September return to school
We are now at the end of probably the most tumultuous and challenging year we have had in schools since World War 2. Returning over the last three weeks has brought a semblance of normality back to school but it is still a far cry from where we once were. However, hopefully the new school year will see our pupils and our school start to look and feel more familiar and more settled and we can begin to put the past few months behind us.
The Covid-19 emergency has been an unprecedented event and it has radically changed and challenged, how we as a school have been able to operate. At times decisions, arrangements and changes have needed to be undertaken swiftly and throughout all of this, I feel the staff of Pontyclun Primary have responded magnificently. They have adjusted to all situations with fortitude, flexibility, humour and complete professionalism and have been an absolute credit to the school and the community we serve.
September will be here very soon and with it will come fresh challenges as we look to increase the daily capacity for pupils while still managing the health and safety issues that affect us all daily.
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.
The new school term will start on Tuesday September 1st.
Tuesday September 1st and Wednesday September 2nd will be designated teacher planning days with no pupils present.
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.
Pupils in Reception 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.
At the end of the school day the Palalwyf Avenue school gates will open at 3pm for parents/carers of pupils in the Foundation Phase to start collecting pupils.
The Junior gates will open at 3.20 pm allowing parents onto the school site to prevent congestion by the library. 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.
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.
We as a school would like to thank all parents/carers for your support and understanding over the last few months and we wish you a safe and enjoyable summer break.
We look forward to seeing you all in September.