Gwersyllt CP

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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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.

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Fantastic modelling

We have also received documents on road safety (including an event to take part in) – please click to view or download

REMEMBRANCE

As well as an assembly to remember the pupils have been working on remembrance themed activities to remember and respect.

There has been a huge variety going on.

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Computational thinking

We have had a visitor in to give Class 1 and 2 a session on computational thinking. The pupils in these classes absolutely loved it.

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Finally- just a few more pictures, because, well, why not

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Have a lovely weekend everyone.

Dear Parents,

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!

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From Everybody at Gwersyllt CP, have a lovely half term. We look forward to welcoming you back on Monday 1st November.

Hwyl Fawr!