Dear Parents/Carers
I am sure you are aware by now that pupils in Foundation Phase will begin a Phased Return to school from the 22nd February after half term. This is really very positive news and we look forward to welcoming more pupils back after half term. Nursery pupils will be returning to school from week commencing 1st March on a phased return basis.
Nevertheless, we are still in Tier 4 of the response levels to the Covid-19 pandemic which means that there still exists significant transmission of the virus within our community. Therefore, we will continue to take the necessary measures to reduce the transmission of Covid-19 within the school and to keep our pupils, staff and visitors as safe as we can. In this, we need your full co-operation. As has been highlighted by Dr Lowri Vaughan Brown, our Chief Education Officer in her letter to parents that you have received, we ask that you adhere to the following –
– remain vigilant if any of your household exhibit any symptoms common to Covid-19, take the appropriate steps.
– keep to social distancing protocols i.e. 2 metres apart at the school gates and wear a face covering.
– do not allow children to stay overnight with other families i.e. no sleep overs
– no mixing outside of school and do not send learners into school if they have symptoms or have tested positive for Covid-19
If the transmission rate reduces, then it is possible that we can look forward to welcoming even more pupils back which is our fervent hope. However, should the R rate increase, then this is much less likely to happen. Our behaviour and our adherance to guidance and advice from Welsh Government and Public Health Wales is key to ensuring that the cases of Covid-19 do reduce in our community.
If we all follow the advice and guidance properly, we will emerge from this crisis sooner rather than later and we will be able to welcome all our pupils back to school where they belong.
You will receive a separate e-mail today regarding the phased return of pupils. On-line learning for Foundation pupils will not continue after half term.
Key Stage 2 (Years 3 to 6) pupils will not be returning to school on the 22nd although there will be a review of current measures conducted by Welsh Government on 19th February where it is possible an announcement may be made regarding a date for the return of older pupils. On-line learning for Key Stage 2 pupils will still be provided.
Key Worker provision for Key Stage 2 pupils will continue as normal.
Foundation Phase pupils who currently attend the Key Worker provision can continue to do so if they are not scheduled to be in school during the phased return. On Monday 22nd February which has been allocated as a Health & Safety Briefing Day, Key Worker provision for Foundation Phase and Key Worker pupils will run as usual. From Tuesday to Friday that week, Key Worker Infant pupils will then join their classmates and should arrive and leave school at their allocated class time. Once the Phased Return is complete, Key Worker provision for Foundation pupils will no longer be necessary, that is from Monday 1st March.
To date, we have had no positive cases of Covid-19 within the school. This is a situation that we naturally want to continue. As I have said before, luck is the residue of design and it is down to all of us to follow the guidance and behave appropriately.
Please find attached the latest Phased Return Plan for Infants – please take the time to read and understand the details.
Thank you again for your patience and understanding throughout this challenging time and I hope you enjoy a safe and happy half term break.
Take care
Yours sincerely
Iwan Lloyd Jones, Headteacher