Gwersyllt CP

IMPORTANT Change of training dates and end of term
My apologies for any inconvenience that this may cause. I am trying to get the information out as soon as possible.
As a cluster, and to align ourselves with the high school, we are altering the training days for the school. Instead of the training dates that were to be used on the 6th and 7th of January (which became planning days) the school will now be closed to pupils on 19th and 20th of July. We have also collectively made the decision to move the Jubilee day planned for the 6th June to the 18th of July. 
This means that school will close for summer break on Friday 15th July 2022.
For clarification school is closed to pupils on the following daysFriday 8th April 2022- Training dayMonday 25th April 2022- Training dayFriday 27th May 2022-Extra Curriculum dayMonday 18th July- Jubilee dayTuesday 19th July – Training dayWednesday 20th July – Training day

Attendance Policy
Just to make everyone aware the new county attendance policy has been put in place as of the new year. This means that the school can no longer authorise absences due to holiday.
As of the start of term the policy means that we will be sending out attendance letters after the following markers are hit.

• Once a pupil hits 10 sessions (2.6%) absence whether authorised or unauthorised Attendance Letter 1 to be sent.

• Once a pupil hits 16 sessions (4.2%) absence whether authorised or unauthorised Attendance letter 2 to be sent.  
• Once a pupil hits 22 sessions (5.79%) absence authorised or unauthorised a phone call is made to the parent/carer by a member of school staff to discuss the attendance concerns.
• Once a pupil hits 26 sessions (6.84%) absence whether authorised or unauthorised Attendance letter 3 to be sent. This requests medical proof for all future absences to be authorised.
• Once a pupils hits 26 sessions (6.84%) Unauthorised absence, a letter is sent arranging a meeting with the parent/carer, School representative and Education Social Worker for an attendance meeting to take place. Referral to ESW made to attend meeting. Consideration to be given to attendance improvement strategies, including the introduction of an Attendance Improvement Plan. 
• If attendance continues to deteriorate, consideration to be given to implementing legal action – FPN or Prosecution depending on attendance history, level of absence and past compliance. 

The policy has been created by county and put out in the vast majority of schools county wide. It can be viewed in full in the forms, policies and letters section of the website.

...And other stuff

Now for something a bit more fun.

Last week the Classteachers placed the new topics on the website. For a visual flavour of the plans and displays that are starting to go up please keep scrolling. As you may remember from previous posts, the school are trialling a pupil voice based planning in which the pupils have a great deal of say in what they learn. Below you will also see some of the planning carried out.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

First and foremost, we hope you all had a safe and pleasant break. We are looking forward to welcoming your children back to Gwersyllt CP. In order to do so safely there will be elements of school life and routines that will be slightly different. Hopefully this message will answer some of the questions you may have prior to your child restarting school.

We are constantly reviewing the practice and will make you aware of any changes over the half term.

Individual class start and finish times

The school have decided to go back to staggered start and finish times

Class	Start time	Finish time
BO	8.50-9am	11.30am
SO	8.40-8.50am	3pm
H	8.40-8.50am	3pm
K	8.50-9am	3.10pm
1	8.50-9am	3.10pm – same as entrance
2	8.50-9am	3.15pm
3	8.40-8.50am	3.05pm
4	8.40-8.50am	3.10pm
5	8.50-9am	3.15pm

Breakfast club/After school club

Breakfast club and Playmates will continue as usual, with booking and payment via Parentpay. Pupils will be sitting in class bubbles whilst in breakfast club.

Please contact Playmates (Mrs L Radhi) as per usual to book your child in after school.

School Uniform

We are requesting that pupils wear school uniform as usual. On the days that the class have PE pupils should come with their PE kit already on.

Please remember we will be keeping doors and windows open in class where possible- pupils should dress with this in mind to stay warm. All pupils should bring coats as we will be encouraging outside work and play regularly.

Lunch

As things stand, the school will be running a limited lunch menu which will be delivered to the classroom. Pupils can bring their own lunch or order from the menu.

Other Resources

We kindly ask that pupils bring nothing other than packed lunch into school. They will be provided with their own set of resources e.g. Pens, rulers etc in school.

Attendance

It is expected that, from the 10^th January, all pupils will return to full time education.

Face Masks

Currently, it is not required for the pupils in Primary schools in Wales to wear Face masks. Again, if this changes we will let you know.

Symptoms

If your child is displaying any of the symptoms- high temperature, continuous cough or an alteration in taste or smell you are requested to stay at home and not attend school.

Pupils displaying symptoms in school will be temperature tested and isolated if required. A phone call will be made for the pupils to be picked up.

If their is a positive case, those affected should follow current guidance.

Staff shortages and online learning

We have put provision in place to ensure, as much as possible, that school will remain open for face to face learning for this half term. However, there is only so much staff shortage that the school will be able to manage safely. If isolation and absence of staff leads to the school being unable to safely accommodate a class we will revert to online learning for that class in the short term. Communication will be sent out as soon as possible and the school will put in place provision to oversee the Keyworker pupils in that class. Please note, due to the nature of these things and the time we have to react, the communication may be on the morning of the decision.

