Dear Parent / Carer
This morning I was informed that we had a positive COVID-19 case in the Café team. As a result of this, the whole of the Café team are having to self-isolate. We have been able to arrange a limited range of food today for students, but will not be able to do so tomorrow because we have students returning from Bushcraft and self-isolation and we would therefore have a much larger number to cater for. Mr Foster (School Business Manager) will be putting his experience as a Navy cook into full swing. I will be keeping well away from the kitchen myself in terms of cooking… as Captain Blackadder said to Baldrick:
‘If you were to serve up one of your meals at Staff HQ, you’d be arrested for the greatest mass poisoning since Lucretia Borgia invited 500 of her close friends for a wine and anthrax party!’
So reluctantly we are going to move to online lessons tomorrow (Thursday 23rd July) for all students. Today students will be asked to empty their lockers and will have the opportunity to say their goodbyes. This is not how I envisaged ending the term, but in situations like this one can only be pragmatic.
Covid Testing
We have been asked by the DfE to complete two covid tests for each student on their return to school in September. These will take place during the first two weeks of term and then testing will revert to being done at home.
As before, this is not compulsory, but is encouraged. Please use this form – https://forms.gle/td4K8GKyaBd91b4x6 – if you DO NOT want your child to take part in the two school tests. Consent will be presumed for nil returns. Please note, we will not be registering results such that you will find them out via email or text. We will of course inform you immediately if your child tests positive and would in such cases isolate your child and send them home.
Presentation and celebration afternoon
To finish on a more positive note, we had our combined presentation and celebration afternoon last week. Even if you child was not at the award ceremony, I would encourage you to watch our outstanding chamber choir perform:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frih0qT7L90
HOP
On the same day as the presentation and celebration event, we had HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire Robert Voss CBE CStJ and Adrian Hawkins OBE Chair of Hertfordshire LEP’s Skills Advisory Panel come into school. This was due to the fantastic response from students and parents to registering on the Hertfordshire Opportunities Portal (HOP). The Priory School won £3,000 as a result and I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to Sally Emler who is outstanding in her role as Raising Aspirations Co-ordinator.
Staff Leaving
In my haste to send out my letter on Monday, I forgot to mention that Gill Smith from the Learning Support Department and Katie Southall Assistant Headteacher are also moving on to pastures new. They will both be very much missed.
Please all take care.
Kind regards
Geraint Edwards