Don't forget to keep checking back to see what we've been up to!

• Mental Health Support

  Thu 28 Jan 2021

  Dear families,

  Hopefully this finds you well.

   

  Over the past year, we've all been asked to deal with an ever changing situation - which can threaten our well being and to be frank, our lives. It is easy to ignore how this is impacting on our mental health until it is too late.

   

  This isn't good and we have to help each other to ensure that we are keeping ourselves safe.

   

  There are lots of ways we can improve 'low mood' - including going outside for a walk, taking some exercise, listening to music, having a chat to friends (in a socially distanced COVID secure way) etc - but sometimes, we may need a little more help and support.

   

  You may remember a little while ago, we sent out information about Kooth (you can tap/click here for the website) which helps young people aged 10 - 25 years old. This is an amazing service and one that we would proactively encourage you to get your children to access.

   

  But what about those of us above the age of 25? What's out there for us?

   

  Well  , why not try Qwell (you can tap/click here for the website).  Quell is a free, anonymous online counselling and emotional wellbeing service for adults aged over 26 years of age.

   

  You can now receive counselling sessions from qualified counsellors via an online chat-based platform.

   

  Chats can either be accessed through a drop-in service or pre-booked sessions from any connected device.

   

  The site is:

  • open 24 hours a day;
  • able to offer one-to-one counselling sessions with a qualified counsellor are available from 12-noon until 10pm on weekdays;
  • available for one-to-one counselling sessions from 6pm until 10pm on weekends

   

  You are also be able to take advantage of a range of self-help tools from reading and contributing to articles, peer to peer support via online discussion boards as well as journals and goal trackers.

   

  This is an amazing free service, and whilst you may not be able to get out to meet people - this service will be a useful life line to help you understand that you are not alone.

   

  If you don't want to access this service, but would like to chat to a member of our team - you can do that too. We are always ready for a chat on the phone, via a screen, share a cuppa, a giggle or a cry. You know where we are.

   

  Keep safe, keep well and know you are not alone - we are all here for each other.

   

  Meic and the team.

  

• Additional Help from Royal Borough of Greenwich

  Wed 13 Jan 2021

  Good afternoon!

   

  Hope this finds you well and keeping yourselves safe.

   

  The Royal Borough of Greenwich have sent out details of organisations and helplines that maybe of use to you, your family or your neighbours:

   

  The Greenwich Community Hub

   

  The Community Hub, delivered by Charlton Athletic Community Trust can help you with social support, advice and connect you to local services that can help with whatever challenge you are facing. You can ask for help for yourself or someone you know.

   

  Call on Freephone : 0800 470 4831 - lines are open Monday to Saturday - 8.30am to 6pm

  Email : covid19support@royalgreenwich.gov.uk

  Web: royalgreenwich.gov.uk/communityhub

   

  Greenwich Emergency Support Scheme

   

  This was set up by RBG to provide discretionary support to local residents during difficult times, do not have enough resources to meet their needs in the short-term.

   

  To qualify you must be:

   

  • a resident of Royal Greenwich
  • 18 years old or over - or aged 16-17 and living with parents or guardians
  •  

  For more information - click here

   

  Mental Health and Well-being Support

   

  If you are feeling lonely, isolated and don't have anyone to talk to, the Royal Greenwich Hub offers a befriending service free of charge. Call a friendly advisor today on : 0800 470 4831

   

  Live Well Greenwich

   

  If you are struggling to deal with the practical issues and daily life, you can get support from the following:

  • Children/Young Parents - (click here)
  • Parents/Carers - (click here)

   

  If you need urgent help:

   

  • Oxleas Crisis Line : 0800 330 8590 (24 hour service)
  • Samaritans : 116 123 (24 hours service)
  • Call 111

   

  Stay Warm and Stay Safe

   

  Now it's Winter, we are spending more time indoors. If you are struggling with winter fuel bills and heating your home, then we may be able to help. Call 0800 470 4831 to talk to a friendly advisor.

   

  Obviously, if you need advise or help, please contact either Neal, Jill or Meic - as we will be more than happy to help.

   

  Keep safe

  Meic

• Prime Ministers Announcement - What does it mean?

