New Online Learning Platform

Dear Mums, Dads and Carers,

I hope you all managed to enjoy the good weather over the Easter break.

As you are aware, we are not able to open the school ready for the start of Term 5, however we are doing all we can to ensure learning opportunities continue for your children.

I am so proud of the staff team for all the "behind the scenes" work that has been going on over the Easter break. My huge thanks goes to each and everyone of them. In particular, I would like to thank the Year 3 team, Mrs Biffen, Miss Lowe and Mrs Thompson, as well as Mr Bibby, Miss Jones, Mr O’Neill and Mr Williams-Trim. They have given lots of time and energy to this body of work. Thank you too to Soft Egg, our IT support team.

The result is an impressive online learning platform which can be accessed securely by individual children - with your support!

Please continue to be patient with us as we roll this platform out to you. We are learning too! The learning guide should be self explanatory. If issues do arise, please email us and we will try to remedy these as quickly as possible.

Parents will need to email their class teachers in order to get their child’s log in details. This way we are keeping everything as secure as possible. Staff email addresses are on the Class Blog pages on the school website.

https://www.combedown.com/968/class-blogs-1

Please find the link for our online learning platform in the user guide attached, which will be available from next week using Microsoft Teams. The purpose of this document is to explain how to access the online learning portal that all pupils at Combe Down Primary will be using for home learning during the remainder of the Covid-19 school shut-down.

Thank you so much for your patience and understanding at this challenging time. As I was thinking about resilience, several quotes came to mind which I felt may sum up how many of us are feeling at the moment. I am sure many of you will recognise the quotes and find them helpful.

Nelson Mandela. "Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”

Albert Camus. "Sometimes carrying on , just carrying, is the superhuman achievement."

Joshua 1:9. I repeat, be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic, for I, the LORD your God, am with you in all you do.

Philippians 4:13. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Helen Keller. “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”

We know that you are all showing superhuman strength at the moment. Thank you.

Kind regards,

Jane Gascoigne

Head teacher