Y9 02.04.21 new

Parent/Carer Bulletin

Friday 2nd April 2021

Year 9

Dear Parents and Carers,

I am proud to be writing to you at the end of a tough but successful academic term in Year 9. As was with
the case in previous terms this year, students had to quickly adapt to an ever changing mode of learning.
Transitioning from remote to face to face learning brings additional challenges. Despite these challenges
Year 9 have transitioned successfully and are now back into the swing of learning in person.

We are aware that there have been instances of some students struggling to cope with the sudden change
in environment. If your child continues to struggle, please contact the form mentor for additional support.

I am delighted to report that despite such a large population of staff and students in a relatively small area,
we are yet to record a single positive case of COVID 19 since returning. This is indicative of everyone
following the robust COVID policies in school. Please reiterate to your child that these precautions do not
end at the school gates. With the temperatures rising, students will be spending more time on the field. We
do encourage this, however, please do remind your child that they must stay in the Year 9 area and not mix
with other year groups. Students have now been given two boxes of tests to take home. This is a gentle
reminder for students to keep testing themselves at home over the holidays and a plea that with the
relaxation of the government protocols over the next few weeks, we work together as a school community
to ensure we have as few cases as possible. For example, we must stick to the government’s social
distancing rules and restrictions on groups of no more than 6 when outside the school gates. The students
and community have done a sterling job testing, social distancing and keeping each other safe and this has
meant the school has yet to have a positive case since we’ve been back. It would be excellent if we can
keep it this way.

We hope you have a restful and wonderful Easter break.

Eoin Mitchell and Jo Ogden
Director of Year and Pastoral Lead Y9.

NOTICES AND PREVIOUSLY SHARED INFORMATION:

Covid testing at home during Easter Holidays

We are pleased to confirm that an additional supply of lateral flow tests have
now been delivered to the students. Students should use this new supply of
tests to continue testing twice a week at home during the Easter holidays (all
those who are able to) and report results online as positive, negative or void.
This information is critical in helping to understand the prevalence of the virus
across the country. Please space the tests so that students are able to test before returning to college on

Monday 19th April, either the night before, or the Monday morning before college, to find and isolate any positive
cases. We suggest testing on Wednesday and Sunday evenings if possible.

● Report each test result to us using Uckfield College home test confirmation form

● and to the NHS site online as positive, negative or void. This information is critical in helping us to
understand the prevalence of the virus across the country

The rapid asymptomatic lateral flow tests are a way we can keep our college as safe as possible because about a
third (and possibly more in the teenage population) of people carrying covid are asymptomatic. That is why we
expect and trust that all our students will continue doing the self tests at home twice a week, following the great
success of our testing centres in college when we returned after the lock down. These tests are an additional
safety measure to limit the pandemic and we are still continuing with all the other safety measures. We are very
lucky to have the covid tests.

A negative test does not mean you can stop doing the covid safety protocols as you can still have the virus even if
your test comes up negative.

If a student has had covid in the last 90 days, there is the possibility that they will get a false positive but we
suggest they still do the twice weekly lateral flow tests and we will take this into account and not automatically
get them to self-isolate. We suggest that they then get a PCR test just to double check that they are not
infectious.

The government also announced the good news that everyone in your household / home bubble can also be
tested twice a week at home. If you’re a member of a household, childcare bubble or support bubble of a school
pupil you can get a twice-weekly test. You can either:

1. Get a test through your employer

Your workplace may offer rapid lateral flow testing to you. Contact your employer to find out more.
2. Take a test at a rapid lateral flow test site

You can take a rapid lateral flow test at a local site. Testing at these sites is assisted, which means you will swab
yourself under the supervision of a trained operator.
You may need to book an appointment.
Find your nearest rapid lateral flow test site.

3. Collect test kits

You can collect 2 packs of home test kits at a local collection point. Each pack contains 7 tests.
Anyone 18 or over can collect.
Most collection points are open from 1.30pm to 7pm. You can check online if the location is open or busy before
you go. You do not need to make an appointment.
Do not visit a collection point outside opening hours, as it may be used to test people with coronavirus symptoms
outside these times.
Find your nearest home test kit collection point.

4. Order home test kits online

If you cannot get tested at your workplace, or are unable to go to a test site or collect test kits, you can order a
home test kit online.

Do not order online if you can get a test through other methods. This frees up home delivery for those who need
it most.

Order rapid lateral flow home test kit

Reading Roundup - Reading Bingo!
A reminder for students to get involved with our ‘Reading Bingo’ challenge, which encourages
them to read across a range of genres, from fantasy, to biography, to books with an anti-racist
message. This will be running throughout the summer term, but the Easter break would be a
great opportunity to get reading and start ticking off those boxes!

