Over the past 24 hours I have had a number of communications regarding current world events and the pupils being made aware of them during Newsround. These conversations and emails have fallen on both sides of the argument, one being that it is vital that pupils are informed and aware of world events given them both the knowledge and power to understand, reflect and act on events. The other side is that these are upsetting news stories, which, for many reasons (the past 2 years being one) parents are conscious of not bringing to the forefront of their children’s minds on a daily basis. As a school we understand both sides.
Newsround has always been a child friendly, sensitive introduction to current events offering an entry point for children of a broad age range. We have watched it for a few years now and hope to do so soon. At the moment though, we have decided not to show the programme in our KS2 classes.
However, our feeling is that current information pupils may be hearing is potentially worrying and upsetting and how much the pupils know is up to individual parents. To that end I have provided a link to the daily Newsround feed (usually a 5 minute update) that parents can watch and show the pupils should they wish to.
For the final message of this half term I wish to update you on the processes that are changing for the pupils return on 28th February 2022.
My apologies for all the information below.
It has been confirmed to us that start and finish times of schools are to return to normal.
Start times
This means that all the classes start times will revert to 8.50 as they were prior to Christmas. As was the case then, the doors will open at 8.40 to allow 10 minutes for pupils to arrive at school and enter the classrooms.
Unlike this year, the pupils will be using the school lockers again and not always entering directly into their classrooms.
Barn Owls and Snowy owls will remain the same and enter by their cloakrooms. There will be a member of staff to direct them at the door.
Year 1 and 2 (Kestrels and Harriers) will enter at the same point as they have this year opposite the home bargains gate.
Classes 1,2 and 4 (Mrs Moore, Mr Edwards and Mr McAteer) will enter at the old school entrance.
Classes 3 and 5 (Miss Roberts and Mrs Jones) will enter at the front most entrance on the front yard.
Don’t worry though a member of staff will be on these entrances to help should need be.
Finish times
Barn Owls and Snowy Owls will exit by the same class doors (Barn Owls at 11.20am and Snowy Owls at 3pm)
Year 1 and 2 will exit via the doors they entered at 3pm
All KS2 classes will continue to exit via the same doors they do currently (this may change upon removal of the Harris fencing at the side.
Playmates
Playmates will continue to enter and exit through the front Reception
Little Chicks
Little Chicks are to be picked up at 2.50pm at Barn Owls entrance.
Breakfast Club
The use of breakfast club will remain unchanged.
Other changes
As things stand we will continue with class bubbles to prevent over spread of Covid19 and the absence it causes. However, we will review this after a number of weeks in line with changing guidelines. We will communicate any changes prior to them happening.
My sincere apologies for the short notice today. The news came to us via email at 2.40pm.
As you are already aware, due to severe weather warnings, the site is closed to all (pupils and staff) tomorrow and will reopen on Monday 28th February. Their will be work for pupils to complete at home, either paper based or online, and teachers will be available via the normal communication methods between 9 am and 3pm.
There will be a further message up tomorrow regarding any changes around school start and finish times after half term.
I hope tomorrow is a false warning and everyone remains safe.
The end of our penultimate week for this half term. A while back I wrote to you regarding the success of our family learning team and the investors in families award.
I am delighted to say that their success was recognised in the papers this week. Please use this link to have a look for yourselves.
As well as this, you may have noticed the presence of the family learning team on the yard on Thursday. The Altogether kits are prepared and ready. You can request them from the following address- FamilyL5@hwbcymru.net
Have a lovely weekend and we will see the pupils for the final week on Monday
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 days
Friday 8th April 2022- Training day
Monday 25th April 2022- Training day
Friday 27th May 2022-Extra Curriculum day
Monday 18th July- Jubilee day
Tuesday 19th July – Training day
Wednesday 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.
A while ago I wrote about the fantastic achievement of the school and in particular the Family Learning team (Mrs O’Toole and Miss Thomas) being awarded the Diamond award for investors in families.
I am delighted to say that it has been confirmed that we are the first school in North Wales to achieve this. Below is a copy of the report sent through.
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.
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 10th 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!
Gwersyllt CP 