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Our Manor 10-14 January 2022

Welcome to this week's newsletter

This week we held our virtual Sixth Form Open Evening, which gave prospective students the chance to find out more about our post-16 provision and ask subject leaders any questions. We hope that you found the event helpful. Information about our courses and how to apply can be found on our admissions page. From Monday 17 January, we will be running in-person tours of the school with Mr Carter, Assistant Principal, and a member of the sixth form student executive. Please feel free to book a space on a tour by clicking this link. Please note, places are strictly first come, first served to ensure we can control the numbers of visitors in the school.

It has been amazing seeing the number and variety of students taking part in our extra-curricular provision across a variety of subjects. An update on the activities on offer can be found later on in this newsletter. We encourage all young people to be involved, and reward house points to students who attend a session.

There have been two important updates to COVID-19 guidance from the government this week, details of which can be found below. In addition to this, we would appreciate your support with providing your child with a face covering when attending school as we have been handing out significant numbers this week.

Thank you for your continued support, and have a lovely weekend.

Glenn Martin and Lee Towers, Co-Principals

COVID-19 updates

Temporary suspension of confirmatory PCR tests in education and childcare settings

Confirmatory PCR testing following a positive result on a lateral flow device (LFD) has been temporarily suspended from Tuesday 11 January. This means that for all education and childcare settings, staff and students who have tested (either at home or through ATS) and reported a positive LFD result will no longer be advised to get a confirmatory PCR test.

This change is informed by public health advice. With high COVID-19 rates, the risk of a positive LFD result being false is very small. We therefore don’t need to ask people to do a confirmatory PCR unless they:

  • have symptoms (in which case they need to follow the stay at home guidance, self-isolate and order a PCR test)
  • wish to claim the Test and Trace Support Payment
  • have been advised to take a PCR test because they are in a clinically vulnerable group
  • have been advised to do so as part of a research or surveillance programme

Education and childcare settings are not expected to trace contacts of a positive case as this will remain the responsibility of NHS Test and Trace. From Tuesday 11 January, contact tracing is triggered once a positive LFD test is reported.

Students should be strongly encouraged to test twice weekly at home and to report all results to NHS Test and Trace and to their setting. Anyone with a positive LFD test result should self-isolate and follow self-isolation guidance.

Information on the new arrangements can be found in the stay at home: guidance for households with possible or confirmed COVID-19 infection.

Reduction of isolation period

From Monday 17 January, people who are self-isolating with COVID-19 will have the option to reduce their isolation period after 5 full days if they test negative with a lateral flow device (LFD) test on both day 5 and day 6 and they do not have a temperature.

For example, if your child tests negative on the morning of day 5 and the morning of day 6, they can return to school immediately on day 6.

The first test must be taken no earlier than day 5 of the self-isolation period, and the second must be taken the following day. All test results should be reported to NHS Test and Trace.

If the result of either of their tests is positive, they should continue to self-isolate until they get negative results from two LFD tests on consecutive days or until they have completed 10 full days of self-isolation, whichever is earliest.

Anyone who is unable to take LFD tests or anyone who continues to have a temperature will need to complete the full 10 day period of self-isolation.

WisePay passwords

If you require your WisePay password to be reset, please contact Mrs Bannard by emailing nbannard@manor.school or via main reception.

Cambodia expedition online event

Dean from Camps International is hosting an online Q&A session on Tuesday 18 January at 6pm for anyone interested in our 2023 expedition to Cambodia. The event is taking place on Teams - click here to join the meeting.

Enrichment activities

The extra-curricular timetable for this term has been updated with several new business and computing activities on offer. Key Stage 3 Dance Club also moved to Mondays, as of Monday 17 January.

KS3 Performing Arts Showcase

Students in Years 7-9 have the chance to show off their dance, drama and music talents in our upcoming KS3 Performing Arts Showcase.

Interested students should sign up via the sheet in Room 3 by Wednesday 26 January, with auditions then taking place on Monday 7 February.

MFL plays

We have invited a theatre group to come to Manor School to perform plays in French, Spanish and German to our Key Stage 3 students. The plays are a fantastic enrichment opportunity where students will be exposed to the target language and culture and be able to watch an entertaining performance. Letters have been sent home to parents/carers which includes details of a voluntary contribution. The dates and times are below. We hope the students enjoy them!

  • Thursday 3 February, 9:50am: Year 8 German
  • Friday 11 March, 9:50am: Year 7 French
  • Tuesday 21 June, 2pm: Year 8 Spanish

Please direct questions to kdonovan@manor.school

Year 10 Consultation Evening

A final reminder that our Year 10 Consultation Evening is being held virtually on Thursday 20 January, 4-8pm.

The deadline for parents/carers to book appointments is Tuesday 18 January at 4pm, as the booking system will then be closed.

Manor Maths Challenges

As well as several magic squares to solve, this week's edition also contains a video from author & YouTube star Hank Green on the topic of maps.

MSL Holiday Camps

Girls rugby event

Burns Night Dinner

House points

As of 10 January