Spring is in the air, the Daffodils in the school garden are in bloom and the Downderry bird box camera is streaming again on our website at www.downderryprimaryschool.com/the-bird-box-project/.

Last year our pair of blue tits raised seven chicks and this year they have already been spotted having a look inside and roosting overnight. Hopefully they will start building a nest in the next few weeks!

Vaccination webinar Thursday 25th March, 6-7pm

Do you have questions about COVID-19 and health matters surrounding the vaccine? Would you like to hear the facts and get advice from healthcare professionals?

Lewisham Council is hosting a free online information event about the COVID-19 vaccination programme. Open to Lewisham residents and anyone with questions.

https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/coronavirus-covid-19/covid19-vaccine/covid-19-vaccination-webinar

Vaccine eligibility has widened to anyone aged 50+

So far, over half a million COVID-19 vaccinations have been delivered in South East London.

If you haven’t had the COVID-19 vaccination and you are aged over 50, an eligible frontline health or social care worker, a main carer for someone at high risk from COVID-19, have a learning disability, are clinically extremely vulnerable (high risk) or clinically vulnerable (moderate risk), you can now book your COVID-19 vaccination appointment by visiting www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or by calling 119, free of charge.

Rapid Tests now available for households and support bubbles of nursery age children in addition to primary, secondary and college age.

Help keep our school safe. Regular testing is available for households and support bubbles of nursery, primary, secondary and college-age children and young people. To find out how to access your test click here.

This week we marked Down Syndrome Awareness week by talking about Down Syndrome in our school council meetings.

On Thursday children wore odd socks as sometimes people have an extra 'sock'
or chromosome and a person with Down syndrome has an extra copy of chromosome 21.

It's an opportunity to encourage people to express themselves and celebrate their individuality and what makes us all unique!

A huge thank you to our children who made Christmas cards for members of the elderly community back in December. We heard from some of the care homes who expressed their gratitude and the delight of their residents who received cards. Thank you everyone!

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.

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.

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.