  Mon 04 Jan 2021

  Dear Parent ,

  You will now know that we are all back in National Lock down which means tighter restrictions on our daily lives until February half term … but not on education for vulnerable and key/critical worker children which covers children in special schools and DSPs. 

   

  As of tonight, you can only be outside of your home for:

  • Shopping for essentials
  • Going to work – you are legally permitted to leave your area to go to work
  • Exercise with your household once per day and stay within your local area
  • Seek medical assistance or to avoid domestic abuse
  • Attend education/childcare for those who are eligible
  • Schools, Colleges must remain open for vulnerable children and critical workers

   

  What does this mean for us in the Imperium Federation?

   

  From the Prime Ministers announcement, nothing has altered for London schools from how they worked this morning.

   

  All schools are closed to children of all ages - except those who are

  deemed vulnerable or key worker children.

   

  What we do know that this announcement will bring back fears and feelings that you had during the first lock down and will be concerned about doing the right thing for your child.

   

  We will support you in whatever decision you make.

   

  If you want to keep your child at home and access remote learning - we are more than happy to do this whilst still providing the education and support we have become renowned for.

   

  We will ensure that if you are entitled to Free School Meals - these will still continue,as will therapies and counselling and we will continue to interact fully with you until you are confident for your child to return.

  If you choose to keep sending your child into school, we will provide face to face education in line with COVID-19 secure guidelines.

   

  Part of our planning will be to reduce the amount of exposure that our staff and families are exposed to whilst continuing to teach.

   

  This will include LFT (Lateral Flow Testing - the rapid test), for children and staff at King's Oak and staff at Waterside. We are not able to offer LFT for children under Year 7 at present.

   

  It may also include changes to staffing on certain days so that staff can prepare on-line learning as well as face to face learning, so your child may not always be taught by their class / form teacher. You will be fully informed of any changes.

   

  As a team and members of the Governing Board, tomorrow we will be discussing transition preparation/ filling the gap work / examinations and ensuring that your children are not disadvantaged - whether they come to school or not. 

   

  Tonight has changed our plans once again, but we know we can rely on your support and understanding whilst we try to manage this situation and make it safe for everyone.

   

  If you chose not to send your child into school tomorrow, please let either Jill, Neal or Meic know asap, so we can organise online learning, alter meal provision and cancel transport (where needed).

  Thank you once again for your continued support.

  Meic and the entire Imperium family

• Updates

  Sun 03 Jan 2021

  Dear Parent/Guardian/Carer,

  Thank you for your continued support and patience during, what must seem, to be another round of confusion and uncertainty for you all.

   

  So that we can make this as easy for you all, please see below:

   

  • Both Waterside and King’s Oak schools are open to pupils as usual tomorrow
  • Transport will pick up and drop off as usual – though please ensure that your child wears a face covering when getting onto transport
  • Unless circumstances change, we will continue to provide face to face, in school education as usual
  • If you child would be more comfortable wearing a face covering whilst in class, they are welcome to do so
  • We will continue with our strict hygiene protocols as before
  • We should be offering LFT (the rapid testing) to all in King’s Oak this week and Waterside shortly afterwards. Parents at King’s Oak have received an electronic form to give permission for this to go ahead. Please contact us if you haven’t received it (it should be in the Parent Mail App and your in-box)
  •  

  If you chose to keep your child at home – that is fine with us too. We will not force you to return your child, but for logistics we do need your help so:

   

  • If you chose to keep at home, they will have to remain at home for the entire week – you cannot pick and choose which days you wish to send them in.
  • This is so that staff can provide education ; catering are able to support with food boxes (where needed) ; transport are able to be consistent with pick up and drop off – which supports test/trace.
  • We will work with you to help return your child to school when you are happy to do so.
  • If you chose to keep your child at home, please notify Jill (at King’s Oak) or Neal (at Waterside) immediately, so we can alter transport and ensure that your child receives their education immediately.

   

  We also need you to continue to be honest about any infections that are in your home – COVID-19 and others (such as coughs, colds etc) as we need to try (as we have done since March) to keep any infections out of the building so that we are not flooding the health service.

   

  If you have any questions, then please direct them to me so that I can help get the answers and support you need,

  As ever – keep safe

  Meic