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

• World Book Day postponed

  Thu 25 Feb 2021 Mrs Whitney

  Dear Parents/Carers,

  World Book Day – Alice in Wonderland

   

  Following the government announcement last night about schools reopening to everyone from the 8th March, we have decided to postpone World Book Day until we can all celebrate this great event together. The whole school theme will remain as Alice in Wonderland.

   

  We will notify you as soon as possible about the alternative date for this. Thank you for your continued support.

   

  Mrs Whitney (English Co-ordinator)

• Remote learning - changes for week March 1st to 8th

  Thu 25 Feb 2021 Mr Seargent

  Changes to remote learning activities - week beginning March 1st.

  Remote learning work will continue to be uploaded for the week March 1st (next week/the week before opening).

   

  However, staff will not be running the daily face to face meetings or providing feedback sessions during this period  This is a result of the need to prepare for the return on March 8th.  Staff will however be incorporating appropriate feedback and actions in the work and activities when children return.

   

  Note on school laptops.

  If you have been in receipt of a school laptop do not return this at this time, as there continues to be a possibility of closures of bubbles and household isolations.  Please retain these until told otherwise; this will reduce the complications of re issuing if (and hopefully this'll not be the case), there is a further lockdown or isolation for your child.

• Supporting your child's return to Ashgate

  Tue 23 Feb 2021 Mrs Forte

  Returning to school can create a full range of feelings and emotions, these are all normal in these very unusual circumstances.  Your child may feel really excited about returning to school or they may feel worried and may have lots of questions.

   

  Following the link below you will find some materials which may be useful when supporting your child and their return to Ashgate; 

   

  https://www.ashgate.derby.sch.uk/returning-to-school/

   

  Mr Seargent will update us on the details of returning to school safely and we are all really looking forward to having everyone back together again.

• We want your feedback

  Tue 09 Feb 2021 Mr Seargent

  We want your feedback 

   

  Recognising that families and school have been facing many challenges owing to the Covid 19 pandemic, and recognising that there are likely to be continued disruption in some form over the coming months, I would like your feedback on how we have done and what you feel are strengths and areas for development have been.  This will help us to adapt future actions if there are further lockdowns or if guidance on expected actions changes.

   

  I therefore add links to three surveys.  

   

  One is for all families to complete and then I ask you to complete one of the secondary surveys which will be specific to your situation (home learning or critical worker access)

   

  Some families may fall into both secondary survey categories as they have had a mixture of on site learning as a critical worker/vulnerable child category, as well as woking remotely from home.  If you feel it appropriate, you can complete both secondary surveys.

   

  If you have more than one child, please complete the survey based on overall experience for the children as a whole.

   

  A link will be shared to the school survey page for you to complete the survey or you clan click the navigation bar 'About us' > 'Surveys and findings'..

   

  Thank you for your support.

   

   

• Website improvements Covid notices

  Thu 04 Feb 2021 Mr Seargent

  In a drive to make information we share more accessible, I have this week been making alterations to the school website.  In particular, there are changes to how parents can now centrally access information about remote learning and Covid 19 guidance.

   

  The navigation bar currently marked 'Community' (yellow pencil), will soon change to 'Covid Info'.

   

  Although we await the web team to make the title change imminently, the information, which has until now been embedded elsewhere, has been uploaded ready to use in a more use friendly, single location.  It contains information about remote learning use, managing Covid 19, supporting families emotionally and financially as well as other materials which will be of use to all.

   

  Please take time to visit the site and view the changes made.

  We will continue to share immediate updates on the school noticeboard, such as announcements about bubble closures, isolations and general school information.

   

  https://www.ashgate.derby.sch.uk/covid-information/

   

• We have achieved the Excellence in School Mental Health Award

  Wed 03 Feb 2021

  Excellence in School Mental Health Award for Schools - Success!

   

  We are delighted to announce that, under the excellent stewardship of Mrs Forte, our school mental health lead and ambassador, we have been awarded the Excellence in School Mental Health Award.  

   

  I want to congratulate all staff for their contributions to supporting mental health across the school and in particular Mrs Forte for her outstanding contributions and leadership in this key area of school life.

   

  The Department for Education recognises the direct link between positive mental health in schools and successful educational outcomes; the Mental Health Award for Schools builds on this link and provides a framework for educational institutions to evidence policies and initiatives that work towards improving emotional health and wellbeing for both staff and pupils.

   

  Mental health is an integrated element in all we do across the school through our policies, protocols, curriculum  and interactions - but if you would like to see an overview and insight into how we support pupils' mental health and wellbeing, visit our 'Emotional Wellbeing' page.

   

   

  

• Mental Health and Wellbeing

  Wed 03 Feb 2021 Mrs Forte

  At Ashgate, children learn that mental health is just as important as physical health.

  To mark Children's Mental Health Week 2021, we have launched Ashgate's new Mental Health and Wellbeing page.

  Please take a look, following the link below, and share this with your child/children.

  As well as being able to find advice, help and support there are also so many wonderful ideas and activities to help you relax and improve your emotional wellbeing.

   

  https://www.ashgate.derby.sch.uk/mental-health-and-wellbeing/

   

   

   

• Children's Mental Health Week 2021,

  Mon 01 Feb 2021 Mrs Forte

  Oak National Academy has teamed up with Place2Be and BAFTA Kids to create an assembly for Children's Mental Health Week 2021, celebrating this year's theme of “Express Yourself”.

  Join Blue Peter’s Lindsey Russell and CBBC presenter Rhys Stephenson alongside some other special well-known faces for a free and exciting assembly available to all children, schools and families.

   

  https://classroom.thenational.academy/assemblies/childrens-mental-health-week-2021

   

  Check out Ashgate’s new Mental Health and Wellbeing page and have a go at some of the activities suggested there.  

   

  https://www.ashgate.derby.sch.uk/mental-health-and-wellbeing/

   

  If you do create anything or “Express Yourself” in any way we’d love to see or hear about it at school, especially Mrs Forte and Mrs Patrick.

   

  Finally, try to do things that make you happy, whilst keeping yourself safe.  We are all experiencing a lot of different emotions at the moment and it’s important to talk about these feelings and get support if things get a little hard to cope with.  There’s always someone at Ashgate to talk to.

   

  We miss you all and can’t wait to see you again soon!