Week 24 - Friday 19th March 2021

Message to our parents

I wanted to let you know how wonderful this week has been seeing all our pupils and parents back in school. The empty rooms are full again of happy children learning, laughing and interacting with their friends and teachers. We are so proud of how the children have settled back into their classes especially after what has been a very difficult couple of months.

I would like to say a big thank you to all our parents for using our one-way system, and wearing a face mask when on the school site. We appreciate how busy the yards are in the morning and during pick up time and we would like to remind everyone to continue to socially distance when on the schoolyard and only one parent dropping off or collecting. It is important that we continue to work together to keep everyone safe.

Barney our well-being dog is settling in well and has undergone his first one to one training this week with Emily from Clever Canines. He is really enjoying seeing all the families in the morning and he loves having a fuss from all the children. As his training progresses there will be opportunities for him to spend time in classes and with individual children. We will also provide pupils with advice on how to behave when they see Barney for example stroking his chest rather than his head, staying calm when around him and not overcrowding him when they see him.

MEMORY GARDEN

The past year has been challenging for our school staff, pupils and parents, and as a school, we feel it is important to remember this period and support those who have lost loved ones.

We plan to create a dedicated Memory Garden in our school grounds and create a space that can be used for reflection and remembrance.

Our small school garden area behind the canteen will undergo a transformation over the coming months with the installation of a log cabin and paved area. We aim to create an outdoor classroom area for all children in the school to use with their class teachers. The area will include a number of memorial benches.

We plan to create a memorial wall to remember the events that occurred as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic.

When we are more settled and able to, we would like to invite parents and pupils to join us for a memorial service to view our Memory Garden. We will be guided by Welsh Government advice when this can take place.

We do feel that the current situation has allowed us as a school to come together as a whole community and we look forward to continuing with this in the future. We are so grateful for the support we have received from parents, carers and the children. We would welcome any suggestions from parents regarding future events that will support and benefit our school community.

Handwashing

In line with public health and local authority guidance, we have developed a handwashing protocol as part of our risk assessment process. The handwashing protocol was implemented last year and has been reintroduced following our return to school. As a school, we are required to ensure a robust handwashing protocol is in place. Hand sanitiser is also available for use at appropriate times.

School Vacancy

We currently have a vacancy for a lunchtime supervisor.

Oldcastle Primary School is seeking to appoint a Supervisory Assistant to work during the lunchtime period. Working as a part of a team, the successful candidate will be required to undertake the supervision of children in all areas of the school, and actively engage pupils in playground games. Experience of working with children would be an advantage, but is not essential. Applicants should note that an Enhanced Disclosure Check by the Criminal Records Bureau will be necessary for successful applicants for these posts. Closing Date: 31st March 2021

More information and details of how to apply is available on our website. Job Pack Lunchtime Supervisor Assistant

Nursery Yard

Please can we ask parents not to let their children move the equipment in the nursery yard before and after school. This includes the tyres and the tables. Thank you.

Sign Language

Our key stage 2 children took part in an online sign language session this week. A couple of videos can be viewed here - Sign Language.

National Day of Reflection

Next week pupils and staff will be taking part in the national day of reflection to mark one year since the coronavirus lockdown. Pupils will be observing a moment of reflection on Tuesday 23rd March.

Virtual Assembly

Today we held a virtual assembly for our pupils. Each class joined via Google Meet and Mrs Littlewood informed all the classes how lovely it was to have our pupils back in school. Each class informed the school what they had been doing over the last week. It sounds like all our classes have been busy this week and it was lovely to hear what everyone has been learning and doing this week. We will continue with the virtual assemblies next week as we feel it is a lovely way for us to come together as a school community.

New Equipment

We are delighted to let parents and pupils know that we will shortly be receiving some new tables and chairs for our junior children. The tables and chairs in these classroom have seen better days and we are delighted to be able to make these improvements to the classroom area.

We have also recently been able to purchase a range of science resources thanks to some grant funding received from external companies.

Our foundation phase children now have access to new Ipads.

Grant funding has also been received for outdoor learning and we have used this funding to purchase waterproof jackets and trousers for our younger pupils.

We are also pleased to inform parents and pupils that we are due to have a wifi upgrade after Easter! We know that our teaching staff were over the moon to learn that this will be happening as we often experience issues with our internet connection.

Child Protect Wales

We have been made aware that a group of people calling themselves 'Child Protect Wales' are distributing leaflets, letters and posters at school gates in our area. The leaflets and letters suggest schools are teaching inappropriate lessons under the health and well-being curriculum for Wales.

We want to make parents and carers aware of this information as we are led to believe that the leaflet is of a disturbing nature.

If you do receive a leaflet or letter off school premises and would like to discuss please do not hesitate to get in contact with us.

Inset Day

Reminder - we have an inset day on Monday 12th April for staff training. Pupils will return to school on Tuesday 13th April following the Easter holidays.

Teacher Telephone Appointments

We are 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 appointments planned for week beginning 22nd March. You will receive a phone call to the number provided in the timeslot you have booked.

• Reception appointments will take place on Monday 22nd March

• Year 1 appointments will take place on Tuesday 23rd March

• Year 2 appointments will take place on Wednesday 24th March

• Parents in years 3 to 6 have also been emailed with details of how to book an appointment. These will take place week beginning 12th April.

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

School Savings Club

We hope that our children have been continuing to save their pennies whilst we have been away from school. Our school savings scheme will start again after Easter holidays on a Wednesday. We will send a reminder closer to the date - start hunting out those paying in books!

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.

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