Withymoor News
Please see advice on Persuasive Design Online. Next Week is Safer Internet Day - please ask your children about this.
Dear parent/carer,
Please see the below message from Dudley Council Health Protection Team:
You may have seen recent media reports of rising measles cases across the West Midlands and the Black Country. The most effective way to prevent measles infection, and the possible serious complications it can cause, is by having 2 doses of MMR vaccine. 2 doses of MMR provide 99% protection against measles that is lifelong. It also protects against mumps and rubella. It is safe and effective, and a porcine gelatine free vaccine is available, if this is preferred.
The rise in measles cases is due to declining childhood immunisation rates, including the MMR, nationally over the past 10 years. The higher the immunisation rates, the less opportunity there is for measles infection to circulate, which helps to protect those who are vulnerable due to being unable to receive MMR vaccination (including babies under 1 year old, pregnant women if unvaccinated, and the severely immunocompromised).
It is not too late for children and adults to catch up on the MMR vaccine if they haven’t received 2 doses at the recommended ages of 1 year (1st dose) and 3 years and 4 months (2nd dose). Your GP surgery can be contacted to arrange an appointment. If you are unsure whether your child is immunised with 2 doses of MMR vaccine, you can check their ‘red book’, which is their personal health record. Children who have not had any MMR vaccines may have to stay away from school for up to 21 days if they are identified as a close contact of a confirmed measles case.
Please see the NHS webpages on measles and MMR vaccine for more information, and the below link for local pop-up vaccination clinics for MMR:
https://blackcountry.icb.nhs.uk/your-health/health-advice/measles#clinic
Despite ‘MyLOL’ being a dating app aimed at teenagers, there is no credible age verification system to prevent a younger child - or older adult - from signing up. The ease with which an adult could pose as a teen under a bogus birthdate makes grooming a realistic threat – and that’s far from the platform’s only risk. Please see this week’s guide to learn more.
Parents/Carers,
During the week, all pupils across school will be discussing ways - and thinking about strategies -to support mental health, whilst also participating in activities that will allow them to express themselves. As always, we recognise the important role parents and carers play in the mental wellbeing of our children; therefore, we want to provide our pupils with the opportunity to take part in an activity within school with a member of their family.
On Tuesday 6th February, it is also ‘Safer Internet Day’ - throughout the day we will be promoting the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology for children and young people. We will also be making links between the use of technology and our own mental health, focussing in particular on how to better-protect ourselves within the digital world.
We would ideally love to see as many parents in school as possible. However, due to the majority of the lessons taking place within the school hall, and in order to comply with relevant Health & Safety and Fire Regulations, we are only able to offer one parent/carer place per child for the activities within school. If you are not able to attend due to other commitments, then a grandparent or other family member may attend in your place. We are unfortunately not able to accommodate any younger siblings.
All sessions in school will involve parental participation, with the primary aim being for you to you and your child to express themselves– and have some fun together! School will provide all resources needed for the activity.
We will also be encouraging pupils to ‘express themselves’ by allowing them to come into school in mufti on the day of their parent session.
Please see the timetable below for all sessions:
Timetable for Parent Sessions
Monday 5th February |
Phase Trust Workshop for year 5 and 6 pupils |
Pupils only |
Monday 5th February |
Year 4 parent session 2pm-3pm |
One parent per child. Please come to the main entrance where you will be asked to sign in. We cannot accommodate younger siblings. |
Tuesday 6th February |
Year 3 parent session 1pm-2pm
|
One parent per child. Please come to the main entrance where you will be asked to sign in. We cannot accommodate younger siblings. |
Tuesday 6th February |
Year 2 parent session- 2.15pm-3.15pm |
One parent per child. Please come to the main entrance where you will be asked to sign in. We cannot accommodate younger siblings. |
Wednesday 7th February |
Year 5 parent session 9.15am-10.15am |
One parent per child. Please come to the main entrance where you will be asked to sign in. We cannot accommodate younger siblings. |
Wednesday 7th February
|
Year 1 parent session 2pm-3pm |
One parent per child. Please come to the main entrance where you will be asked to sign in. We cannot accommodate younger siblings. |
Thursday 8th February |
Reception parent session 9.15am-10.15am |
One parent per child. Please come to the main entrance where you will be asked to sign in. We cannot accommodate younger siblings. |
Thursday 8th February |
Year 6 parent session 2pm-3pm |
One parent per child. Please come to the main entrance where you will be asked to sign in. We cannot accommodate younger siblings |
Friday 9th February |
INSET DAY |
|
In addition to the parent sessions, we have organised Phase Trust Mentoring Service to come into school and lead a workshop for Year 5 and Year 6, with regard to mental health and self-care. This was very successful last year and we are delighted to be offered it again this year. This is in addition to the Parent Session, so will be held in school with school staff only.
Finally, year 5 and 6 pupils will be participating in ‘Withymoor’s Got Talent’ during this week. I have spoken to all pupils in upper key stage two, and some children have already expressed an interest in showcasing a talent to the rest of key stage 2. Further information will be sent to pupils in year 5 and 6 only.
If you have any questions, then please do not hesitate to contact us. We really look forward to working with you during this unique week.
Regards
Lara Billingham
Assistant Headteacher- SENCO/Inclusion/Senior Mental Health Lead
Make sure your child is up to date with their MMR vaccine
Parents and carers in the Black Country are being reminded to get their children vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).
Measles is a highly infectious disease which can lead to serious complications if it is not treated. In the most severe cases, it can develop into more threatening conditions such as severe lung infections , especially in those with a weakened immune system.
Symptoms of measles include:
All children are invited for their first MMR vaccine on the NHS when they turn one. The second dose is given when they reach three years and four months of age. Having two doses of the vaccine provides the best protection against MMR.
Parents who are unsure if their child is up to date with all their routine vaccinations should check their child’s Red Book (personal child health record), the NHS App, or contact their GP practice.
Adults and older children can also be vaccinated at any age if they have not been fully vaccinated before and are being encouraged to come forward if they haven’t had two doses.
For more information on the MMR vaccine, visit the NHS website