Dear Parents,

We had our Open Evenings this week which provide an opportunity to reflect on what we are seeking to do as a school (or legally two schools). What came out in speech after speech was that achievement is great and we celebrate and encourage it, but what is really fundamental is how we nurture the character of our young people.

We measure our success in the impact our students have on the world around them. Some will get brilliant university results and will have prestigious careers, but all of them can seek to help those around them, to remain true to their values and be a role model for others, taking the principle of Torah im Derech Eretz with them and being ambassadors for the school. Our school reward system is based on the acronym HASMO – honesty, achievement, sensitivity, middot, optimism. We can all reflect on how far we measure up to these values in our own lives.

Wishing you a good Shabbos.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs K Brice
Headteacher
Hasmonean High School for Girls

Dear Parents,

 

Although תעשה ולא מן העשוי is a halachic term to do with building the Succa, Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach would explain that it could also be understood quite literally. Namely, don’t be passive, rather be proactive.

 

Fresh from the serious and ethereal nature of the Yamim Noraim, we are thrust into the exciting and frenetic few days to prepare for Succos.

 

Succos is a magical time of the Jewish year. Aside from everything else, it is a time of massive השפעה רוחנית, spiritual opportunity and blessing, but this needs our input to activate.

 

We have tried hard in school to educate and inspire all our students in the build up to the Yamim Noraim and Succos – a task made all the more challenging with yom tov falling so early this year.

 

Now it’s over to you – be sure to use the quality family time to build on what we’ve tried to do. Enjoy spending time with your children, learn and play with them and use the opportunity to build your relationships with them.

 

תעשה ולא מן העשוי – don’t be passive, be proactive!

 

Wishing you all a wonderful Yom Tov,

 

Rabbi J Golker

Menahel

 

 

 

Immunisations

The Barnet School Age Immunisation Team have been in contact with us; we are aiming to offer vaccinations to 12-15 year old students in school in October.  More details will be sent to you together with consent forms over the next few weeks.

 

 

Lunches

 

We are delighted that our new catering company Signature will start serving hot and cold meals from Monday 4^th October.  All information can be found in General Letter for Boys and General Letters for Girls.

Dear Parents,

Our INSET day yesterday was the first time all staff have been able to gather together in one place since the first lockdown and it has been really tremendous to welcome both them and all of the students back to school today. The atmosphere is truly wonderful… a sense of homecoming or a return almost to pre-Covid times.

However, given the fact that Covid has not in fact gone away (however much we wish this were the case), I would like to remind everyone of the current Covid rules for schools. The system of “bubbles” – where children only mix within a fixed year or class group – has ended. Face coverings no longer need to be worn by staff or pupils (although they still need to be worn on public transport and teachers/ pupils can wear them if they wish). Any pupil who tests positive for Covid will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace and told to isolate. The child – or their parents – will be asked to provide information about close contacts at school and elsewhere. Those pupils named as close contacts will be asked to take a PCR test, but will not have to self-isolate unless they test positive. Due to the national relaxation of Covid mitigation measures, it is all the more important therefore that secondary school pupils (and staff) self-test twice a week to prevent the spread of the virus and continue to practice good hygiene. At the Girls’ School, Lateral Flow Tests can be collected by your children from Mrs Palmer at Student Services and at the Boys’ School, Lateral Flow Tests will be handed to students at the school gates at regular intervals.

As you have been previously advised, ISS, the catering provider for Barnet schools, has terminated its contract with Barnet. We are in the process of arranging a contract with a new Kosher provider. However, due to some historical TUPE issues which emerged during the change of contracts, students will need to bring their own lunches for the (very few) days that we are in school during September. I am very sorry that this is the case and can assure that we will do our utmost to resolve this situation as soon as possible in time for our return after Succos. If your child is entitled to free school meals, their meals can be collected from the lunch halls as normal. Otherwise, please ensure your child brings packed lunch to school for the month of September.

Wishing everyone Shanah Tovah,

Mr Andrew McClusky
CEO

Dear Parents/Carers,

 

This is an important letter about the arrangements for this term and next – please read this all the way to the end.

 

Information regarding provision for GIRLS SCHOOL students

YEARS 7,8,9,10,11,12 on Monday 19^th July and Tuesday 20^th July

 

There has been a rise in the number of Covid-19 cases at the Boys’ school and we are concerned that we may not be aware of other Covid-19 cases in the school community due to the absence of compulsory testing in schools and a lack of clarity about contacts out of school. We feel that, to support our students’ and staff’s physical and mental wellbeing during the run-up to a long-awaited holiday, we should move to delivering our educational provision online for the last two days of term which were already planned to be short days.

