Schools up-date Sunday 10th Jan
Both Charlton House and St Mary’s College will be re-opening on Monday 11th Jan.
As advised on the previous blog it is important that for reasons of safety on site that a one-way system operates from the top gate entrance to Midanbury Lane and our advice is then to turn right up to Cobden Ave. Traffic movement on-site is restricted by the icy conditions and it is not possible for parents to access or use the College or Charlton playgrounds at the start or end of the day to collect/drop-off students.
Parents collecting College students should make alternative arrangements for pick-up off-site and avoid parking and blocking the schools internal access roads. Charlton procedures for collection will be the same as the drop-off arrangements – Charlton staff will have students ready for collection at the main entrance at 3.15pm where parents may meet children and escort them up to vehicles on the driveway taking care of the conditions underfoot. Prompt collection and departure will be essential in order to keep the traffic flowing on the driveway.
Please note that after school care and homework clubs (Charlton and College) are postponed until further notice.
Staff will be available to help collect and transfer Nursery pupils from vehicles as they stop above the Charlton House main door. A ‘kiss and drop’ approach is desired to maintain traffic flow, however patience and understanding from all site users would be appreciated especially as younger children may find it disconcerting.
On a lighter note, if students would like to e-mail any pictures showing the conditions near them in the last few days, I will display the best of these and ask Fr Michael to select a ‘winning’ picture. Closing date: 15th Jan. Send pictures clearly labelled with your name to www.stmarysoffice@aol.com
Finally – if conditions do deteriorate overnight check the blog again on Monday morning or listen to announcements on Radio Solent.
Brother Francis inspects the school site and yes, its school on Monday !
Thank you for the update! The blog has been a very good way of communication.
Comment by solange de saboya — January 10, 2010 @ 5:06 pm
Do we have to wear school uniform?
Comment by isaac — January 10, 2010 @ 5:16 pm
Whilst I understand the problems with the current weather conditions, could you please advise what ‘alternative arrangements’, parents of College students are supposed to employ re dropping off and collection if they are unable to enter the college grounds. What is the condition of Midanbury Lane ? can we park there? is it passable?
Also ref the suspension of the Charlton after school care facility / Homework Club – are you able to give a precise timeframe as to how long this facility will be unavailable?, as alternative arrangements will need to be made with employers for those who work and use this facility.
Comment by Leigh McCarthy — January 10, 2010 @ 5:23 pm
Yes, full school uniform is expected, with advice that you also wear sturdy shoes and warm outer clothing.
Comment by admin — January 10, 2010 @ 5:52 pm
well it would be more helpful if we could wear non-school uniform because we will be warmer and if we slip over we will have a coat rather than just school uniform because we wont be as wet if we wear something other than school uniform could you please consider this ? thank you
Comment by isaac — January 10, 2010 @ 6:00 pm
When last checked the conditions on Midanbury were hazardous, hence our advice to turn right upto Cobden Ave from the school drive. The constant thawing and re-freezing is making it difficult to anticipate at what point it will become safe but certainly as the school gets back to normal routines we will all be the wiser and further updates can be given on the blog. With regards to drop off, I would suggest that near the upper gate or before the turning to Midanbury on Cobden Rd, older students should be able to walk onto site safely from there.Taking obvious precautions with moving traffic.The suspension of after school care is simply done because of the sub zero temperatures forecast after sunset, this creates further hazards on site. The resumption of this service is weather dependant. We rely on accurate weather forecasts to make our judgments and as soon as these look more encouraging then we will advise parents via the blog. Thank-you for your question and I hope my response has helped.
Comment by admin — January 10, 2010 @ 6:04 pm
There is no debate regarding uniform and certainly I would advise wearing a coat over this on your way to and from school. Please refer to yesterdays blog statement.
Comment by admin — January 10, 2010 @ 6:10 pm
yes this helped partially but i’m talking about if we walk to school or if we slip over in the school grounds
Comment by .. — January 10, 2010 @ 6:10 pm
Please take care, we will attempt to manage the site as safely as possible.
Comment by admin — January 10, 2010 @ 6:40 pm
please can we wear wellington boots to school and then change to school shoes at school?
Comment by nikhil and alisha — January 10, 2010 @ 7:01 pm
The school run this morning went really well with the teachers helping getting the children in safely. It is only a shame that despite the school adm. having asked on the blog for patience and understanding from parents on dropping off, I had a parent blowing the horn and overtaking in the lane, by Charlton, as one of the teachers was helping to get one of the children in my car out, who is only in nursery. Maybe some need to read the blog with more attention and be more patient in times like these! Otherwise, thank you very much for all the teachers who were outside helping.
Comment by solange de saboya — January 11, 2010 @ 10:01 am
Yes, but please make sure you have a separate bag to put them in. Also make sure your name is in them. Most ‘wellies’ look the same.
Comment by admin — January 11, 2010 @ 7:17 pm
Wellington boots may keep feet dry, but often do not have good grip, nor are very warm. In this cold weather it is just as important that feet are warm.
Comment by Geoff — January 11, 2010 @ 8:20 pm