Just a short post this week with some fabulous photos to boot. Just to mirror the message on the newsletter, thank you for your continued support with the charities and PTA initiative we have been supporting recently, it is hugely appreciated.
Over the last few weeks we have had a big influx of technological equipment in school. We are delighted to say that each class has it’s own set of chrome books- allowing each pupils to have a device. We have also brought in some arduino sets to allow the pupils to tackle electronics and coding. Please see below
The pupils have also allowed their creative juices to flow
This week and next week Miss Thomas and Mrs O’Toole have been out in the community posting an information newsletter, a message from Mr Moore and a bauble from the children through letterboxes of families in our school. We are hoping to get one through all our families letterboxes, however if we miss you out we sincerely apologise and are happy for you to let us know so that we can sort it! Thanks to Mrs Radhi, Nikki, Paula and Mrs Evans for help with delivery.
Just a few messages for you this week as we close in on the end of term (as per the newsletter) followed by some pictures for this week.
Class groups Most of you will have seen my message this week about the decision the school has taken to return to class groups in the school day. Please note that this is a precaution, and by in large, is to prevent any larger scale mixing of classes during break and lunch time in the hall. Thus, limiting any mixing of many pupils that may be deemed unnecessary. We intend to keep smaller groups which we believe are integral to the school going e.g. our small Criw Cymraeg club and our small school council club, as these committees bring so much to everyday life in the school.
However, we fully understand if parents of a pupil in these clubs wishes to opt out in the meantime.
Child’s absence
This week we have had to make a few phone calls requesting that children displaying a symptom (mainly a continuing cough) are picked up and tested. I know that this can be frustrating but it is not a decision by the school but advice given to us by the Welsh Government and the LA. The LA’s stance is also that a child with a cough or cold is unwell and should not be in school until this has cleared.
On this note, can we request that parents contact the school through phone, voicemail or email if their child is off. We ask that this is done each day of their absence, unless we have already been informed of the time period they will be absent for.
Family learning activity- Family board games
Our family learning team continue to do what they can to help and support families and the local community. As well as this they are sharing their hard work with other schools. This week we were very fortunate to have Morgan Llywd in to see what had been done to achieve the investors in family award.
All this whilst putting on a family board game event in which families could come in and enjoy the time playing a variety of board games. There is another session going ahead next week.KS2 laptops
I am delighted to say that as of today all pupils in KS2 have a chrome book of their own to use in school. Over the past couple of years the school have worked hard to resource ICT in preparation for the New curriculum. Over the past week the devices and the trolleys have arrived and the classes are putting these together. This means that on many occasions a pupils will be able to choose how they present their work and how they use the devices and when they use it. Hopefully, it will allow for an increase in independent processes. Here a re a few of our Year 6 pupils enjoying the fruits of our labour.
I hope this message finds you well with the cold weather very much upon us.
To make you aware, as of this morning, we at Gwersyllt CP have decided that we will return to class bubbles until the end of this term. We don’t take this decision lightly and over this term it has been a pleasure to see some form of opening up in school, allowing pupils to mix with peers in another class. However, with an increase in cases locally, the cold weather and the recent news, we have decided it was for the best to avoid classes mixing where possible.
The start and finish times for the school day will remain as they have been this year (currently, legally, we can not alter this). However, for the next 3 weeks until school breaks up for the holidays, classes will have staggered breaktimes and will have their lunches in class. Aside from that, very little about their school day should change.
My apologies for the short notice of this change. I hope that this extra precaution will allow for everyone to stay as safe and well as possible.
A hugely enjoyable week this week (many of them are) with a huge variety going on.
Below is just a flavour of the past weeks events.
Family learning event
Thank you, once again, to the family learning team who organised Pirates of the Chillibean. Every class from Harriers upwards had it streamed live to their screens whilst a few families came in to watch it alongside Year 1 and 2 pupils.
Our Winged Visitors
Class 1 and 2 finished their potion topic with a visit from the Owls (alongside some others). With some connecting the pupil voice has linked potions to witches and wizards and then on to Owls. It had to be done.
Coding and electronics
Class 4 and 5 invited Will in to look at coding and how it can be used. This was described by some of the pupils as the most fun they have had in school. This is against a high bar I’m sure!?
Concerts underway
And finally that time of year has started with songs being sung and performances being practiced. Here are Snowy Owls preparing for the inevitable showstopper.
It was lovely to see many familiar faces for the services at the cenotaph. It was a lovely service and a fitting way to remember those that have done so much for our future.
In the school there are many signs of the work we have done around the remembrance services. I placed many of them on the website last week but here are a couple more.