 

Monday 19^th July: Lessons for Years 7-10 and 12 starting at 11.30am.

Tuesday 20^th July: Lessons for Years 7-10 and 12 starting at 9am and finishing at 12.15pm.

 

If you need your child to attend school on Monday or Tuesday, please email admin_requests@hasmonean.co.uk by 4pm today.  Students will need to bring their Chromebook, headphones and a packed lunch. Students who receive free school meals will be provided with lunch.

This is not a decision which we have taken lightly but we think this provide the best educational experience for everyone. With a great rise in the number of cases amongst Hasmonean families infection levels could be rising at a rapid rate and this seems the most prudent course of action. Online provision will mean that every student will receive the same teaching including those who are having to isolate.

Students have been asked to clear their lockers today and it is important that all lockers are empty. If your child is absent, she may come into school (providing she is not isolating) between 3:30 and 5:30 on Monday or from 12:30-3pm on Tuesday.

Information regarding arrangements for the beginning of the Autumn term

This information concerns arrangements for the beginning of next term.  We are looking forward to seeing all of your daughters relaxed and rested!

COVID19 asymptomatic testing arrangements for the Autumn term.

As children and young people return to the classroom following the summer holidays and the further easing of restrictions, we need to be sure that potential Covid-19 cases are found as quickly as possible and measures put in place to prevent the virus spreading throughout the school community. From 16^th August, if step 4 of the roadmap goes ahead, these measures will no longer include the self-isolation of close contacts if they are under age 18 or have had both doses of the vaccine. This makes regular testing even more important.

Incoming Year 7 students will be offered two tests onsite at school to ensure they are confidently and correctly administering the tests, which have not been offered to them at primary school. All of other students in the incoming Years 8-13 should complete two tests at home before they return to school one on the morning of Sunday 29^th August and one on the morning of Wednesday 1^st September.    Year 7 parents will be receiving a separate communication about the plans for this.

It remains very important that students and staff continue to test at home, twice a week. From September we will continue to provide test kits, but if you find you do not have sufficient supply to cover the summer holiday period, test kits can be ordered online or collected locally. More information is available at: https://www.barnet.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-latest-information-and-advice/covid-testing-nhs-test-and-trace-service/free#title-0 .

One in three people who test positive for Covid-19 do not have symptoms and so regular asymptomatic testing continues to be a vital part of our response to managing the virus. This new testing approach is designed to minimise the spread of Covid-19 and support more learners to remain in face-to-face education, which is our top priority.

 

Start dates and times for the new term

Year 7	Wednesday 1st September for Covid testing before returning home. Thursday 2nd September  9:00 start until 3.30
Year 8-11	Thursday 2nd September  1:30 start until 3.30
Year 12	Wednesday 1st September  1:00-2:45 Photos, subject and midrasha choices Thursday 9:30 Introduction  to the sixth form 10:30 Lessons begin
Year 13	Thursday 2nd September    10:30 start, lessons begin at 11:30

We are hopeful that the canteen will be open on Thursday 2^nd September.  We are moving to a new provider for lunches from September and this is still being finalised.  More information will be sent to you when details are confirmed.

 

Key Diary Information for the Beginning of Term

Friday 3^rd September  School ends at 1.00pm

Monday 6^th September (Erev Rosh Hashana)   School ends at 12.15pm

 

Health and Safety Issues

The Student Services Officer, Mrs Palmer, will take care of any students who feel unwell during school and, if she suspects that they may be suffering from Covid-like symptoms, the student will be isolated, parents will be immediately informed and asked to collect their child and test.

We will no longer be responsible for contact tracing of Covid cases; NHS Test and Trace will now be conducting contact tracing should there be a Covid case in school. Students will no longer need to automatically isolate if they are identified as a positive contact but will be expected to take a PCR test.

Pupils are not expected to wear facemasks in school but they must wear them on public transport.

The school’s Risk Assessment document will be available on the Hasmonean MAT website before the start of the new term.

There will no longer be staggered starts or endings to the day.