What can you do to help?

As you can imagine, things have been timed very precisely to ensure that there is limited chance of anyone breaking social distancing protocol.

• Pick up and drop off only at the times indicated at the beginning of the message. Being early or late will cause difficulty for the class teachers and the site will be locked after the last drop off.
• Please socially distance at all times. This will be especially be the case at the entrance and exit points to the site.
• Just one adult per pupil please- again, this will decrease the number on the yard at one time.
• Please only come into school after making a prior appointment. unfortunately, teachers will not be readily available at the door for an informal talk or catch up currently.
• Please spend as little time on site as possible. For drop off we have provided 10 minute windows to minimise the need for people to wait around. When picking up, if you are early we ask that you only come on site at the arranged time.
• Booking breakfast club in advance.
• Keep checking the school website for any updates- Guidance can change quickly.
• Encourage your child to do any home learning that is asked of them.
• Most importantly, look after yourselves, your family and your children. We will do all we can to make school feel as normal as possible for your child. We sincerely hope they come out of here with a smile on their faces.

Kind regards,

Mr J Moore, Mrs J O’Toole and the Gwersyllt CP staff

Dear Parents/Guardians,
Here we are, the final Newsletter of 2021. We hope that you all have a wonderful break and take the opportunity (where possible) to recharge and relax. Thank you for all your help and support this year, it is greatly appreciated.
I know at some point thoughts will turn to next year, and for us, the next school year. On this, we are unclear as to how things may look. I assure you we will communicate out any information prior to the start of term on the 10th of January. Until then, have a fabulous festive break.

Just a few images from this very busy week at School.

Festive cheer was spread this week in Early Years- Barn Owls and Snowy Owls had a visit from a magician and from Santa himself.

A huge well done to one of our year 6 pupils who one a tablet for the open day competition in Bryn Alyn. Mrs Slinn and Mrs Jones came done to give the prize on Thursday. Da iawn Riley!

….and even in the final day, our wonderful pupils excel themselves. The fantastic work on the arduino’s continues on Class 4.

The temperature is 23 degrees in my room! Very toasty!

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Hopefully now you will have read the letter penned by the Local Authority and circulated to all schools late yesterday afternoon. As we have already had a few questions I thought I would answer those that we have had in a message. I am sure I will miss something out in which case there may be follow up messages later on in the week.

What is happening next week?

The school will finish face to face learning for almost all pupils this Friday at the normal time. For the final three days next week (Monday 20th, Tuesday 21st and Wednesday 22nd of December) we will turn to distance learning. This could be in the form of remote online learning or premade packs (or a mixture of the two). Teachers will be available through the normal communications during school hours for those three days should it be necessary. For these three days, the work is provided for those that wish to access it and feel it would be beneficial. Please don’t feel there is pressure to complete it.

The school will be open to provide a provision for the children of critical workers as was the case in the previous lockdown for normal school hours.As the idea for this is to prevent over mixing of the pupils and staff, with one eye on preventing isolation over the Christmas period, we kindly ask that we are used as a last resort. This is for the benefit of all the pupils and their immediate family in the run up to the festive period.If you do need to book a place, please do so by Thursday the 16th December 2pm.

The provision for the critical workers children provided in school will be the same as the provision for the children at home : to complete the remote learning independently.

Are Breakfast club and Playmates still open?

They will be open as usual for those using the provision. Please book in the normal way.

What will happen in January?

As far as the school is aware the pupils will return to school as usual on Monday January 10th at the normal time. There has been no talk of staggered starts or any other changes to the school day. We will, of course, keep you informed and communicate any further news by Friday 7th January.

What about Christmas dinner?

Unfortunately, we have had to cancel Christmas dinner in school for this year. I hold my hands up, when we were asked to arrange a date to order and put on the dinner (late October), I did not think we would be in this position. It isn’t possible to receive our order and cook the dinner by Friday.

Instead we will continue with the Christmas party day food on Friday 17th December. Pupils can wear a Christmas jumper/non-school uniform on that day.

I have already paid for Christmas dinner- how do I get the money back?

The money can be left on the account for another meal in the new year or beyond. If you do wish to get the money refunded please contact catering on 315644 and they will be able to help you further.

What are the eating options for the children of Critical workers using the provision?

We are still waiting to hear from catering for information about this. It could be that all pupils are expected to bring packed lunches for those days. We will let you know when we find out.

What does my child wear for the provision?

The pupils can wear their own clothes. We would ask that they are sensible and that they keep your child warm as windows will be open to provide ventilation.

…and finally

Thank you all for your understanding, patience and continued support. When September started many were hopeful that it may be business as usual. As the term has gone on we have had to alter what we were doing and there has been many elements of disruption. During those moments we have always felt that we were all working together to make the best of this situation for the pupils.

Thank you again. We hope you stay safe and that you have a wonderful few weeks.

Everyone at Gwersyllt CP

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.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

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.

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.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

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.

Kind regards,

Mr J Moore

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.

Dear Parents/Gaurdians,

Remembrance

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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