Herro of the Week
We held our certificate assembly virtually today to celebrate all of this week’s certificate winners.
This week’s heroes are:
Dosbarth Coch (N/R): Reubyn. P and Halle-Joe. P
Dosbarth Oren (R/Y1): Skyla P and Ellie. R
Dosbarth Melyn (Y1/2): Harry. M and Alex. B
Dosbarth Gwyrdd (Y3): Layla. Y and Summer. T
Dosbarth Glas (Y4): Kajetan. L and Lillie-Mae. M
Dosbarth Porffor (Y5): Alanna. M and Dyllan. S
Dosbarth Enfys (Y6): Jackson. D and Dominic. P
Well done to all of our heroes, we are very proud of you all!
Contact Sheets/ Medical Issues
This week, the children have brought home their current contact information sheets. Please check them carefully and return them to school as quickly as possible. Please pay close attention to the medical issues section. It is vital our medical issues records are up to date.
Drop Off/ Collection
Thank you to everyone for supporting us as we tweak our drop off and collection arrangements and for those of you who have been adhering to social distancing rules. Can I once again politely request for your children to arrive on time. The purpose of the staggered drop off and collection times is to ensure the children from different classes don’t mix. If the children arrive too early or too late, they end up mixing with children from other classes which is what we must avoid.
When queuing on the yellow spots to enter the school grounds, please wait as close to the fence as possible and be mindful not to block the pavement, allowing others to pass safely.
Home Learning
Children who are self-isolating due to being symptomatic, or a member of their household being symptomatic, will be given access to home learning. Please report your situation to the office and we will inform the class teachers who will post learning online for your children whilst they isolate. Please be mindful that class teachers are teaching full time so will not be able to respond to messages or pupils’ work quickly. Teachers will reply to messages and feedback to the children at regular points throughout the week.
Scooters and Bikes
It is great to see so many children riding their bikes and scooters to school. Please ensure your children dismount their bike or scooter before they enter the school grounds to avoid any accidents.
Catering and Breakfast Club
In a letter from Keri Cole, Direction of Education, distributed a few weeks ago, you were informed that catering provision and breakfast club were expected to resume within Caerphilly schools from the 1st of October. Catering provision has now been postponed to November, 2nd at the earliest due to the borough lockdown and increase in Covid-19 cases within Caerphilly.
There are currently ongoing discussions around how breakfast club can be operated safely and in line with Government guidance. I will keep you informed of how these discussions progress.
Chromebook Purchase Scheme (Years 3, 4 and 5)
Following the meeting giving further information on our proposed Chromebook Purchase Scheme, a link to a register of interest form has been shared to the class stories for Years 3, 4 and 5. Please confirm your interest by completing the form before Friday, 2nd October.
Big Talk (Please discuss with your children):
This week’s topic is ……Why is it important for us to social distance?
Upcoming Dates
Monday, 19th and Tuesday, 20th October – Virtual Parents Evenings (Arrangements to be shared closer to the time)
Thursday, 22nd October – Break up for half term
Friday, 23rd October – INSET Day (School closed to pupils)
Monday, 2nd November – Pupils return to school
Please see letter below from Caerphilly County Council:
An open letter to residents, businesses and partners across the Caerphilly county borough:
Dear all,
We write to you once again to provide an update on the ongoing coronavirus restrictions within the Caerphilly county borough.
When these restrictions were introduced by Welsh Government on Tuesday 8th September, it was agreed that they would be reviewed after two weeks and then weekly thereafter, as appropriate.
As you know, it has been just over two weeks since the start of our local lockdown and Welsh Government has reviewed the position with us. We collectively agreed, that whilst there are early promising signs of improvement, it is a little too early to consider any relaxation of the regulations. As such the additional measures will remain in place for at least the next 7 days.
An announcement is due to be made by Welsh Government Ministers imminently, confirming this position so please watch the Welsh Government briefings or visit the CCBC website for the latest update:
www.caerphilly.gov.uk/Services/Coronavirus
We continue to work very closely with our key partners to provide Ministers with the latest data in terms of infection rates, the effectiveness of the measures and the compliance of residents and businesses across the county borough.
We would again like to thank each and every one of you for continuing to adhere to these guidelines. We know it hasn’t been easy. However, the data shows that the picture is looking positive and the infection rate is falling. It is clear therefore, that you are making a real difference. It is so pleasing to see the community spirit, strength and resilience of our people really shining through.
You will be aware that Caerphilly was the first area in Wales to have localised restrictions imposed, but since then, five other neighbouring areas have also had ‘local lockdowns’ due to similar concerns about the increase in their infection rates. Additionally, Wales-wide restrictions are now also in place in response to concerns about the increasing rate of spread of the virus nationally.
We understand that these different layers of restrictions can sometimes cause confusion and mixed messages, so we thought it important to remind everyone of our current rules so that we all clearly understand what is required of us here in the Caerphilly county borough. The restrictions apply to everyone living or working in the area and to people who may want to visit:
- People will not be allowed to enter or leave the Caerphilly County Borough Council area without a reasonable excuse (details of these can be found on the CCBC website page listed above).
- Everyone over 11 will be required to wear face coverings in indoor places, which are open to the public, such as shops, as well as on public transport. (There are some limited exemptions for people with disabilities and medical conditions – these are the same as for public transport).
- People will only be able to meet outdoors for the time being. People will not be able to meet members of their extended household indoors or form an extended household (sometimes known as a “bubble”)
This means meeting indoors (in people’s houses, in a pub or elsewhere) with anyone you don’t live with is not allowed at the moment unless you have a good reason, such as providing care to a vulnerable person.
Additionally, hospitality businesses in Wales will close at 10pm and provide table service only. All off-licences, including supermarkets, will also stop selling alcohol at 10pm. Once again, we offer our sincere thanks to you, for your individual and collective actions. It really is making a difference. Let’s keep our collective actions going, as working hand-in-hand together we can control the spread of this terrible virus and keep our beautiful county borough safe.
Thank you.
Cllr Philippa Marsden Leader of Council
Christina Harrhy Chief Executive