 

Reminder about Quarantine rules

We have been asked by Barnet to remind you that, if you are planning on travelling abroad, you should be mindful of any quarantine rules which could impact on the students returning to school on time for the new term.  Please ensure that you factor this consideration into the planning of your holidays.

 

New Timetable

The lesson times are changing slightly next year and we will be moving to a 2-week timetable.  The students will be provided with their new timetables in the new academic year.

 

Results Days: A Level, BTEC and GCSE

A Level and BTEC Level 3 Results Day            Tuesday 10^th August

GCSE and BTEC Level 2 Results Day              Thursday 12^th August

 

More information about these days can be found on our website.

Wishing you all a wonderful and well-deserved holiday.

Kind regards,

 

Mrs K Brice

Headteacher

 

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Dear Parents/Carers,

This is an important letter about the arrangements for this term and next – please read this all the way to the end.

Information regarding provision for BOYS SCHOOL students YEARS 7,8,9,10,11,12

for Sunday 18^th July, Monday 19^th July and Tuesday 20^th July

 

We have experienced a rise in the number of Covid-19 cases at the Boys’ school and, consequently, the number of students who are then required to isolate.  We are also becoming increasingly concerned that we may not be aware of the other Covid-19 cases in the school community due to the absence of compulsory testing in schools and a lack of clarity regarding contacts out of school. We feel that, to support our students’ and staff’s physical and mental wellbeing during the run-up to a long-awaited and long-deserved holiday, we should move to delivering our educational provision online. As a result, our provision will move online from Sunday.  School will still be open for students on Monday and Tuesday: if you would like to send your son into school on Monday and Tuesday please email admin_requests@hasmonean.co.uk by this afternoon at 4pm.  They will need to bring their chromebook, headphones and a packed lunch.  Students in receipt of Free School Meals who attend school will be provided with lunch.

 

This is not a decision which we have taken lightly but we think that this will provide the best education for everyone during this period. With an exponential rise of cases within Hasmonean’s families, and with a lack of clarity regarding contact tracing of positive cases outside of school, levels of infection could be rising at a rapid rate.   Online learning enables all of our students to access their education, including our students who need to isolate.

 

Sunday 18th July: Online Tisha B’av programme for all students – Rabbi Golker will send out more information in a separate email.

Monday 19th July: Lessons for Years 7-10 and 12 starting at 11.30am.

Tuesday 20th July: Lessons for Years 7-10 and 12 starting at 8.55am and finishing at 12.15pm.

 

Students in school today have been given bags to take home their belongings from their lockers.  We need all of the lockers empty at the start of the summer holidays. If a student is absent, they are welcome to come into school from Monday at 3.45pm-6.00pm or Tuesday from 12.30pm-4.00pm.  If a student is isolating, please ensure that another Hasmonean student comes into school during this time to collect their belongings.  If this is not possible, please email me (d.lebrett@hasmonean.co.uk).

 

Information regarding arrangements for the beginning of the Autumn term

This information concerns arrangements for the beginning of next term.  We are looking forward to seeing all of your sons relaxed and rested!

 

COVID19 asymptomatic testing arrangements for the Autumn term.

As children and young people return to the classroom following the summer holidays and the further easing of restrictions, we need to be sure that potential Covid-19 cases are found as quickly as possible and measures put in place to prevent the virus spreading throughout the school community. From 16^th August, if step 4 of the roadmap goes ahead, these measures will no longer include the self-isolation of close contacts if they are under age 18 or have had both doses of the vaccine. This makes regular testing even more important.

Incoming Year 7 students will be offered two tests onsite at school in the gym to ensure they are confidently and correctly administering the tests, which have not been offered to them at primary school. All of other students in the incoming Years 8-13 should complete two tests at home before they return to school one on the morning of Sunday 29^th August and one on the morning of Wednesday 1^st September.    Year 7 parents will be receiving a separate communication about the plans for this.

It remains very important that students and staff continue to test at home, twice a week. From September we will continue to provide test kits, but if you find you do not have sufficient supply to cover the summer holiday period, test kits can be ordered online or collected locally. More information is available at: https://www.barnet.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-latest-information-and-advice/covid-testing-nhs-test-and-trace-service/free#title-0 .

One in three people who test positive for Covid-19 do not have symptoms and so regular asymptomatic testing continues to be a vital part of our response to managing the virus. This new testing approach is designed to minimise the spread of Covid-19 and support more learners to remain in face-to-face education, which is our top priority.

