Latest News
Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school and our community at the moment.
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First Minister Announcement - Friday 29th January 2021
Fri 29 Jan 2021The Welsh First Minister has announced in a press conference today, that schools may re-open for some pupils following the half term break.
The briefing stated that,
1. Schools will continue to be open to vulnerable children and the children of critical workers up until the half-term. All other learners will continue to access remote learning during this period.
2. The youngest pupils in Wales could possibly begin returning to school after the February half-term if rates of coronavirus continue to fall.
3. If the transmission of Covid continues to decline, pupils will start returning to school in a phased way from 22nd February, beginning with our youngest learners.
4. Ministers and Welsh Government officials will continue to engage with Local Authorities, Trade Unions and representative groups to plan for the return of learners to school.
5. Welsh Government is committed to ensuring that schools, parents and carers have plenty of time to plan for change and it is hoped that Councils and schools across Wales will receive timely notifications so that we are able to strategically plan for key changes.We are obviously all keen to see pupils return to full time, face to face teaching at the earliest opportunity and will be eagerly waiting for confirmation for when this will take place. When further information is provided, we will share with you as soon as possible. In the meantime, home learning for those not in the hub will continue.
On that note, there does seem to have been a drop off in the numbers of pupils uploading home learning tasks. Being a parent and having to support home learning myself, I appreciate how difficult it can be juggling all of the demands of work, home learning and other daily chores, but would ask that where possible, the high levels of support previously given, be maintained for the next two weeks. We are nearly at the half term break and it would be a shame if things tailed away.
However, as I said, I fully appreciate the stresses and strains that home learning puts on you and your children. If you or your children are having a bad day and in need of respite, take the pressure off with a well-being break and return to home learning the next day.
Hopefully we won’t have to operate in this way for much longer, stay safe everyone.
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RCT Guidance for Parents and Carers on Distance and Blended Learning
Fri 29 Jan 2021Please see the below message from Gaynor Davies, Director of Education and Inclusion Services, for RCT, which includes a link to a questionnaire. Please click here to read RCT's guidance for Parents and Carers on Distance and Blended Learning.
"Dear parent/carer
Distance learning is presenting incredible challenges and opportunities for teachers, parents/carers and pupils at this time. Please find attached a guide that may help your understanding of the many forms of learning your child/ren could be engaging in currently (this is not exhaustive).
Your views on this matter are so important to us. Below is a link to a survey. If you have some time, we would be very grateful if you could complete this by 13.2.21 and share your experiences with us so far.
Can we remind you that should you experience any difficulties accessing the learning from your school/s, please contact them directly and they will be able to support you.
Many thanks,
Gaynor Davies
Director of Education & Inclusion Services "Stay safe
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Online Learning - Google Meet - Live 'Video-Conferencing' from Wk Beg Monday 1st February 2021
Fri 29 Jan 2021Please click here for the latest update on Online Learning -
Distance Learning Update, Protocols and Agreement
Fri 22 Jan 2021Please click here for the latest update on Online Learning
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Online Learning, digitally excluded pupils and teacher wellbeing calls
Fri 15 Jan 2021Please click here for the latest update on Online Learning -
Online Distance and Blended Learning
Fri 08 Jan 2021Please click here for the latest update on Online Learning -
School provision 18th January to 29th January 2021
Fri 08 Jan 2021Please see the letter below from Gaynor Davies. This means that we are extending school provision until 29th January 2021.
The Critical Worker list now has an additional category which takes effect from Monday 18th January 2021, so please check the list below the letter to see if you now qualify for school provision between the 18th and 29th January 2021.
See how to apply at the bottom of this email.
Letter from Gaynor Davies
" Dear parent/carer
This morning the First Minister announced further changes for schools in Wales. The key elements are summarised as follows:
• All children, with the exception of high priority vulnerable learners and the children of critical workers, will continue to access remote learning until the 29th of January. If rates of infection have not reduced by this time, schools will continue with remote learning until the February half-term break.
