I write to you this evening as we approach what we hope will be the final throes of lockdown for our families. Next week, excitedly, we shall continue Lateral Rapid Flow testing across our Trust, alongside the phased return of your children, our students, to our schools.
You will, by now, have received staggered communications from each of our Heads of School, carefully outlining the next steps for your children from Monday, 8 March. You will be sent further messages at the beginning of next week that will explain in more detail what to expect once all of our students return to our schools and divisions, particularly from Monday, 15 March. These messages will include updates on our testing programme, what will happen in mentoring and lessons, timetables, lunch and break arrangements, reminders about entering and exiting our schools, and any pertinent travel updates from Stagecoach.
As regards next week, I am pleased to report that we already have close to 1,000 families who have booked their child/children in for Lateral Rapid Flow testing. We anticipate this number may grow further over the weekend and, possibly, through the week. Of course, involvement in testing remains absolutely voluntary, but the government continues to “strongly encourage” young people to engage in an attempt to stop the asymptomatic spread of COVID-19.
Heads of School have written to you with guidance as to how your child (if age appropriate) can engage in testing. If you have not yet registered, and still wish to, you can book your child’s test by accessing the appropriate link below:
Years 7 and 8 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-canterbury-academy-student-testing-wednesday-10th-march-tickets-143332026951
Year 9 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-canterbury-academy-student-testing-thursday-11th-march-tickets-143333974777
Year 10 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-canterbury-academy-student-testing-tuesday-9th-march-tickets-143322025035
Year 11 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-canterbury-academy-student-testing-monday-8th-march-tickets-143331216527
Year 12 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-canterbury-academy-student-testing-tuesday-9th-march-tickets-143322025035
Year 13 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-canterbury-academy-student-testing-monday-8th-march-tickets-143331216527
If you choose to book your child’s test, please also complete the online consent form by following this link:
If you have any further questions on testing at all, please do not hesitate to contact the appropriate Head of School.
One of the things that was most popularly received by students and parents when we fully returned to our schools in September, was our attempt to ‘normalise’ the school day as much as possible. I want to reassure you that this is our intention again, whilst also, obviously, adhering to all government guidance and making sure that the risk of exposure to COVID is mitigated to an acceptable level for all of us. However, it is also very important that, upon our students returning to school, we pay the proper care and attention to the variety of experiences that we’ve had as families over the last year. This horrible pandemic will have touched all of our families in different ways, and it is important that we recognise that.
I know how much my colleagues across the Trust want to speak to our students about their experiences; encouraging them to share their thoughts, feelings and emotions; and then using them to begin focussing on all of our futures again. In order to properly embrace what may lay on our horizons, we must acknowledge and try to understand that which we have left behind. We will dedicate whatever we need to, whenever we need to, in order to help our young people, our families and our communities continue on our journey of recovery from COVID together.
Over the coming days, weeks and even years, as we all hope that this lockdown will be the last, across the schools and divisions of The Canterbury Academy Trust you will hear no talk of our young people being ‘written off,’ or described as a ‘lost generation’ who need to ‘catch up.’ The experiences that our children and families have had through COVID will always remain in our minds, but our futures are in our hands. This past year has been incredibly difficult, but that doesn’t mean that what lays ahead can’t be better, brighter and more exciting than we’ve ever imagined.
I, and all of my colleagues, will never be able to thank you enough for the support you have shown us over the last 12 months; but much more importantly the support you have given your children, your families, your friends, neighbours and communities. You, alongside the rest of our nation, have encapsulated the true resilience and determination of the human spirit.
So, for the last time from lockdown (please!), my most sincere thanks for everything and I hope you have a relaxing weekend.
As always, my very best wishes to you all,
Jon Watson
Trust Executive Principal