September start information
We look forward to welcoming you back for the start of the Autumn Term. We hope you've all had a lovely and restful summer break. We have been working hard at ensuring the school is safe and ready for your children to return to school as normal.
The Welsh Government and the Local Authority have provided all schools with explicit guidance and expectations for the return to school for all pupils in September and we have been working on turning these into a manageable plan.
Thursday September 3rd and Friday September 4th; only pupils in Reception, Year 3 and Year 6 will return.
Pupils in Year 6 can arrive in school from 8.40am and they will go straight to their classes with parents/carers following the same drop and go procedure we have used for the last 3 weeks of the summer term.
Pupils in Reception can arrive in school from 8.40am and they will be met by the staff from Nursery who taught them last year and staff from Reception as they arrive, to help settle them into school. Unfortunately parents/carers are not permitted into the school buildings so you will need to pass your children onto the staff and they will take your child into class.
Pupils in Year 3 are to arrive at 9.10am entering the school site by the Maesyfelin entrance (by the library). They will be met by staff from Year 2 who taught them last year, along with their Year 3 teachers, who will take them into their new classes and help them settle.
Unfortunately parents/carers are not permitted into the school buildings so you will need to pass your children onto the staff and follow the one way system off the school site.
Where you are dropping a child in either Reception or Year 6 as well as Year 3, please do this for all siblings at 9.10am.
If you are dropping in Reception first, please can you go across the year 2 yard to join the one way system around the Juniors by the library. Please do not come across the front of the building by the school office.
Monday September 7th pupils in Reception and Years 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 will return full time. Pupils in these years can arrive in school from 8.40am and they will go straight to their classes with parents/carers following the same drop and go procedure we have used for the last 3 weeks.
Tuesday September 8th Nursery pupils will begin their staggered entry to school with Group A attending on Tuesday, Group B attending on Wednesday, Group C attending on Thursday and Group D attending on Friday.
Nursery pupils are to arrive via the Palalwyf Avenue entrance for a 9.10am start. You will be directed to where your child can come into the school building. Finishing times are as per the nursery booklet and a reminder will be sent out by the end of the week.
At the end of the school day the Palalwyf Avenue school gates will open at 3pm for parents/carers of pupils from Reception to Year 2 to start collecting pupils.
The junior gates will open at 3.20 pm allowing parents / carers onto the school site to prevent congestion by the library. Parents / carers may wait on the school premises alongside the bike shelter but not past the white line to the playground, maintaining social distancing etiquette as far as possible.
Junior pupils will be brought out onto the yard at 3.30pm and parents/ carers can collect their children following the same system we have followed for the last three weeks of the summer term.
We will still be operating the one way systems around the buildings.
If parents/carers are collecting pupils in the foundation phase and the juniors can parents / carers please pick up from the foundation phase first and then go across the Year 2 yard by the fort and join the one-way system by the library for junior collection.
PLEASE BE AWARE THERE IS NO BREAKFAST CLUB FACILITY AVAILABLE AT PRESENT FOR THE START OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR.
These arrangements are subject to change. Should there be changes to the current advice and guidance, we will keep parents updated and let you know of any adjustments made by Parentmail.
Communication
As parents / carers will not be allowed into the school building, please could any issues, concerns or communications be first sent via email to your child's class teacher. Please see the attached document with a full list of teacher email addresses.
Should you need to speak to the school office, please email in the first instance to admin.pontyclunprimary@rctcbc.gov.uk or call the office on (01443) 237833. Please make use of the answer phone service if there is no-one available to take your call.
Lunches
Thursday and Friday this week will be packed lunches for all children. Pupils in receipt of free school meals will be catered for. We will notify you shortly regarding the provision of a hot lunch.
Equipment
We will provide pupils with all stationery equipment that they will need for the school day and therefore we would ask that pupils do not bring in pencil cases, books or other items from home. Pupils will leave their bags and coats in their classrooms as the cloakrooms are not being used. Pupils will only need to bring in their packed lunch, a refillable water bottle and a healthy snack should they wish. Please remember no sugary treats or drinks as we are a healthy school. Fruit, vegetables or cheese would be preferable.
Clothing
As we will be trying to utilize the outdoor environment as much as possible can children please ensure they bring a weatherproof coat daily and sensible shoes.
On PE days ( you will be notified of these shortly) can children come dressed ready for outdoor PE.
Extra -Curricular Clubs
At present the school will not be running extra-curricular clubs due to the current restrictions.
We as a school would like to thank all parents/carers for your continued support and understanding as we adapt to the ongoing situation.