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

• Update Return 22nd Feb 2021

  Fri 12 Feb 2021

  Wednesday 10^th February 2021

   

  Further Update

   

  Dear Parents/ Carer,

   

  A quick update for the parents of FP or Hub provision on the return to school on Monday 22^nd February.

   

  A number of parents who are eligible have requested KS2 Hub provision. The closing date is 12pm Wednesday 10^th February as stated in the previous letter. The Local Authority states Hub provision is a last option if a Keyworker has no other childcare. Even though many find home learning difficult at times, this is not a reason for requesting Hub provision.

   

  Breakfast Club will be available from Monday 22^nd February for children who had attended Breakfast Club before Christmas.

   

  Payment for a school dinner has to be made online before Monday 22^nd February. The dinners will not follow a set menu during the first week due to some stock needing to be used and new ordered.

   

  Please remember for children to wear suitable clothing, coats, gloves, etc. because they will be outside for play and some activities.

   

  If any FP child is not attending on 22^nd February, parents have to phone school by 9:30am. We continue to follow all guidelines to a very high standard to help ensure that any risks to your child and the staff are at a minimum.

   

  If you have a queries please email or phone. Please have an enjoyable Seesaw free half term. Take care and follow the guidelines to prevent any increase of risk. I hope we will be able to have the KS2 pupils returning as soon as possible.

   

  P Morgan

  Head Teacher

• Return to School 22nd Feb 2021

  Sat 06 Feb 2021

   

   Friday 5th February 2021

   

  Dear Parents/ Carer,

   

  Firstly, thank you to all the pupils, parents and staff for the online learning that has taken place since the beginning of January. I have been extremely proud of all the incredible learning that has gone on. It has been on paper, digitally, in the kitchen, living room, garden, while on walks, in the hub, painted, drawn, typed, written, danced, sang, baked and even outside No10 Downing Street (virtually)! It has not been easy for parents, carers and grandparents. My staff too, have had to juggle their home responsibilities and their school role. Well done to you all.

  There are a number of parents who might still have issues engaging with home learning, as stated before please contact the teacher through Seesaw or myself at the school for support and possibly alternative solutions.

   

  Parent/Teacher Meetings

  Our usual Parent/teacher meetings will be conducted on the phone from week commencing Monday 8th February. Your child’s class teacher will message on Seesaw and text to give you a time period on a particular day when the meeting can take place. If this is inconvenient, please contact the teacher by Seesaw or contact the school.

   

  Half Term

  Seesaw will continue next week but all online learning will stop during half term. The staff will be instructed to turn off Seesaw and recharge their batteries. Please continue to read with your child and to feed their curiosity. There will be NO Hub provision during half term as instructed by the Local Authority. I will be available via email during the week for any queries but my response may take 24 hours ;)

   

  Back to School

  Following the Welsh Government announcement, I am pleased to invite children of nursery, reception, year 1 & year 2 back to school. These Foundation Phase pupils are to attend from Monday 22nd February 2021.

  Year Group	Start	Finish
  Nursery	9:00	12:00*
  Reception	9:00	3:15
  Yr 1	8:45	3:00
  Yr 2	9:00	3:15

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Some nursery are full time – finish 3pm

   

  Children who were due to start as pre-nursery in January will be delayed in their return and will have separate individual information.

  It is reassuring that the Welsh Government and their advisors believe it is safe enough to return and confident that the schools’ practices under their guidelines will minimise any risk in the current pandemic. To minimise these risks we all must follow the guidelines nationally and how they are implemented in our school. Below is a general list to try to capture the practices on our return:

   

  • If possible, do not block a drop off bay but park outside of the school grounds.
  • Only 1 adult to accompany the children to and from school, walking socially distanced from other adults. If possible, no older children are to accompany with parents.
  • All adults to wear face coverings on the schoolyard.
  • Children to walk onto the yard with parent and line socially distanced at the correct time, arriving too early means adults are gathering and even a minute late stops the gates being closed on time.
  • Parents to remain 2m from doorway/member of staff.
  • Children will sanitise their hands on entry to the cloakroom.
  • Children are to have a water bottle and a suitable coat because we will be using the outdoor environment as often as possible.
  • Parents to phone/email school whenever possible and not visit school office.
  • Parents are to leave the premises promptly and not gather to chat.
  • Outside of school, please follow the guidelines and do not allow your child to mix with other families.

