We hope you all have a lovely half term break, and look forward to seeing you on Monday 1st November.

Bumped Head Messages – We are changing the way we inform parents about minor bumped head injuries (if they have opted in to receive a message). Previously we have used a texting service which is only accessible to the Admin Team  and which we have to pay for,  but in the future we will use ClassDojo to send bumped head messages, allowing more members of staff such to send the messages, as well as save the school some money.

Class Dojo – We are very pleased that nearly 99% of children have one or more parents accessing ClassDojo. If you would like to add another parent,  have changed phones and forgotten how to log in, or if you have any other query, please contact the school office and we can assist you.

E-Safety  – Useful information for parents – The E-Safety page of our website contains a useful collection of  guides for the most popular social media and gaming apps that children are using today. Each guide includes key information including the official age ratings, how children and young people are using the app, potential risks and design, data & costs.

Admission to Reception or Year 7 for September 2022 – The deadline is Friday 26th November, please follow the link to apply online  www.swansea.gov.uk/applyforaschoolplace

Outstanding Paperwork – We are chasing some outstanding paperwork

For children joining us since September, we are chasing outstanding Admission Forms, Proof of Date of Birth, and Proof of Address.

For all children, we are chasing outstanding Emergency Contact Forms, and Parental Consent Packs.

If you receive or have recently received a message, please complete the relevant online form as soon as possible, and for the proof please either bring the original documents to school for us to photocopy, or send a photo or scan of the original document to bynmill.primary@swansea-edunet.gov.uk

INSET DAYS  –

Inset Day 3 -Tuesday 4th January 2022

Inset Day 4 – Monday 6th June 2022

Inset Day 5 – Tuesday 7th June 2022

Inset Day 6 – To Be Confirmed

After School Club – We are very pleased that our After School Club is restarting after Half Term. For any enquiries please contact Playworks on 02920 864780 or enquiries@playworks-childcare.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Absence Messages – There are a number of ways you can inform the school if your child is going to be absent. Please ring the school on 01792 463019 and leave a  clear message on our absence line or our answerphone, you can send a message via ClassDojo to Miss Rees our Attendance Officer, you can text the school on 01792 720076, or you can email the school at brynmill.primary@swansea-edunet.gov.uk Which ever way you would like to get in touch please do so before 9.30am. Thank you.

Embassy Letters/ Copy Reports – We have had a number of requests for Embassy Letters and Copy Reports this week. Please note that they cost £5.00 per child per letter or copy report, please pay on sQuid in the Trips & Offers purse. Once we have received payment we will produce the documents in up to 5 working days.

Parent/carer short questionnaire – We understand that you are busy people but If you can spare the time to answer a few brief questions about our drop off and collection arrangements, we would be very grateful. We estimate that the questionnaire should take no more than a few minutes to complete. Thanks in advance https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Ug4_TzS3ZEGUCRtgHRR5kwhSGrLApBVKlrbQuNIM38xUNlRKNDJUT0lORUlWUFY0UllZQ1BWREQzTy4u

The School Photographers will be with us on Monday & Tuesday to take individual and sibling photos of pupils attending our school. If you would like your child/ren to be included please give your consent via https://schools.rozandkirsty.co.uk  and use the PIN 5825. You are under no obligation to buy the photos. (Please note they will not be photographing pre – school children or any siblings who are not in our school, to minimise the amount of people coming in and out of the school).

Fruit Tuckshop – This half term we have reintroduced our Fruit Tuckshop  and it has proved to be very popular (especially the mini cucumbers!) If you would like to join in for next half term the price will be £7.00 payable on Squid. Sorry this offer is not available to Shooting Stars or Rainbows, and all children are welcome to bring in a healthy snack from home to enjoy at playtime.

#HelloYellow – A big thank you to pupils and staff who have worn yellow and donated for YoungMinds World Mental Health Day.

Late Arrivals -We are having a lot of children regularly arriving late in the morning and missing their class line up. They are then missing the start of their lessons. The gates open at 8.40am and the classes start lining up at 8.50am. Please make every effort to arrive on time.

School Photographer – Roz & Kirsty our school photographers will be with us on Monday 18th October to take individual and sibling photos of pupils attending our school. If you would like your child/ren to be included please give your consent via https://schools.rozandkirsty.co.uk and use the PIN 5825. You are under no obligation to buy the photos. (Please note they will not be photographing pre – school children or any siblings who are not in the same school, to minimise the amount of people coming in and out of the school.)

