Gwersyllt CP

Dear Parents/Guardians,

What would have been the first half of the summer term is coming to an end. I hope all of you are well and that you have a safe half term.

I am writing to remind you that next week is the Half term holidays, and though we are providing work up until the 22nd May, please take the opportunity where possible to relax and enjoy the family. There is no expectation for any work to be completed and is being provided as an option for those who families that would prefer to continue a routine they may have established. The staff at the school will be available for contact from June 1st onwards.

Looking into next half term, there is still an expectation for a report to be made available for pupils. We have made the decision to keep it as similar as possible. The main difference being that the data will be taken from March/April rather than later in the year as it usually would. Normally, we would look to get the reports out en mass at the end of June/start of July. However, with the situation being as it is we will be making the reports available on a class by class basis and staggering when they are available. This will make the dissemination of the reports easier prior to Summer. We will send separate texts out to the classes as and when they become available from June 1st onwards.

Once again, thank you for your understanding and your patience, we know that this is a difficult time. It goes without saying, if anything changes we will let you know as soon as possible.

Good morning,

Our Internet Safety Special edition activity book is out now!

This is our third in a series for children and young people. https://schoolbeat.cymru/en/news/activity-books/

All activities are based on familiar lessons for the children delivered by School Community Police Officers in schools and are carefully designed to reinforce SchoolBeat’s most important key safeguarding Internet safety messages

This edition  book is suitable for 9-11 year olds and available in Welsh and English.

We would like to see photos of you completing the activities and of your finished work. Ask you parents or carers to upload them on our SchoolBeat Twitter,Facebook or Instagram pages.

Good luck with the activities and enjoy!

Firstly, and once again,, I would like to say a big thank you to all parents and guardians for your understanding and response to the constantly evolving and changing situation the country, the community and the school have found itself in. As a school we are trying got get information out as and when we receive it. Currently there has been very little definitive information to pass on.

Of course much of the informal discussion is around the new ‘normal’ and, for us, when school will commence phasing back.  Currently, as things stand in Wales, there is no change, and the Ministers announcement last week that school will not reopen on June the 1^st is still the most current update we have. As Wales is devolved on this front from England, what is heard through the news there does not apply to the Welsh schools. I appreciate how misguiding this can feel at times but, rest assured, we will update you as soon as we hear any official news. Again, the patience, good will and understanding shown by all has made a difficult situation much easier to negotiate.

I will just reiterate my message last week that you and your families wellbeing is paramount. It is easy to feel that working, teaching at home and keeping on top of all of life’s admin is an impossible task. Again, we understand and sympathise, We will continue to provide as we have been doing, but please feel free to do what you can and prioritise other aspects of family life when possible. It will be different for everyone of us. 

This short term is nearing its end. As we move forward the school is continuing to provide care for those that need it most and will continue to do so over the half term break and beyond if necessary. Half term will commence for a week starting on Monday, May 25^th. For this week we will provide holiday club for those eligible only. Some staff  will be in school to ensure this provision continues. However, as with Easter, I must stress for those staff that are not in school during these days that the half term break will provide a much needed opportunity to have family time and take a break from school work. As I am sure many of you will know this is increasingly difficult when working from home as those lines become a little blurred. With this being the case can I ask that there is no expectation for teaching staff to reply or respond to queries or questions about work or other aspects of school life during this time. Staff will be available again from 1st June and onwards.

We will be providing some work in the lead up to half term for those that may feel the routine is welcome and wish to continue doing a little. However, this is in no way a requirement and we hope this week will be an opportunity to focus on other aspects where possible.

Again, a huge thank you for adhering to the Welsh Assembly Government instructions and only bringing your child to school when there are absolutely no other safe alternatives. It really does help us provide an environment that’s keeps all as safe as possible.

Finally, can I wish you all a positive and, most importantly, safe two weeks. Our thoughts are with you all during this difficult time. We miss having the pupils in school but understand that this is all part of something bigger than those daily routines. A text will come out in due time regarding the school provision after half term and how to contact the school. We will also keep you updated with any changes.

Many thanks and stay safe

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I hope this message finds you all well. Though there is very little to update you on I thought I would write a message to keep you up to date on what little I can. Many of you will have heard or read about Kirsty William’s speech yesterday. She has said, despite rumours to the contrary, that nothing will change for schools in Wales on June 1st. This would indicate that we will continue as we have been doing for the foreseeable future. Of course, if this changes we will let you know as soon as possible.