   

  In school, we will continue to wash hands/sanitise regularly. The children will remain in class bubbles and not mix during break/dinner times. Staff will wear masks in the class throughout the day. This is a new guideline but I am sure the children will adapt to it quicker than the staff! The toilets & cloakrooms, tables & chairs and areas that are frequently touched are cleaned on a number of occasions throughout the day. Windows and doors are opened periodically to allow good ventilation in class.

   

  KS2 Hub Provision

  Parents of children in KS2 who are eligible through being a Key worker/vulnerable pupil are able to apply for Hub provision. Please contact the school through email or phone by 12pm Wednesday 10th February.

   

  Breakfast club

  At this time, I am unsure of the start of Breakfast club. When I have further information, I will message parents.

   

  KS2 Provision

  I have no information regarding pupils in KS2 returning to school. Please support your child to access online learning that will restart on 22nd February through Seesaw.

  Further information will be shared when it is given to the schools. Please take care, keep the ‘R’ number down and I look forward to children returning.

   

  P Morgan

  Head Teacher

• News update

  Sat 16 Jan 2021
  Please see our latest newsletter using tabs.

• 02.01.21 Letter to parents

  Sat 02 Jan 2021
  2nd January 2021
  Dear Parent,
  The letter 31st December, stated that RCT schools are closed for the majority of pupils next week. From Wednesday 6th January, I ask that you ensure your child has access to home learning through Seesaw. All parents should now be familiar with its use. There is a video on our website www.cwmamnpri.uk for those who need a refresher.
  A small number of pupils can attend school from Wednesday as a last resort, that is, no other home care available. The two groups that are able to attend are -
  1. Critical workers’ children:
   Blue light workers, including NHS, Police, Ambulance and Fire Service staff;
   Social care workers (including care homes); and
   Childcare or education staff.
  2. High priority vulnerable learners:
   that have additional learning needs;
   are looked after;
   are young carers;
   are in need of care and support; or
   with child protection needs.
  Please only apply for this provision if you clearly meet eligibility and are scheduled to work and have exhausted all possible childcare avenues. You can apply by preferably emailing admin.cwmamanprimary@rctcbc.gov.uk or phoning the school between 9 and 12 on Monday.
  Children who attend school will be in mixed aged hub bubbles and completing the work from Seesaw.
  Any other queries please email head.cwmamanprimary@rctcbc.gov.uk
  Take care.

