Friday 26th February

It’s been an incredible few days with our wonderful Foundation Phase children filling half the school with smiles and laughter. The sun has even made an appearance for us! If we all continue to play our part, our school family could be complete with the return of KS2 in a few weeks.

A reminder to KS2 that live check-ins will take place twice a week from now on. Teachers have thoroughly enjoyed catching up with the children this week. Home Learning has resumed  and we are extremely proud of the effort that children (and parents) continue to put into learning from home.  Remember, we are here to help in any way we can. Do not let home learning be the cause of anxiety! Pick up the phone or email if you need any support!

 School meals

The kitchen will be providing school meals again from next week. Please check your SQUID account if you wish your child to have school dinners (these will be eaten in the classroom).

Drop off and pick up

A big thanks to parents for following the guidelines at drop off and pick up. It is a way of the whole school community showing support as we hope for a return to school for KS2 children. Just a reminder:

• One parent/carer only
• Keep your distance
• Wear a mask

                               What’s on next week? 

Monday 1st March – St David’s Day

Thursday 4th March – World Book Day

 

Important – Lateral Flow Tests for Staff  

As you may know from the media, all education staff across Wales are being asked to take Lateral Flow Tests, for signs of Covid19 in asymptomatic people, twice weekly.  Staff will be completing these at home and all results recorded.  Should a member of staff display a positive result, the school will be informed immediately, and Public Health Wales Advice will be followed.

In the event of a staff member displaying a positive lateral flow test:

1. The staff member will need to immediately self-isolate with their family members and arrange for a full PCR test as soon as possible.     
2. We will notify you of a positive result in your class via text. If the staff member has been in class within 48 hours, children and staff working in the class will be asked to self-isolate until the PCR test result.
3. If the PCR test is positive, 10 days self-isolation will be required for staff and pupils identified as close contacts. 
4.  If the PCR test is negative, the class can return to face to face teaching. 
5. We will notify you of the outcome of the PCR test as soon as possible.

As always, if you have any concerns regarding wellbeing, home learning or any other issues, contact us as soon as possible!

                   Have a great weekend!

Mr Jamie Evans (Acting Headteacher)

evansj737@hwbcymru.net

Important – Lateral Flow Tests for Staff  

As you may know from the media, all education staff across Wales are being asked to take Lateral Flow Tests, for signs of Covid19 in asymptomatic people, twice weekly.  Staff will be completing these at home and all results recorded.  Should a member of staff display a positive result, the school will be informed immediately, and Public Health Wales Advice will be followed.

In the event of a staff member displaying a positive lateral flow test:

1. The staff member will need to immediately self-isolate with their family members and arrange for a full PCR test as soon as possible.     
2. We will notify you of a positive result in your class via text. If the staff member has been in class within 48 hours, children and staff working in the class will be asked to self-isolate until the PCR test result.
3. If the PCR test is positive, 10 days self-isolation will be required for staff and pupils identified as close contacts. 
4.  If the PCR test is negative, the class can return to face to face teaching. 
5. We will notify you of the outcome of the PCR test as soon as possible.

 

Foundation Phase updates

KS2 letter

Return to school letter February.

10 02 21 Letter to Parent Carer Primary Schools v1

Partial return to school – Foundation Phase

While we wait for key information and guidance from Welsh Government and the Local Authority, we are unable to provide details of the partial return to school.  Once we have this information, we will ensure that the plans for the return of our Foundation Phase are shared with you, hopefully by Thursday!

In the meantime we are able to communicate the following:-

1. Half Term 15th to 19th February – The school will not be open to any pupils during this week.
2. School Closure Monday 22nd Feb –  In line with all schools across Swansea, the school will be closed to ALL pupils on Monday 22nd February.  This is a Swansea directive to enable all schools to prepare for its partial re-opening.
3. Partial re-opening – The aim is for pupils from Nursery to Y2 to return to school from February 23rd. We are unclear whether this will be on a full time or part time basis.
4. Breakfast Club – There will be no breakfast club until further notice.

Thanks again for your continued support and patience! As always, if you have any concerns, please get in touch!

Mr Jamie Evans (Acting Headteacher)

evansj737@hwbcymru.net

 

 

 

 

 

Friday February 5th

Welsh Government have today announced plans for a return to school for Foundation Phase children after half term. We will be working alongside the local authority and cluster schools to prepare for a safe return to school for Foundation Phase. We will provide more details next week. Welsh Government have given no firm indication of when Key stage 2 pupils will return but we will keep you fully updated.

Wellbeing

Today’s announcement is a clear sign that we are heading in the right direction. There is light at the end of the tunnel but the tunnel has proved to be longer than we had hoped for. Talk of a return to school will be music to the ears of many but will cause anxiety for others. Home Learning and the juggling of family circumstances are amongst other reasons which may be causing anxiety at this time. It is really important that you reach out if your children, or yourselves, are struggling. As I have said before, you will not be alone! We are here to help in any way we can! The following links could provide some support in dealing with anxiety and wellbeing concerns in children.

Charlotte Lowe – Support for parents and carers

10 minute activities to support wellbeing

We are trying to keep in regular contact with all our families via Home Learning platforms, email and phone. Please don’t hesitate to make contact if you have any concerns, queries or need advice!

Weekly Live Check-ins – Microsoft Teams

Every class in school has had the opportunity to attend a live check-in again this week. All the staff have thoroughly enjoyed catching up with the children. If you are having problems blurring the screen, please ensure the session takes place in an appropriate room with regard for what’s visible in the camera shot. You will receive an invite for next week’s check-ins. The easiest way to check your invite is through the Teams calendar. Next week’s check-ins are:

Monday – Reception, Year 1 (am), Nursery (pm)

Tuesday – Year 2

Wednesday – Year 3 and 4

Friday – Year 5 and 6

If you haven’t completed the consent from and wish your child to take part please low the link:

Live check-in consent

 Internet Safety Day

Current circumstances mean it is more important than ever to ensure our children understand how to remain safe when online. Staff will be sharing more information with children next week.

Digital support

If you have any issues surrounding technology/devices or accessing the learning online, please contact the school for support. Additionally, if you require paper versions of activities, let us know!

Emergency Childcare provision

We continue to provide a service to our most vulnerable children and those key workers that have no other option available to them. If you wish to discuss accessing this provision, please contact the school by phone or email. Please note that Emergency Childcare provision will not be available during half term (wb 15.2.21).

Stay safe and have a good weekend!

            Mr Jamie Evans (Acting Headteacher)

           evansj737@hwbcymru.net

We have provided the link below from Charlotte Lowe to support dealing with anxiety in children.

Charlotte Lowe – Managing Anxiety – Presentation for parents

 

https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/parents-and-carers/