Admissions –  The admission window for parents to apply for Reception and Year 7 places for September 2021 is now open and will close on Friday 26^th November 2021. Please contact the school if you haven’t received an Admission letter by email.

Parental Consent Form – If you haven’t already done so, please provide up to date information for school trips, photographs & videos, bumped head texts etc. Please complete the online form here (one form per family). Thank you.

 

Admissions –  The admission window for parents to apply for Reception and Year 7 places for September 2021 is due to open on Monday 4^th October 2021 and will close on Friday 26^th November 2021.  Please check your inbox for an email from the school with an information letter which informs parents of the admission round process.

Non School Uniform Day – Next Friday we will be joining thousands of schools, offices and communities on Friday, 8 October by taking part in #HelloYellow and raising vital funds to young people’s mental health. Dig out your neon socks, custard scarf and banana hat – let’s show young people they’re not alone with their mental health!

If you would like to donate you can do so online via sQuid, and choosing the Charity Offer, just enter the amount you would like to donate. Thank you.

Y5/6 Parents – Just a reminder, as previously mentioned –  Parents of pupils in Upper Key Stage 2 may consider their child mature enough and ready to walk to and from school unaccompanied, with the safeguards that parent deem necessary. If this is the case, please contact your child’s class teacher in writing giving permission for your child to walk to and from school without adult supervision. This would also apply if you would like your child to leave school unaccompanied to meet you at a pre determined place. Please note, we would expect pupils under the age of 10 year old are collected by a responsible adult.

End of the day procedures – we would just like to thank parents for their patience with our end of the day procedures, and in the spirit of fairness request that all parents queue to collect their child(ren).

School Dinners – The menu is changing from Monday, please follow the link for more information and a copy of the latest menu.

Pokemon/Trading Cards – Unfortunately due to the problems they cause at Playtimes and Lunchtimes Pokemon & other trading cards are not allowed in school.

Parents of new children  – If you haven’t done so already please remember to provide proof of your child’s date of birth (passport or birth certificate) and proof of your address (driving licence, utility bill, council tax bill, or tenancy agreement). You can either email proof to brynmillprimaryschool@brynmill.swansea.sch.uk or bring them into school and we will photocopy them for you.

Fundraising – If you shop online you can help raise funds for the school by using Easy Fundraising which turns your everyday online shopping into free donations for your favourite cause.

School Photographer – Roz & Kirsty our school photographers will be with us on Monday 18th October to take individual and sibling photos of pupils attending our school. If you would like your child/ren to be included please give your consent via https://schools.rozandkirsty.co.uk and use the PIN 5825. You are under no obligation to buy the photos. (Please note they will not be photographing pre – school children or any siblings who are not in the same school, to minimise the amount of people coming in and out of the school.)

Contact Information Form – Thank you to everyone who has provided their up to date contact details so far, if you haven’t completed yours yet, please do so as soon as possible here (one form per family)

Parental Consent Form – We are updating the information we hold for school trips, photographs & videos, bumped head texts etc. Please complete the online form here (one form per family)

Activity Fund –  We welcome voluntary parental contributions to our Activity Fund, which allows us to purchase extra resources for the classes such as craft supplies, gardening supplies, cooking and food tasting activities etc. If you would like to donate via sQuid we would be very grateful. Thank you.

Half Term Holidays – The Autumn Half Term Holidays are Monday 25th October to Friday 29th October.

Christmas Holidays – the last day in school before the Christmas Holidays is Friday 17th December.

Glass Bottles – If your child is bringing in a reusable water bottle, please can you make sure that it is a plastic or metal water bottle, and not a glass bottle. Thank you

Welcome back to the new academic year which will hopefully feel a little more normal compared to the last 18 months. It has been so lovely to see the children return after the summer break with such enthusiasm and readiness to learn. We extend a warm Brynmill welcome to all of our new families joining our school community this term.

We continue to follow the safety measures outlined in Welsh Government’s Operation Guidance for Schools and are maintaining vigilance in the context of the rising number of Covid cases in Swansea.