Antibullying week
You will be aware that this week is antibullying week, the pupils displayed the allegiance to this cause by wearing odd socks on Monday. We also had an assembly first thing on Monday to inform the pupils. There have been activities throughout the week aswell.
Investors in families
I am delighted to announce that this week the School have been awarded the Investors in Families Award. We are very proud to receive this, particularly as we were awarded the highest level, which is Diamond.
You may remember that the school won the lockdown award in this field earlier in the year. The school community and, in particular, Miss Thomas and Mrs O’Toole, who have worked hard over a number of years to achieve this accolade for the school.
The award is for ‘Strong and inclusive schools committed to excellence, equity and well-being’.
The diamond award is particularly special as it shows a continued commitment to this goal over a sustained period of time. A huge thank you and well done to everyone involved, especially Mrs O’Toole and Miss Thomas who led this initiative from the front.
On Thursday, the school welcomed in St Christopher’s to look at the work done as they are starting this journey themselves.
Early Years
It was wonderful this week to see Snowy Owls working so independently in their classroom, below is just a flavour of what they were doing.
Please find below the message as the newsletter- Followed by some of the wonderful stuff that has been going on this week (so please read on)
Remembrance
I have been asked to remind the school community that the Remembrance Service will be taking place at the cenotaph on Sunday at roughly 10.40am. The school have a wreath and it would be lovely if a couple of the school pupils would help us place it during the ceremony.
Healthy Eating
Over the course of the next term or so the school plan to have a reassessment of our healthy food systems. Healthy food and drink is an integral part of the pupils functioning at their best in school sessions and retaining the information and skills learnt.
Mrs O’Toole, Miss Thomas and I are looking to work alongside the Pupil Wellbeing committee to improve this aspect of school life. In the meantime, can I ask in your assistance to be mindful of the snacks and lunch that your child/children are bringing in to school. Thank you for your continued support.
Other dates
There are a few other dates to make you aware of in a term that is going by quickly.
19.11.21- Non Uniform day for Children in Need
3.12.21- Non uniform for PTA (tombola)
10.12.21- Christmas jumper day
17.12.21- Christmas Party food day
21.12.21- Christmas dinner day
Classes may also be doing other events/activities so keep an ear out for communication on this front.
…and the other stuff
Plenty going on in school this week
Hi Viz jackets
Thank you to Brooke and her mum we have received 30 Foundation phase and 30 Key stage 2 jackets. Here they are in action.
Fantastic modelling
We have also received documents on road safety (including an event to take part in) – please click to view or download
Welcome back to all. I have placed a few announcements on the newsletter so please, if you haven’t already, do take a look at that which should be with you shortly, if it isn’t already.
Often I place pictures on the website of the classes and their work. I thought this time we would celebrate some of the wonderful activities that are going on with some of our, very much integral, school partners- Little Chicks and Playmates.
This week Mrs Howe and Mrs Wright have been kind enough to send through photos of the activities the pupils have been doing over the past few weeks. At the start of the week they were looking at superheroes (and didn’t they look the part). As well as that, every Monday afternoon, Little Chicks have bought in the services of a trained Forest School practitioner and have used Jaxon’s Wood to hone their skills.
It is safe to say the pupils have thoroughly enjoyed it!
A couple of necessary messages from the Newsletter today. Apologies for the repetition.
Update Covid 19 protocol We have had a change of directive regarding pupils under 5 who are displaying symptoms of Covid.
The advice from Public Health Wales is that children are at very low risk and lowest in children under the age of 5. There is no need to isolate unless your child has symptoms. There is no need to test with LFD or PCR which can be uncomfortable and distressing for them. However, there are several viruses that children get which can make them unwell and symptoms can be similar to those for Covid 19. If your child develops a cough, temperature, loss of taste, vomiting or diarrhoea then keep them at home, away from school or nursery, until they are better. If symptoms persist for more than 10 days or you are concerned please consult your GP.
In short the pupil should be off school until they are clear of any symptoms but are not expected to take or provide a negative test. Thank you for bearing with us as the sands continually shift.
Late Attendance Can we please request that families do everything they can to ensure the pupils arrive in the 8.40-8.50 window to enter their classes at the appropriate time. Recently, we have seen an increase in late attendance. As we have mentioned before, this upsets the child’s start to the day, as well as interrupting the flow of the class as a whole. We are also finding this issue increases as families are not ordering meals at home and the time at reception upon late entry is increased to place these orders. This week the process has taken up to 20 minutes to complete. We are aware that traffic can be an issue at this time which is why the 10 minute window was introduced initially. Thank you in advance for your help in this matter.
Gwersyllt CP 