• 31st December 2020 Letter to Parents

  Thu 31 Dec 2020
  Dear Parent/Carer
  Apologies for writing to you during the holiday period, but in light of the current Tier 4 restrictions and following a meeting with Welsh Government officials yesterday and today, it is necessary to revise the arrangements for our schools next week.
  The revised position is aimed at keeping our children and staff safe, and is summarised as follows:
   The new school term will start on 4th January. The 4th and 5th of January will remain as planning days so that schools can prepare for the delivery of remote learning and on-site provision for vulnerable learners and the children of critical workers. This will also provide an opportunity for school leaders to update their risk assessments and plans to keep learners and staff safe. No remote learning will be provided for your child/ren on these dates.
   All schools, including mainstream and special schools, and pupil referral units, must provide remote learning opportunities for all learners from the 6th to the 8th of January, and beyond, if face to face learning is not possible for all learners in school settings. Provision should also include remote wellbeing support where this is deemed necessary. Education will not be provided on school sites during the first week of term unless your child is identified as a high priority vulnerable learner or critical worker eligibility is met.
   All schools, including mainstream and special schools, and pupil referral units, delivering education via remote learning must make school-based provision for high priority vulnerable children during core school hours.
   All schools, including mainstream and special schools, and pupil referral units, delivering education via remote learning must also make provision for the children of critical workers in school settings. The regulations now stipulate that provision for the children of critical workers must also be made in secondary schools. This provision will be for core school hours, including breakfast club provision in primary schools.
   Based on current information it is still anticipated that from the second week of term (w/c 11th January) most schools will be providing face to face learning for the majority of pupils, leading to a full return by the 18th January at the latest. However, further detail will be provided for parents and carers later next week following further meetings with Welsh Government officials.
  As schools will not be open to all learners during the first week of term, your child’s school will be expected to make special arrangements for high priority vulnerable learners from the 6th of January. Eligible children include high priority children:
   that have additional learning needs;
   are looked after;
   are young carers;
   are in need of care and support; or
   with child protection needs.
  Your school should have notified you already of whether your child is considered to be a high priority.
  Critical worker provision will be made available in all primary and secondary schools, special schools or PRUs for the first week of term as schools will not be open to all year groups. Your child’s school will notify you, on Monday the 4th January, of this offer for the following eligible workers:
   Blue light workers, including NHS, Police, Ambulance and Fire Service staff;
   Social care workers (including care homes); and
   Childcare or education staff.
  This provision will be available for eligible children of all ages in primary, special school and pupil referral unit settings. In mainstream secondary schools, this provision will be made available for mainstream learners in years 7 and 8 only, and for the children of critical workers attending key stage 3 and 4 learning support class provisions only.
  Please only apply for this provision if you clearly meet eligibility and are scheduled to work and have exhausted all possible childcare avenues. All schools have been asked to directly notify parents/carers of their provision for critical workers on the 4th of January 2021 and to make appropriate arrangements for delivery from the 6th of January onwards. This provision will cease once schools are open to all learners.
  3
  A further update will be sent to you later next week to advise you of plans for the week commencing the 11th of January. At present, it is hoped that the majority of pupils will be accessing face to face learning during the second week of term and that all learners will be back in school by the 18th of January, subject to the local position and transmission rates.
  A Healthy and Happy New Year to you all.
  Gaynor Davies
  Director of Education and Inclusion Services

• Breakfast Club Application

  Sun 30 Aug 2020
  If your child requires a space in breakfast club please complete an application form using the following link https://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/breakfastclubform .  The form will be available for completion between 1st September to 6th September. Spaces will be available from the week commencing Monday 14th September. The completed applications will be reviewed and the number of spaces assessed on the dining  hall area available and breakfast club staffing numbers to ensure that health and safety and appropriate social distancing requirements between contact groups of pupils are met.

• Sept Return to School Letter

  Sun 30 Aug 2020

   

  1^st September 2020

  Dear Parents,

  WELCOMING YOUR CHILD BACK TO SCHOOL

  ARRANGEMENTS AND GUIDELINES

  As you are all now aware, the Welsh Government has announced that all schools will be open and all pupils are to return next week. We are looking forward to your child attending again. Our school will follow all the guidelines issued by the Welsh Government and the Local Authority and have made our school as safe and welcoming as possible. Please see the information below, taking particular attention to times, precautions, etc.

  Return dates and times

  All pupils will return on THURSDAY 3rd SEPTEMBER (except Nursery who have had separate phone calls). Please note the start/finish times.

  Year Group	Start	Finish
  Nursery	9:00	12:00
  Reception	9:00	3:15
  Yr 1	8:45	3:00
  Yr 2	9:00	3:15
  Yr 3	8:45	3:10
  Yr 4	9:00	3:25
  Yr 5	8:45	3:10
  Yr 6	9:00	3:25

   

  • The children are expected to be in the classroom at their start time, please do not be late.
  • The times are staggered to lessen the number of pupils using the cloakrooms and the number of adults on the yard.
  • Siblings, please attend at the earlier time for all children. For example, Yr 1 at 8:45, year 4 brother at 9:00 - both arrive for 8:45am.
  • ALL children, even year 6, are to be accompanied by ONE adult on the first two days. If this can be relaxed for years 5 & 6 the second week we will inform you at the end of the week.
  • If possible, walk or park outside of the school site to help social distancing. DO NOT park in the staff car park or on pavements etc. If there are no spaces in the drop off area, please leave the site and park offsite.
  • Children can bring their scooters or bikes but must walk with them on the school premises to enter the gates socially distanced.
  • The small gate at the left hand side of the school, the ‘polling gate’, will be open for EXIT ONLY to help social distancing and a shorter route if you have walked around the school.

