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.

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/