With Easter approaching, Ripon Grammar School (RGS) is doing its bit to support the NHS, by donating safety spectacles to Darlington Memorial Hospital.

All pairs of new and nearly new spectacles from the school’s laboratories have been given to Darlington and Durham NHS Trust’s medical director, Jeremy Cundall, for use by key hospital workers. RGS head of science, Dr Richard Grime, said:

“They were accepted with grateful thanks. The school is only too happy to donate anything that can help in the fight against coronavirus.”

While RGS thinks of the wider community, it has also been reflecting on the school community and the early closure caused by the coronavirus crisis.

Headmaster Jonathan Webb, spoke of the ‘sense of sorrow’ that the school community felt with the early departure of year 11 and 13 students.

In a message to students, their families and staff, he said:

“We have been living in strange times, with the school running largely in a virtual world.”

Mr Webb, added:

“We have particularly felt a sense of sorrow that our year 11 and 13 students departed school rather earlier than was expected and that their end goal of preparing for formal examinations, which they have worked so hard towards over the last two years, will not be happening. Once we have greater clarity from Ofqual, we will work hard to ensure the right grades are awarded for these two year groups.”

Mr Webb (pictured above) said that there will be opportunities to welcome the school’s departing leavers back as RGS hopes to run a reunion event for upper sixth-formers.

With the focus very much on home working, as students prepare for exams later in the year, RGS psychology teacher, Claire Judd, is keeping in touch with her students and colleagues via Microsoft Teams, and has offered some calming advice. She said:

“You’re not alone” and “Don’t panic.”

Mrs Judd has given practical tips on homeworking for both students and her colleagues.

For students, it includes setting up folders for emails in different in boxes covering each subject, establishing realistic periods of time for completing tasks and ensuring that they get enough sleep.

For both students and fellow teachers, working in isolation at home, the advice is to keep in touch with colleagues and friends and don’t panic.

Mrs Judd pointed out to all:

“You’re not alone in this!”