Update for Parents 12th February 2021
Dear Parents and Carers,
Many thanks for your patience this week while we have been once again dealing with changes in guidance from the Local Authority. Please ensure you have thoroughly read the letter on our website from the Director of Education.
We are very excited and relieved to be welcoming back our Foundation Phase children after half term. I’m sure you feel the same and can’t wait for a full return! We are really sorry Key Stage 2 children will have to continue with remote learning for a while longer. This is a Welsh Government decision but is probably for the best as we must take things slowly in order to ensure everyone stays safe. I will let you know as soon as I know when they are likely to return.
I would like to clarify arrangements for the first week back.
Monday 22nd February; This is a planning day for teachers to finalise safety routines, risk assessments and operational plans
Tuesday 23rd February On-site provision begins for Key Stage 2 (year 3- 6) only. Please ensure you have booked your child’s place. This provision is only for the children of key workers on the days they are working and for those children who have been identified as vulnerable.
No Foundation Phase (Nursery – Y2) children will attend school on this day in order to preserve contact bubbles. Staff will be preparing classrooms and putting new safety measures in place.
You should have received a message by DoJo stating which days your child will attend during the first week. We feel that returning the children in smaller groups will be better for their well-being.
Wednesday 24th February; Half of each Foundation Phase class will attend school at the times set out below.
Thursday 25th February; The other half of each Foundation Phase class will attend.
Friday 26th February; All Foundation Phase children will attend from this day.
On-site Provision
As you know we have previously offered this from 8am until 4pm. We are really sorry that we have had to shorten the time to 8am until 3pm. This is due to staffing availability and the need to simplify sibling pick up times to avoid too many different contact groups crossing paths. I know this may be a challenge for working parents but we have been told not to run before and after school provision. We have taken the decision to open at 8am, ONLY for children whose parents NEED to get to work earlier.
All children will need to bring drinks, snacks and a packed lunch for this first week back and there will be no breakfast club until further notice.
I hope you will enjoy the break from home learning over half term as much as our staff will enjoy a break from setting work! If you need to contact us over half term with concerns or important information please contact me directly at HewittC23@hwbcymru.net rather than your child’s class teacher. I will be checking my emails throughout half term and will contact you if needed.
I remain optimistic that we will have a full return to school before Easter so that we can all enjoy the remainder of the school year, safely and together! This has been a very challenging time for all of you and I hope you have felt well supported by school. As you know, if you are facing extreme challenges, we are here for you and we hope you will contact us.
Finally, I would like to remind you that school attendance is compulsory for all Foundation Phase children, except those who have a shielding letter. May I assure you that we will do everything we can to ensure your children are kept safe and happy on their return to school.
Please keep checking our website for further information on safety procedures and new routines in advance of return to school.
You may have seen our latest staff video on the website. If not, please take a look. We think your children will enjoy this!
Yours faithfully,
C M Hewitt