Dear Parents/Carers,

Please read the important letter below

1st letter to parents

 

10^th 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 4^th 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 15^th 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 the Test, Trace and Protect (TTP) team who will be in daily contact with you
• If advised by TTP book a test for them by phoning 119 or through the online portal: https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test

• 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

 

Symptom Checker

https://111.wales.nhs.uk/selfassessments/

 

Information for parents and carers

https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/guidance-for-schools-advice-for-parents-or-carers/

 

https://www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/coronavirus-information/#

Here are the application forms for Free School Meals & PDG Grant for the 2020/21 academic year.

 

Free School Meal Application 2020-2021

PDG Access Form – English

Applications will open on 13th July. You are encouraged to complete the forms online.

More information can be found here

https://www.npt.gov.uk/1317

What an amazing response from our Virtual Sports Day!

Check out our videos on the link below!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV9QGi_MOY6crBbT2gXHTAQ

Virtual Saints Sports day 2020

Complete between Monday 6th July – Friday 10th July

Welcome to St Joseph’s Infants School first ever Virtual Saints Sports Day.

Sports Day is one of the most important events on St Joseph’s Infants School Calendar.

Whilst we all cannot be together in school because of the Global Pandemic, our Virtual Saints Sports Day will give us the opportunity to take part, have fun and celebrate this special event virtually together.

There will be 6 challenges for you and your family to do and with the help of your parents, a photograph or video of you completing the 6 challenges can be sent to school on Seesaw.

Challenge 1 – Shuttle Run

Items required for this challenge and set up

2 Tins of soup or beans and a measuring tape.

Place the tins on the floor and  measure  a 2m gap between them,

Shuttle Run Rules

Run as many times as possible to each tin in 30 seconds and count how many laps you have done.

Don’t forget the video or photograph!

Challenge 2 – Tunnel Crawl

Items required for this challenge and set up

2 chairs and 1 sweeping brush and soft flooring

Balance the sweeping brush on the chairs ensuring that your child can crawl under the brush without touching it.

Tunnel Crawl Rules

Crawl under the broom and walk around the chairs. Count how many tunnel crawls you have done in 30 seconds  Remember the photograph!

Challenge 3 – Speed Bounce

Items required for this challenge and set up

1 Tea towel. Roll the tea towel length ways and place on the floor.

Speed Bounce Rules

Jump as many times as possible over the tea towel making sure you land on 2 feet in 30 seconds and count how many jumps you have done.

Remember the photograph or video!

Challenge 4 – Throw, Clap, Catch

Items required for this challenge

1 pair of socks

Shuttle Run Rules

Throw the socks up in the air, clap your hands and catch the socks as many times as possible in 30 seconds and count how many catches you have done.

(Some children might just want to catch the socks and leave out the clap)

Remember the photograph!

Challenge 5 – Target Throw

Items required for this challenge and set up

As many pairs of socks you can find and a laundry basket or bucket and a measuring tape. Place the laundry basket or bucket either 1 metre or 2 metres away from you, depending on how easy or hard you would like the challenge to be.

Target Throw Rules

Throw as many pairs of socks as possible into your basket or bucket in 30 seconds and count how many pairs of socks are in the basket or bucket at the end.  Remember the photograph or video!

Challenge 6 – Stand and Sit

Items required for this challenge

1 chair that you are used to sitting on.

Shuttle Run Rules

Stand up and sit down (no hands allowed) as many times as possible in 30 seconds and count how many stand up and sit downs you have done. (1 stand and 1 sit = 1 count)

Remember the photograph or video!

We hope that taking part in our Virtual Saints Sports Day challenges will bring some fun and laughter to your household, and create more lockdown memories with your family whom I am sure will help you – our little saints ‘to do your best’!

A reward certificate will be put onto Seesaw, once you have completed the activities and sent a photograph to your Teacher.

Pwb lwc pawb! (Good Luck everyone!)

Mrs O’Leary

Dear Parents/ Carers,

PHASED RETURN TO SCHOOL

Kirsty Williams. The Minister for Education in Wales has announced that Year 1 and Year 2 pupils will have the opportunity to ‘Check in, Catch up, Prepare’ at some point during the period 29^th June – 24^th July.

I want to take this opportunity to reassure you that the wellbeing of our pupils and staff is our primary concern. It is also important to note that everyone’s circumstances are different. If you decide it is too soon to send to your children back to school there will not be any issue regarding attendances or fines – this is your choice as families.

What is on offer?

From week beginning 29^th June until 24^th July. Your child has a weekly slot at school to access the ‘Catch up, Check in’ sessions, one day every week. We will allocate a day wherever possible taking into account attendance of siblings.

Staggered start and finish to the day

Year 2 will arrive at 8:50.  Dismissed from Ramp at front of school at 2:30

Year 1 will arrive at 9:00. Dismissed from side yard (on right of building) at 2:40

Key Workers’ children arrive at 8:50 (Nursery Building). Dismissed at 3:00 from Nursery Building

Year 1 and 2 children will therefore have a maximum of 4 sessions over the course of the 4 weeks.

One Way Drop Off

Please could we ask for all children and parents to approach school via the Lane BEHIND Norman Street, Keeping 2 Metres distance and exit via the Lane LEADING to Norman Street.

