Latest school news
MAY 2021
School resumed on May 10th, there were no issues 131 children were in school.
Our treasurer, Keith, has completed the 'virtual' walk from Lands End to John o'Groats. 874 miles in total approximately 7.5 miles per day over the last 113 days, managing to raise over £1400 towards the MPS feeding programme.
It was discovered that the water pump at the well has broken down, another example of how unexpected costs hit the school from time to time. The issue was resolved within 3 days.
APRIL 2021
National assessments took place in March this was about the last activity to take place before yet again schools were ordered to close by the government due to a rise in Covid infections. The school closed for the Easter break, the school will resume for teaching on 10th May (hopefully). Grade 8 pupils have completed their academic year and so grade 8 won’t resume till July.
The trustees took the opportunity during this time to review the situation regarding kindergarten classes the registration of the school includes for these classes & new registration would be required without them. It was decided therefore to retain the kindergarten but split to morning and afternoon classes with one teaching serving them – in this way the teacher savings made in November would still work.
Our partnership with Euxton CofE Primary is working well the 2 schools recently shared videos of the children doing certain activities such as a bit of acting, a gymnastic balance act and also a sack race these can be seen on the MPS facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FriendofMikoroshoniPS
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2021 - The school is still operating under strict Covid guidelines which obviously puts a strain on the dtaffing arrangements and also the finances of the charity. Our treasurer, Keith, started a 'virtual' walk from Lands End to John o'Groats to raise funds for our feeding programme. The distance is 874 miles and he is walking betwwen 5 & 7 miles on averarge a day (sometimes more!), then logging the miles on the endtoend challenge website which plots his progress. As of the end of March Keith has covered 530 miles of the walk which started on 18/1/2021, so far over £1000 raised for the fund. https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KeithTrinnaman4
MPS were fortunate to be invited to take part in an online International Rally held by the Rotary District 1285. 27 charities, small & large, took part and were each given up to 6 minutes to present the works of their charity. MPS get good support from Rotary clubs and very much appreciated this opportunity.
JANUARY 2021 – Happy New Year to you all. School started back on 5th January, 252 children attending classes grade 1 to grade 8. However due to the restrictions with regard to social distancing we have had to split the classes to allow space in classrooms. As such we are having to run morning and afternoon classes. Taking temperatures as children enter the school, ensuring they wash hands, use sanitisers and are wearing masks – our teaching staff are doing a wonderful job given the circumstances. January also saw us resume our feeding programme so are happy that the children are getting at least one meal a day. Between 18th and 22nd January students in grade 1 to 7 will be doing national assessments set from the government education department, so we will be able to measure how the children have coped without schooling for almost 10 months.
December 2020 - Still only class 4 & 8 in school all being well full school classes will resume in January for the start of the new academic year, however due to financial constraints we are not able to support the kindergarten classes so the start age at MPS will be aged 6 into class 1. MPS children and Euxton C of E Primary School shared a day of juice & biscuits and chocolate drinks respectively, as part of the new partnership that is being formed between the schools. Thanks to generous supporters donations we were able to ensure every child at the school received one bag of Ugali flour which will provide some meals for their families. The teachers at MPS undergo training from the government education department for 4 days just befor the Christmas break. The students in class 4 & class 8 took their grade 4 & standard 8 assessments, starting 16th December.
November 2020 - Contact made from a school in Chorley, Euxton C of E Primary School, who would like to engage in a long term partnership with MPS. This will provide great benefit for the pupils of both schools as they get to understand the education processes and cultures of each other. More news on this as the partnership develops.
October 2020 - School re-opened in October with various restrictions having to be adhered to due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Only class standard 4 & 8 returned to school, hopefully other classes will resume in January for the start of their academic year.
April 2020 - To protect the security of the school a skeleton staff remain on duty at MPS. All other staff, unfortunately, put on a retention wage along with some food provisions on a monthly basis.
March 2020 - Instructions from the Kenyan Government & the Education Department meant that due to the pandemic all schools will close with immediate effect. Therefore we await further guidance in due course.
Footnote:
‘The Friends of Mikoroshoni Primary School’ need many more supporters if the school is to continue to develop. If you would like to make a donation or join our £40 a year Gift Scheme then please contact us – the details are given below:
www.justgiving.com then entering Mikoroshoni in their search box, this will display the ‘Friends of Mikoroshoni PS’ page and double click on this to see our site.