The school has been working with the Local Authority over the last few days in order to arrange a childcare facility for the children of ‘essential workers’. These workers are defined as:

• health workers – all those employed within the NHS
• blue light / emergency service officers
• social care workers
• supermarket delivery drivers
• prison officers and other prison staff
• probation service staff
• school staff

If you work in any of these occupations, please let the school know if you have not already done so. It is important that we have accurate numbers of pupils so we can staff the childcare appropriately.

It should be pointed out that we are still aiming to practice social distancing so you should not use this childcare if you have a partner at home/other family members who are not high risk available. It is designed to keep frontline staff in work and the healthcare system/ food distribution working across the country. It should only be used when you are working or resting after a night shift. Children who are unwell/self isolating will not be able to attend.

If children are attending this facility it will open at  8.15am for Breakfast Club and will close at 4.00pm. A full day is offered for all children from Nursery to Year 6. Other points to note are:

1) The Childcare Facility will include age appropriate academic work, P.E. Art and Craft, board games, films etc. Staff will plan a range of activities to engage the children.

2) Children do not need to wear school uniform. Please wear clothes that can be used for art, craft and outdoor play.

3) Children should have trainers and a coat so they can do P.E. and go outside (weather permitting).

4) Breakfast and lunch will be provided free or your children can bring a packed lunch.

5) Please provide an extra drink (water or sugar free squash) and piece of fruit for your child’s morning snack.

6) Please make sure the contact details we hold in school are accurate in case of emergencies.

We would be grateful if you could contact the school office if you are an essential worker and you intend to use this facility next week.

Thank you

Please find a link below for a Social Story about Coronavirus and a poster about handwashing.

The story is written to explain the virus to children and reduce their anxiety.

ELEPHANT-HAND-WASHING

Story-about-Coronavirus

We have had some children being sent to school with new coughs/sore throats etc. Although we understand that many of these children will have a common cold, we have to follow Public Health Wales/ government guidelines. All children who develop a high fever, cough, sore throat etc. should be kept home for 14 days. Government guidelines also state that the entire household have to isolate for 14 days if anyone in the house is ill.

There has been some confusion about the length of time pupils have to self isolate. Please see the information below from Public Health Wales. It is clear that self isolation should be for 14 days, unless you live alone.

“People no longer need to contact NHS 111 if they think they may have contracted Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). People with a fever or persistent cough should stay at home for seven days if they live alone, or 14 days if they live with others. Anyone who lives with someone displaying coronavirus symptoms should also stay at home for 14 days. They should not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. 

The vast majority of parents have been wholly supportive of the school but one or two have questioned the need for their child to stay at home. Whilst we do appreciate that this is a difficult time and some children are at home when they are not very ill, we are following government guidelines strictly. Although this virus is mild for children, pupils may be in contact with vulnerable people, as may staff so it is important we work together to protect all our communities. Children will be sent home if they return to school before the 14 days self isolation period is completed.

8 members of staff are in the ‘vulnerable’ category- if they do catch the virus, they may be affected more than the general population. They have all been offerred the chance to self isolate but all have decided to remain in school at present. As a headteacher, I believe this illustrates the commitment and professionalism of staff, who only want to do what is best for the children in our care.

In the interests of transparency, we have 9 absent members of staff. Miss Todd and Miss Gowling are absent with illnesses that are NOT related to Covid-19. Three further staff, all working in the Learning Support Centre are self isolating due to a cough or family members who have a cough/fever. Mrs Peck and one member of the kitchen staff are also self isolating as they/family members have a cough. Mrs and Mr Bridgman have been sent home today as a member of their family has a high temperature. This has put pressure on staffing so please be patient with us. At present, we are managing due to fewer pupils being in school.

Throughout the week and into next week, we will continue to prepare for the possibility that schools may close for a long period of time. There are already ideas/work on the website and these will be added to as time goes on.

We also have a ‘Social Story’ about Covid-19 which we have been using with children. This explains the basics about the virus and is very useful, especially for more anxious children. We will put a copy of this social story on the website, so parents can share it with their child if they wish.

It is important the children remain hydrated during this time so, for the time being only, we will allow sugar free squash in class in a clearly labelled bottle. Please explain to your child that they should not share drinks. No glass bottles, cans, fizzy drinks, fruit juice or squash with sugar please!

Once again, thank you for your kind messages and ongoing support at this very challenging time. It is really making a difference to staff morale to know that we have so much support from parents/carers.

first 100 keywords            second 100 keywords

As many children are absent from school and we face a time of uncertainty, many parents are asking for work at home. As a result, I have attached lists of keywords to this post and ideas on how to teach spelling at home. The lists attached are:

1. The first 100 keywords (suitable for children who are starting to read/write)
2. The second 100 keywords (for developing/ more confident readers/writers)

Please do not try and teach all the words to your child. Most children need to practice spelling and reading words many times to remember them! Here are some ideas of how to make spelling fun at home:

• Make flashcards of no more than 3-4 spellings at a time, practise reading and spelling them until your child has learnt them. Don’t worry if it takes a bit of time- this is perfectly normal. 
• Add 1-2 new flashcards to the pile when your child has grasped the first few. Don’t forget to keep going back to the previous words.
• Hide the cards around the house and play find the spelling!
• Write the words in a tray of sand, shaving foam, washing up liquid. This is messy but fun!
• Write the words as big as you can and as small as you can.
• Use rainbow writing to practise your words – each letter can be written in a different colour.
• Make collages of the words with cut out letters.
• Write a ‘silly’ sentence with the words!

If your child is a confident reader and speller and knows the words on the lists try the following ideas:

• Challenge them to find 2-5 new words a day in the dictionary/online. They can use the ideas above to learn to spell and read the words. 
• Ask them to make ‘collections’ of words e.g. to describe size (tiny, minute, enormous, gigantic, looming), colours (scarlet, ebony, turquoise), movement (stagger, flounce, scamper). Again, use the ideas above to learn, read and spell these new words.