Week 22 - Friday 5th March 2021

Return to School Update

Dear Parents and Carers

I hope you and your families are keeping well.

Yesterday evening we received confirmation from BCBC that all primary aged pupils can return to school on March 15th. (Please see attached letter from the Director of Education) . We are delighted to hear that this has been finalised and we are very excited to be welcoming our Key Stage 2 pupils back to school. All our KS2 pupils will return on Monday 15th although and further information will be sent out shortly regarding start and finish times. Please note this date is subject to review following any further advice from Welsh Government.

Controlled Covid restrictions will continue to be in place for the foreseeable future, but at last, it is beginning to feel that we can finally start to come together again as a school and a community.

As mentioned in my previous letter, we have developed “Curriculum Core“. This is a set of plans that highlight which areas the children have missed, which areas need consolidation and what new teaching is required. Over the next few weeks, teachers will carry out child-friendly assessments which will help us further develop our understanding of the children’s needs.

Teaching will focus mainly on Literacy, Reading, Maths, Welsh, and Health and Well Being. As the pupils have spent so much time working on their laptops our aim is to focus on working outside as much as possible. This will provide opportunities to socialise and work together in their bubbles and to be as active as possible. Time and resources will also be provided for those children that require any form of support. Other subject areas will be covered but we feel that priority at this time is needed for the above four areas.

I am so proud of how our pupils have engaged and adapted to all the changes that have been in place over the last few months and how you as parents have continued to support us as a school.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the school via ask@oldcaslteprimary.co.uk.

Best wishes

Mrs C. Littlewood

Acting Headteacher

Foundation Phase Access Arrangements

Here's a reminder of the start and finish times for foundation phase pupils and children attending the in school provision.

Barney

Here's Anwen - Anwen suggested the name for our school dog that was then chosen by our school community. Anwen was delighted to meet Barney this week and he was very well behaved for her. Thank you Anwen we love his name.

Barney is settling well in school and will be undergoing further training over the coming weeks which will allow him to visit classes and children on a more frequent basis. We have developed a wellbeing plan for him to ensure that he gets the right amount of rest he requires.

St David's Day

On Monday we celebrated St David's Day. We were so impressed with the effort from our pupils - here's a small snapshot of the activities that children in our Foundation Phase completed on Monday.

We were very impressed by two videos put together by children in year 4 and 5 - please take a look at this fantastic recipe demonstration for Cawl by Jack and a wonderful video by Daniel celebrating Wales.

World Book Day

On Thursday we celebrated World Book Day and once again we are so proud of our pupils for getting involved in our celebrations. Over the last few months we have purchased a large amount of new library books for all children in the school and we look forward to sharing these with our pupils. Our library area in the junior building will also be having a makeover in the next month or so - we will share photos with you when the work is completed.

Masked Reader Reveal

We were delighted to have so many entries into our Masked Reader competition this week. Thank you to our teaching staff for putting together the videos to get us guessing! Here's a copy of the reveal video. Masked Reader Reveal Video.

Teacher Telephone Appointments

We will be offering parents the opportunity to have a short telephone conversation with your child's class teacher in the coming weeks. Parents will be able to book an hours timeslot in which to receive the 10 minute phone call. The phone call will provide parents with feedback on your child's progress in school.

• Parents in reception to year 2 have been emailed details of how to book an appointment. These will take place week beginning 22nd March. If you have not received an email please let us know.

• Parents in years 3 to 6 will receive an email next week regarding the days, times and booking arrangements for your child. We plan to run these sessions week beginning 12th April.

• Nursery parents will also be contacted in the next few weeks with further information on feedback from the teacher.

Sign Language

We have an exciting whole school event coming up on the 18th March @ 2pm. It is the Biggest Ever Sign Language Webinar! More details will be shared with pupils on the day.

Young Minds

Parents might find this website useful to discuss returning to school with their child. Young Minds

Red Nose Day

We are pleased to support Red Nose Day on Friday 19th March. Children may wear their own clothes on this day. We will NOT be accepting donations for the charity in school, if you would like to donate please do so via Comic Relief.

P.E. Lessons

P.E. lessons this term will take place on the following days. Children attending school should wear their P.E. kit to school on the day of their lesson.

• Nursery - Friday

• Reception - Thursday

• Year 1 - Monday

• Year 2 - Tuesday

• Year 3 - Wednesday

• Year 4 - Tuesday

• Year 5 - Friday

• Year 6 - Thursday

COVID Reminder

If your child is off school due to a member of your household having a Covid test please ensure that you let us know when you report their absence.

The main symptoms of coronavirus are:

• a high temperature

• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot, for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours

• a loss or change to sense of smell or taste – this means they cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

What to do if your child has symptoms. If your child has any of the main symptoms of coronavirus:

1.Get a test to check if they have coronavirus as soon as possible.

2.Stay at home and do not have visitors until you get the test result – only leave your home to have a test.

Anyone you live with, and anyone in your support bubble, must also stay at home until you get the result.

Brynteg Year 6 Transition Information

Brynteg School are inviting all year 6 pupils to a ‘Year 6 Virtual Welcome party’ on Thursday, March 18th at 5pm. More information below. This information has also been emailed to year 6 parents.

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

Easter Holidays start 29th March