Hello everyone,

I hope you all had a good half term. I will be sending out a letter in the coming days regarding our COVID procedures and the latest government guidance. In the meantime, we ask that any children with COVID symptoms or who are unwell do not attend school and we thank you in advance for your support in keeping everyone safe..

Donations for Ukraine

Some of our pupils have asked what they can do to help people in Ukraine.  Please see a poster below with information on collection points. If it is easier for you to bring any donations to school, Hannah Lins has offered to drive donations to the nearest collection point next week.

FREE access to this Friday’s First News

First News – a children’s newspaper which we subscribe to in school for our older pupils – are giving all parents FREE access to this Friday’s full First News edition.

Please use this link, to gain access to the week’s news stories, including the 6 page Ukraine report.

The six-page special report has been written specifically to help teachers, parents and children understand what’s happening, presenting the events in a non-sensationalised and unbiased way. We also showcase some of the positive actions and people that have come out of this terrible event, to show children there are more good people than bad in the world.

News from Severn Loop

March Loop 2022

Dear Friends,

Hi everyone,

Well, we’ve managed to get to the end of half term without having to close due to Covid, storms or snow!

Covid-19

We have seen Covid cases rise significantly in school over the past fortnight.  If your child tests positive on Saturday 19th or Sunday 20th, please notify me ASAP at head@bicton.shropshire.sch.uk so that I can identify and inform close contacts. We also request that all children have a lateral flow before returning to school on Monday 28th February which will help us keep others safe. Thank you in advance for following this request.

Cash for Schools Competition – We need your help!

News from Severn Loop

Dear Friends,

Thank You Message from Mrs Walton

Parking issues

Thsi is a polite request to all drivers coming onto our school site at drop off and pick up. We are very fortunate to have such a huge car park for a primary school but we need everyone to use it responsibly to keep pedestrians and other drivers safe and free from harm.

Please do not park opposite the zig zag lines on Bicton Lane as this is causing a hazard.

Please DO NOT park around the island on our car park, especially when there are empty spaces, as this is preventing other vehicles from entering and exiting spaces.

Thank you for adhering to this request.

Policy updates

Please see below some policy updates for your information and we thank you in advance for taking the time to read these.

Snow and Bad Weather Policy and Procedures February 2022

No Smoking Policy February 2022

Mobile Phones and Cameras Policy (including Smart Devices) February 2022

Hello everyone,

We have seen an increase in positive COVID cases across the school this week and I thank you for carrying out daily LFD testing where your child has been identified as a close contact.  The symptoms we are seeing are wide ranging and generally not the 3 main symptoms. Common symptoms in our pupils are a runny nose, tummy ache, head ache, sickness and sore throat.

We really do understand how difficult it can be for you to arrange childcare if your child is ill but we ask you not to send your child to school or nursery if they are unwell. Thank you for your support with this.

Mrs Johnson

News from Severn Loop

Dear Friends around Severn Loop,

February Loop 2022

Happy February (almost)! I hope you are all well. Please find attached the February Loop (our monthly newsletter). It is Forest Church this coming Sunday (Albrighton, 3pm)- all are welcome! The instructions are below…

                What to bring

Do wrap up warm and bring wellies/ walking boots. We are really grateful to the Downes family for their hospitality. Joe Downes is going to lead us in a walk/ talk around the farm, where we’ll learn about sheep farming. As always, there will be the opportunity to do some free-range exploring around the church, and a craft or two for those who are so inclined…. if it’s raining we can use the church for those who would rather stay in one place!

Please bring your own picnic. We will eat in the Monkhouse Granary (by kind permission of the family) where there will be a kettle to make a hot drink. I’ll bring tea bags etc, and have ten mugs – so do bring your own if you would like to.

                The Plan

We will be flexible, depending on who comes along, and we also want to keep things fairly informal. Here is an outline of the afternoon:

3pm- Opening prayer and welcome from Hannah, with an introduction from Joe Downes (Albrighton Hall Farm)

3.15-3.45pm- Activities, which will include the option of a farm tour/ walk, some exploring and crafts (both around and in the church)

3.45pm- A worship service in the churchyard, where we will be planting a tree together to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee- Sunday is the day itself!

4pm- Picnic Time in the Monkhouse Granary

                 Directions

Heading out from Shrewsbury take the Ellesmere Road out of town. At the Ellesmere Road Roundabout, take the Wem road (A528- still the Ellesmere Road too!). Continue for a mile or so, and the road enters Albrighton. When you see the church on the right, indicate right, and turn into the lane (signposted Albrighton Hall Farm/ Monkhouse Granary/ Church car park). Turn immediately right again for the church car park. We will meet there!  The postcode is SY4 3HP. 

Caregivers are responsible for their children at all times, I will bring a First-Aid Kit and the Risk Assessment will be available to look at. We do have cover if it’s rainy- so please don’t be put off by the weather!

With love, prayers and blessings,

Hannah x

Autism West Midlands – FREE Webinars:

For parents, carers and professionals throughout the region, watch “live” or via an automated link to watch a replay.  Click on the links to find out more including registration details –

Understanding Autism – Friday 18^th February 9.30am-10.30am

https://autismwestmidlands.org.uk/events/understanding-autism-webinar-west-midlands-18feb22/

Autism and Anxiety – Friday 4^th March 9.30am – 10.30am

Bookings open soon – please check the “events” section of our website

How Autistic People Process Information – Friday 18^th March 9.30am-10.30am

https://autismwestmidlands.org.uk/events/how-autistic-people-process-information-webinar-18mar22/

         HALF TERM FAMILY EVENT 

Attingham Park – Tuesday 22^nd February 10am – 12pm

https://autismwestmidlands.org.uk/events/attingham-park-walk-for-shropshire-families/

         WEEKLY Zoom Advice slots – every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday

For those who would like some face-to-face contact, we are offering this virtually via video appointments. Zoom works well on mobile phones. To book a 45 min advice appointment with a specialist autism advisor please book via our shop

https://autismwestmidlands.org.uk/events/online-autism-advice-shropshire/

         Virtual Support Group for Parents – Wednesday Mornings 10am-11am & Wednesday Evenings 8pm-9pm – NOW 1^st and 3^rd Weds of each month

From the New Year, we moved our online support groups to twice a month via the Zoom platform. This is an opportunity to talk with other parents, share ideas, and offer support.

If you would like to join either of the support groups, please email the team at shropshire@autismwestmidlands.org.uk

         Advice and support

We continue to offer advice and support over the phone and via email. Parents/carers and professionals can contact our small team directly to arrange an appointment please call:

Mon, Wed, Fri              – Wendy Cowton            07900784186

Weds, Thu, Fri              – Emma Hegenbarth      07881109480

Tue, Wed, Thu             – Dawn Lewis               07706309382

Email                             shropshire@autismwestmidlands.org.uk

Helpline                          0121 450 7575