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I sent this message last year after reading a tweet from Geoff Barton, wise words, thought it was relevant so here it is again.
The decision to close a school for any reason is the headteacher’s. It’s an example of where accountability lies firmly and unavoidably with us. We know that, in those dark early hours when many people will still be sleeping, the decision we take we will be open to criticism. And so it will be today, with a familiar frenzy about lazy teachers, namby-pamby heads, and a nostalgic refrain about how schools didn’t close in the misty-eyed days of yesteryear. So, for the record, let me describe how and why I took the decision not to open today. My first responsibility therefore on a day like today is to make sure that the children and staff are safe. A number of our teachers travel more than twenty miles to work. I know that it looks fine in Greenfield but some staff have had a 2 hour drive to get to school while others have not made it out at all. I am truly sorry that I have put staff in a tricky position and the journey to school has been treacherous. We are lucky to have such a dedicated team. I am always very conscious about the snow and check so many weather apps it is not real (all of which tell me a different thing). I have 260 children and families and 50 staff to think about. Today we could not guarantee having sufficient teachers safely in school in time to cover all the classes. I know that I will now spend the day questioning – and being questioned about – whether we made the right decision. As the philosopher taught us: ‘the risk of a wrong decision is preferable to the terror of indecision’. Today I did what my job requires. I took a decision. Please stay safe.
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A significant number of staff have had an extremely difficult journey to school this morning.
We will be closed due to staff and pupil safety. Apologies for inconvenience. We tried our best to stay open. Zumba classes with Lisa will be in the school hall on Wednesday evening from 7pm - 8pm costing £5 a session.
All welcome. Today in class we worked out our schools Carbon Footprint using https://offset.climateneutralnow.org/footprintresult
We looked at the gas and electricity bills. We used the carbon footprint calculator and found that it was 64.04 tonnes of CO2. We then used https://offset.climateneutralnow.org/allprojects to offset our Carbon Footprint. As a class we decided which project to support. We have invested in the, Trang Palm Oil Wastewater Treatment Project in Trang Province, Thailand. Trang Palm Oil is a crude palm oil processing plant in southern Thailand, the project prevents wastewater from decomposing. The project not only minimizes methane emission, but also reduces odor pollution. Besides, it helps to improve environmental consciousness among local farmers and surrounding communities. We have paid £26 that means we are contributing to a climate-neutral society and supporting sustainable development around the globe! Next week we will be calculating our Carbon Footprint. You can have a go by following this link.
https://offset.climateneutralnow.org/footprintcalc We will then offset our carbon footprint by investing in the United Nations Carbon offset platform. Our children will have a look at the projects and decide where we will invest. I have also emailed our pledge to climateneutralnow@unfccc.int Taking the pledge demonstrates our commitment to climate action. We will join a community of educators who are taking bold and decisive steps to address climate change. On Tuesday the Daily Post are coming to school to take photographs for their St David's Day edition. If you would like your child to be involved please send them in with a Welsh costume in a bag labelled with their name on.
We have a date for a computing course. The first session will begin on Mon 4th Feb 9.15am - 11.15am. Places are limited so if you are interested please get in touch with @juliekinnair
World Read Aloud Day will be celebrated this year on Friday, February 1st.
The idea is to encourage people from our community to come into school and read a book aloud to our children. If you are interested please get in touch and I will give you further details. On Wednesday 6th Feb Mrs Lloyd has arranged for a Dr Bike day. This is an opportunity to bring bikes in so they can have a safety check and any small repairs can be carried out.
Bikes can be dropped off in the morning by the bike stands. |
AuthorMr Cass, Headteacher Archives
December 2020
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