Dear Parents / Carers,

At the end of our sixth week of school closure, I hope that you are all continuing to keep safe and well?!

Please find below, further information regarding this week’s updates. As always, if you have any concerns, questions or queries, please do get in touch.

Best wishes to you all,

Mr. Leon Cox

(CoxL32@hwbcymru.net)

Video Message to the Children:

I have recorded a short video message to the children (please excuse the DIY haircut).  It can be viewed by visiting our school website, or by following this link - https://www.mayalsprimary.co.uk/home-learning/

Home Learning Gallery:

Thank you to all those who have shared their home learning with us.  It is brilliant to see how so many of you are embracing ‘Home Learning’.  Please keep sharing – through Hwb, Twitter and especially through Class Dojo!!

To view our home learning gallery, please visit our school Twitter account, or follow this link to our school website - https://www.mayalsprimary.co.uk/the-home-learning-gallery/

Unable to access online resources?:

This week, the local authority have asked all schools to indicate how many learners they have that are ‘Digitally Excluded’?  What is meant by this, is all learners who do not have access to an appropriate internet-connected device and/or internet connection, to engage in online learning activities from home.

Both the school, and the local authority, are looking at measures that we can be put in place to support these learners / families, during this extended period of school closure. 

If you consider yourself to meet this criteria, or are in general, are really struggling to access the online resources, then please do get in touch with me as soon as possible.

Food bank:

In these extreme times, there are many families that are in desperate need of support.  We have been asked by the Holy Cross Church to remind our school community, of the food bank that continues to be situated next door to the school.  Understandably, there has been a drop in the donations that they have received of late, but at a time when demand is rising, they are obviously more grateful than ever for any donations they receive.

The arrangements for dropping off items are exactly the same as before, where items can be left in the collection bins in St Faith's Chapel, any time between 10.00am and 5.00pm.  Thank you, in advance, for any support you may be able to offer.

Class photos:

At this time of year, we would normally be making the most of the weather, and our beautiful school grounds, to take class photos.  Unfortunately, with the current situation, this is not going to be able to happen in the normal way.

The photographers that we normally use, Roz and Kirsty, have contacted the school to suggest an alternative class montage that they can produce. 
They will be in touch with you via email, over the coming weeks, to show you what the montages look like.  There will then be an option to purchase them, but of course, there is no obligation to do so.

Moving forward?:

You may be aware that earlier this week, the Welsh Minister for Education, Kirsty Williams, announced the ‘Five Key Principles’ that determine how and when children may return to school.

The five principles stated are:

• The safety and mental, emotional and physical wellbeing of students and staff
• Continuing contribution to the national effort and strategy to fight the spread of COVID-19
• Having the confidence of parents, staff and students – based on evidence and information – so that they can     

            plan ahead

• Ability to prioritise learners at key points, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds
• Consistency with the Welsh Government’s framework for decision making, to have guidance in place to support

            measures such as distancing, managing attendance and wider protective actions.

Unfortunately, these principles do not give use any clear indication as to when, or how, we may return to school; although, from reading further sections of her announcement, it is likely to be in a gradual / phased approach.  As soon as we have any clearer guidance, I will share it with you immediately.

The full statement can be found, by following this link - https://gov.wales/education-minister-sets-out-five-key-principles-schools-return

HAPPEN Project: Impact of Home Learning

Members of Swansea University’s HAPPEN team, are conducting research into what impact this lockdown may have on our children.  If your child is in Year 4, 5 or 6, and you would like to take part in the survey, please follow this link - https://happen-wales.co.uk/thehappensurvey/