As I understand it, Senior Officials and Public Health Wales will continue to monitor the situation and we are reminded that although restrictions have lifted, voluntary precautions such as social distancing do make a difference. On that note, could we politely ask that once parents/ carers have collected their child/ren, they move away from the fence/ gate. This will not only help with over crowding but it makes it easier for us to see who is next in the queue to collect their child.

Can I take the opportunity to thank parents for their patience and understanding this week whilst we have introduced our new drop off and collection arrangements following the removal of the staggered starts. As a result of our ongoing monitoring of this trial, we have already made some improvements to the way we manage our beginning and end of day procedures.

Changes to contact tracing and self-isolation from this September

As we return to school, 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, but this does not mean that COVID-19 is spreading within the school. 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.

We recognise how difficult the past 18 months have been and the sacrifices that all families have had to make. Thank you for everything you have done to support your child and our school.

Cofion/Regards

Miss Simons

Fruit Tuckshop – We are reintroducing our Fruit Tuckshop, where children can enjoy a piece of fresh fruit everyday. This will be available to all classes apart from Rainbows and Super Stars, who are welcome to bring in their own healthy snack.  If you would like to opt in it will start on Monday 20th September, and cost a total of £5.00 for the first half term (5 weeks). Please pay on Squid by Thursday next week, so we can order the correct amount of fruit.

Breakfast Club – If you would like to be added to the Dojo Group for Breakfast Club, so you can access the booking form, please contact Miss Rees. Our Breakfast club runs from 8.00 am until school starts and costs £1.00 per child per day (unless you are entitled to Free School Meals).

ClassDojo – Please ensure you are able to access ClassDojo to have access to important messages from the school or class teacher, if you have lost access or need a joining code, please contact Mrs Morgans.

Contact Forms – A big thank you to everyone who has completed the contact forms, if you haven’t had the opportunity yet, please complete as soon as possible so that we have up to date information. Contact form

New pupils – If you haven’t already provide proof of your child’s date of birth and proof of address, please do so as soon as possible.

Change of address – If you have moved home in the last few months, please provide proof of your new address, such as a Council Tax Bill, Utility Bill, Driving Licence, or Tenancy agreement. Thank you

Dinner Monies – Just a little reminder that school dinners should be paid for in advance, please ensure that you have enough in your sQuid Account ( Dinner Money Purse) to pay for the week’s meals. You are able to set up an auto top up to ensure you never run out of funds. ( If you set up auto top up and you get a new debit card, please log in to your account to update your card details)

Free School Meals – if you think you may be eligible to free School meals, please go to the following link for more information https://swansea.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals 

Birthdays  – We are happy to help your child celebrate their birthday with their classmates. If you would like to send in cake, please make sure it is in the form of  small individual cakes such as fairy cakes or mini rolls etc. Unfortunately we are unable to accept any large cakes which have to be sliced into smaller portions, gift bags or party decorations. Please check with the class teacher before hand as there may be children with dietary requirements in the class to take into account.

 

 

Calling all KS2 pupils! Please take the time to complete this survey from the Children’s Commissioner for Wales. Thank you.

Are you a young person in Wales? How is lockdown affecting you? Are there any issues that are making you worry or concerned? Or perhaps you’ve had a positive experience of lockdown? Whatever it is, please share your views through this survey, #CoronavirusAndMe:

www.childcomwales.org.uk/coronavirusandme/

The closing date is 29th January and it takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Thanks.

In case of a positive Covid test result – If you contact the school to inform us of a positive test result there are some questions we will ask you, so that we can pass them on to Track and Trace.

• Child’s name
• Year Group
• Last Date in School
• Your address
• Child’s Date of Birth
• Contact Telephone Number
• Symptoms – Cough/Fever/ Anosmia (lost of taste and/or smell)
• Date of swab
• Was the child in school of the day of the 1st symptom onset/swab?
• Was the child in school on the two proceeding days to onset/swab?
• Was the child in school during 5 days after onset/swab?

Hamper Raffle – We have received a donation of a lovely hamper which we are raffling to raise funds for the school. If you would like to buy tickets please go to Squid/ Trips & Offers purse/ Raffle – Hamper. Tickets are £1.00 each and you can buy as many as you like.

Free School Meals over the Christmas Holidays – The council will be supporting free school meal children by offering either a payment or a food parcel over the Christmas holiday period.  If you have previously received a payment you do not need to do anything. If you have not received anything previously you can either contact the school by 16 December to request a food parcel delivery or await email instructions on how to apply for payment.

