See here for the latest news and updates

• A Coronavirus Storybook

  Tue 07 Apr 2020 Julie Fardell

  Here is an illustrated storybook for children, about Coronavirus. You may have to simplify some of the language for younger or less able children, but we encourage you to read it with your children to help them better understand what Coronavirus is, why they need to stay at home at the moment and what they can do to help stop the spread of the virus. It also helps them to understand that it is ok to feel bored, angry, sad or anxious. This really is a book to read together as a whole family. Copy the following link into your browser to open the story:

  https://nosycrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Coronavirus_INSwith-cover.pdf

   

   

• Staying mentally well during the Coronavirus Pandemic - Resources for adults and children

  Mon 06 Apr 2020 Jlie Fardell

  Two Free Courses to Support You During the Coronavirus Pandemic

   

  We’ve developed two free courses to support you at this time:

   

  • COVID19 – Staying Mentally Well – which walks you through simple steps you can take to try to look after your emotional wellbeing
     
  • Simple Self-Soothe Strategies – which introduces you to five simple strategies for relaxation and self-soothing which can be used by adults or children.

• Confirmed case of COVID-19

  Fri 03 Apr 2020 Julie Fardell
  We have learned today that a pupil at Victoria School has tested positive for COVID-19. The child was last in school on 17 March and was confirmed with COVID-19 on 31 March. The child is now at home in self-isolation. Birmingham City Council Education, the Department for Education and Public Health England have been informed. PHE advice is that no further action is necessary. DfE advice was to advise contacts who should follow government guidance if they have any symptoms. The period from 17-31 March does account for the 14 day isolation period for contacts of people with symptoms - the pupil was not at school during this period and will be absent from school for a minimum of a further 3 weeks since diagnosis, so the risk to others is minimal.

• Free School Meals - National Department for Education Scheme - Information for Parents

  Fri 03 Apr 2020 Julie Fardell

  National Free School Voucher Scheme

   

  The National Free School Meal Voucher Scheme is now in the process of being set up, once we have collated parent emails for those pupils who are eligible by benefit-related free school meals, parents will start to receive weekly E-Codes which will be sent to their chosen email address they provided to school.

  When you receive your 16 digit E-Code, you will need to access www.freeschoolmeals.co.uk to choose your preferred supermarket E-Gift card which will be worth £15.00. You will not be able to use the E-Code directly with retailers, it must be exchanged for an E-Gift card.

  Parent & Carer FAQ’s

  How do I use my E-code to select a supermarket E-Gift Card?

  1. Copy the code from your email
  2. Go to www.freeschoolmeals.co.uk
  3. Enter the 16 digit E-Code (you can enter more than one if you have more than one to redeem)
  4. Select your preferred supermarket
  5. Enter the amount and add to basket
  6. Checkout and enter the email address you would like the E-Gift card sent to
  7. Your E-Gift card will be processed and sent (please allow up to 3 hours for it to be delivered to your inbox)

  What Supermarkets can I pick from?

  • Morrisons
  • Tesco
  • Sainsbury’s
  • Asda
  • Waitrose (John Lewis)
  • M&S Food

  How do I know what the value of the E-Code is?

  The value will be stated in the email sent to you by school. This has been set at £15.00 per week for one child. If you have two children attending school you may receive one E-Code at £30.00 or two E-Codes at £15.00

  Do I have to use the full value of the E-Code when choosing my E-Gift card?

  Yes, your balance will be visible on the webpage

  Can I choose to redeem my E-Code at more than one supermarket?

  1. Yes you can mix and match different supermarket retailers within the same order provided that the total you have chosen for each is equal to the value of the E-Code you have entered. For example, a £15.00 E-Code, you could choose £10.00 Tesco and £5.00 Sainsbury’s
  2. Simply enter the value you would like to order on each supermarket E-Gift card and your balance will update automatically

  How long do I have to redeem the E-Code? And what happens if my E-Code has expired?

  1. Your E-Code will expire after 1 month
  2. If your E-Code has expired, it will be cancelled and the money associated is then returned to the Department of Education

  What can I purchase in-store with the E-Gift Card?

  The E-Gift card is issued to you in respect of the Free School Meal benefit and will only be accepted for the purchase of food and groceries

  How do I use a supermarket E-Gift card?