  The School Day

  • Your child will remain within their class or ‘bubble’ during that school day.
  • Each class will remain separate from other classes throughout the day, including playtimes and dinner times.
  • Children will have their own resources where practical.
  • Any shared devices etc. will be cleaned between uses.
  • There will be no Breakfast Club for the first two weeks. If you wish to use the club from 14^th September you will have to register online between 1^st – 6^th Sept on RCT website https://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/breakfastclubform
  • Lunch will be provided for those entitled to free school meals. Other pupils are able to purchase meals but the school during September will become a ‘cash and cheque free’ school, instead using online payments. This can be discussed with the school secretaries. Meals will cost £2.55 per day, £12.75 per week.
  • Pupils are able to bring their own packed lunch.
  • Initially there will be no after school clubs.

   

  What do pupils need

  • All children wear school uniform.
  • All children will need a full water bottle.
  • We are unable to sell fruit but children can bring their own snack, fruit only, labelled in box/bag.
  • Milk will be provided for all Foundation Phase pupils.
  • Suitable outdoor coats etc. The advice is to be outside as often as suitable for learning.

   

  SAFETY MEASURES AND SOCIAL DISTANCING

  Welsh Government has recognised that transmission of COVID19 in learners under the age of 12 is particularly low. Our school will minimise contacts and promote social distancing. Here are some of the safety measures that you can expect:

  • Staggered starting/finishing times, lunch times & break times.
  • Class bubbles.
  • Sanitising hands at the start and end of each day, which might result in queues when coming to school, so please be prepared to wait socially distanced.
  • No ‘walk in’ to Head Teacher or secretaries. Any discussions should be completed on the phone or by appointment. The Head Teacher will be available most days at the gates at the start of day and teachers at their cloakroom door.
  • Walk on the left to help passing at gates, walking on pavements, etc.
  • Please do not gather with other parents to ‘chat’ but leave the site.
  • Regular supervised handwashing throughout the day for all pupils and staff.
  • Sanitising hands before using the toilet and after washing their hands on used the toilet. Pupils will not require face coverings.
  • Signage across the school that all must adhere to e.g. 2-metre footprint markers, one-way systems etc.
  • Any surplus furniture will be removed from the classrooms so that they can be easily cleaned/sanitised.
  • A cleaner will be on site throughout the day, classrooms and toilets will be cleaned regularly. Two cleaners will complete cleaning of toilets and classrooms at the end of day.

   

   I know that some of you will have concerns regarding this return. However, the 3-week return to ‘check in and catch up’ was very successful. We have had the opportunity to fine-tune our practices and our school building and grounds enable us to socially distance appropriately. When your child walks through the doors they will be as cared for and as nurtured as they have ever been and we will do our very best to protect and support them, and you, during these developing times.

  Thank you, as always for your patience and your ongoing support. I will be available most mornings at the gate, through the email account and via the phone. I look forward to having your child at our school again.

   

  Yours sincerely,

  P Morgan

  Head teacher

• LA Announcement 4/06/20

  Thu 04 Jun 2020
  4th June 2020
  The Welsh Government announced that pupils will have the opportunity to return to school from 29th June for 4 weeks before the summer holidays. Pupils will be taught in small groups but will not be in school every day. Only a third of the pupils will be in school at any one time. This is the opportunity for pupils to see their teachers, reflect and catch up on their learning and prepare for September. Every child will be different and schools will allow for individual family circumstances and parental choice as to whether children attend before the summer.
  Further information will be shared with all parents and carers over the coming weeks as we receive the guidance from Welsh Government.

