Week 13 - Friday 11th December 2020

Wow what a week we have had. We thank our parents for the support we have received over the past week. Thank you for being so supportive during this difficult time. At the time of writing we are waiting an update from Welsh Government about any further changes to arrangements for the last week of term. As soon as we hear if any further changes are to be made we will endeavour to get this information out to our staff and parents. The message from Mr Thompson below that was sent yesterday is the most up to date information we have.

We ask all parents to be aware of the symptoms of COVID and not to send their children into school if they are showing any symptoms. We need all parents to adopt a zero risk approach.

Below is a copy of the letter sent written by Mr Thompson yesterday

I know that once again I am writing to you to update you about the changes being made at the end of the term. As a school, we are trying to manage a significant amount of information and sometimes conflicting advice, including information that we receive at the same time as the wider population. Unfortunately, this has not made for seamless or effective communication and I would like to apologise for this.

Based on the information we know, as of yesterday, I can provide you with the following information. Firstly, on the 9th December, we had confirmation from the Welsh Government that the period that contacts are required to self-isolate has been reduced from 14 to 10 days. We have also had confirmation that this decision is to be applied retrospectively to pupils who are currently self-isolating.

Therefore, I can inform to you that the new date of return to school for those who are self-isolating at the moment is as follows:

● Nursery Monday 14th December 2020

Again, I am sorry if there is any confusion caused by the above but, as mentioned earlier, this information was only passed to us yesterday.

The Director of Education yesterday announced that all schools in Bridgend will close on Wednesday 16th December. I have been informed that a letter highlighting the above will be sent to you all shortly. Online learning will be available all of next week.

Next week staff have planned a range of activities and these will offer pupils the opportunity to learn as well as to celebrate the end of term together. These will be online for pupils who don’t attend school. I know that attending school may mean that if a class had a confirmed case that potentially pupils would be asked to self-isolate during the Christmas break. Whilst I am not suggesting is that learning and in-school attendance is ‘optional’, if this is your decision, the school understands.

Considering all of the above can I request again that if your child has any symptoms whatsoever, please do not send them into school. We need all parents to adopt a zero-risk approach - if you are unsure about whether your child is 100% well enough to attend please keep them at home. Please help us to ensure that the whole of our school community is as safe as possible.

Finally, I would like to thank you - Your support and the excellent conduct of pupils this term has undoubtedly helped manage what has been a horrendous year. Our plans for next week will provide as safe an environment as possible for your child, I know that over the next few days further local or national changes may be announced and we will keep you updated of these. The decision whether you send your child to school is yours and we trust that each family will make the most appropriate decision for them and this decision will have the support of the school.

Christmas Event

We started the week with a visit from Father Christmas and his reindeers! This magical event was arranged by the PTA and children and staff absolutely loved the occasion. All children and staff were treated to a gift from Father Christmas too! We hope that your children enjoyed and we are delighted that the PTA were able to hold the event to allow children to experience some of the magic usually experienced at Christmas. As well as Father Christmas and his reindeers children were also treated to a 'snow' experience. Thank you to Angela and Kim from the PTA for making this happen on Monday.

Some photos of the Christmas event are included at the end of the newsletter.

Christmas Dinner

This week our catering team served 257 hot Christmas dinners to our pupils! Thank you to the catering team for making the process run so smoothly particularly in these different times when we keep to our class bubbles. The dinner looked amazing and there were many empty plates - even the sprouts went! The dessert trolley looked fabulous too!

Special Assembly

We held a virtual assembly today for Mr Thompson who leaves us at the end of the term to take up a new position in Hampshire. All classes were able to join the virtual assembly from their classroom and watch a montage of videos from each class. All classes prepared a special message for Mr Thompson and these were played as part of the assembly. We reminded ourselves of the many things Mr Thompson has achieved at Oldcastle including hatching and keeping our own chickens, being the first school in the borough to install solar panels and sending a watch to space! We were delighted to share messages from a few ex pupils too as well as a message from Bridgend Male Voice choir. The choir also supplied a lovely version of Mr Thompson's favourite song 'Men of Harlech'.

Children in all classes have been busy creating some lovely artwork to say goodbye to Mr Thompson. We have displayed this in our main hall for our staff to view. The messages have been so lovely to read and Mr Thompson is very grateful for the kind words from the children. Our children and staff will certainly miss Mr Thompson. Below are a few photos from the assembly and the work the children have produced.

Home Learning

Nursery to Year 2

This week we have sent home learning codes to our foundation phase parents which will allow them to access Seesaw for their child. Seesaw is a learning app that allows parents and children to complete work at home. Parents have been provided with the log on details - if you require assistance please let us know. If you have not received a letter or email with your child's personal code please let us know.

Years 3 to 6

Children in years 3 to 6 will be able to access home learning via their class account on Google Classroom. Children will need to log into their Oldcastle Primary google account and then they will be able to view the normal screen they see in school and view their classroom. Children will be aware of their log in details and password but may need to be reminded to use @oldcastleprimary.co.uk after their username.

Home Learning will be available to children all of next week.

School App

Don't forget we use The School App for lots of our communication to parents. Parents will need to download the app in the Play or App stores. Once downloaded type in Oldcastle Primary School and you will be able to view our school. If you have any problems accessing the school app please let us know. Emails are another method of communication we regularly use so please ensure we have the most up to date email address for you. We regularly send emails and app messages so if you are not receiving them please get in touch.

Service Children

Please see a link to a letter regarding Service Children Information

Inset Days

Inset days for the school year have been approved and these are:

• Monday 12th April 2021

• Monday 7th June 2021

• Monday 19th July 2021

• Tuesday 20th July 2021

COVID Symptoms

Please remember if you or child presents any othe COVID symptoms you must self isolate and have a test.

• High temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature);

• New, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual);

• Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.

Please can we also remind parents of the Welsh Government guidelines regarding COVID 19 -

• If you or any other member of your household has COVID symptoms you must stay at home. If you have symptoms you should get a test.

• Children should not attend school if you or someone else in your household has symptoms or is having a test.

• Once the test result is received as negative children may return to school. Please inform the school when you receive the test result.

• If a positive result is received children should isolate for the 14 day period.

Keeping in contact

Please ensure you contact the school in the following ways when you need to inform us of COVID symptoms and / or test.

Telephone - 01656 815790 during school hours

And / or Email - ask@oldcastleprimary.co.uk