Bedwas - Newsletter 12.11.21

Covid Update

Once again guidance over actions that are recommended has been changed. Below is the latest advice we have been given from the Welsh Government and NHS –

Someone in your household has COVID symptoms or has tested positive for COVID:

· You are a child under five – you do not need to have a test or self isolate.

· You are over 18 and fully vaccinated – You should self-isolate and take a PCR test. Self-isolate until the result. If the result is negative you can stop self-isolating. If the result is positive you must self-isolate for 10 days.

· You are aged 5-17 – You should self-isolate and take a PCR test. Self-isolate until the result. If the result is negative you can stop self-isolating. If the result is positive you must self-isolate for 10 days.

· You are over 18 and not fully vaccinated – Self-isolate immediately for 10 days. You should take a PCR test on day 2 and again on day 8.

Children in Need – Friday 19th November

The School Council have decided that they would like to support Children in Need this year by holding a pyjama day on Friday 19th November. Children are welcome to come to school dressed in their pyjamas and a voluntary donation of £1.00 for taking part in the day would be greatly appreciated. We would also recommend that the children wear some extra layers under their pyjamas and sensible footwear for the school yard.

Parking and School Crossing Patrol

At drop-off and pick-up times we are getting many instances of cars stopping on the zig-zag lines outside the school. These zig-zags are there to help keep the children (and adults) safe as they cross the road and if they are blocked the already heavy traffic becomes even more of a risk. With the narrowness of Celtic Way any cars stopped on the zig-zags also cause a jam as there is nowhere for cars to safely pass. We have contacted the Police and are hoping for support from them with this. Please do not stop on these lines.

During the lockdown, after an assessment carried out by CCBC because of the retirement of our School Crossing Patrol Mrs Wheeler, the post was removed from the school. The Crossing Patrol is not employed by the school, they are employed by CCBC centrally. Despite being contacted by the school and local councillors on many occasions asking them to reconsider especially as it was taken during the very unusual circumstances of the lockdown they would not change their decision. An issue we

had with the original assessment was the reduced traffic during the lockdown as the flow of traffic forms a large part of their assessment. The traffic now seems to be back to its previous dangerous levels so another assessment has been arranged with CCBC. I will keep you updated with their findings as soon as I hear.

PTA Fundraising

£220 was raised in school after the ‘’guess the weight of the pumpkin’ competition and non-uniform days. A further £274 was raised from the ‘Dragon Bags’. This means the equipment we need for our ‘Loose Parts Play’ project can be fully funded. This is something that all the children in school will be able to access. Thanks to you and the children for contributing and a big thanks to our PTA for all their hard work in organising these activities!

Harvest

Thank you for all the food donations we received. They are being passed on to the Food Bank run by St. Thomas’s Church.

R Cook

Head Teacher

The Federation of Bedwas Junior and Rhydri Primary Schools