  1. A supermarket E-Gift card is a digital voucher. It contains a link to a barcode which can be presented at the till in-store on a smartphone screen or printed piece of paper
  2. Some E-Gift cards can be used to purchase online groceries please see the table below:

   

  My School has ordered an E-Code for me, but is hasn’t come through to my email?

  1. Check your Junk / Spam / Clutter mail
  2. If this still hasn’t arrived within 3 hours, please contact us via enquiries@victoria.bham.sch.uk
  3.  We can cancel the previously sent E-Code and resend to your correct email address

  I have ordered an E-Gift Card and it hasn’t come through to my Email?

  1. Check your Junk / Spam / Clutter mail
  2. You will receive two emails – one will be a confirmation order and the second email will be the E-Code. If your order confirmation email has arrived, then your E-Card is in a queue and is on its way.
  3. If you have received neither emails, it is possible that you have entered your email address incorrectly at checkout. If you think this maybe the case, please contact freeschoolmealsparentscarers@edenred.com

  I am not able to get to the supermarket?

  You can forward the supermarket E-Gift card to someone else to purchase goods on your behalf if you are unable to get to the supermarket. The E-Gift card email contains a link to a barcode which can be presented at the till in-store.

• Free School Meal Vouchers and Easter Planning

  Thu 02 Apr 2020 Julie Fardell

  Dear parents and carers,

  The Senior Leadership team has today been working hard to set up the new scheme for FSM vouchers for eligible families. We seem to have had success at last in securing the e-vouchers and will get the posted vouchers out as soon as possible.

  Thank you to all families for your endeavours to keep your children safe at home, especially given that many of them come into the category of being especially clinically vulnerable to COVID-19 because of their underlying health conditions. For all people in this category, the advice is to self-isolate for 4 months.

   

  You have all told us that you are able to keep your children safe at home throughout the Easter break. There continue to be lots of great activity and learning ideas on the school website, if you are looking for educational activities to keep your youngsters busy during the Easter holiday. Many museums, zoos and other organisations have also posted educational information and activities too, so do make use of them. Also remember that you have access to Twinkl and Education City.

   

  We will review the situation on school opening after Easter, based on the needs of vulnerable children who might be safer at school than at home, and the children of workers classified as essential to the Coronavirus response , who are unable to make other arrangements for care.

   

  This is a strange new Coronavirus-dominated world and it is our collective responsibility to reduce the spread of infection through staying at home, not engaging in non-essential travel, respecting social distancing, self-isolating as recommended and shielding the vulnerable from exposure to the virus. AND we must all continue to wash our hands frequently, for at least 20 seconds with soap and hot water.

   

  Many people find this a very anxious time. We understand that you may be under real pressure with the children at home whilst trying to do your jobs, perhaps remotely, and potentially caring for  and shielding other vulnerable relatives or neighbours. Unfortunately, some of you will be poorly yourselves, and this makes it a stressful time. Do please take time to rest, relax, eat well, exercise moderately and engage in fun activities. Keep your social connections alive by phone and internet and seek help if you need it. You can still contact the school if you need to and we will be in touch  with you to determine need after Easter. This will certainly be a very different easter holiday, but you can still think about Easter Egg hunts at home, making Easter decorations, baking hot cross buns or having a picnic in the garden. I hope you all find ways to make it enjoyable.

• Mental health support offer launched for Birmingham and Solihull children, young people, adults and key workers

  Thu 02 Apr 2020 NHS

  Dear colleagues

   

  As you will be aware, the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic will be having a range of impacts on local people’s mental health and wellbeing.

   

  We are responding to this by setting out a support offer for our local population.

   

  There is dedicated support available for:

  ·         0-18 year olds in Birmingham

  ·         0-19 year olds in Solihull

  ·         18+ years old in Birmingham and Solihull

  ·         Key workers in Birmingham and Solihull

   

  Support for each of the groups will be available first and foremost through a dedicated telephone line. Full information about how to access the support, including opening hours etc., is available here: www.birminghamandsolihullccg.nhs.uk/your-health/mental-health-support-offer

   

  If you have any questions about this, please contact NHS Birmingham and Solihull CCG at: nhsbsolccg.jointcommissioningteam@nhs.net

   

  Please share this information with your contacts and networks, as appropriate.

   

  Many thanks for your co-operation, at this challenging time.  

   

  NHS Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group