Dear parents and carers,
As you will be aware, an Amber weather warning is in place for Thursday and Friday. Over recent days, we have put a range of measures in place to help minimise the impact of the hot weather. These include restricting physical activities, making adjustments to our uniform expectations and ensuring classrooms are as well-ventilated as possible. We have also been regularly monitoring temperatures across the school site.
However, despite our best efforts, most of our classrooms are recording internal temperatures significantly higher than the ambient temperature outside. With temperatures forecast to remain exceptionally high over the next two days, these conditions are not conducive to learning and raise concerns for the wellbeing of both students and staff.
As a result, we have taken the decision to operate a shorter school day on Thursday 9th and Friday 10th July enabling students to leave before the hottest part of the day.
Arrangements
All students are expected to attend school as normal each morning.
Students in the primary should be collected at 11.30am via the normal playground entrance/exit. On Thursday, due to the short notice for those parents who are unable to make necessary working arrangements, we will allow these children to stay until 3pm. On Friday, the school will close to all students at 11.30am and parents are asked to make pick up arrangements.
Students in the secondary phase will be able to leave from 11am if they do not require a food service or free school meal. If parents require their child to be supervised in school until 3pm they must email office@sydneyrussellschool.comfor this to be arranged.
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Uniform adjustments remain in place to help them feel more comfortable in the warm weather.
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The secondary Sports Day which was scheduled for Friday has been cancelled following Department for Education guidance for students to not take part in strenuous activities during very hot weather.
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We are currently reviewing arrangements for the primary Sports Days scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. A decision will be made at midday on Sunday for reception sports day on Monday. For KS1/KS2 sports day on Tuesday a decision will be made midday Monday. Parents are advised to look at Class Dojo and other communications from school.
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Year 10 students will still receive their end of year exam results before they leave school tomorrow at 11am.
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The Year 6 leavers production will go ahead as planned tomorrow on secondary site in the Main Hall which has air conditioning.
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As usual, students are advised to ensure they have their water bottle and use the chilled refill taps before and after school as well as during break times.
We do not take these decisions lightly but the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remains our priority. We will continue to monitor the weather forecast and will communicate any further changes should they become necessary.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding.
Yours sincerely,
Vice Principals
The Sydney Russell School