Dear Parents and Carers

The Kirkby Child

This week will see  the launch of the Kirkby Child across our family of schools. The Kirkby Child started life at Kirkby High School. The school wanted to develop a set of core values and skills with the school community that were  important for students to work towards both in and out  of school.

Following the success of the concept with the school community at Kirkby High School the Headteachers of all the schools in Kirkby agreed this would be something to be adopted across the family of schools.

The Kirkby Schools Council has met on numerous occasions  to discuss and debate the concept and potential values and skills for all children in Kirkby, including pictorial representations of the Kirkby Child. Over fifty different values were identified. Those values were then shared with the wider school community and local businesses to invite thoughts on the most important of the concepts. From those responses, final decisions were made about an agreed set of values for all schools in Kirkby.

• Respectful
• Honest and truthful
• Positive attitude
• Resilient
• Good communicator
• Confident
• Committed and hardworking
• Aspirational and ambitious
• Polite

Your child will come home today with a bookmark outlining the nine values.

In school this week we have introduced The Kirkby Child to the children during assembly and there have been lots of opportunities to discuss the values during class activities. The Kirkby Child has visited all classes and we have displayed posters around the school.

We would like every child in Kirkby to reflect the set of values in the way they conduct themselves both within and outside of the school.

Thank you for your support.

Miss J. Withey

Headteacher Eastcroft Park Primary School

As I am sure you are aware, we are experiencing increasing reports of diarrhoea and vomiting in schools in Knowsley and across the North West. Combined with this we now have increasing numbers of schools reporting flu-like illness in staff and pupils. There has been an increase in confirmed flu cases in the community in the North West.

I am writing to ask that you remain vigilant and follow these few important steps:

·         Those reporting diarrhoea and vomiting should exclude themselves from school until 48 hours after the diarrhoea and/or vomiting have stopped

·         Those who are affected by flu like illnesses should stay off school until they have recovered and have not had a fever for at least 24 hours

·         Promote good hand hygiene as hand washing with soap is an effective way to stop infections from spreading.