Our School Christmas Dinner is next Friday (11th December) If you haven’t done so already please complete this quick questionnaire. Please complete the form even if your child will be bringing a packed lunch, so we can gauge numbers.

Next Friday is also our Christmas Jumper Day in aid of Save the Children, pupils are invited to wear their Christmas Jumper in exchange for a donation to the Charity.

Lateness – We are seeing an increase in the number of pupils who are arriving at the school gates after 9.00am. Please try to be on time. Remember you can bring siblings at any time from 8.30 to 9.00am to Gate 1 on Trafalgar Place.

Elf Day – Thank you to everyone who has supported the staff with their Elf Day today, in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society.

School Christmas Parties – These will take place during the last week of term, children are asked to bring in some party food for themselves, as we are unable to share like we normally do. The party food should be in addition to their normal school dinner or packed lunch.  Children are welcome to dress in party or fancy dress clothes. Please see below for which day each class is having their party.

Monday 14th December – Y1/2H

Tuesday 15th December  – Y1/2L, Y5/6E, Y5/6D

Wednesday 16th December – LFPR, LFPM, Y1/2B Y3/4N, Y4/5J

Thursday 17th December – Y3/4T

Last day of Term – Friday 18th December, we come back on Monday 4th January 2021

Year 6 Leaver’s hoodies. If you would like to order these in time for Christmas. Please click on this link to go to your login page https://www.schoolleaverscompany.co.uk/leavers-hoodies-login . Or alternatively go to our website and click on “Login” at the top of our home page.

Your login details are as follows: USERNAME: SL52921  PASSWORD: 52921brynmill

You can share these login details with everyone in the year and each person can order and pay for their hoodies online. They can choose their own style, colour and size. Price includes delivery to your home address. We have set the shop to close on the 06/12/20 so please let everyone know that they must place their order by then.

If you haven’t filled in the questionnaire we sent a couple of weeks ago about including your child’s name on the back of the hoodie, please complete this as well.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Ug4_TzS3ZEGUCRtgHRR5k6mkg3WKSypOgoWVPLnRvGNUNUc3U0kwTk05NElCQUxJU1U4WTdCUlNUUi4u

 

At the time of writing we have not had any positive Covid cases at Brynmill. We would like to thank parents and carers for continuing to keep everyone safe by:-

• Wearing face masks at drop off and collection time.
• Answering our questions as to whether everyone in the immediate family is well, and if there are any Covid symptoms.
• Socially distancing on the pavement outside school.
• Seeking medical advice if the children or anyone in their immediate family develops any of the Covid symptoms.
• Keeping children away from school while they or family members await test results.

We continue to try to keep everyone safe in school by:-

• Keeping children in class bubbles.
• Regular hand washing or hand sanitising.
• Having a one way system in school.
• Regular cleaning throughout the school day of high touch points such as door handles and hand rails.
• Regular cleaning of class chairs and tables.
• Disinfecting or quarantining shared equipment such as ipads, books, stationery and play equipment.
• Wearing face masks at drop off and collection time.
• Keeping visitors to the school to a minimum.
• Socially distancing in class rooms and staff rooms.

 

Face Masks – As per our message earlier this week, we are asking parents to please wear face masks at drop off and pick up time. We continue to appreciate your support and patience while we take time to check if anyone in your immediate family has any Covid Symptoms.

Informing the School of a Child’s Positive Covid Test – Fortunately we have not had any Covid cases to date, but if your child develops symptoms and you receive a positive test result, we would be grateful if you could let us know as soon as possible (as well as liaising with Track & Trace). During the school day you can ring the school number on 01792 463019, or if you receive the result outside of school hours please send a message via ClassDojo to Mrs Morgans.

School Christmas Dinner – If you haven’t done so already please complete this quick questionnaire about the School’s Christmas Dinner on Friday 11th. Please complete the form even if your child will be bringing a packed lunch, so we can gauge numbers.

Elf Day – Next Friday staff will be dressing up as Elves to raise money for the Alzheimer Society, it is completely optional but if children would like to join in too, for a small donation towards the charity, that would be fantastic. There is a Charity Donation offer in the Trips and Offers part of sQuid.

Inset Days – We have two Inset days on Monday 21st & Tuesday 22nd December, which means our last day in school this term is Friday 18th December. We start back on Monday 4th January 2021.

