Gwersyllt CP

As the header above suggest, a huge thank you for the last 8 weeks. During an extremely testing time everyone has worked together and in doing so the vast majority of the pupils have enjoyed an uninterrupted period of time back at school. No matter what the next few months may bring I truly believe that a prolonged period back in their new classes was vitally important after such a long time away from school. I would like to thank you all for pulling together and making that happen.

Looking forward, as you will have heard on the news, from 18:00 on Friday 23rd October, Wales will be going on a national lockdown (we have information regarding Halloween and firework celebrations later on in this newsletter). Despite this, can i remind everybody that Gwersyllt CP will be open to pupils again on 2nd November 2020. We will be continuing the staggered starts and end times and, until further notice, we will be keeping in a class bubbles. We will also keep Breakfast running as it has been since September, with the requirement to book in before use.

At this time of year we would normally have given you dates for concerts and fairs. Understandably, things will be a little different this year. As the term progresses we will keep you up to date on what we have planned.

Thank you again for your support, we hope everyone has a safe week away from school and we look forward to seeing the pupils again on the 2nd November. 

Diolch yn fawr!

As you may well be aware, the school and the PTA have organised a non-school uniform day for Friday 23rd October. For £1, pupils can come in their own clothes. The money will go towards the PTA and help them to fund events (hopefully) later on in the academic year.

As it is an anxious time for many, and we will be entering half term with certain restrictions for families we are allowing for some light fancy dress on this day. I use the term light to emphasise that there may still be work/activities to complete during the day and to emphasise that we have a range of ages in school and that the fancy dress should be appropriate for all (ages 4 upwards).

In order to celebrate a successful half term the classteachers may choose to do some other activities with the class on this day. This will be passed on individually by class teachers to their class.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As we come to the end of a long, busy but ultimately successful half term can I please remind everyone of the requirement to book in if you wish your child to use breakfast club facilities. This must be done with the school. This morning we had a high number of pupils come to school without having pre-booked a place. This situation leads to the breakfast club staff having to quickly alter table, chair and activity arrangements and compromises the routines and preplanning that has been put in place to ensure the safety for the pupils and the staff. 

As a school we realise the importance of having a breakfast club to help those that need it. There are still many school’s nationally that are struggling to run one at all. However, we can only do this safely if we are aware of the number of pupils that are arriving and which class bubbles they are required to be in. 

Over the course of this term, we have managed to keep the pupils as safe as possible and not mix class bubbles. A huge part of this has been the ongoing communication and teamwork from all involved. This has certainly been the case with breakfast club. Therefore, can I request that parents and guardians continue to contact the school to book a place for their child. 
Thank you in advance for your understanding and continued co-operation.

Alongside the PTA, we are giving pupils the opportunity to take part in creating a christmas card (and various other items) this year.

This Monday (19th October) your child should come home with a sheet that allows them to design and order a cauliflower card. There is no expectation for anyone to take part in this.

However, if you wish to, simply create the design and return to school no later than Friday 6th November (we will let you know if this date changes due to unforeseen circumstances).

The school will then send of the finished designs to be produced.

Please note that the school does not get involved in the purchasing side of this. If you do wish to purchase one- order online following the instructions on the sheet. Once this is done then the school can send it through. If it is sent in without an order online it will not get made.

I hope the children enjoy this opportunity, the finished products I have seen look excellent.

Dear Parents,

Just a couple of things before we head into the last week of this half term before the break.

Tempest photography

Tempest photography will be in the school on Monday. They will be doing individual shots of the pupils only. Unfortunately, due to the current situation, we and they are unable to offer shots with families or siblings.

Flu immunisation

For those pupils that have returned consent for the nasal flu immunisations, these will be taking place on Tuesday within the classroom.

Cold weather

We are attempting to get the pupils outside whenever possible both during playtimes and during PE sessions. All pupils should come to school with a coat regardless of the weather, as it can be very changeable at this time of year. It is also advisable that they have an option of a warm top during their PE sessions.

As always many thanks for all your help and understanding. The news indicates that things may change for communities as we continue to move into winter. We will endeavor to inform you as soon as we can if this includes a change to the school routines.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I hope this message finds you well. Firstly, thank you for your continued help, support and communication over the last few weeks. It makes the current situation we face so much easier and more enjoyable.

Just a few things of note this week.

Clarification

A couple of parents have contacted the school regarding an article in the newspaper and on the website today. The article indicates how schools have been affected by self isolation since the beginning of September. 

