Message from the Head Teacher
This is the first newsletter of 2026 and I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy New Year. School has started off smoothly and children are all happy and settled into their routines. Teachers started off the year with a wonderfully exciting away day at Rickyard in Walpole Park where they attended training on teaching or Art from the resident artist. Topics covered included the use of colour and experimenting with print making. They all came back enthused and bustling with new ideas.
As the colder months approach, we can expect to see increases in common airborne viruses. Illness is the biggest single reason for school absence; while some absences due to illness are unavoidable, many can be reduced through simple, proactive measures that minimise the spread of infections. In a recent blog, Professor Russell Viner, the Department for Education’s Chief Scientific Adviser, shares practical advice on how schools and families can work together to reduce the spread of winter illnesses and support good attendance. He highlights the importance of simple everyday actions such as good handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, fresh air and ventilation, and following NHS guidance on when children should stay at home. These small steps make a big difference in keeping children healthy, in school, and ready to learn throughout the winter months.
The Department for Education highlights practical steps families can take to help keep children healthy and in school. Keeping vaccinations up to date, including childhood immunisations, offers strong protection against serious illnesses and helps protect vulnerable people in the community. Simple hygiene habits like washing hands thoroughly, using tissues for coughs and sneezes, and avoiding face-touching can reduce infections. Parents are also reminded to use NHS guidance to decide when a child is well enough for school — for example, stay home with a high temperature but mild symptoms may still attend. These actions together help children stay well and maximise learning time.
Warm regards Iman Basu Roy