 

Start dates and times for the new term

Year 7	Wednesday 1st September for Covid testing before returning home. Thursday 2nd September  8.40am start until 3.30pm
Year 8	Thursday 2nd September  1.45pm start until 3.30pm
Year 9	Thursday 2nd September  1.45pm start until 3.30pm
Year 10	Thursday 2nd September  1.45pm start until 3.30pm
Year 11	Thursday 2nd September    Day starts with Beis at usual time
Year 12	Wednesday 1st September  12.30pm Assembly, 1pm Beis Introduction, 1.15pm subject confirmation, 1.30pm photographs for new lanyards
Year 13	Thursday 2nd September    Day starts with Beis at usual time

We are hopeful that the canteen will be open on Thursday 2^nd September.  We are moving to a new provider for lunches from September and this is still being finalised.  More information will be sent to you when details are confirmed.

 

Key Diary Information for the Beginning of Term

Friday 3^rd September School ends at 1.00pm

Sunday 5^th September  Sunday School

Monday 6^th September (Erev Rosh Hashana)   School ends at 12.15pm

 

Health and Safety Issues

The Student Services Officer, Mrs Fine, will take care of any students who feel unwell during school and, if she suspects that they may be suffering from Covid-like symptoms, the student will be isolated, parents will be immediately informed and asked to collect their child and test.

We will no longer be responsible for contact tracing of Covid cases; NHS Test and Trace will now be conducting contact tracing should there be a Covid case in school. Students will no longer need to automatically isolate if they are identified as a positive contact but will be expected to take a PCR test.

Pupils are not expected to wear facemasks in school but they must wear them on public transport.

The school’s Risk Assessment document will be available on the Hasmonean MAT website before the start of the new term.

There will no longer be staggered starts to the day but we will endeavour to allow the Year 7 and 8 students to leave a few minutes early after form time to stagger the end of the day rush.

 

Reminder about Quarantine rules

We have been asked by Barnet to remind you that, if you are planning on travelling abroad, you should be mindful of any quarantine rules which could impact on the students returning to school on time for the new term.  Please ensure that you factor this consideration into the planning of your holidays.

 

New Timetable

The lesson times are changing slightly next year and we will be moving to a 2-week timetable.  The students will be provided with their new timetables in the new academic year.

 

Results Days: A Level, BTEC and GCSE

A Level and BTEC Level 3 Results Day  Tuesday 10^th August

GCSE and BTEC Level 2 Results Day    Thursday 12^th August

 

More information about these days can be found on our website.

Wishing you a safe and relaxing summer

With best wishes,

Mrs D Lebrett

Headteacher

 

 

 

 

Dear Parents and Carers,

I am not a sports fan, but I do enjoy watching Wimbledon and so it was that at 9:30 last night I started watching an enthralling match with Andy Murray which was already in its fourth set. Murray is an interesting character having gone from being reviled for his on-court outbursts to being the darling of the crowds for winning a gold medal in the London Olympics and then Wimbledon in 2013 and 2016.

Murray is now so popular that my son said ‘I love Murray, he’s such a legend!’ I think this has less to do with his sporting prowess than with other aspects of his story with which we can all empathise. We are impressed that he has been in the finals of 11 major tournaments, which is highly unusual for a British tennis player, but what we all relate to much more is the human emotions which he has displayed. There were the tears of relief and joy when he won Wimbledon and then the tears when he broke down having had to pull out of the Australian Open in 2018 because of serious problems with his hip which seemed to put an end to his career.

Since then Murray had undergone various bouts of surgery which have given him a metal hip and he has shown remarkable resilience in fighting to regain some of his former glory. This story of battling against the odds is one which resonates with us and we want it to succeed. It helps that Murray has other admirable traits. He has done a lot of work raising money for charity and he is a champion of the women’s game arguing that women should receive the same prize money as men. Murray has been asked why he doesn’t just retire and stop punishing his body which has been through so much. His reply in a recent article was:

‘Don’t be sad for me! I like doing this, and I’m choosing to do it. No one’s forcing me.’

Murray is exemplifying a growth mindset which we try to promote in school. He is not letting setbacks stop him from trying but instead he redoubles his efforts to find a way round the problem. He may never be number one in the world again but he has made it through to the third round of Wimbledon (as he has done every time he has entered the tournament) and that in itself feels like a victory.

Shabbat Shalom.
Best wishes,

Katherine Brice