Urgent – Christmas Concerts Consent – Mr Davies has sent out a link to a parental consent form to allow us to film children performing their Christmas item.  If you haven’t done so already please complete the form here .

Christmas Jumper Day – To coincide with our Christmas Dinner Day children are invited to wear their Christmas or Festive Jumpers on Friday 11th December in exchange for a donation to Save the Children. There is a Charity Donation offer in the Trips and Offers part of sQuid.

Parent Governors – Thank you to everyone who returned a voting slip. The votes have been counted and verified, and we would like to welcome Mr David Rees & Mr Steven Lovatt as our new Parent Governors.

A big thank you to everyone who donated to last week’s Children in Need, we raised £ 270.00.

Parent Governor Elections – Please look out for the letter coming home today. Please complete the form and return by next Friday morning.

 

Elf Day – On December the 4th the school staff will be dressing up as Elves and donating money to the  Alzheimer’s Society.

If any children would like to join in too they are more than welcome, and there will be an offer on sQuid for  any donations.

 

 

 

Our School Christmas Dinner is on Friday 11th December, if you haven’t done so already please complete this short questionnaire.  That day is also our annual  Christmas Jumper Day in aid of Save The Children,  children are welcome to wear a festive jumper and there will be an offer on sQuid for  any donations.

Christmas Concerts –  Unfortunately we will not be able to put on our Christmas Concerts this year, however we hope to be able to film each class performing an item, and edit them together into a video. We are still working out the details, and will need to get parental consent for children to appear in the video, but this will be in the next couple of weeks.

Welsh government launches ‘Parenting. Give it time’ campaign
The Welsh Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services, Julie Morgan has launched a new campaign to give information, support and advice to parents. “Parenting. Give It Time” recognises that the pandemic has had an impact on families, including through increased isolation, supporting children who are self-isolating, or dealing with children’s anxiety. The new campaign provides information to parents on how to understand and respond to their children’s behaviour. It offers practical tips and advice on a range of issues. The core three themes are: your child’s behaviour, giving your child time, and supporting parents through the challenges they face. Full details available here: https://gov.wales/parenting-give-it-time.

COVID-19: Useful videos 

Self-Isolation and a negative test. What happens next?

Has your child tested positive for COVID-19? 

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

There are loads of benefits to sending your child back to school

As always, a big thank you for bearing with us at the beginning of the school day while we check that everyone is well and doesn’t have any Covid symptoms, and for keeping everyone safe by adhering to social distancing. Diolch

New arrangements for Gate 1 & Gate 2 – From Monday we will be altering the arrangements slightly. If you are bringing your child to line up with their class ( Y1/2L, Y4/5J , Y3/4N) please use Gate 2 (the double gates). If you are bringing siblings or you are late for your class line up, please use Gate 1 (the single gate). Thank you.

Earlier this week we sent home a questionnaire about Service Children, thank you if you have already completed it. If you haven’t had the chance please take a few of minutes to answer a couple of questions here.

Children in Need – Thank you to everyone who joined in today, and for the donations. The offer will remain open on sQuid for a few days if you haven’t had the chance to make a donation yet.

Parent Governor Elections – we received three nominations for the two vacancies, so we will be sending home ballot papers for an election in the next week or so.

Reminder – Please can children bring in their own pencil cases (Year 1 to Year 6) with some pens/pencils/ruler/eraser/sharpener etc. We do have some items to lend children but they have to be thoroughly sanitised/ quarantined before they can be lent out again.

School Dinner Menu – The options have changed, and Miss Rees has sent a copy of the new menu out via Dojo today.

Message from the Local Authority – Digital Exclusion – During the first lockdown, schools looked to identify those pupils that were digitally excluded and with the support of Swansea Council and Welsh Government, provided connectivity and devices to learners. We are currently trying to ascertain any further barriers to home/blended learning, especially those caused by digital exclusion. The responses from this survey will enable us to find what these are and help us to provide appropriate strategies for the continuation of learning.   https://forms.gle/ZVZvpALvVnbsVfWUA.

Just a reminder that if any pupils or members of their household are showing any Covid symptoms please isolate immediately and seek medical advice.

