Dear Parents / Carers,

I am sorry to email you on a Sunday evening, but I would like to update you following the latest advice we have received relating to the Coronavirus illness.

All Swansea schools have today received the following statement from the local authority:

As we continue to follow UK, Welsh Government and Public Health Wales advice, the Council has advised us that all schools in Swansea are open as normal on Monday. The situation is being kept under continuous review and we will advise immediately if something changes. It is also worth noting that the number of days any school is open and the date of school holidays are decided by the Welsh Government and not the Council’.

No additional measures need to be taken above the advice already provided by Public Health Wales.

If you need any further information please go to: https://phw.nhs.wales/coronavirus and there is also general information here for the public: https://www.swansea.gov.uk/coronavirusadvice.

We know that parents and carers are naturally going to be worried about the implications for their children and families. We would again like to reassure you that our primary concern is to take all necessary measures to protect children, staff and visitors in our school. We are in constant communication with other schools in the cluster, with Public Health Wales and with the Local Authority regarding the health and safety of our school community. 

I am pleased to report that, to date, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 connected to the school either directly or indirectly. However, as a duty of care, we will inform you of any developments if this situation changes.

Whilst the links above give detail of the steps we could be taking, as a cluster of schools, we have created a checklist of advice that can be used alongside the proactive steps that we have already put in place, to help prevent the virus.  Please take the time to discuss the points below with your children:

Advice for children

DO

• Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue  (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• Put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards
• If possible, bring to school your own disposable tissues and follow the advice “Catch it! Kill it! Bin it!”
• Bring to school your own water bottle, as not to require using the water fountain.

DO NOT

• Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
• Share any food or drinks with anyone else (including using the water fountain)

Advice for parents and carers

DO

• Speak with your child about good hygiene as above
• Visit the following sites for the latest information, should you need it:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

https://gov.wales/coronavirus

https://gov.wales/coronavirus-covid-19-educational-settings-guidance

• Update the school about any illness in your family or any concerns you have about contact with the Coronavirus
• Update the school regarding any travel plans
• Follow the guidelines on self-isolation with your children

DO NOT

• Be drawn into speculation or believe false information on social media

As we continue to follow UK, Welsh Government and Public Health Wales advice, the Local Authority has advised us that all schools should open as normal on Monday (as shown in the statement overleaf). The situation is being kept under continuous review and we will advise you immediately if something changes.

If you have any concerns, please do contact the school. The health and wellbeing of our children and families is our greatest priority. Please be reassured that we will do whatever is necessary to protect the interests of our school community and we will keep you updated at each stage.

Kind regards,

Mr. L. Cox