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St Matthew's Primary School
Norfolk Street
Cambridge
CB1 2LD
 
14th June 2006
 
Dear Parents and Carers,
 
Last week the school attracted considerable publicity for its plans to introduce the Junior Librarian computer programme into the school. I thought it would be appropriate to update you on this matter.
 
Parents will have received a letter from myself responding to one handed out at the school gate on Wednesday in which two parents outlined some concerns that they had about the system - specifically the Identikit part of the system which enables children to use their thumb and issues about legality and parental consent.
 
I have since met with the parent who wrote the initial letter raising his concerns. These discussions have been useful in gaining a full understanding of where the main concerns lie. While we respect each other's viewpoints there are some issues on which we have agreed to differ. We addressed some of the identified issues in our letters and while we disagree with some of the statements we each made, we accept it was not the intention of either party to mislead anyone regarding the issues associated with Junior Librarian. For practical reasons and the good of the school, we both now want the school and its library project to move forward.
 
We feel that the events of last week have given everyone a very clear picture of how the system works and many of the issues involved with its use. The majority of parents have raised no concerns with the system.
 
To clarify once more - the use of the system is not compulsory - library cards can be issued to children whose parents do not wish their child to use it. This we have done for the parents who have raised concerns. Parents may change their mind in the future, either to have a library card or for their child to use their thumb instead. We are asking parents to opt out of the system rather than opt in - therefore, if you do not wish your child to use the system and have not yet told us so, please let the school office know by the end of the week.
 
Thank you for all your support for the development of the new school library. We are all looking forward to it being fully up and running and are excited about the benefits it will bring to our children's education.
 
Yours sincerely,
 
 
 
Tony Davies
Head Teacher