• Leavers video

  Thu 30 Apr 2020

  Leavers’ Assembly using Seesaw

  Hi everyone! Hope you're all doing well. It's so lovely seeing all of your Seesaws and all the things your doing at home. 
  
  A couple of you have messaged me about missing out on your Leaver's assembly if schools don't reopen before September. 
  
  So myself and Mrs Lewis have been chatting. We think it would be really nice to make a Leaver's video, which we could then share on our Twitter and school website. (Something similar to the teacher video that we made.) What does everyone think of this? 
  
  It would be great if at some point over the next few weeks we could start putting some things together and collecting some video clips and photos from everyone. Myself and Mrs Lewis have discussed things that we could include in the video, such as Tiktok dances, talking about memories, perhaps sharing some photos from when you were younger, pictures of pieces of art that you've made at home etc. It would be lovely if some of you musicians could even play  a bit of music for us. 
  
  I've made a new folder on Seesaw, called Leaver's video. So if some of you want to start sending in some pictures or videos you'd like to add to the video that would be great. 👍 
  
  Otherwise, please have a think about what else we could include in the video and send me a message with your ideas. You will probably have much better ideas than me! 😂 I look forward to hearing your ideas! 
  
  
  Mrs Minard. 😊
  
  Sent from my iPhone

• Latest for Parents/Carers

  Mon 23 Mar 2020

  Advice for Parents/Carers

  1. The latest scientific advice

  The most recent scientific advice on how to further limit the spread of COVID-19 is clear.  Everyone must, as far as possible, minimise social contact and make sure that anyone who is particularly vulnerable to the virus is able to adopt strict social distancing.

  2. How does social distancing affect your children?

  Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has advised schools that emergency childcare should only be open to a limited number of children. We must keep the number of children in educational, childcare and play settings to the smallest number possible.

  We also need to make sure children are not left with anyone who should be following strict social distancing guidance, such as anyone over 70 or anyone with the specified underlying health conditions.

  Keeping children safe in their home should limit the chance of the virus spreading and protect those vulnerable to more serious illness as a result of the virus. Parents/carers should also do everything they can to ensure children are not mixing socially in a way which can continue to spread the virus. They should ensure that children remain at least 2m apart where possible and that gatherings are avoided. Play areas across the County have now been closed and should not be attended.  If your child is not in an emergency childcare setting please keep them safe at home during the day and in the evenings. This is essential to ensure the safety of your family, friends and neighbours and to limit and slow down the spread of the virus

  If your child receives free school meals, this will continue. In Rhondda Cynon Taf, all children eligible to free school meals will access this from their nearest primary school on a daily basis between 11am and 12pm. This has to be applied for on-line using the e-forms on the Council website. 

  3. What is the latest advice on key or essential workers?

  A list of categories of critical workers has been published on the Welsh Government website. Places in schools and childcare will be highly limited and only particularly vulnerable children and the children of critical/essential workers whose work is critical to the COVID-19 response should be attending during this time.

  If you are classed as a critical or essential worker but are able to perform the critical parts of your job effectively when working from home, then you should do so.

  Even for critical or essential workers, provision will only be made in schools or other settings where there is no safe alternative for your family. 

  4. I’m a key or essential worker but my partner isn’t. What should we do?  

  If one parent is a critical or essential worker but the other parent is not then the other parent should provide safe alternative arrangements at home when possible.

  5. What support is available in Rhondda Cynon Taf?

  The Council is doing everything it can to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. Please refer to the Council website for further detail. These plans will now adapt and change as we respond to the latest guidance available from the Welsh Government and Public Health Wales. 

  For the very latest advice, please check your local authority’s website at https://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/EN/Resident/EmergenciesSafetyandCrime/InformationforResidentsCoronavirus/CoronavirusCOVID19latestinformationandadvice.aspx
  and https://gov.wales/coronavirus-health-advice