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Month: December 2020

Revised start date – 11th Jan 2021

Mrs Owen Leave a comment

A letter from Ms B.

Start 11th Jan 2021

Re: REVISED ARRANGEMENTS FOR JANUARY AT ST JOSEPH’S INFANT SCHOOL

31st December 2020

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Following discussions with Welsh Government officials, the Local Authority has decided that all schools in Neath Port Talbot will not return to school for face-to-face teaching until Monday 11th January. Therefore, we will be providing online learning for our pupils. However, face to face learning will be provided for vulnerable pupils and children of critical workers from Wednesday 6th January 2021. If you child falls into either of these categories, please text reply CRITICAL WORKER COVER.

Therefore, to ascertain numbers of pupils attending/ bubble formation, from Wednesday 6th January 2021, could you please contact me by 3pm on Monday 4th January 2021.  Please take into consideration when making your decision that every child that can be safely cared for at home should be.

As 2020 comes to an end; I would like to take this opportunity to once again, to thank you all for your support, in what has been an exceptionally challenging year for everyone. I wish you all a happier, healthier, and more positive 2021.

 

 

Take care, stay safe!

Yours sincerely,

Ms J Beaumont

Beginning of term arrangements 2021.

Mrs Owen Leave a comment

Dear parent / carer

Please see letter below

Letter re change start date 2021

 

Re: BEGINNING OF TERM ARRANGEMENTS AT ST JOSEPH’S INFANT SCHOOL

 

Dear Parent / Carer

Following advice from Welsh Government and Neath Port Talbot Local Authority, schools are to be closed to all pupils for 2 days immediately after the Christmas break to assess staffing levels and prepare for the new term in light of ongoing concerns surrounding COVID 19. As such St Joseph’s Infants will be closed for all pupils on Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th January. All pupils will return to school on Wednesday 6th January following the same arrangements as was carried out in the Autumn Term.

N.B. If there is a change in this date we will inform you on the 4th January. However, the school will still be open to vulnerable learners and children of critical workers on Wednesday January 6th and we emphasize that it is important for them to attend.

Please be alert for symptoms of COVID-19 in your child. If your child develops any of these symptoms, even if they are mild.

  • Inform Saint Joseph’s Infant School (text URGENT) that they are unwell with COVID-19 symptoms and that you have requested a test

 

 

 

  • Your child should remain in self-isolation
  • All other household members should isolate for 10 days from when your child developed symptoms
  • Do not visit a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital but if you require medical advice please contact NHS 111 or telephone your GP; if there is a medical emergency phone 999
  • If you require medical advice for COVID-19 symptoms or another reason, please inform the healthcare worker that your child is a contact of a case of COVID-19 and in self-isolation
  • Please follow the advice provided when your child receives their test result

 

Further formation on Test, Trace, Protect can be found here https://gov.wales/test-trace-protect-coronavirus

Further information on symptoms and self-isolation can be found here https://gov.wales/symptoms-and-self-isolation-contact-tracing

For general information on COVID-19 https://gov.wales/protect-yourself-others-coronavirus

The COVID-19 online symptom checker can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do https://gov.wales/check-if-you-need-coronavirus-medical-help

 

With best wishes,

Ms. J. Beaumont – Headteacher

 

BEGINNING OF TERM ARRANGEMENTS AT ST JOSEPH’S INFANT SCHOOL

Ms Beaumont Leave a comment

Re: BEGINNING OF TERM ARRANGEMENTS AT ST JOSEPH’S INFANT SCHOOL

 

Dear Parent / Carer

Following advice from Welsh Government and Neath Port Talbot Local Authority, schools are to be closed to all pupils for 2 days immediately after the Christmas break to assess staffing levels and prepare for the new term in light of ongoing concerns surrounding COVID 19. As such St Joseph’s Infants will be closed for all pupils on Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th January. All pupils will return to school on Wednesday 6th January following the same arrangements as was carried out in the Autumn Term.

N.B. If there is a change in this date we will inform you on the 4th January. However, the school will still be open to vulnerable learners and children of critical workers on Wednesday January 6th and we emphasize that it is important for them to attend.

Please be alert for symptoms of COVID-19 in your child. If your child develops any of these symptoms, even if they are mild.

  • Inform Saint Joseph’s Infant School (text URGENT) that they are unwell with COVID-19 symptoms and that you have requested a test

 

 

 

  • Your child should remain in self-isolation
  • All other household members should isolate for 10 days from when your child developed symptoms
  • Do not visit a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital but if you require medical advice please contact NHS 111 or telephone your GP; if there is a medical emergency phone 999
  • If you require medical advice for COVID-19 symptoms or another reason, please inform the healthcare worker that your child is a contact of a case of COVID-19 and in self-isolation
  • Please follow the advice provided when your child receives their test result

 

Further formation on Test, Trace, Protect can be found here https://gov.wales/test-trace-protect-coronavirus

Further information on symptoms and self-isolation can be found here https://gov.wales/symptoms-and-self-isolation-contact-tracing

For general information on COVID-19 https://gov.wales/protect-yourself-others-coronavirus

The COVID-19 online symptom checker can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do https://gov.wales/check-if-you-need-coronavirus-medical-help

 

With best wishes,

Ms. J. Beaumont – Headteacher

Letter to Year 2 parents – 15.12.20

Mrs Owen Leave a comment

Dear parents,

Please see the letter below explaining an extension to isolation period for Year 2 children and staff.

