A Lancashire primary school headteacher has received widespread praise on social media today after her lockdown letter to parents goes viral.
The letter has been described as something that “all parents need to hear right now”.
Sarah White – headteacher at Coates Lane Primary School in Barnoldswick – wrote to parents and carers “surviving the pandemic” at her school last week to highlight that “times are tough at the moment” amid England’s third national coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown, with many having embarked on week four of homeschooling as schools remain closed to all but key worker and vulnerable children.
As a parent herself, who’s own two children “have been set an immense amount of work from their school”, Mrs White said she’s also feeling the strain and acknowledged that parents’ “mental health [is] taking a battering”.
But she praised them for what they are doing to get by, and said they’ll “get through this pandemic together”.
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In the letter – which has amassed hundreds of interactions and shares on the school’s social media pages and via additional posts shared by parents online – Mrs White said: “Whatever your personal circumstances, you are doing a great job. If your child has had lots of microwave meals, stayed up too late, played too much on the Xbox and not finished all their school work… THAT’S OK!
“We know our pupils are safe, loved and cared for and that is the most important thing at the moment.”
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She adds: “All we ask is that you do your best” and “if your best is a quick 30 minutes of reading or times tables here and there, that’s OK”.
“Please do not let school work put any extra pressure on you when you are trying to hold down jobs, earn a living and keep your children safe,
“Everyone’s circumstances are very different and we appreciate that.”
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After closing out the letter assuring that while the school “may be closed to a lot of our pupils, we are still here emotionally for all of our families”, and offering up their aid for a “a chat, virtual cuppa, or a cry”, parents and carers have commented on the post to thank Mrs White for the “very important message”.
“So many people and their children are feeling pressure from so many directions right now,” said one.
Another added: “This letter would have helped to ease that pressure for so many of your parents. Sincerely, well done to you as a head and as a school for recognising that the mental health and wellbeing of your parents and children is the priority right now in this crazy world.”
A third simply said: “This is a wonderfully inspirational post”.
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KFC have launched their own perfume – oh, and a new burger
Danny Jones
Fast food giants KFC have launched their very own perfume in one of the weirdest marketing stunts we’ve seen in a long while.
That being said, we definitely want a bottle.
KFC‘s fried chicken-themed fragrance launches next month and is fashionably named ‘No 11 Eau de BBQ’, a nod to their newest menu item, the Ultimate BBQ Burger, which we also want in our possession as soon as humanly possible.
The franchise’s new signature scent launches in just a week’s time and, yes, you can genuinely buy it along with the new burger for a limited time only.
The UK-only release actually sold out when it came to pre-orders but Brits will be able to get their hands on another batch when the second lot drops on 7 May.
Promising a charcoal and smoky wood-scented aroma that immediately transports you to your mate’s back garden as he turns cheap burger patties into overly blackened dry pucks of meat that you definitely would’ve cooked better if you were in charge, the stunt is also helping raise money for non-profits.
Available in 100ml bottles and for just £11, 100% of the proceeds of every sale will go towards the KFC Foundation, which supports grassroots organisations empowering young people to unleash their potential and build a positive future in local communities across the country.
As for the burger that inspired it, the special edition menu item is a nod to BBQ season gradually approaching and they’ve even made a nod to our famously reliable British weather and its attempts to derail the art of outdoor grilling in a new advert.
KFC perfume and a new burger? Christmas has come well early this year.
The Ultimate BBQ Burger has already launched and will be on the menu until 9 June, priced at £6.49 or £9.99 for a box meal which comes with the burger, a regular mini fillet, regular fries, BBQ sauce and a drink.
And don’t worry, it’ll be available on delivery too — we know we’ve had problems with that when it comes to specials in the past.
As KFC’s No 11 Eau de BBQ perfume, you can wait in the online queue like everyone else HERE and let’s just say you’ll be fighting us and plenty of other Mancs for every last drop.
Wayne Rooney joins the cast of Gary Neville’s The Overlap
Danny Jones
Wayne Rooney has secured a new job just a few months on from departing as Birmingham City head coach, with the Manchester United and England legend being named as the latest member of The Overlap team.
Set to join the cast of the popular Stick to Football online series alongside the likes of former teammates Gary Neville and Roy Keane, as well as the rest of the recurring panel.
Rooney is also set to feature on various other shows across The Overlap channel, including the likes of their regular fan debates and other interviews with athletes and well-known figures.
They announced the signing in true transfer window fashion as well.
As transfer expert Fabrizio Romano quips in the video, Rooney “has signed an agreement with The Overlap” and is expected to make his debut very soon
‘Wazza’ has appeared as a pundit on Sky Sports in recent weeks and has even been spotted playing some FIFA with comedy YouTuber AngryGinge as part of his pro clubs series, but hasn’t been in a steady role since being sacked as the Birmingham manager at the start of the year.
Having already appeared as a guest in one of the most popular episodes of Stick to Football and clearly sharing a strong chemistry with his old friends – as well as the likes of fellow Scouser Jamie Carragher, Jill Scott and Ian Wright – it looks to be a natural fit for the sport-based channel.
The 38-year-old revealed some pretty interesting details about his playing and managerial career last time around, not to mention some of the other offers he’s had since…
Rooney reiterated during his own interview that his primary focus is still on coaching and finding his next managerial role, but for the time being, he’ll be bringing the insight of another ex-pro to the popular YouTube channel.
Speaking on his latest move, the former striker said, “I’m excited to announce that I will be joining my good mate Gary Neville and the team at The Overlap to appear on the channel across some of their brilliant shows on YouTube and the podcast. I can’t wait to get started”.
With an episode from at least one of their series going out most weeks, you can expect to see the footballing legend back on the channel soon.