Good afternoon

We have a confirmed case of scarlet fever within our setting. Hopefully, this will be a standalone case, but we do keep in mind that this is a highly infectious illness. Bearing this in mind, I have copied the following guidance from Calderdale Public Health. Please contact the GP if you feel your child is showing symptoms of scarlet fever:

Scarlet fever and invasive Group A strep

 Scarlet fever is caused by a bacteria which generally causes a mild infection that can be easily treated with antibiotics. This bacteria also causes other respiratory and skin infections such as strep throat and impetigo. 

 Symptoms of scarlet fever include a sore throat, headache, and fever, along with a fine, pinkish or red body rash with a sandpapery feel. On darker skin, the rash can be more difficult to detect visually but will have a sandpapery feel. Contact NHS 111 or your GP if you suspect your child has scarlet fever, because early treatment of scarlet fever with antibiotics is important to reduce the risk of complications such as pneumonia or a bloodstream infection.

 Scarlet fever is highly infectious, so if your child has scarlet fever, keep them at home until at least 24 hours after the start of antibiotic treatment to avoid spreading the infection to others.

 In very rare circumstances, the bacteria that causes scarlet fever can get into the bloodstream and cause serious illness – called invasive Group A strep (iGAS).  While still uncommon, there has been an increase in invasive Group A strep cases this year, particularly in children under 10.

 If your child is showing signs of deteriorating after a bout of scarlet fever, a sore throat, or a respiratory infection, it is important that you speak to a health professional.  As a parent, if you feel that your child seems seriously unwell, you should trust your own judgement in seeking help.

 Contact NHS 111 or your GP if:

• your child is getting worse
• your child is feeding or eating much less than normal
• your child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration
• your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38°C, or is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39°C or higher
• your baby feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty
• your child is very tired or irritable

 Call 999 or go to A&E if:

• your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs
• there are pauses when your child breathes
• your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue
• your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake

 Good hand and respiratory hygiene are important for stopping the spread of many bugs. By teaching your child how to wash their hands properly with soap for 20 seconds, using a tissue to catch coughs and sneezes, and keeping away from others when feeling unwell, they will be able to reduce the risk of picking up or spreading infections.

Good morning everyone

I have just received an urgent Safeguarding update from Calderdale, which I will share with you. Please see the information below:

This weekend, a Year 5 and 6 group set up by pupils at a local primary school has been hacked through one child’s account, and its name changed to ‘Add your contacts.’

Sadly around 250 children over this weekend have indeed added their contacts, with the hacked account now displaying abusive material including child pornography, which is likely to have originated outside of the UK.

This group account has been reported to both WhatsApp and the Police.

It goes without saying that this is of great concern. The recommended minimum age to hold a WhatsApp account in the UK is currently+16 years. All other popular social media accounts are +13 years. Responsible safeguarding of KS2 children would discourage access to social media until +13. 

If you have considered the risks of your child joining social media and are still happy to take those risks, then please make sure you are extremely pro-active around monitoring your child’s mobile device and any use of social media, ensuring the deletion of any harmful content you find, and deleting any links to accounts, groups, or persons you do not know or have any concerns about. 

Many thanks.

Please note that after Easter, we will be reverting to children getting changed for PE. Children will need to have a PE kit, in a bag, throughout the week, as PE may be taken on different days. We have made this decision due to the number of children attending school in incorrect PE kit—many in their own sports clothes—and this is having a detrimental effect on smartness each day.

Please remember, PE kits are either white or house colour t shirts (school  jumpers if cold), and navy shorts, legging or joggers. We will be purchasing spare PE kits for each class, so if children are wearing incorrect PE kits, they will be able to change into correct kit for the lesson. Let’s get back to being super smart every day!

Please send your child to school with their PE kit in a bag on Tuesday 8th April.

We are having continued problems with our phone lines being down. Please email admin@christchurch-sowerby.calderdale.sch.uk with any urgent and necessary communication.

Many thanks

Snow is starting to stick on the side roads and pavements around school. If you would like to come to pick up, please do so.

Many thanks