Up-date Weds 13th Jan
Some Snow overnight but both schools are open today.
School Up-date for Weds 13th Jan
The weather forecasts would suggest that we are expecting a band of snow or rain to pass across the County over night and possibly through the course of the day. Temperatures however continue to rise. Given this the school requests that you once again check the blog by 6.30am Weds morning if there is a significant snow fall. Otherwise assume we are open. The one-way system remains in place as do the arrangement for drop-off and collection for Charlton. The College playground is clearing but remains hazardous, I suspect it will be accessable by Thursday. The afterschool and homework clubs remain suspended until further notice.
Thank-you
A big thank-you to all parents and students this morning for the smooth and successful return to College/School. The one-way system appears to have worked well and so I would request that if wish to enter the site that you do so from the ‘top-gate’ and leave via Midanbury. The same drop off and pick-up arrangements will be kept in place for Charlton students on Tuesday simply because of the ice on the school site. The playgrounds remain inaccessible to vehicles and so remain closed until further notice.
Hopefully parents have seen the value of the blog and will continue to use it. While the weather remains poor I would ask that you keep a regular check to see how this is affecting the schools.
Don Bosco Boy’s Camp 2010
Fr. Michael writes:
Please would parents note the details of the Camp given on the front page of the last newsletter. Very few of their boys who expressed an interest in school followed this up. Those who attended in 2009 will automatically receive a form through the post this week but any new campers first need parental permission before booking forms are issued. The Camp is now being advertised around our Diocese and the committee takes first-come-first-served. The first 50 booking forms received are thus accepted and then a waiting list is opened. To avoid disappointment please speak to Fr. Michael immediately.
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 !