 

 

 

Dear Parent/Carer

Despite the restrictions, we have been determined to find alternatives where possible that allow us to maintain a sense of community and communication. These have ranged from recording our Star of the Week and other assemblies to be played in class to offering teacher/parent meetings via telephone or video conference. We hope that you found the parents ‘meeting’ as useful as we did.

Health and Safety has always been a very high priority to our staff and governors but it has obviously come into sharp focus since March. Schools have been told that the Health & Safety Executive will be carrying out spot checks to confirm that arrangements comply with Welsh Government and local safety guidelines including how we communicate and maintain safe drop off and collection times. We have been very grateful to you all for the way that you have supported us over the course of this half term and again ask for your continued support and understanding when we return on Monday 2^nd November 2020.

I probably should not speak too soon but I am so relieved that we have got through a whole half term (at time of writing) without one positive case amongst our staff or pupils. This has meant that no classes have been told by TTP (Track, Trace & Protect) to self-isolate for a period of time. Please be assured that should there be a positive case over half term, senior leaders, our school administrator and myself will make ourselves available to work with TTP and the Local Authority to identify contacts and communicate with parents/carers and staff in affected classes.

Other schools have reported that keeping contact groups separate both within and outside of school, has been enormously helpful in minimising the number of classes/ children and staff affected. Whatever your view, I am sure most of us are keen to avoid staff and pupils being directed by TTP to self-isolate. Naturally, children want to see their friends, have sleep overs and play dates, perhaps with friends from other classes but I know many of you agree that we all have a collective responsibility to play our part in keeping the numbers of our school community affected by self-isolating to a minimum.

I know the next 2 weeks of National Lockdown rules will be especially difficult for families over half term and hope that the children manage to enjoy the week despite the restrictions.

Please visit our school website for key documents including packs and other key information supporting continuity of learning.

Miss Simons

Please find a link to a letter from the Interim Director of Education – letter to parents Oct 20

Flu Vaccinations – Just to confirm that the school nurses attended today to give the Flu Vaccinations to those with consent. Please find a link to a postcard which is normally handed to those children who have received the vaccination Beat Flu-ChildrensPostcard-Eng-

What’s coming up.

Autumn Half Term Holiday- Monday 26th October to Friday 30th October

Inset Day 3 – Monday 21st December

Inset day 4 – Tuesday 22nd December

Christmas Holidays  – Wednesday 23rd December – Friday 1st January

Spring Half Term Holiday – Monday 15th February to Friday 19th February

Easter Holidays – Monday 29th March to Friday 9th April

Summer Half Term Holidays – Monday 31st May to Friday 4th June

 

Flu Vaccine – The school nurses will be with us next  Friday to give the nasal flu vaccine to those children who have had consent. If you haven’t returned your form yet, please do so on Monday (even if you are not giving consent), so that the correct number of vaccines can be ordered.

Please take a minute to watch this video with your child, so they know what to expect when the school nurses visit. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1120037595059712

Breakfast Club – If you would like to be added to the Breakfast Club Dojo Group, so that you get the weekly booking form, please contact Mrs Morgans.

Coming to school – A big thank you to parents for their patience with our staggered start times, and different gates, it really does help us keep the children safe in their bubbles. We will continue to  follow Welsh Government Guidance and ask parents if they, or anyone in their family,  are displaying any Covid symptoms.

• If you have children with staggered start times you are welcome to bring them together to Gate 1  or Gate 2 from 8.35am.
• If you are late and have missed your gate/start time, please bring your child(ren) to Gate 1 or 2.
• If Gate 1 is locked, please ring the school office and we will come and collect your child.

We have had a few instances of parents stopping their cars in the middle of the road and ushering their children out. This is not acceptable, please park in the nearest space, get out of the car, and walk your child(ren) to the gate. We would prefer you were slightly late but safe, as we do need to ask you the Covid symptoms questions before admitting your child to school.

Parent Governor Vacancy – We have a vacancy for a Parent Governor. Nomination forms have been sent home via School Comms and ClassDojo, with paper copies available on request. The deadline to return the form is next Friday at 3.30pm.

 

 

 

 

 

Letter from the Interim Director of Education – With this afternoon’s news that Swansea will go into lockdown, please find a link to the letter from the Interim Director of Education. School will be open next week as we have been since the beginning of term. (Except for Thursday and Friday when we have two planned Inset Days).

Inset Days – School will be closed to pupils on Thursday & Friday, October 1st & 2nd for Staff Training.

