivery of SIM Cards with 30GB of data to distribute to children who most need access to the internet to support home learning.