Editorial 16/7/2021
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 19th July and Tuesday 20th 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 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 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 16th 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 29th August and one on the morning of Wednesday 1st 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 2nd 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 3rd September School ends at 1.00pm
Monday 6th 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 10th August
GCSE and BTEC Level 2 Results Day Thursday 12th 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 18th July, Monday 19th July and Tuesday 20th 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 16th 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 29th August and one on the morning of Wednesday 1st 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 2nd 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 3rd September School ends at 1.00pm
Sunday 5th September Sunday School
Monday 6th 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 10th August
GCSE and BTEC Level 2 Results Day Thursday 12th 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