1st letter to parents Dec 15

 

 

 

Dear Parent or Carer,

 

Re:    Contact of confirmed case of COVID-19 in Saint Joseph’s Infant School.

 

NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect trace everyone who have been in contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

 

Your child has been identified as a contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19 and will now need to self-isolate for 10 days from 8th  – 18th December 2020. By identifying contacts and asking them to self-isolate for 10 days, we will reduce the possible spread of COVID-19 from those contacts to their family, friends and the wider community.

 

Self-isolation advice requires your child to stay at home, not to go outdoors to exercise, to visit shops, family or friends, or to other public spaces. Please do not invite people to your house. Further information on self-isolation can be found in the link at the bottom of this letter.

 

If your child remains well then the other members of the household do not need to isolate and can continue with their normal activities. If your child is still well at the end of the 10-day period of self-isolation, they can return their other usual activities.

 

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading, there are things that everyone in your family can do to help. These include:

  • washing hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
  • using hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
  • washing hands as soon as they get home
  • covering their mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve (not their hands) when they cough or sneeze
  • putting used tissues in the bin immediately and washing hands afterwards

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please be alert for symptoms of COVID-19 in your child, which are:

  • A new or continuous cough
  • A high temperature
  • A loss of or change to sense of smell or taste

 

If your child develops any of these symptoms, even if they are mild:

  • Inform Saint Joseph’s Infant School (text URGENT) that they are unwell with COVID-19 symptoms and that you have requested a test
  • Your child should remain in self-isolation
  • All other household members should isolate for 14 days from when your child developed symptoms
  • Do not visit a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital but if you require medical advice please contact NHS 111 or telephone your GP; if there is a medical emergency phone 999
  • If you require medical advice for COVID-19 symptoms or another reason, please inform the healthcare worker that your child is a contact of a case of COVID-19 and in self-isolation
  • Please follow the advice provided when your child receives their test result

 

Further formation on Test, Trace, Protect can be found here https://gov.wales/test-trace-protect-coronavirus

Further information on symptoms and self-isolation can be found here https://gov.wales/symptoms-and-self-isolation-contact-tracing

For general information on COVID-19 https://gov.wales/protect-yourself-others-coronavirus

The COVID-19 online symptom checker can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do https://gov.wales/check-if-you-need-coronavirus-medical-help

 

With best wishes,

Ms. J. Beaumont – Headteacher

 

End of Term Arrangements

Mrs Owen Leave a comment

Please see letter from Director of Education

Aled Evans

END OF TERM ARRANGEMENTS AT NEATH PORT TALBOT FOR PRIMARY AND SPECIAL SCHOOLS

 

 

END OF TERM ARRANGEMENTS AT NEATH PORT TALBOT FOR PRIMARY AND SPECIAL SCHOOLS

Pupils of a primary school age and those attending special schools will be moving to distance learning provision in NPT from Tuesday, 15th December, onwards. Schools will be delivering learning remotely and ensuring that pupils continue with their studies until the end of term on December 18th.

It is vitally important that all pupils engage with this on-line provision and we must emphasise that, on the advice of Public Health Wales, children and young people should not be allowed to meet with friends and congregate in public places. This remains a school week and all staff and pupils are expected to respect it as such.

This decision also allows families to pre-isolate for the Christmas break (e.g. not mixing outside of the household) for one incubation period (10 days). This is seen as an effective way of lowering the risk of infecting others. Self-isolation remains of paramount importance for anyone with COVID-19 symptoms.

Head teachers will be making local decisions regarding the support for vulnerable pupils who will be expected to attend according to the school’s advice and schools are advised to accommodate children of key workers. Transport will continue to be available to those pupils who currently qualify for home to school transport.

This is not an early Christmas holiday, and we request that pupils and parents do everything they can to minimise contact with others.

All pupils can make a difference to reducing the transmission of the virus by staying at home, engaging with their learning and by being responsible in their actions.

Those pupils attending school on Tuesday 15th – Friday 18th will be able to receive a meal or can bring a packed lunch to school. Those pupils in receipt of free school meals will be provided with a meal.

Pupils entitled to free school meals who are accessing their learning from home will be provided with a BACS payment as has happened previously.

 TREFNIADAU DIWEDD TYMOR CASTELL-NEDD PORT TALBOT AR GYFER YSGOLION CYNRADD AC ARBENNIG

Bydd disgyblion oed ysgol gynradd a’r rhai sy’n mynychu ysgolion arbennig yn symud i ddarpariaeth dysgu o bell yn CNPT o ddydd Mawrth, 15fed Rhagfyr, ymlaen. Bydd ysgolion yn cyflwyno dysgu o bell ac yn sicrhau bod disgyblion yn parhau â’u hastudiaethau tan ddiwedd y tymor ar Ragfyr 18fed.