• Only high priority vulnerable children and the children of critical workers will have access to on-site education in schools along with learners undertaking essential exams and assessments until the 29th of January (or until the February half term if rates remain high).
• Schools are not more unsafe now or pose a higher risk for teachers and children. However, the new variant of Covid-19 is far more infectious and is leading to increased numbers of people falling ill and being hospitalised.
• For GCSE, AS and A level learners, a decision has been made to cancel the spring term assessments that were planned to take place between 22th February and 23rd April. Revised assessment arrangements for the award of these qualifications in summer 2021 will be put in place shortly and further information will follow in due course.
• Special school staff that provide intimate personal care for children with complex medical needs will be included as part of the priority list for vaccination to ensure that the most vulnerable are kept safe.From the Monday the 18th of January, schools will continue to provide education for the children of critical workers on school sites. Eligibility has changed slightly and will only include the following groups of workers:
• Health and social care workers (including care home staff).
• Public safety (emergency workers) and national security workers.
• Education and childcare workers.
• Food and other necessary goods workers (please note this is an additional category)
If you have explored all possible childcare options and genuinely have no other alternative and have to work, then please advise the school by Monday the 11th of your requirements for the week commencing the 18th of January. The current legislation only requires one parent to work in one of these outlined areas of work to access school based education.Arrangements for high priority vulnerable learners will remain unchanged.
Please note, that places will be capped to ensure the health and safety of your child and school staff during this concerning period. The safest place for your child currently is at home but if essential, your school can provide education for vulnerable learners and the children of identified critical workers in school. Where demand for places exceeds supply, requests will be prioritised based on need. If you have any concerns or exceptional circumstances, please raise these directly with your child’s school. On-site provision is for education and not childcare, as school staff still have a responsibility to deliver education remotely to all children throughout the school day. In addition to this, they will continue to provide remote wellbeing support for those that require this.Thank you for your continued patience and for supporting your child’s learning during these very challenging times.
Many thanks
Gaynor
Gaynor Davies
Director of Education and Inclusion Services
Cyfarwyddwr Addysg a Gwasanaethau Cynhwysiant
Ty Trevithick, Abercynon, Rhondda Cynon Taf, CF45 4UQ "Updated Critical Worker Identification
Health and social care workers
All NHS and social care staff, including:
• doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, social workers, care workers, and other health and social care workers including volunteers organisations involved with patient discharge, transport and hospital transfers
• the administration, support and specialist staff required to maintain the UK’s health and social care sector including those third sector workers in an NHS or care setting
• those working as part of the health and social care supply chain, including producers and distributors of medicines, and medical and personal protective equipment
• NHS Blood and Transplant frontline staff (blood donation staff, specialist nurses for organ donation, staff running therapeutic apheresis services in NHS hospitals)
• those providing ancillary support to NHS workers (such as hotel accommodation for NHS staff)
Public safety (emergency workers) and national security workers
• British Transport Police and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Fire and Rescue Service employees (including support staff)
• Ministry of Defence civilians, contractors and armed forces personnel (those critical to the delivery of critical defence and national security outputs and critical to the response to the coronavirus pandemic), including defence medical staff
• National Crime Agency staff, those maintaining border security, prison and probation staff and other national security roles, including those overseas
• police and support staff
• staff of organisations required in the national security aspects of water in Wales
Education and childcare workers
• all workers in childcare settings (to include day nurseries, creches, childminders, play groups, Cylch Meithrin, after school clubs and holidays clubs)
• Further Education (FE) and Higher Education (HE) lecturers
• social workers
• specialist education professionals,
• support staff on site at schools, FE and HE settings such as catering, cleaners, caretakers, maintenance staff all those involved in schools/FE/HE institutions to operate
• teaching staff
• learning support staff
• Work Based Learning trainers and assessors
• Youth workers
Food and other necessary goods workers
Critical personnel in the production and distribution of food, drink and essential goods, including but not limited to:
• those involved in food production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery such as, but not limited to:
o abattoir workers
o fishers (crewed vessels)
o farmers
o milk processors
o food retailers, manufacturers, distributors
o storage (inc. cold & hub)
o food animal vets
• individuals that support the production, testing and front facing services of the food industry such as engineering or maintenance roles, quality control, food testing and customer relations
• those critical to the provision of other essential goods, such as medical supply chain and distribution workers, including community pharmacy and testing, and veterinary medicine in food producing and public health roles
• workers critical to the continuity of essential movement and storage of goods such as collection and delivery drivers, agricultural merchants and haulers
• essential agriculture services i.e. sheep shearers, foot trimmers, sheep dippers, supply chainsHow to apply for school provision from 18th to 29th Janaury 2021
To apply for school provision for the period 18th January to 29th January 2021, please email admin.pontyclunprimary@rctcbc.gov.uk by 12noon on Wednesday 13th January 2021 with the following details:
Child(rens) name:
Class / year group:
Provision required (days and dates):
Breakfast Club (Please note this is liable to change depending on numbers and advice):
School Dinner:
Occupation:
Shift Pattern:
Line manager contact details:
Partner's Occupation:
We will let you know the outcome of your request on Thursday 14th January by no later than 5pm. Please keep an eye on your parentmails.