As a school we are trying to provide as much opportunity for the pupils at home as we can. The facebook page is constantly updated with ideas on a more non educational front (though still extremely worthwhile) where as the class teachers are working with each other to ensure that there are opportunities for the pupils to continue learning at home. As well as this we are putting out a hard copy pack every fortnight for those that can not access work digitally. The latest one is available today from the reception.

However, we understand and sympathise that this can be difficult to work through and daunting for many. A lot of the staff find themselves in similar situations and home schooling can be extremely challenging. Though we wish to provide as much opportunity as possible, please don’t feel that the expectation is to complete it all. Every family is in a different situation and expectation should be adjusted as such. Health and well being is the priority, and if you are managing more on some days then others and bits of work when you can then you are doing a wonderful job (and on a personal note- a better one than me, most days).

We will continue to provide as we have been doing, but please feel free to do what you can and prioritise other aspects of family life when possible.

Please also keep an eye out on other resources we are making available through the school. Over the last week or so we have gained access to  (and bought into) White Rose maths, Real PE and free training from Solihull on childcare. Hopefully this presents further avenues to explore should you wish.

If anyone is struggling to access these opportunities for any reason please do not hesitate to contact the school and we will see what we can do.

Stay safe and hopefully we will see you soon.

Gwersyllt CP have manged to secure the use of Real PE for free over this difficult period.

It supports collaborative opportunities for the family to be active. Each school has their own unique email and password. you can find them at the bottom of the message. Once logged in the daily and weekly timetable is visible when you log in and families can also choose to explore and go on their own adventure. Even more content will be added over the next couple of weeks too!

We just ask that you don’t pass the details on to non Gwersyllt families- Many thanks.

real PE at home – online learning resources

real PE at home includes an online programme which supports families to be active, play and learn together. It includes a programme specifically for children in Early Years and Key Stage 1 with 12 themes, 6 areas, over 250 activities and challenges and 1000s of hours of fun and activity.

For children in Key Stage 2 there are carefully selected personal best challenges, skills and games designed for the home and garden. Daily and weekly guidance is provided for both programmes in addition to an option to choose your own themes and activities.

Dear Parent / Carer,

Free online courses for residents of NORTH WALES:

·         Understanding your pregnancy birth labour and your baby

·         Understanding your baby

·         Understanding your child

·         Understanding your teenagers brain

The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board Public Health Team have invested in a multi-user licence for 4 award winning, quality marked, evidence based online courses by the Solihull Approach (a national NHS organisation).

These courses are for ALL parents-to-be, parents, grandparents or carers of any child from the antenatal period to age 18 years. These courses are relevant for parents of all children, including those with special needs, autism, ADHD etc.

We believe that parents are their children’s first and most important educators and we are delighted to share this growth and learning opportunity to you as parents and carers.  We would encourage you to take advantage of this time limited opportunity. These courses are FREEto all residents of North Wales with the access codes below.

The licence is valid until 30 November 2022 so please take advantage of this fantastic resource while you can. Once you have accessed the courses using this code you will have non-expiring access.

Go to www.inourplace.co.uk and apply the NWSOL access code:

·         Understanding your pregnancy, labour, birth and your baby

·         Understanding your baby

·         Understanding your child

·         Understanding your teenagers brain

You will be asked to create an account so that you can resume the course where you last left off. You will also be asked to verify that you are legitimately entitled to use the access code by entering your postcode.

Personal information supplied by you remains private. Your responses to the monitoring questions are anonymised. You will not receive any marketing emails. You will receive congratulatory emails when you complete a module.

The Solihull Approach may very occasionally email you to tell you about updates to the course. We welcome your feedback.

For further information about the course visit www.inourplace.co.uk

For technical queries email solihull.approach@heartofengland.nhs.uk or ring

0121 296 4448 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm 

For any local questions or queries please contact in Welsh or English to nwsol@wales.nhs.uk

Best wishes, BCUHB Public Health Team

Among many other creative ideas, the pupils this week have been working very hard at some photography. I think you will agree that the results look extremely effective- Da iawn pawb!

As I mentioned in my communication previously, please find a letter from Ian Roberts the Chief Officer; Education and Early Entitlement, regarding the proposed initiative for free school meals.