Mae’n hanfodol bwysig bod pob disgybl yn ymgysylltu â’r ddarpariaeth ar-lein hon a rhaid inni bwysleisio, ar gyngor Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru, na ddylid caniatáu i blant a phobl ifanc gwrdd â ffrindiau a chasglu mewn mannau cyhoeddus. Mae hon yn parhau i fod yn wythnos ysgol a disgwylir i’r holl staff a disgyblion ei pharchu felly.

Mae’r penderfyniad hwn hefyd yn caniatáu i deuluoedd gyn-ynysu ar gyfer gwyliau’r Nadolig (e.e. peidio â chymysgu y tu allan i’r cartref) am un cyfnod deori (10 diwrnod). Mae hyn yn cael ei ystyried yn ffordd effeithiol o ostwng y risg o heintio eraill. Mae hunan-ynysu yn parhau i fod o’r pwys mwyaf i unrhyw un sydd â symptomau COVID-19.

Bydd penaethiaid yn gwneud penderfyniadau lleol ynghylch y gefnogaeth i ddisgyblion bregus y bydd disgwyl iddynt fynychu yn unol â chyngor yr ysgol ac fe gynghorir ysgolion i ddarparu ar gyfer plant gweithwyr allweddol. Bydd cludiant yn parhau i fod ar gael i’r disgyblion hynny sy’n gymwys ar gyfer cludiant cartref i ysgol ar hyn o bryd.

Nid gwyliau Nadolig cynnar mo hwn, a gofynnwn i ddisgyblion a rhieni wneud popeth o fewn eu gallu i leihau cyswllt ag eraill.

Gall pob disgybl wneud gwahaniaeth i leihau trosglwyddiad y firws trwy aros gartref, ymgysylltu â’u dysgu a thrwy fod yn gyfrifol yn eu gweithredoedd.

Bydd y disgyblion hynny sy’n mynychu’r ysgol o ddydd Mawrth 15fed tan ddydd Gwener 18fed yn gallu derbyn pryd o fwyd neu ddod â’u pecyn bwyd i’r ysgol. Bydd y disgyblion hynny sy’n derbyn prydau ysgol am ddim yn cael pryd o fwyd.

Bydd disgyblion sydd â hawl i brydau ysgol am ddim ac sy’n cyrchu eu dysgu gartref yn cael taliad BACS fel sydd wedi digwydd o’r blaen.

 

Letter to Year 2 Parents – 10.12.20

Mrs Owen Leave a comment

Dear Parents/Carers,

Please read the important letter below

1st letter to parents

 

10th December 2020

 

Dear Parent or Carer,

 

Re:    Contact of confirmed case of COVID-19 in St. Joseph’s Catholic Infant School

YOUR CHILD NEEDS TO ISOLATE FOR 10 DAYS

NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect trace everyone who have been in contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

 

Your child has been identified as a contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19 and will now need to self-isolate for 10 days from 4th December. By identifying contacts and asking them to self-isolate for 10 days, we will reduce the possible spread of COVID-19 from those contacts to their family, friends and the wider community.

 

Self-isolation advice requires your child to stay at home, not to go outdoors to exercise, to visit shops, family or friends, or to other public spaces. Please do not invite people to your house. Further information on self-isolation can be found in the link at the bottom of this letter.

 

If your child remains well then the other members of the household do not need to isolate and can continue with their normal activities. If your child is still well at the end of the 10-day period of self-isolation, they can return St. Joseph’s Catholic Infant School on Tuesday 15th December 2020 and their other usual activities.

 

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading, there are things that everyone in your family can do to help. These include:

  • washing hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
  • using hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
  • washing hands as soon as they get home
  • covering their mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve (not their hands) when they cough or sneeze
  • putting used tissues in the bin immediately and washing hands afterwards

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please be alert for symptoms of COVID-19 in your child, which are:

  • A new or continuous cough
  • A high temperature
  • A loss of or change to sense of smell or taste

 

If your child develops any of these symptoms, even if they are mild:

  • Inform Ms. Beaumont by text starting with ‘URGENT’ that they are unwell with COVID-19 symptoms and that you have requested a test
  • Your child should remain in self-isolation
  • All other household members should isolate for 10 days from when your child developed symptoms
  • Do not visit a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital but if you require medical advice please contact NHS 111 or telephone your GP; if there is a medical emergency phone 999
  • If you require medical advice for COVID-19 symptoms or another reason, please inform the healthcare worker that your child is a contact of a case of COVID-19 and in self-isolation
  • Please follow the advice provided when your child receives their test result

 

Further formation on Test, Trace, Protect can be found here https://gov.wales/test-trace-protect-coronavirus

Further information on symptoms and self-isolation can be found here https://gov.wales/symptoms-and-self-isolation-contact-tracing

For general information on COVID-19 https://gov.wales/protect-yourself-others-coronavirus

The COVID-19 online symptom checker can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do https://gov.wales/check-if-you-need-coronavirus-medical-help

 

With best wishes,

Ms. J. Beaumont – Headteacher