Editorial 14th May 2020

Dear Parents,

Government Guidance Regarding Schools Re-opening

If the Government’s five key tests are met, secondary schools will be able to facilitate face-to-face contact for Year 10 and Year 12 before the summer break.  We are very keen to have your children back in school. However, we also need to manage this in a way which keeps them and our staff as safe as possible. The local authority are working on information, guidance and risk assessments for Barnet schools and we will be in touch with you again about our plans in due course.

Online Learning Surveys

We are grateful to you, your children and our teachers for completing our survey about online learning. There were many positive comments which is encouraging. We will be taking onboard the many helpful suggestions from staff, parents and students about online learning and producing an action plan to further refine the way in which we teach online.

 

Whereas 70% of parents thought that the amount of Kodesh being offered by the Hasmonean Charitable Trust programme was ‘about right’, 69% of parents and around half of students desired an increased amount of secular lessons. We will now be working with staff to find the best way to manage this, balancing the need to provide the best possible education with the fact that staff are teaching online from home, having to juggle home and work commitments until schools and childcare facilities return to normal.

 

Key Workers and Parents of Vulnerable Children

With lockdown partially lifting, we are aware that an increased number of parents may now need us to supervise their children in school.  Please be aware that the provision in school will be the same as that provided to students studying at home.  If you are a parent who is a key worker or a parent of a vulnerable child who now wishes their child to attend school, please inform the relevant headteacher:

 

Mrs Brice (Girls’ School): k.brice@hasmonean.co.uk

Mrs Lebrett (Boys’ School): d.lebrett@hasmonean.co.uk

 

Wishing you a good Shabbos and a relaxing weekend,

 

Mr A McClusky – CEO, Hasmonean MAT

Mrs D Lebrett – Headteacher, Hasmonean Boys’ School

Mrs K Brice – Headteacher Hasmonean Girls’ School

Rabbi J Golker – Menahel, Hasmonean MAT