Newsletter 24.9.21
Covid Update
Once again I would like to thank you all for supporting us and your children as we progress through another difficult term.
The new Welsh Government guidance that we have to follow (as shared in the last newsletter and below) means that we have had an inevitable rise in cases whilst still following all of our existing and established risk control measures.
The most effective although disruptive measures were class closures and subsequent isolation of positive cases and all their close contacts – these are no longer apart of the WG guidance. This means that it is more important than ever that any children who are unwell do not come in to school and if they have any of the symptoms identified by Public Health Wales you book a PCR for them as soon as you are able.
We will continue to do all we can however with the relaxing of rules in wider society and more events and activities opening up there will still be an unavoidable rise in numbers of children and adults who test positive. We continue to operate all the control measures that we had in place last year and all children remain in their class bubbles. These bubbles are also kept in our breakfast club.
Breakfast Club Applications
Please make sure that you have completed the breakfast club application form if you intend to make use of this provision. The staff who run the club are not allowed to take in any children without the information contained on the form. They are available as from the school office or can be found at the back of the school prospectus.
Music Lessons
Music lessons have now started again and the deadline for payment to cover lessons this term is Friday 1st October. If no payment is received by that date we will assume that you no longer wish your child to access this provision. The cost for the term is £30.
Welsh Government Message
Changes to contact tracing and self-isolation from this September
There are some new arrangements in place when someone tests positive for COVID-19. These changes have been made possible by the vaccination programme and the significant reduction in numbers being hospitalised and suffering severe illness due to COVID-19 over recent months. If your child tests positive for COVID-19 using a PCR test, NHS Test, Trace, Protect (TTP) will contact you, using the details provided when the PCR test was ordered. They will ask questions designed to identify recent close contacts of your child, and for contact details - if you know them - of the individual or their parent/guardian. TTP will then get in touch with these close contacts to provide instructions or advice.
Those who are under 18 or fully vaccinated are no longer required to self-isolate if they are identified as close contacts. But they will be contacted to let them know that they’ve been in close contact with someone who has tested positive. They will also be offered two PCR tests and provided with information and advice on how to minimise the risks of onward spread. If your child is identified as a close contact, they can still attend school unless they develop symptoms or are advised otherwise by TTP. Please continue to let us know if your child tests positive. If a child tests positive, only a minority of their classmates will be identified as close contacts. But if there is a pattern of cases TTP may ask us to update you on the situation and remind you of key steps, including advising you to keep an eye out for new symptoms your child may develop, and to stay away from vulnerable family and friends in the short-term. We do expect that there will be cases of COVID-19 across our community over the coming weeks. Please continue to be vigilant for symptoms. If you are in any doubt, order a PCR test for your child at www.gov.uk/get‑coronavirus‑test or by calling 119.
Anyone with symptoms - a new continuous cough, fever or high temperature or loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste - should remain in self-isolation until the test result is known. You can find the latest information on self-isolation arrangements at www.gov.wales/self‑isolation.
R Cook
Head Teacher
The Federation of Bedwas Junior and Rhydri Primary Schools
