Latest News
Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
-
January Updates
Tue 03 Jan 2023Good afternoon to all of our Sacred Heart Community,
Firstly, may we wish you and your families a very Happy New Year and we hope the Christmas break was one filled with family fun.
There are a number of updates that require your attention in preparation for our return tomorrow.
Firstly, Mr Smith remains off at present, and therefore we have a supply teacher in this week, Mr Beaven, who will cover in Y3/4. We will update our parents once we have more information with regards to this staff absence.
Unfortunately, I must also report that Mrs Woolner has been very unwell over the Christmas holiday and remains in Hospital. Mrs Woolner is slowly improving, but she will require quite some time to make a full recovery and be back at work. Therefore, we will also be confirming plans for who will cover both Mrs Woolner's role as Y5/6 teacher and the school SENDCo. I ask that parents bear with us as we organise this cover. We have confirmed a supply teacher for Friday, and Miss Hart will cover this coming Thursday.
As you may have seen from the news in recent days, parents are being urged to be cautious of sending their child in if they are unwell, due to the increased cases in flu, scarlett fever, strep A and Covid-19. Therefore, we urge parents and carers to be cautious if their child remains unwell. However, if you are unsure, please bring your child to school and talk to either Mr Blain or Mrs Boulton in the office.
Finally, I ask that parents ensure their child is in correct uniform each day, including on PE days. We have a full outline of the school's uniform policy on our website: (https://www.shcprimary.co.uk/uniform/) and children are expected to adhere to this policy. Many thanks in anticipation of your support in this matter.
We look forward to welcoming our pupils back to school tomorrow at 08:40am.
Kind regards,
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School
-
Scarlet Fever and Group Strep A infections: December 2022
Fri 09 Dec 2022Dear Parents and Carers,
The school has received several communications from the Department for Education and Norfolk County Council regarding the increased Scarlet Fever and Group Strep A infections compared to normal at this time of year. It is important that families, especially those with younger children, are aware of the risks and the symptoms.
The following information summarises the communication we have received:
There is no evidence that a new strain is circulating, and the increase is most likely related to high amounts of social mixing.
What are Scarlet Fever and Strep A?
Scarlet fever is caused by bacteria called Group A streptococci (Strep A). The bacteria usually cause a mild infection that can be easily treated with antibiotics.
In very rare occasions, the bacteria can get into the bloodstream and cause an illness called invasive Group A strep (iGAS).
What are the symptoms of Strep A/scarlet fever?
Strep A infections can cause a range of symptoms that parents should be aware of, including:
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Fever
- 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
If a child becomes unwell with these symptoms, parents and carers should contact their GP practice or contact NHS 111 (which operates a 24/7 service) to seek advice.
If a child has scarlet fever, advise they stay at home until at least 24 hours after the start of antibiotic treatment to avoid spreading the infection to others.
parents and carers should trust their own judgement and if their child seems seriously unwell call 999 or go to A&E if:
- a child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs
- there are pauses when a child breathes
- a child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue
- a child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake.
How to help prevent Strep A?
To prevent the spread of Strep A, UKHSA advises children, young people to implement good hand and respiratory hygiene practices. The school will reinforce this message over the next few days and next week.
Thank you for taking the time to read this information,
-
Press Release: School Rebuilding Programme: Sacred Heart have been selected!
Tue 12 Jul 2022Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary School in Swaffham has been selected by the Department for Education to be included in the latest round of its Schools Rebuilding Programme (SRP) for priority funding.
The SRP aims to replace or significantly refurbish the poorest condition buildings in 500 of the 25,000 schools in England over the next 10 years. 100 of these schools were identified in 2021, and Sacred Heart has now been identified within the 2022-23 phase of the programme, which currently includes an additional 61 schools, including four in Norfolk.
The Diocese of East Anglia took over the school from the Daughters of Divine Charity in September 2019 and appointed a new Headteacher, Simon Blain, who started in September 2021 and has recently appointed a new Assistant Headteacher, Jessica Woolner.
The SRP funding is for a large-scale project to replace or significantly refurbish one or more buildings at the school.
The Diocese has made a significant capital investment approaching £1 million in the last three years at Sacred Heart, including a new roof, new boilers, new office and replacement fencing. A new pedestrian access will be provided over the summer holiday to improve safety, as well as other health and safety improvements.
At the same time the Diocese recognises that the condition of Sacred Heart’s buildings was amongst the worst within its family of schools, said Helen Bates, Assistant Director of Diocesan Schools, and submitted a bid to the DfE.
“We are thrilled that the DfE has also recognised this level of need and we look forward to working with them in identifying the scope of the building work to be undertaken over the next few years at Sacred Heart,” said Helen.
“Pupil numbers have been growing steadily since September 2019 from around 60 to over 100 now, and with house building continuing in and around Swaffham, we expect these numbers to continue to rise.”
Headteacher Simon Blain said: “I am delighted that Sacred Heart has been chosen to be part of the School Rebuilding Programme. This is a wonderful opportunity to help our pupils grow and learn in an outstanding environment. We are a relatively new and growing primary school with huge aspirations for its pupils and community. We are very excited for the future of all who are part of Sacred Heart.”
Chair of Governors, Flavio Vettese, said: “All the Governors are delighted at this wonderful news. Over the past three years significant support has been given by the Diocese of East Anglia and the rebuilding programme will ensure that Sacred Heart will be brilliantly placed to serve the pupils of Swaffham with an excellent school right at the heart of the town.”
-
Aid to Ukraine
Wed 02 Mar 2022We are now an official drop off point for Waites and Stones Ltd, who are providing haulage for aid to the Ukraine. Anyone is welcome to drop off important and needed resources for the people of Ukraine.
The main areas of need are for medical supplies and dry cat and dog food, but any donations from the following list are also welcome:
- Medical Supplies
- Dry Cat food
- Dry Dog food
- Warm Clothes - All sizes
- Shoes and Boots - All Sizes
- Scarves
- Sleeping Bags
- Ground Mats
- Walkie-Talkies
- Nappies
- Wheelchairs
- Baby Food
- Non-perishable Food Items
Please note that Toys are not required.
Please drop off any of your donations to the school office.
Many thanks for supporting our efforts,
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School
-
School Closure
Tue 07 Dec 2021Unfortunately, due to a burst water main in the town, we do not have any running water - we have closed the school on health and safety grounds and have notified all parents and carers.
-
Open Morning for Prospective Parents: Virtual Tour
Thu 25 Nov 2021Please join us on a virtual tour of Sacred Heart on the 25th November at 9:15am to have a tour of the building and find out more about our school. If you can't make this time, please email our school office to request another appointment.
-
New Website Launched!
Tue 12 Oct 2021Welcome to our brand new school website! We have created the website to keep parents up to date with school news and notices, and to showcase some of the great things our pupils are achieving. The website is extremely easy to edit by all staff at the school, so check back soon for new updates!