Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Water Mill school app

  Fri 13 Nov 2020 Mrs Rudd
  We have now set up our new school app and we can see that many of you have already downloaded it. Through the app you will receive instant updates, diary dates and important messages. Eventually this will replace our current text system which has been useful but is limited to only a few words. The new app will let us send longer messages and the email system will let us send attachments. 
  We would also like to become eco friendly and only have paperless communication in the future so please download the app so that we can keep in touch with you.
  If you have not received an email from us about the new app or an invitation to download our app then please let us know as we might not have your correct details. (The email will be sent through our website ‘Primary Site’) The invitation has only been sent to your child’s primary or first contact. If you would like someone else to have access then please let us know.

• Applying for a Reception place September 2021

  Thu 01 Oct 2020 Mrs Rudd

  Please read the letter about applying for a Reception place for September 2021. This can be found on the Reception class page under the Children tab.

   

• Parent Governor Elections

  Wed 09 Sep 2020 Mrs Rudd
  Would you like to know more about what governors do for the school? Meet our chair of governors, Ninna Makrinov, on an online meeting on Monday at 6.30pm. You can join from any device with an internet connection, following this link. She will welcome you to this new year, talk about the role of the governing board, and answer questions that you may have.

  Might you like to be involved? We are looking for two parent governors to join the board. Details about the election will be circulated this Friday.

   

• Drop off times

  Mon 07 Sep 2020 Mrs Rudd

  This morning the drop off at the start of the day was as busy as it was last week. There are many parents arriving before they are due to enter and others arriving later than expected. There are also some parents driving down the close at the same time as parents and children are waiting. This is very worrying and we need to do something to stop this before an accident happens.

   

  We have therefore decided to try a different method. From Wednesday 9th September entry to school will be as detailed below:

  •  All of KS2 children (Yrs 3, 4, 5, & 6) will be allowed into the playground at 8.45am and will line up separately prior to gong into school.  If any of these children have a sibling in Years 1, 2 or Reception they will also be allowed into the playground.
  • All of KS1 children who do not have an older sibling (Yrs 1 & 2) will be allowed into the playground at 9am.
  • All of our Reception children will be allowed into the playground at 9.10am.
  • Only parents of Reception age children will be allowed into the playground.
  • Parents who arrive before their allocated time will be asked to move away from the entrance to the school until their allocated time.
  • Parents are asked not to drive down Water Mill Close as you are putting children at risk by doing so.

   

  By having a longer gap between entry we are hoping that parents will not arrive early and therefore not block paths and the road. We will be following these times strictly therefore we ask that you do not arrive early or late.

   

  We are not able to block off the road and do not have access to another entrance so we all have to be considerate of each other and follow guidelines.

   

  We will trial this method for a week to see if it makes things better, if not then we will keep thinking of other ways. Please be patient with us, this is a new way of doing things and every school is having similar difficulties.

   

  The times for picking up at the end of the day will remain the same as before as this seems to be working at the moment.

   

  This message will be sent home via the children tomorrow as well so that everyone is informed prior to Wednesday.

   

• Drop off and Pick up

  Thu 03 Sep 2020 Mrs Rudd

  The staggered start and pick up is causing a little bit of difficulty and some concerns especially about the danger from cars driving down the close.

  One of the main reasons for this is parents not arriving at the correct time to drop off/pick up their children. Times are as below:

  Group	Start time	End Time
  Reception	9.10am	3pm
  Year 1	9.05am	3pm
  Year 2	9.05am	3.10pm
  Year 3	8.55am	3.10pm
  Year 4	8.55am	3.20pm
  Year 5	8.45am	3.20pm
  Year 6	8.45am	3.30pm

  We try to get the children into school as quickly as possible at the start of the day therefore we may let children in before these times but please stick to the agreed times and especially do not be late at the end of the day.

  At the end of the day children should not play on the equipment in the playground if your child keeps playing on the equipment we will ask you to wait outside of the school.

  Please remember the social distancing rules and keep a 2m distance from those not in your family bubble.

  Please avoid driving down Water Mill Close. Where possible park on Reservoir Road.

  Thank you for your cooperation

   

  We will continue to review our procedures and will let you know if anything changes.

   

   

   

• Welcome Back

  Tue 01 Sep 2020 Mrs Rudd

  We are so looking forward to welcoming back all children tomorrow. All of the information you need about this can be found on the Covid page of this website but there are just a couple of further bits of information that were missed:

   

  • PE - the classes will still be doing PE each week and will be given a note saying when their PE sessions will take place. On the day your child is having a PE lesson they will need to come to school wearing their PE kit. Most PE lessons will take place outside, therefore we suggest a tracksuit and trainers.

   

  • If your child uses an inhaler please make sure they bring a new one to school in a named bag.

  There is a silly rumour being spread around on social media that schools will be testing children for COVID 19 and that children can be removed and isolated from their families. THIS IS NOT TRUE.

  We do not test children in school. If we are concerned about a child having COVID we will ring parents and ask parents to take them to be tested. We would then wait to hear from the parents as to the result of the test. If COVID is suspected then we would sit the child in a safe place away from others, with a member of staff, until parents arrive. This is only to help stop any potential spread of germs.