To put people’s minds at rest the article shows the following:

Gwersyllt Community Primary School: <5 staff; 16 pupils

This shows that less than 5 staff have self-isolated since the start of term and 16 pupils have stayed off due to displaying symptoms or being in a household with someone who is displaying symptoms. It does not relate to positive tests. Currently, as you will see on the newsletter our weekly attendance is 94.75%

I hope this helps to put the information into context.

Birthdays

Unfortunately, we are unable to share out birthday cakes in classes. The only classes in which this is possible, due to facilities, is Barn Owls and Snowy Owls. However, in the name of fairness, we now feel it would be best to refrain from doing this across the whole school. This is not a pleasant thing to have to write but we hope you understand.

Symptoms

At this time of year there can be a lot of various forms of viruses and germs circulating around the community and community hubs such as a school. With the situation as it is we are all more vigilant towards any symptoms that may rear their head. However, despite guidance many of us find it difficult to distinguish between these symptoms e.g. what is a cold and what may be a more continuous cough. We ask that you seek this advice through phoning 111 or 119.

If we are made aware of any symptoms such as a high temperature the school have no choice other than to request 10 days isolation for the pupil or a negative test result, unless a more professional opinion has advised otherwise. Again thank you for your understanding in this matter.

I hope you have a great weekend. See you all again next Monday.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Thank you for another successful week at the school. I can’t believe this is the 3rd full week of pupils returning. It is truly flying by!

Parents Evening

Parents Evening will be a little different this Autumn. You should have received a letter this week requesting a slot for telephone call to discuss your child and how they are settling into the new academic year. Despite this difference, we hope you will get the same from the discussion as always and it will present a valuable opportunity to discuss the start of term with your child’s class teacher. Please return these forms by Tuesday to receive a timed slot next week

Leaver’s gathering

Unfortunately, due to restrictions we were unable to do anything prior to summer, so it was nice for the Year 7’s and last years leavers to get together with the class teachers and enjoy a bit of Kayaking. Top marks all around. It goes without saying we wish them the best of luck moving forward.

Finally, we have a new character in the school yard. Our new friend, a puffin, has been put up to to commemorate Jaxon. More is planned, involving our forest schools. In the meantime, thank you to Mrs Paula Wynne’s Dad for putting this up for the school. Diolch!

Children’s homework will be sent out via Google Classroom, if we find classes closed or your child is self-isolating then their work will be sent through this too.  If you are unsure now to access Google Classroom please watch the two links below.Video 1 – Accessing Google Classroom – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zC2deGRx1QiebpeLm04UIqbfoXaiI4TZ/view

Video 2 – How to complete the tasks and hand in to teachers – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UR_XOCJAUMq9I6l_IkrStnKRIb_RoELz/view?usp=sharing

Please see a message from the playmates team regarding the provision as of Monday 5th October 2020.

Since returning to school in September, Playmates have been trying to find ways for the children to enjoy themselves whilst also following government guidelines. After trialling numerous ways, including staying in class bubbles, we have found that some children are the only member of their class and are therefore isolated.To ensure that we are looking after the well-being of each child we will be introducing a Playmates bubble from Monday 5th October. This means that children from different classes will now be able to mix during Playmates only. Our daily register will ensure that we can track with accuracy the pupils that are in the bubble over certain periods of time.If you have any questions or queries, please either phone 07493810275 or email HarrisonN11@Hwbcymru.net.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Thank you for another good week, helping us get the pupils in and out of school as safely as possible. As things seems to be coming more of a routine you will be relieved to hear that my messages will, hopefully, become shorter. The school really do appreciate how much everyone has pulled together to make things run as smoothly as is possible at this time.

Cold and Wet weather.

We find ourselves in the predicament of trying to get the pupils outside the classroom as much as possible, as recommended in the guidance, but aware that the weather can be cold and wet at this time of year. This brings it’s own problems in terms of colds and coughs. A problem that is magnified by the current national situation. Could you please ensure that your child brings a warm and, preferably, waterproof coat to school everyday.

Breakfast Club

We are still getting a couple of pupils arriving to breakfast club without prior booking. Please email the school by at least 2pm the day before to make us aware of anyone requiring this service.

Kitchen

Congratulations to Mrs Alison Ackerley who has been appointed as the new cook in the Kitchen. She has been working with the team for a couple of weeks and has fitted in seamlessly with the school family. Welcome aboard!

Have a great weekend,

Mr J Moore