Dear Parents
I know that many of us are sick of hearing about the Covid pandemic and we are trying to live as normal a life as possible, masks and sanitisers aside. The scare in the last two weeks, after a few teenage parties, was probably a wake up call for all as to how easily we could have a sudden virus spread from a few large, indoor gatherings. Thankfully all our Matrics could write their first Matric exam this Monday, but if the gatherings had happened a few days later, some of them could have been prevented from writing, with the result that they would have had to write a supp in June 2021. So, the stakes are high and it was a wake up call for our Matrics.
But I think it is a wake up call for us all to remain on our guard at the same time as we try to get out and be social and enjoy life. I have noticed over the last two weeks a few more boys quarantining because a family member has tested positive or is awaiting a test outcome as a result of another contact situation. The numbers are really quite small but I think we are going to have slight swells from time to time in our community. We are very grateful to our families for being cautious in these cases and informing us immediately. School remains a very controlled environment, particularly in the classrooms, and we have to continue monitoring this very carefully: masks, distance and sanitising. The boys are generally good but they are social beings and forget very easily too.
Why am I writing this to you? I suppose because “pandemic fatigue” is a reality for us all now. We want to get on with our lives, no matter what age we are. But we also don’t want what we are suddenly seeing in parts of the UK, Europe and the US.
We are planning for next year as though all activities and extra-mural programmes can go ahead with fixtures, eisteddfodau and the like taking place. But I do think we will still be wearing masks, social distancing inside and sanitising. It’s unlikely we will be holding assemblies in Jagger, but hopefully we will be able to hold a full Prep assembly outside. We have run three timetables this year so we can revert if necessary to any one of them. But our hope is for a full programme.
So, this is just a reminder that as with our boys – who do need each other, need to play, to run and compete, to enjoy the outdoors, the mountains and the beaches – we must continue to be careful and, extra specially, indoors.
Enjoy your weekend.
Kind regards
GREG BROWN
HEADMASTER |