  I am very annoyed that this rumour is being circulated and that it is worrying parents at this already very stressful time.

  School will be a safe place for your children and it is very important that they return to carry on with their learning and to meet with friends.

  If you have any concerns please get in touch via the school office.

• Schools opening FAQ's

  Thu 30 Jul 2020 Mrs Rudd

  Can I meet with a member of staff?

  We want to keep meetings with people not from our school to a minimum therefore only urgent meetings will be held. The school office will only be open for emergency visits or prearranged meetings so if you need to talk to a member of staff then please ring or email. Contact details are on the website.
  What happens if my child is ill?

  If your child is ill at home then you should keep your child at home until they are better or for the time specified in our Infection Control Policy (see COVID-19 page). If they are ill in school we will contact you to collect them and keep them at home for the period specified in the policy. If Covid is suspected they must be taken for a test and then guidance followed as per the result.
  A member of my household is shielding. Should I send my child to school?

  We advise you to read information on the NHS website for advice in relation to those shielding. All children are expected to return in September.

  My child is classed as vulnerable. Can he come to school?

  As with the above question, check the NHS website but again the school must be told so that we are aware of this. All children are expected to return in September.

  Will breakfast and after school club be open?

  Yes. These will be held in the school hall so that year groups can be kept apart.

  Will all year groups be coming back?

  Yes, all year groups will be back in school.

  Will my child be able to have a school dinner?

  Yes. These will be free for children entitled to a free school meal and for all children in Reception, Year 2 and Year 1. You can choose to send in a packed lunch. You can check online to see if your child is entitled to a free school meal.

  Will I still receive vouchers if I am entitled to them?

  Vouchers are no longer being issued.

  Will I be fined if I do not send my child to school?

  It is possible that you will be fined if you do not send your child to school. This will depend upon the circumstances of the absence.

  Will you still be sending out home learning packs?

  If a child or class has to isolate then we will send home learning packs.

  What if a child or member of staff in school is ill?

  If a child in school is ill with suspected COVID 19 they will be isolated and parents called to take them home. If COVID is confirmed then all of the children and adults in that group will be asked to isolate for 14 days. The same applies for staff.

  For any other illness the normal infection control will apply.

  Will my child wear PPE or a face mask?

  No. We are not asking children to wear a face mask as it would be unsafe for them to do so. Some staff might wear face masks. 

  Has the school completed a risk assessment about pupils coming back to school?

  Yes we have completed the Birmingham City Council risk assessment and our own. We have also updated health & safety policies.

  Can you guarantee that my children will be safe and will not catch COVID 19 if they come back to school?

  We have put measures in place to ensure that, as far as possible, pupils, staff and their families will be safe; however we can not guarantee this.

  Can my child bring in their own pencil case and equipment?

  Yes, however they will not need to do this as all equipment will be provided.

  Does my child have to wear school uniform when they come back?

  Yes. We request that all children wear correct uniform as per our prospectus.

  Will my child be going swimming?

  No. We have cancelled swimming for the term until we are sure that it is safe for them to go.

  Will my child be doing PE?

  Yes. PE lessons will happen as per timetables, any shared resources will be cleaned between use.

  Will my children have homework?

  Yes. Homework will be given each week and reading books will come home.

  Will school clubs be happening?

  At this moment we have booked football club to continue. We will let you know if any other clubs will be happening in September.

  If I have any questions who do I contact?

  You can contact the school office by telephone (0121 464 7769) or email (enquiry@watermill.bham.sch.uk) or speak to any senior leader in the playground.

   

• End of Term

  Fri 17 Jul 2020 Mrs Rudd

  We have reached the end of what has been a very different school year! I would like to thank everyone for everything you have done to ensure that children, staff and families have stayed safe. Thank you for making sure that learning continued and that everyone was supported and happy.

  We missed you all and we can't wait till September when you are all back; however now it is time to rest and spend time with family.

  Have a lovely summer break everyone, see you in September.

• September classes

  Thu 16 Jul 2020 Mrs Rudd

  It was lovely seeing all the children back in school yesterday. The Year 6 leavers assembly in the afternoon was very moving and the video was amazing, thank you Dr Johnson.

  For information classes for September are:

  Reception: Mrs Suglani, Miss Glen and Mrs Maguire

  Year 1: Miss Peachey, Mrs Hoye and Mrs Dean

  Year 2: Miss Linden and Mrs Maclean

  Year 3: Mrs Baines, Mrs Hollis and Mrs McMahnon

  Year 4: Mrs Chawdary, Miss South and Mrs Bajwa

  Year 5: Mrs Verhofsted, Miss James and Mrs Murdoch

  Year 6: Miss Corless, Mr Hill and Mrs Oreilly

   

  Details about our response to the government guidance for a full return to school for all pupils in September will be published on our COVID web page later today. Please read this as it is very important that you follow all of the guidelines.

• Transition Day Information

  Tue 07 Jul 2020 Mrs Rudd
  Please see our COVID information page for details about procedures for pupils coming to school on Wednesday 15th July.