Continuity of Learning – As part of our own ‘Continuity of Learning Plan, we have posted an outline of our arrangements for times when remote or blended learning may be needed and have also included a link to some video clips that we have made which we hope parents will find helpful. We will continue developing our ‘tutorials’ over time in response to emerging questions about how to support your child/ren with remote learning.  Please click on the link below:

TIMES WHEN REMOTE OR BLENDED LEARNING MAY BE NEEDED

Up to Date Contact Information – At this time of year we always ask parents to update their contact information. This year it is very important that we have the correct information because IF we have a positive case of Covid 19 Public Heath Wales will use the information we hold to contact you. Please complete and return the Contact Sheet that was sent home this week.

Staggered Start Times – To help us with our staggered start times, please do not start to line up more than 5 minutes before the gate is due to open, this helps us prevent children from different classes mixing. Dropping off – Please remember parents do need to park and bring their children to the gate. this is so we have the opportunity to ask the questions about Covid symptoms. Please do not pull up in the car and attempt to drop your child off.

Reminder – Please do NOT send your child to school if they, or anyone else in your household has any of the symptoms of Covid- 19

BEFORE SENDING YOUR CHILD IN,PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1. Are you, your child or anyone in your household a confirmed case of COVID-19/Coronavirus?
2. Do you, your child or anyone in your household have symptoms – a new, continuous cough and/or a high temperature/fever, loss of smell or taste?
3. Are you, your child or anyone in your household in self-isolation?

If your child has a cough (even if you think it is only part of a cold) please ring your Doctor and seek medical advice.  They will advise you whether to have a test or not. If you do have a test and have a negative result, your child may return to school once they are well enough.

Siblings – If you have different children coming to different gates at different times, you are welcome to bring them together to either Gate 1 or Gate 2 from 8.45 to 8.50 in the mornings.

Parent’s Evening – Class Teachers will be holding parent’s evenings remotely this year, they will put a link to a booking form on their class page for you to complete, and arrange either a Teams Meeting or Phone Call at a mutually convenient time.

Vacancy for Parent Governor –  Ms Cat Davies & Mrs Louise Beckett have come to the end of their terms of office, we would like to thank them for the time and commitment they have given to our Governing Body over the last 4 years. We therefore have some vacancies, if you are interested in becoming a School Governor and would like to find out more information before putting your name forward please contact Mrs Kim Morgans – Clerk to Governors via ClassDojo or by emailing kim.morgans@swansea-eduent.gov.uk. Nomination forms will be sent out next week.

Pens & Pencils – Just a little reminder, but at the moment we are unable to share equipment so please provide your child with some stationary in a pencil case. (suggested items – pens, pencils, rubber, sharpener, gluestick & ruler)

Home Learning – We are preparing in case a class bubble has to go into isolation, or the school goes into lockdown. If you haven’t done so already please give your consent for your child to take part in sessions led by the class teacher. https://brynmill-primary-school1.j2bloggy.com/en_GB/live-and-recorded-session-consent/

Activity Fund – We are grateful for any voluntary contributions to our Activity Fund, which enables us to buy extra resources for the children. If you would like to contribute please pay via Squid. Diolch

PTA – Friends of Brynmill Primary – As we are not able to share equipment at the moment, we are very grateful to the PTA for providing £30 per class bubble  to buy their own playground equipment such as racquets, balls, hoops, beanbags etc.

Fruit Tuck Shop – We are unable to provide the Fruit Tuckshop at this time, you are welcome to provide a healthy snack from home for your child to eat at playtime.

Privacy Statement – Brynmill Primary School is the data controller who is responsible for holding the data you provide. We will use your data to keep you up to date with school activities such as concerts, fundraising and sports days. We will not share your data with anyone else and we hold your information on the basis of your consent, which you can withdraw at any time by contacting the school office. More information on your rights can be found in our privacy notice  and our data protection policy. https://brynmill-primary-school1.j2bloggy.com/en_GB/gdpr-and-your-data/

Nasal Spray Vaccine – The School Nurses will be in school on Friday 23rd October (subject to change) to give the Flu Vaccine to children from Reception to Year 6. Consent forms will be sent home in the next couple of weeks. Please complete the form and indicate whether you agree or not to consent. Here is a link to a video for you to share with your child about what they can expect this year. https://youtu.be/uToIQn_wiBA