 

Dear parent/carer

Firstly, can I thank you for your efforts in providing learning opportunities and supporting your children at home during these difficult and unprecedented times.

Since schools were closed for educational purposes on 20th March, the Council has been providing “Grab and Go” packed lunches for children eligible for free school meals through twelve distribution centres across the County Borough.  This system was introduced as an interim measure to give time to develop a system which will reach more families whose children receive free school meals when attending school and will continue upto and including Friday 1st May.

As from Monday 4th May, the Council will be introducing a Direct Payment system where parents will receive a payment into their bank account on a monthly basis equating £19.50 per week for each eligible chid in the family.

This will enable parents to purchase food for their children and reduce the necessity to make daily visits to the distribution points and also reduce travel across the Borough. For the children of critical workers and vulnerable children in receipt of free school meals who are attending school and are currently in receipt of free school meals, this scheme will also apply and parents will be required to pay for the meal in school should they wish their child to have one or alternatively provide a packed lunch though using the finance provided.

Parents with children who receive free school meals are strongly encouraged to register through completing the registration form accessed through Council’s website at  https://myaccount.wrexham.gov.uk/en/service/Free_School_Meals_____Direct_Payment_Application   https://fynghyfrif.wrecsam.gov.uk/cy/service/Free_School_Meals_____Direct_Payment_Application

Applications will open from 9am on Monday 20th April, and will close on Friday 1st May 2020 at 5pm. Payments for those who qualify will be made on Wednesday 6th May. Applications made after the closing date above, will not be paid in May.  Should there be any queries, please contact  freeschoolmeals@wrexham.gov.uk

Yours sincerely,

Ian Roberts

Chief Officer; Education and Early Entitlement

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Firstly, I hope this message finds you all safe and well and all of you were able to enjoy some of the Easter period.

Just a message from the school to keep you abreast of any news over the previous two weeks and moving forward. The truth is that there has not been any real change in how things are being implemented and the role that the school are being asked to play in this pandemic. The school remained open over the Easter period for Key Workers and will continue to do so until the situation or advice changes. The staff are working on a rota system providing care at the school and suitable work for the pupils of their classes from home. I do encourage you to look at what work is available on the online facilities such as Seesaw, Hwb and Mymaths. For the small amount of pupils who cannot access this work online we are looking to provide further hard copies this Friday in Reception to pick up as an alternative.

Of course, as you are aware, their has been a lot of speculation as to potential dates for the schools to commence a reopening strategy. There has been no official word as far as I am aware on a date. The Minister for Education, Kirsty Williams had announced last week that “schools will not re-open for statutory education next week (20-4-2020) and any change to that is not imminent”. Of course, we will inform you as soon as we know anything more concrete.

You may also be aware that Free school meals have been available to pick up Gwersyllt Estate offices between 11.30am-1pm. We have had communication to say that this process may end and a revised initiative will be set up by May 4th. Again, as soon as we know more we will let you know.

Finally, can I point you in the direction of a free book which may be of use to you in explaining the current situation with pupils.

Click to access Coronavirus-ABookForChildren.pdf

Many thanks and stay safe.

Firstly, I would like to say a big thank you to all parents and guardians for your understanding and response to the last couple of weeks. Of course, there are much larger things happening but the last couple of weeks have been amongst the strangest and most unpredictable schools will have experienced for many years. We have had to get information out to relevant parties as and when it has been given to us. This has occasionally been mere minutes prior to a deadline. The patience, good will and understanding shown by all has made a potentially difficult situation much easier to negotiate.

As we move forward school is continuing to provide care for those that need it most over the Easter break and beyond. Due to the call for this, the next 2 weeks will see some staff in school to ensure this provision continues. However, I must stress for those staff that are not in school during these days and weeks that the Easter break will provide a much needed opportunity to have family time and take a break from school work. As I am sure many of you will know this is increasingly difficult when working from home as those lines become a little blurred. With this being the case can I ask that there is no expectation for teaching staff to reply or respond to queries or questions about work or other aspects of school life during this time. Staff will be available again from 20th April and onwards.

Finally, can I wish you all a positive and, most importantly, safe two weeks. Our thoughts are with you all during this difficult time. We miss having the pupils in school but understand that this is all part of something bigger then those daily routines. A text will come out in the second week regarding the school provision after Easter and how to contact the school. We will also keep you updated with any changes.

Stay safe,

All at Gwersyllt CP