Stay safe
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UPDATE to school provision 11th to 15th January 2021
Wed 06 Jan 2021School Provision 11th to 15th January 2021
Due to the large number of communications received by the council, RCT have updated their guidance on identifying children of critical workers. At present, schools can only accept applications from a narrowed selection of frontline / blue light workers as detailed below. If you meet the requirements of this list, you may apply for school provision.
Health and social care workers
All NHS and social care staff, including:
• doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, social workers, care workers, and other health and social care workers including volunteers organisations involved with patient discharge, transport and hospital transfers
• the administration, support and specialist staff required to maintain the UK’s health and social care sector including those third sector workers in an NHS or care setting
• those working as part of the health and social care supply chain, including producers and distributors of medicines, and medical and personal protective equipment
• NHS Blood and Transplant frontline staff (blood donation staff, specialist nurses for organ donation, staff running therapeutic apheresis services in NHS hospitals)
• those providing ancillary support to NHS workers (such as hotel accommodation for NHS staff)Public safety (emergency workers) and national security workers
• British Transport Police and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Fire and Rescue Service employees (including support staff)
• Ministry of Defence civilians, contractors and armed forces personnel (those critical to the delivery of critical defence and national security outputs and critical to the response to the coronavirus pandemic), including defence medical staff
• National Crime Agency staff, those maintaining border security, prison and probation staff and other national security roles, including those overseas
• police and support staff
• staff of organisations required in the national security aspects of water in WalesEducation and childcare workers
• all workers in childcare settings (to include day nurseries, creches, childminders, play groups, Cylch Meithrin, after school clubs and holidays clubs)
• Further Education (FE) and Higher Education (HE) lecturers
• social workers
• specialist education professionals,
• support staff on site at schools, FE and HE settings such as catering, cleaners, caretakers, maintenance staff all those involved in schools/FE/HE institutions to operate
• teaching staff
• learning support staff
• Work Based Learning trainers and assessors
• Youth workersTo apply for school provision, please email the school on admin.pontyclunprimary@rctcbc.gov.uk by 12 noon, Thursday 7th January 2021 .
Please ensure you provide the following details:
Name of child(ren)
Year Group / Class
Days provision required
Whether or not your child will be taking up Breakfast Club provision
Whether or not your child will be having a school dinner
Occupation
Shift Pattern for 11th to 15th Jan 21
Line manager's name and contact details
Partner's Occupation
We will confirm your child(rens) place by 5pm Thursday 7th January 2021 by ParentMail email.
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Week 2 arrangements, 11th to 15th January 2021
Tue 05 Jan 2021The ever changing situation in Wales means that we now need to provide distance learning for all pupils until 18th January, although, unfortunately, this could well change and be extended further.
Pupils who are classed as vulnerable or are offspring of key workers are, however, eligible for face to face teaching if ALL OTHER childcare options are unavailable.
