Normally at this time of year we at St. Paul’s have our Annual General Meeting. At this we recognise staff who have worked loyally for the organisation for a high number of years. This year our AGM was done virtually with no way of recognising staff.
New coronavirus restrictions have been announced for Birmingham residents as a result of the government’s new three-tier system. These come into effect TOMORROW: Wednesday, 14 October.
The city has been placed in the ‘alert level 2’ due to infection rates above 100 per 100,000 people. This means households will not be able to meet indoors (except with support bubbles) – including indoor hospitality, leisure and retail. This is in addition to the national ‘rule of six’ and the local ban on meeting other households in private homes – though the rule of six will now apply to private gardens.
A walk-in Covid-19 testing site is currently being setup in Alfred Road car park in Sparkbrook.
St. Paul’s has welcomed two students from Germany who are with us for the next five months.
Charlotte and Kathi come from Ludwigsburg (near Stuttgart) and the Northern Black Forest and are here as part of their respective degree programmes working with children, young people and families. Their German university have a partnership with Newman University in Birmingham who have worked with St. Paul’s for a number of years.
Statement from the Chief Medical Officers and Deputy Chief Medical Officers of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales on the evidence of risks and benefits to health from schools and childcare settings reopening.
On Thursday 16th July 2020 we were able to say our final farewells to our fabulous year 11 pupils. Each and everyone of them have come such a long way since the day they started with us.
Information relating to the NHS Test and Trace service for Covid-19.
NHS test and trace: how it works: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works
A new range of mental health support services are available to support those living in Birmingham and Solihull.
Places are limited, please contact Erin Lacey to book a place.
Erin.Lacey@midlandmencap.org.uk or call 07912268965
With Schools closed as a result of Covid-19, staff with children may be looking for activities to try at home with their children.
Place2Be have pulled together a list of recommended resources for families from some of their trusted partner organisations. The list can be found on their webpages.
Recently a parent sent me a WhatsApp message. “Thank you, Hafsha. We have just visited Buckingham Palace and the Taj Mahal – all in one afternoon! Tomorrow, we are off to see the Pyramids! Thank you!”
The message connected with me on so many different fronts. Firstly, I pondered at the amazing ways technology has enriched our lives. Imagine visiting both these wonderful palaces in a lifetime, never mind in the same afternoon during lockdown! Imagine stepping into the footsteps of those who walked before. How did they live? How did they heat the rooms? What did they eat? How did they home school their children?
I also thought about the learning opportunities and the rich conversations that followed the virtual visits. The pictures drawn, the stories written, the role plays that filled rooms with laughter and the wonderful memories created in a time of so much chaos and worry.
