Latest News
Noteable events for the week ahead
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Covid Resources from Public Health
Thu 30 Apr 2020 -
Have a question about parenting - click below for support.
Tue 28 Apr 2020Click https://www.parents.actionforchildren.org.uk/ if you have a question about parenting.
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Top tips for parents and carers feeding children on a budget
Mon 27 Apr 2020As many families are facing higher food bills, and in many cases, reduced income due to the impact of coronavirus the Public Health team of Newcastle City Council have produced an online information guide and short film packed with tips, to help people plan meals.
As well as ideas for easy-to-make, low-cost meal options, the information also includes price comparisons of shop-bought products compared to home-cooked food, information about foods that can be frozen to avoid waste and tips for getting children involved in preparing family meals. People can get tips on how to make their budget go further, ideas for breakfast and lunch – meals which many families may not normally eat at home - and has links to different websites and apps that offer simple, healthy recipes.
Main link to use to see the video and access the information guide
https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/citylife-news/lifestyle/top-tips-help-families-manage-meals-budget
Face book link
https://www.facebook.com/NewcastleCityCouncil/videos/251469149383942/
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North of Tyne Online Access Survey- Learning Online at Home
Fri 24 Apr 2020Online Access Survey
As described in Wednesday’s update we have constructed a survey in conjunction with the North of Tyne Combined Authority. Below is information for your websites:
“Do you need help getting your children equipped to learn online at home?
If the answer is yes, Newcastle City Council wants to hear from you.
The council is conducting a citywide survey to find out which families do not have computer equipment or internet access to enable their children to go online at home to do their school work.
Families in this situation are being offered help in getting the equipment they need.
To find out more and complete a simple form visit https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/services/public-health-wellbeing-and-leisure/public-health-services/coronavirus-covid-19/school-and
If you need help to access the form or to fill it in you can call the council’s support team on 0191 277 4500 between 9am and 2.30pm, Monday to Friday.
The survey must be completed before it closes at 2.30pm on Friday 1 May.”
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Action for Children - Free Online Parenting Support - 22-04-20
Thu 23 Apr 2020 -
Northumbria Police Online Safety Support
Wed 22 Apr 2020Good morning,
I would like to bring to your attention the “ThinkuKnow” education programme from the NCA-CEOP.
This is a UK organisation which protects children both online and offline.
In the current climate, with children spending increasing amounts of time online during home schooling, Northumbria Police would like to highlight this programme on online safety which we believe you will find useful for protecting your children if included as part of their home learning package.
There are resources on the website targeted at different age groups. Parents/Carers and teachers could use the resource to assist as part of their learning. It would hopefully help keep them safe.
Use the link below to access the programmes
Regards,
Ian Wilkinson 5105
Safeguarding Schools Coordinator -
Parent and Care Advice re: Online Radicalisation
Mon 20 Apr 2020 -
Oak National Academy and BBC Bitesize Daily Lessons
Mon 20 Apr 2020Below are links to the government backed online lessons from Oak National Academy and BBC Bitesize Daily Lessons that launch today. -
Welcome to the Nursery and Reception Children and their Families who will join our WDPS Family in September 2020
Thu 16 Apr 2020WDPS - Where children gain a love of challenge, adventure and creativity in and beyond the classroom
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome to West Denton Primary School (WDPS) and thank you for choosing our special community for your child’s education. Apologies that we cannot hold our Nursery and Reception meetings at the planned dates; but we will re-schedule as a priority once the Government re-opens schools on a normal basis.
During your child’s time here, we hope you will come to regard the school as your school and that your family’s involvement with the school will always be positive. We very much value your part in the education of your own child and recognise the work you have already done in teaching your child as their first educators. We want to continue to strengthen this partnership between home and school.
We believe we give our children a strong start in life as we are an innovative community who have developed a range of programmes that are unique for a school.
Savour the stimulating learning that our children enjoy by watching the WDPS video on our school website @ http://www.westdenton.newcastle.sch.uk/ Also make sure you look at 'What Makes Us Special', 'Class Pages' and the Photo Galleries in 'Whole School Photos' to see why we are proud of WDPS.
We look forward to our getting to know you and your child better.
Kind regards,
Mick MingStones
Head Teacher
WDPS -
Free School Meal Voucher Update
Tue 14 Apr 2020Government Update - 14-04-20 During the course of the last week, orders placed within the Edenred system were higher than anticipated. This had an impact on the performance and experience.
Our teams have been working day and night through the Easter weekend to process orders and develop the system capability and performance for the weeks ahead. Improvements are being applied every day.
Paid orders - All existing orders with status ‘paid’ continued to be processed over the course of the Bank Holiday weekend. These will all have been completed, with emails sent direct to families or as, stock eCodes issued to schools by 8pm this evening. ACTION: we respectfully request that schools who have already placed an order (which has been processed and sent) and who do not have an immediate requirement for eCodes this week, to not access the service.
Working closely with the Department for Education and in partnership with you, if we can balance the load on the system, we can provide a consistent and constant flow of essential support through to families.
Here are a few simple steps on the best way to engage with the platform over the next few weeks.
Processing pending orders
A number of schools were unable to complete their order through the checkout process – these orders are now in the system with status ‘pending’. From Tuesday morning, the system can now be accessed to complete the order process, but we ask this is done in a controlled and phased structure to maximise the speed and experience for everyone. Therefore, we respectfully request that you consider accessing the platform to confirm pending orders in the following way:
- If the order is for a future release, after w/c 20th April, please do not submit this order until 4 calendar days before the due date
- If the order is for release on or before Friday 17th April, please access the platform to confirm the order. These orders will then be processed and the associated eCodes distributed.
Simplifying future order process
Ordering a single eCode to cover a longer time period
The Department for Education has agreed to allow schools to place an order for a family to cover a period of up to four weeks in one order (£60 instead of £15 on a four weekly cycle or £30 for a two weekly cycle), thereby reducing the administration burden on schools and further reducing the volume of visitors in the ordering platform at any one time. This will make a significant difference to your experience. When deciding the length of the eCode period, schools should consider what is appropriate for the family.
Ordering a single eCode to cover more than one eligible child
Please also order a combined eCode for eligible children in the same household, for example a family with three eligible children could receive an eCode for £180 to cover a four-week period, or £90 to cover a two-week period, instead of 3 individual £15 eCodes per child, per week. This would significantly reduce the number of orders and eCodes being processed, whilst also reducing school administration, so improving the speed at which the system can process all orders.
To start the process, and again to balance the load on the system, for this week, we request that only orders required for release this week and next week are placed on the system initially adhering to the guidance set out. Orders required for release w/c 27th can be placed on the system from w/c 20th April.
We’ll be continuing to carefully manage the service and capacity over the coming week and therefore can confirm that the site will be open between the hours of 8am and 10pm.
We thank you for your continued patience. We appreciate it has been challenging to have a new process implemented very quickly. We’d also like to thank you in advance for your support in adhering to the guidance and the new instructions outlined in this communication. We are confident working in this way will enable support to get to families in a faster and more timely manner.
Kind regards, Edenred UK on behalf of The Department for Education
