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Parent Bulletin 17/12/21

Please see the latest bulletin from Mr Solly below....

Dear UCC Families

It has been a long and challenging Autumn Term for all schools, but it has also been enjoyable and rewarding. I have loved observing our students engaging in learning across all their lessons and in particular, it has been wonderful to see so many smiles on faces when I've visited classrooms. Our students have immersed themselves in our extra-curricular programme throughout this term and this has brought joy and excitement for our young people; something that has often been in short supply during the pandemic. Our staff continue to work extremely hard to make us an incrementally more effective school every day and I am very proud of their efforts; at times we have had to deal with high levels of absence due to Covid and the work ethic of my colleagues has been nothing short of remarkable to ensure the UCC wheels keep turning. I am so proud of how our school has again risen to the challenges, faced them head on and delivered a superb experience for young people at UCC. I have completed a lot of school tours this term and every time I walk around with a family the school is calm, focussed and students are working hard. A parent remarked to me only yesterday, 'your students are so polite and they look so happy at school, it feels like real community here'. I said to him that this is because of the values we promote, the culture of the school and the way we all work together to achieve the same goals. We should acknowledge and celebrate the fact that throughout this term our students have been making great progress in lessons, they have re-engaged brilliantly with our extra-curricular programme and the school continues to go from strength to strength, despite all of the challenges. 

Below are a few key message for families to be aware of:

Covid Vaccination Clinc (for 12-15 year olds)
Please visit our website to find information on how you can get your child vaccinated: https://www.uppinghamcollege.org.uk/news/?pid=125&nid=5&storyid=359 

Guidance for parents and carers on online sexual harassment and keeping children safe online:
The Children’s Commissioner is launching a guide for parents and carers on online sexual harassment and how they can support children to stay safe online. “The things I wish my parents had known” draws together advice from 16 to 21 year olds on how parents should manage tricky conversations around sexual harassment and access to inappropriate content, including pornography. Please find attached a poster outlining a summary of "Top Tips - The things I wish my parents had known."

Goodbye and thank you!
Today we say goodbye to Mrs Walker, who has worked at UCC in the D&T department since April 2008. Mrs Walker is retiring from teaching and we thank her for all the work she has done over her 13 years here, and wish her all the very best for the future.

Fundraising
Mr Clamp has taken on the mantle of coordinating the fund raising efforts at UCC, and he is leading by example by entering a number of marathons in 2022, culminating in the London Marathon next October. He is raising money for Motor Neurone Disease and his Just Giving page can be accessed here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jamy-clamp?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=jamy-clamp&utm_campaign=pfp-whatsapp&utm_term=5a715a40312a45d08c3e6baa2fbc7650

January 
Whilst I instinctively feel that schools will remain open, I think it is wise to prepare for the possibility that we might be thrust into remote learning in early January. If this happens, below are the main things we will do:

  • teaching will follow the usual timetable, but will be delivered via Teams or an alternative interactive resource (Loom, Oak Academy videos), all coordinated through Satchel:One. If this happens we will send out the documentation that outlines how we expect students to use Teams, Satchel etc 
  • regular 'check in' phone calls to vulnerable students will be made by our wellbeing team
  • Key worker provision in school would be available, which would involve students accessing their lessons in a computer room, supervised by our cover supervisors and SLT
  • PPEs would be pushed back to an appropriate time later in the term. If this happens, teaching for Year 11 would be expected to cover new content, rather than PPE revision 

Finally...

We don't know what is around the corner, and if the last few years have taught us anything, it is to be prepared for the unexpected. At this time of year though, it is a good time to relax, reflect and recharge, and I hope everyone is able to enjoy the festive period with those who are close and dear to them. However, I know that this time of year can also be very difficult for some people, for many different reasons, so it is also a time for empathy, compassion and kindness. Whatever you are doing this Christmas, I wish you all the very best and I look forward to seeing your children back at school in the New Year.

Merry Christmas, take care and stay safe.
Mr Solly