Dear All,

Another week gone by and we find ourselves half-way through this ‘half-term’. In spite of the sleet and snow (for some) we are beginning to see the green shoots of spring bulbs and (I am certain) the mornings are getting a little lighter and the evenings longer…

I continue to be in awe of the work that is taking place within classrooms across the trust, be they virtual or actual, and the efforts that go into making this happen day after day. People across ESW, in all areas, are going way beyond the “extra mile” often talked about. The positive comments that parents and colleagues continue to send in go some way, I hope, to making this additional effort worth all the extra work (please see poem below sent this afternoon to Blackawton Primary School which has lifted my spirits). Those of you who are getting direct comments of appreciation from children certainly help, as one year 11 boy said to me this week as we stood outside a LF testing room, next door to a year 7 bubble as children sat with headphones on listening attentively to the teacher, clearly visible on the screen “it’s pretty amazing all this isn’t it, sir?”. Well, yes, it certainly is.

The work that all of you are doing, be it frontline teaching or supporting staff so that they are able to teach, is remarkable and not unappreciated by your colleagues, governors, parents and of course children (though they might not be the first to show it!). These are extraordinary times and the resilience and camaraderie that you are showing is something for which we can all continue to be very proud.

It was good to hear this week that GW intends to give “proper notice” for the reopening of schools; the fact that they haven’t closed is something he seems to keep missing. We need to continue to be supportive of others and, most of all, kind to ourselves.

Have a great weekend, when it comes, and thank you,

Best wishes,

Matthew

Dearest Teachers

Dearest teachers, we say thank you,

To you all we send our praise.

We don’t know how you do it,

You help every one of us in many ways.

Tirelessly you go to school

And teach us near and far.

We bet you wish you’d stayed in bed,

Or maybe in your car?!

Without complaint you work so hard

To give an education

To all our precious children,

Despite Boris’ tedious regulation!

“The windows MUST be open,

We all MUST wear a mask,

Wash your hands each second”, he says.

It seems an endless task.

You all wear scarves to keep you warm

And although we “MUST not share”,

Your smiles behind your facemasks

Show all of the children how much you truly care.

Blackawton School is awesome,

Remember you are brill.

Family PF say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU…it’s the weekend,

Now rest, it’s time to chill!

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