Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school and our community at the moment.

• Online Distance and Blended Learning

  Fri 08 Jan 2021
  Please click here for the latest update on Online Learning

• School provision 18th January to 29th January 2021

  Fri 08 Jan 2021

  Please 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 chains

   

  How 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

• UPDATE to school provision 11th to 15th January 2021

  Wed 06 Jan 2021

   

  School 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 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

   

  To 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.

   

• Week 2 arrangements, 11th to 15th January 2021

  Tue 05 Jan 2021

  The 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.

• Arrangements for January 2021

  Sat 02 Jan 2021

   

  I 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.

• Back to school change of date

  Thu 17 Dec 2020

  The Local Authority have just informed schools that on advice from Welsh Government, Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th January 2021 will be classed as school planning days. It is intended that pupils will now attend school from Wednesday 6th January 2021.

   

  The reasoning behind this is that there is a high degree of concern that schools will face significant staffing issues due to the expected high rates of Covid-19 within communities across South Wales and schools will need these days to ensure appropriate and safe plans are in place to open full time to all pupils.

   

  For these two days there will not be provision for children of key workers or vulnerable children and home learning tasks will not be set.

   

  Should Welsh Government make changes to these arrangements we let you know as soon as possible.

   

  Thank you for your understanding in this matter and have a safe and enjoyable Christmas break.

• Christmas Newsletter

  Fri 11 Dec 2020

   

  As many parents / carers have expressed a preference to keep their children off school from today can I take this opportunity to say thank you to all parents / carers for your support this term.

   

  We have managed to maintain a semblance of normality throughout the term for the children, and this has been, in part, only possible due to parents and carers understanding, fortitude and patience. Thank you also for the many positive comments the school has received for its handling of the return to school and the provision we have been able to provide. I am very fortunate to have such a hardworking and dedicated staff and am very grateful for all that they do on a day to day basis.

   

  Can we as a school wish you all a very merry and safe Christmas, a happy New Year, and we look forward to seeing you all back in January. The school is closed to all pupils on January 4th for staff training and so we will welcome all pupils back to school on January 5th 2021.

   

  School Christmas dinner
  Regrettably, we are unable to have a school Christmas dinner for pupils this year. This is due to the logistics of dealing with the large number of dinners that would be required, the need to maintain bubbles and eat in the classroom and the reduced number of kitchen staff at this time.

   

  Mrs B Ware
  As many of you are aware Mrs B Ware is expecting her first child sometime in the new year. In line with the local authority policy and due to the present epidemic, expectant mothers are required to work from home from the 28th week of pregnancy. Mrs Ware will be beginning her 28th week on January 21st 2021 and will therefore not be available to teach her class.

  We are however thrilled that Mrs L Thomas is returning from her maternity leave on January 4th and she will be teaching in Mrs Ware’s absence. There will be a 2 ½ week transition period where both members of staff will share class duties / team teach and pass over all information needed on the pupils to ensure a smooth changeover of class teacher takes place.

   

  Merry Christmas,

  Mr H Roberts

• Revised end of term arrangements

  Fri 11 Dec 2020

  We have been advised by the local authority that there is a change to the end of term dates. The last day of physical attendance for all learners (excluding the most vulnerable) attending primary schools will be Tuesday 15 December 2020.

   

  Please click here to see the authority letter for further details.

• School closure for the Christmas break

  Tue 08 Dec 2020

  Please click here to see the latest update regarding school closure for the Christmas Break in the attached letter from RCT.

   

  Further updates from the school will be sent to relevant parents and carers.

   

  However, a number of parents/carers have already informed the school that they will not be sending their children to school in the last week. If this is the case, whilst I cannot condone the action, I fully understand the reasons behind the decision and no pupil will be recorded as unauthorised.

   

  Stay safe

• Christmas Celebrations 2020

  Fri 27 Nov 2020

   

  Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions we are unable to hold our usual Christmas concerts and celebrations this year. The children will instead be performing songs, poems and activities within their class/year group bubble. Each day, throughout December, we will upload a different year groups performance to our Advent Calendar on the Christmas Celebrations page (which can be found under the 'Children' tab) on our school website for everyone to view, right up to the 25th December. The link can also be found here Christmas Advent Calendar

   

  The children are really enjoying getting into the festive spirit and we hope that you will enjoy viewing these at home with your children and families.

   

  Thank you for your continued support and understanding during these challenging times.