I am aware that the criteria for Key workers is at present different to the criteria used before the summer break, but it is the criteria that RCT have decided upon at this present time. This also is subject to change and further jobs/ professions may be added to the list should the school closures be extended.
Please click here to see the letter from Gaynor Davies, Director of Education, outlining the new arrangements for Week 2, 11th to 15th January 2021.
Please be aware that these are the present arrangements but due to circumstances changes may occur.
January 11th and 15th
Online / home learning will be provided for all pupils for this week and pupils should remain at home.In order to support frontline critical workers, the school will provide provision for the children of these workers. This will be from 11th-15th January for school core hours only. Core hours are:
Foundation Phase:
Drop off from 8.40am for a 9am start (as usual to ease congestion and maintain social distancing)
Collection from 3pm until 3.20pm (as usual to ease congestion and maintain social distancing)
Key Stage 2:
Drop off from 8.40am for a 9am start (as usual to ease congestion and maintain social distancing)
Collection from 3.20pm until 3.30pm (as usual to ease congestion and maintain social distancing)
Applications must be received by the school no later than 12pm on 6th January 2021, where after each application will be processed on its own merit. The school will contact you by 5pm on 6th January with the outcome of your application.
Parents and carers should not apply for this childcare if alternative arrangements can be made for their children. For example, if there is another parent working from home or if the critical worker is not in work/on shift.
Please be aware the school may ask for notice of shift patterns and line managers contact details.
Current criteria from RCT for critical workers is as follows;
• Blue light workers, including NHS, Police and Fire Service staff
• Social care workers (including care homes)
• Childcare or education staff.Breakfast Club provision is also available for this week should you need it. Please be aware that when face to face teaching resumes breakfast club provision will only be for those pupils who were originally accepted for the Spring Term. If you would like to take up the offer of a breakfast place for this week, please inform the school by email to admin.pontyclunprimary@rctcbc.gov.uk before 12 pm on Wednesday 6th January 2021. If attending breakfast club, please bring your child(ren) to the main school hall. Breakfast club will open at 8.15am.
School dinners will also be available for pupils this week, again, please notify the school by email as above before 12 pm on Wednesday 6th January 2021.
Please ensure you notify the school of any food allergies that your child may have so that the catering staff are fully aware and can ensure that your child's needs are catered for.
Should this information change we will contact you.
Thank you for your understanding in this matter.
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Arrangements for January 2021
Sat 02 Jan 2021I hope that you have had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year, hopefully 2021 will see an end to the disruption of last year and we will begin to get back to normal. However, it appears that this will not be the case in the immediate future as unfortunately, it appears that transmission rates are high across RCT resulting in the Local Authority issuing new guidance on the opening of schools.
Please click here to read the letter from Gaynor Davies, Director of Education, outlining the new arrangements.
Please be aware that these are the present arrangements but due to circumstances changes may occur.
January 4th and 5th
The school will be closed to pupils to assess the staffing capacity and to make appropriate arrangements and plans for the pupils to return to school safely. There will be no online learning or home learning provided to pupils for these days.In order to support frontline critical workers, the school will provide provision for the children of these workers. This will be from 6th-8th January for school core hours only.
Applications must be received by the school no later than 12pm on 4th January, where after each application will be processed on its own merit. The school will contact you by 5pm on 4th January with the outcome of your application.
Parents and carers should not apply for this childcare if alternative arrangements can be made for their children. For example, if there is another parent working from home or if the critical worker is not in work/on shift.
Current criteria from RCT for critical workers is as follows;
• Blue light workers, including NHS, Police and Fire Service staff
• Social care workers (including care homes)
• Childcare or education staff.January 6th, 7th,8th
The children of critical workers who qualified for the childcare provision will attend school. On instruction from RCT, please note that class bubbles will not be able to be broken to put children together. Please prepare your child that they may be in a class with no other pupils.
All other pupils will remain at home where they will be provided with online/home learning.
January 11th
All pupils return to school for face to face learning. Should this information change we will contact you.Thank you for your understanding in this matter.