Coming Back to We are really looking forward

Coming Back to

We are really looking forward to you coming back to school

We know that you may have different feelings about coming back to school

Lots of things will still be the same when you come back. The actual building is the same Your friends will be here The staff are still at Herne The uniform and P. E. kit are the same There is still a playtime and a lunch break!

We have planned some changes to make it safer for everybody • You will have your temperature taken at the start of the day • You will be in a safe bubble • There is a one way system in school – but please don’t worry, there are markings on the floor • You will have a new desk and your own equipment • You will wash your hands a lot and use hand sanitiser • We may all wear masks in the school – this will help keep us all healthy and safe • Playtimes and lunch breaks will be staggered – your teacher will know all about this, you do not have to worry. • You may start / end school at slightly different times, your Parents / carers know this.

These are things you can do to help you relax: • Please talk to your Parents / carers, teacher, LSA or friends if you are worried. We will help you. • Try and smile!

Things to try at home! Lemon • This exercise releases muscle tension. Pretend you have a lemon in your hand. • Reach up to the tree and pick a lemon with each hand. • Squeeze the lemons hard to get all the juice out – squeeze, squeeze. • Throw the lemons on the floor and relax your hands. • Then repeat, until you have enough juice for a glass of lemonade! • After your last squeeze and throw, shake out your hands to relax

Lazy Cat • This exercise releases muscle tension. • Pretend you are a lazy cat that just woke up from a lovely long nap. • Have a big yawn. • And a meow. • Now stretch out your arms, legs and back – slowly like a cat – and relax

Another activity Feather/Statue • This exercise releases muscle tension. • Pretend you are a feather floating through the air for about ten seconds. • Suddenly you freeze and transform into a statue. Don’t move! • Then slowly relax as you transform back into the floating feather again. • Repeat, making sure to finish as a floaty feather in a relaxed state.

We are all working together to help you come back to school so you can learn (and be with your friends). s r re Pa t n re a c / s You Sc h oo l

What you can do: • Talk to parent/carer about how you feel. • Ask any questions that you want to know. • Use your strategies/resources for relaxation.

What your parents/carers can do: • Help your child to establish a predictable and consistent routine by using a visual calendar on display so that your child can begin counting down the days to the first day back, re-start a clear morning and evening (bedtime) routine, in preparation for getting ready for school again. • Chat with your child about starting back at school. What do they think it will be like? What are they most looking forward to? Is there anything they’re unsure about? By talking about this, you can find out how your child is feeling and they can feel heard and reassured by you. • It is important that you talk with school staff about changes in family circumstances e. g. illness, bereavement, trauma, furloughing/job loss and separation so that they can be supported.

Continued…. . • Children and young people have spent a lot of time with parents/carers during the lockdown period, and they might want to remain with you. Reassure them that lots of other children are likely to be feeling the same way, and remind them that you will be there for them at the end of the school day. • Try and encourage your child to talk about what they are feeling and explain that experiencing a range of emotions is normal. You can also try ‘wondering aloud’ to try and interpret how your child might be feeling about returning to school, with curiosity and empathy e. g. “I wonder if you are feeling a little worried about going back to school because you are used to being at home. I understand that and it is normal to feel that way. I am feeling a little worried about going back to work, too. Would it help if we had a talk about how we are feeling? ”

What will do: We will make the school as safe as possible for everybody. We read and follow advice from the government, researchers and doctors. We may have to change our plans, but we will let you know as soon as we can.