Recommended Read
Mr Hennebry recommends ‘Artemis Fowl’ by Eoin Colfer for KS3: “This page turning, first novel
in the Artemis Fowl series is extremely imaginative, interesting and has a great plot that keeps
you gripped. What I particularly think is great about this book is that the vocabulary is rich and stretches the
reader, unlike some books written for the teenage market where the language is limited and dumbed down.”
For students participating in the ‘Reading Bingo’ challenge, this could count as your ‘fantasy’ book and also fits
into the ‘book that inspired a film’ category!

Talking Point - Adventures in genre
In support of our ‘Reading Bingo’ challenge, why not have a discussion about the types of books you prefer at
home? Do you tend to stick to one genre or do you like a bit of everything? Trying a book from a genre you don’t
usually explore can be a great way to re-invigorate your passion for reading, whatever your age!

Year 9 & 10 Teenage Booster Vaccinations (Td/IPV and Meningitis ACWY)

The Immunisation Service are holding a one off clinic on Saturday 10th April 2021 at the Brighton Centre,
with capacity to vaccinate around 400 students during the course of the vaccination clinic.

This clinic has been arranged specifically for the year 9 and 10 Teenage Booster Vaccinations (Td/IPV and
Meningitis ACWY) – we are not taking appointments for any other routine vaccination at this clinic. Clinics will be
held separate to this to catch up other vaccinations.

All appointments must be booked via the link below, we are unable to book appointments at this clinic in the
usual way, via telephone calls to your local teams.

Year 9 and 10 Teenage Booster Vaccination Clinic (Td/IPV and Meningitis ACWY) ONLY
The Brighton Centre, Kings Road, Brighton, BN1 2GR

Appointments available between 08:45am – 1:40pm

Click here to book an appointment: www.zesty.co.uk/practices/scft-sussex-immunisation-school

When booking your appointment, please specify the school name the child attends in the 'Please add more
information' box.
Vaccination can only go ahead with a completed consent form. If you are unsure if you have returned a
completed consent form to the Immunisation Service via your school, the adult who accompanies you to the clinic
must hold parental responsibility to enable your vaccination to take place.

Parking is available in Churchill Square carpark for the purpose of attending a vaccination appointment at the
Brighton Centre, you will need to make the car park attendant aware of your appointment.

Students attending college must bring a clean face mask to college every day.
Masks must be worn during lessons and at all times whilst moving between classrooms and at any other time as
requested by a member of staff. It is really important that students have a good supply of masks
and they have a fresh, clean one every day.
Masks are now being sold at Student Services:-

➢ Disposable medical type masks - 30p each
➢ Reusable, washable cloth masks with a filter - £3.50 each
Please bring correct change where possible.

Message from the PTA re: Easyfundraising
Did you know that whenever you buy anything online, you could be raising a free donation for Uckfield College
PTA?
There are over 4,400 retailers including John Lewis & Partners, Argos, Uswitch, eBay, M&S, Just Eat, Now TV,
Domino's Pizza and Audible ready to give a free donation every time you shop online via easyfundraising. It only
takes 2 minutes to sign up.
Plus, if you sign up and raise £5 in donations, easyfundraising will give us a bonus £5 donation.
All you have to do is:
1. Go to:
https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/ucpta/?invite=HRR247&referral-campaign=c2s&utm_campaign=raise-
more&utm_medium=email&utm_content=raf-e
2. Click 'support this cause' and create an account
3. Choose from over 4,400 retailers to do your online shopping as normal and our cause will receive a free
donation with every purchase you make.
Thank you for your support, you'll be helping to make a real difference to Uckfield College PTA .

Can you complete a quick survey
for ACRES Adult Learning?

Did you know that adult courses happen at colleges and community venues all around here with
ACRES - Adult College for Rural East Sussex

We want to know what courses you think should be happening nearby in your own community!

Perhaps you would like the opportunity to retrain to open up job opportunities, or gain skills to assist with
homeschooling? Would you like to enhance your life with a new hobby or interest? What are you passionate about?

Do you want to find something to complement your existing skills or discover something new?

By sharing your views and opinions you will help your local adult college to provide the courses that are important to
you and your local community.

Complete this short survey and get a £5 voucher off any ACRES course to say Thank You.
ACRES Survey

Department for Education coronavirus (COVID-19) helpline
The Department for Education coronavirus (COVID-19) helpline is available to answer questions about coronavirus
(COVID-19) relating to education and children’s social care. Staff, parents and young people can contact this
helpline by calling:
Phone: 0800 046 8687
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm
Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm

Covid-19 related student absence - A quick reference guide for parents

Job Vacancies - see link to current vacancies page here for both Support staff and Teachers
https://www.uckfield.college/vacancies

Uckfield College Life - February’s Issue

February’s World book day special Issue - click here
Uckfield College Life will be published once a month. We have attached the Newsletter to the title above - if you wish
you can click on the title to see the newsletter. Please e-mail details to Toni Fletcher, [email protected].

Term dates for the Academic years 20/21 and 21/22 - http://www.uckfield.college/termdates

Reporting Absences - See link to information on Website

Uckfield College Facebook - Uckfield College Facebook page

UCTC TWITTER- Follow us on Twitter @UckfieldCollege