Parent Bulletin 15/10/21
Please see the latest bulletin from Mr Solly below:
Dear UCC Families
It has been 3 weeks since I last wrote to you; as many of you will be aware I tested positive for Covid in late September and it pretty much wiped me out for 2 weeks. However, it has been great being back in school this week and I have thoroughly enjoyed this final week of the half term. During past fortnight, you received your newsletters courtesy of Mr Anderson, who did a fabulous job in keeping the UCC wheels turning in my absence. He was of course, supported by our excellent Senior Leadership Team and wider staff team, all of whom have been superb throughout this term, which has been challenging for different reasons. Last year, we contented with the logistical issues presented by the fire, along with the complications of the pandemic. This term, our staffing capacity has been compromised due to Covid; the 10 day isolation period takes people out for 2 weeks and even after that we have colleagues who have experienced ongoing symptoms that have made it very difficult for them to fully return. However, I am very pleased with our progress this term and it is worth reflecting on some of the highlights:
- our new learning spaces within Humanities are truly amazing and our students are benefitting from bigger, brighter and better classrooms
- we have successfully re-started extra curricular clubs and sports fixtures, which has been great for the physical and mental wellbeing of our students
- school trips have started happening again, which has been great to see
- on a daily basis the quality of education has been at a high standard, as has student conduct around the school
I have spent much of this week touring prospective families around school, who are due to make secondary school place decisions by 31st October. Parents have remarked to me how impressed they have been with how quiet and calm the school is, how polite and happy our students are, and how enthusiastic the teachers are about their subjects. I have really enjoyed showing of UCC during a normal working day, as this really gives a true impression of our school - throughout all of the tours our students have been an absolute credit to us.
Below are a couple of key messages you need to be aware of as we move into the half term break:
Covid Vaccination Dates - We have just received confirmation from the School Age Immunisation Service that Covid Vaccinations for 12-16 year olds will take place at UCC on Monday November 15th and Thursday November 18th. This is great news and the two dates mean the team will have capacity to vaccinate all eligible students. We will issue more details shortly.
Twice Weekly Testing with Lateral Flow Test Kits - all staff and students are recommended to continue testing twice weekly and uploading results to both the UCC form and the NHS website using the links provided in the separate e-mail.
A letter to parents from the Secretaries for Education and Health about Covid-19 testing and vaccines is available here.
Frequently Asked Questions about the vaccination process can be found here.
I hope you have an enjoyable half-term break as a family.
Take care,
Mr Solly.