 

Here is a list of current information about how the sessions will run:

 

• Only Years 1 and 2 will return alongside Critical Key Worker hub provision
• Children are grouped into a ‘bubble’ of a maximum of 10 children in their year group
• Please remind children about the importance of good hygiene/hand washing etc.
• No backpacks or pencil cases to be brought into school
• Children can wear uniform, however please do not buy new uniform if children have grown out of uniform

 

List of current information about how the sessions will run continued:-

• Children will (weather dependent) spend the majority of the session outdoors. Please dress in appropriate clothing/hat/sun cream etc. Please make sure shoes are fit for purpose.
• No formal learning will take place
• Blended Learning – Online learning via Seesaw will remain the predominant method of teaching
• No school transport is available
• A morning snack will be provided- please no additional snacks to be sent into school
• No breakfast club/after school club
• Children need to bring in a packed lunch in a lunch box
• Children can bring in a named water bottle
• To reduce the transmission of any germs, we will be removing as much of the soft toys/furnishing as possible.
• Children will ‘catch up’ with their class teacher at some point over the 4 weeks

 

 

Critical Key Worker

Critical Key Worker children will mix with their peer group for one day only.* We are awaiting clarification on this point.

Regarding key workers, please ensure that you fulfil the criteria to access the hub provision.

See flowchart below

Emergency_Childcare_Flowchart_for_Parents_and_Carers (1)

 

Please know that whatever you choose to do, you will have our full support.

After reading this information, please complete the online questionnaire:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Ug4_TzS3ZEGUCRtgHRR5k02yZR3J8blArpdDh15-LXpUODdUT0w1NUNZVUxaRUlFOEJNWk9aR1o2Vi4u

12^th June 2020

Dear Parents,

 

Planning for school reopening

 

We are missing the children very much and look forward to beginning the process of reopening our school very soon. The school is not the same without seeing your lovely faces and the corridors are quiet without you.

 

You will be aware of Education Minister Kirsty Williams’s statement last week, that schools are to reopen to all pupils from Monday, the 29^th of June. On Wednesday, 10^th June the Welsh Government published guidance to assist school leaders and local authorities in their planning for the reopening of schools.

 

Staff have been working closely with the local authority and colleagues from other schools to formulate a workable and sensible plan that will provide our learners in Years 1 & 2 only with some opportunities to come to school to meet with their teachers. We therefore are not reopening to our Nursery and Reception pupils. Unfortunately, this decision reflects younger children’s’ inability to social distance appropriately. After reviewing the current guidance about social distancing, sadly we do not have sufficient space to bring all year groups back to school.

 

Over the course of next week, we will formulate the details of our plans and the associated risk assessments. Then, we will provide you with more information about what the catch up sessions will look like. Our priority in this process will be to ensure the safety and well-being of children and staff.

 

The risks associated with coronavirus have not gone away and we must all be mindful of the need to maintain good hygiene, hand-washing and social distancing.  As such, we will have to limit the number of pupils and staff in attendance each day.  We will also have to limit the ways in which pupils and staff interact during the course of the school day.  These steps will be essential if we are to ensure the safety and wellbeing of learners and staff.  It is likely that we will be able to invite no more than a quarter of our pupils and no more than half of our staff into school on any one day.  Most pupils should expect to attend school for one day each week.  Pupils are likely to be grouped in small groups of no more than 8 and will remain with one teacher and one TA throughout the day.

Understandably, some staff, parents and pupils may feel apprehensive about the risks.  However, it is important to remember that, with adherence to guidelines, the risks will be minimised and provision will be safer.

 

Of course, it will not be safe for some learners and staff to attend, particularly those who have received shielding letters.  And under no circumstances should anyone with symptoms of coronavirus come into school. If pupils are not able to attend school – whatever the reason – they will still be able to learn remotely.  Indeed, our provision for remote learning will remain the default method and will be maintained for the rest of the academic year.  Attending school is intended to enhance this approach.

Currently, some of our pupils (e.g. children of NHS workers) are using our hub provision in Awel-y-Mor. We will continue to maintain this provision for the remainder of the summer term, though we will move it to Our school from Monday 22^nd June.

I am aware that after reading this you may have several questions about school reopening.  This letter is intended only to alert you to what I think is most likely at present.  As planning is developed further, I will be able to provide you with more precise detail.  We will, of course, be taking proper account of the guidance issued by the Welsh Government so perhaps a reading of that may provide you with a fuller understanding of what to expect.  You can find a copy by clicking the following link.  https://gov.wales/keep-education-safe-operational-guidance-schools-and-settings-covid-19

 

Thank you for your patience during these uncertain times.  Please take care and stay safe.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Ms J. Beaumont

 

 

 

Please also see a letter below from Aled Evans, Director of Education, Leisure & Lifelong Learning

Parent Letter 120620 Eng

Dear children,

Mrs O’Leary is setting you a PE Challenge for the month of June! You can start at any level

1. Learn to ride a bike with stabilisers (aimed at Nursery)
2. Learn to ride a bike without stabilisers (aimed at Reception/Year 1)
3. Mile challenge – How many miles can you ride in June? You do the maths!

 

Don’t forget to send us pictures on Twitter or Seesaw, and most importantly, wear your helmet!

Please follow the link below to complete NPT questionnaire.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/DesignPage.aspx?origin=OfficeDotCom&lang=en-GB#FormId=Ug4_TzS3ZEGUCRtgHRR5k02yZR3J8blArpdDh15-LXpUQVhIT0k2SExTVjhRWTY4NzBITVY1UTFUOS4u

 

Neath and Port Talbot County Borough Council have asked us to conduct the following survey on their behalf. We will return your responses to them in order to inform their decision making over the coming months. The closing date for the survey is the 27th March, 2020.
……………………………………………………………………………………..
Welsh Government is still assessing the phased operation of schools and has yet to decide whether any school will open before the summer holidays.

In England, it is likely that primary schools will open for some year groups on June 1st and that there will be detailed advice on social distancing, cleaning and hygiene, testing and tracing, PPE and managing confirmed cases of coronavirus.

However, we would like to gauge your views on this matter. We would also ask you to discuss this brief survey with your children.