Please view the following file from the Interim Director of Education, Helen Morgan-Rees.
Times when Remote Learning may be needed
Brynmill Primary Remote Learning for Children affected by COVID 19
The Local Authority are supporting schools by putting together a learning continuity template, in the meantime, we thought it wise to put something together for times when remote learning may be needed.
*For tutorials to access any of the digital learning platforms, please follow this link:
Times when Remote Learning may be needed:
- If your child is awaiting a test or test result there will be a work pack linked in J2E for
them to use. It will be called the “Waiting for a test result pack.” Teachers are unable
to mark this work or give feedback. This pack must only used should your child be
waiting for a test result.
- If a childhas tostay in quarantine for 10/14 days due to them or a family member testing positive for Coronavirus or If a child has to stay in 14 days, quarantine following an overseas holiday to a country not on the governments’, we have made a “My Quarantine Pack” available through a link in J2E. A hard copy is available on request, although please bear in mind that some tasks may have to be adapted if they include interactive links.
*Reception children’s’ activities will be posted through Class Dojo.
- If the class contact group or bubble has been told by Public Health Wales/ Track, Trace & Protect that they must self-isolate for a period of 14 day quarantine due to a case of COVID 19 in that bubble In this instance, remote learning will be available, unless the class teacher shows signs of COVID 19 and becomes unwell (in this situation no teaching can be provided in the short term while plans are put in place).
A blended model using the Hwb platform, J2e and where appropriate, Microsoft Teams will be used. The class teacher will have the ability to use recorded and live sessions as well as check in phone calls to support continuity of learning.
During this time, your child will need to continue to undertake schoolwork at home. If it is at all possible, it would be beneficial for children to follow their normal routine and be ready to start their school tasks in the morning.
Teachers will set an outline of tasks needed to be completed via live and recorded sessions, links in J2e and Microsoft Teams, dependant on the age of the child. Teachers will indicate whether a task needs to be returned as a file, link or upload a video/photo of completed work. Once again, please see our tutorials page how to do this. If you have any questions about this, please contact your child’s teacher via Class Dojo. Teachers will be available during school hours to support pupils and parents. For live sessions to be used, parents MUST complete the required consent, as per Welsh Government guidance. A link is to be found here: https://brynmill-primary-school1.j2bloggy.com/en_GB/live-and-recorded-session-consent/
For a link to our Distance Learning Policy, which includes Safeguarding guidance, please use the following links:
BRYNMILL OPENING LOGISTICS FOR SEPTEMBER 2020 KEY POINTS FOR PARENTS
BRYNMILL OPENING LOGISTICS FOR SEPTEMBER 2020 KEY POINTS FOR PARENTS
Brynmill Opening Logistics Key Points for Parents
Welsh Government has issued comprehensive guidance for schools for the Autumn Term which details the planning and reorganisation that schools will need to put in place in readiness for a full return on 14th September.
Welsh Government say that “It is expected that planning and preparation days will take place at the start of term to enable schools and settings to work with their staff on reviewing their risk assessments, processes and associated systems.”
In order to mitigate some of the risks associated with a full return, schools are being asked to reduce contact by:
- Grouping learners together
- avoiding contact between groups as much as possible
- arranging classrooms with forward facing desks where appropriate
- staff maintaining distance from learners and other staff as much as possible
Below is a set of answers to the things we think most parents will want to know. If you have any other questions, we will use them to update this page.
| Point | Actions |
| What date will my child start? | From Thursday 3rd September – Year 6 and Reception in phased groups only From Monday 7th September – Year 1, 3, 5 (Year 6 and Reception phased groups will continue to attend)
From Wednesday 9th September – Year 2 & 4 (all other year groups with exception of Nursery will continue to attend) From Thursday 10th September – Full return of all pupils with exception of Nursery |
| Will there be staggered drop off and collection times? Yes
What will the timings be?
Where do I line up with my child?
|
In line with Welsh Government’s suggested measures for arriving and leaving schools, classes will have a different drop off and collection times. The timings will be as follows
8:30 am – 3:00 pm 1 /2 H – Gate 3 1 /2 L – Gate 1 & 2 1 / 2 B – Gate 4
8:45 am to 3:15 pm LFP M – Gate 4 (with runner) LFP R – Gate 3 with runner 4/5 J - Gate 1 & 2
9:00 am – 3:30 pm 3 /4 N Gate 1 & 2 3 /4 T Gate 3 5/6 D Gate 4 5/6 E Gate 5
|
| Dropping off my child
How will they come into school? |
Pupils will arrive and wait at different gates with one parent on socially distanced queue spots next to their class’s assigned gate/s.
*It is important that pupils are accompanied by one parent or carer and that parents/ carers are on time.
Parents/ carers will be asked if they or their child have any Covid symptoms.
Children will enter one at a time and find a ‘splat’ to stand on. They will take turns in using All children will use hand sanitiser as they enter school and the need to handwash reinforced throughout the day. |
| Collecting my child How will they leave school?
|
All pupils must be collected from school including Year 6 pupils. Staff will bring pupils down to the allocated exit and wait on splats. Parents/carers are asked to wait on queue spots, a member of staff will call each child in turn. Once reunited with your child, parents and carers are asked to move away from the gate to avoid a gathering of any kind |
| How will children be grouped? | Your child will be in a consistent class size contact group. |
| What about break times? | Pupils will stay with their class for break times and lunch play on a staggered basis. They will be able to use an outdoor zone (weather permitting) with the aim of minimizing contact between groups, whilst still giving our children chance to run around and play together. |
| Will there be Social Distancing? | Reducing the number of contacts between learners and staff will be achieved through keeping groups separate and through maintaining distance between individuals. In primary schools, especially for younger learners the emphasis will be on separating groups. For learners old enough, they should be supported to maintain distance and not touch staff where possible.
|
| What if my child becomes unwell? | Pupils who are feeling unwell during the school day will be allocated an isolation room for their and others’ safety. Pupils who are feeling ill before school should not attend and if they exhibit COVID19 symptoms, they should follow Public Health Wales advice for families in terms of quarantine. |
| Will the Local Authority continue to provide emergency childcare> | No, there will be no emergency childcare provision in the autumn term. |
| What about Lunchtimes? | Pupils will stay with their contact group (class) and will eat together in class or outside. The Local Authority catering service have informed schools that they are planning to offer school meals. However, direct provision for school dinners will start from 14th September. All pupils will need to bring a packed lunch for the first 2 weeks until the 14th.
For parents who wish to use this service, it will be available via Squid as usual. There will be a choice of hot or cold meal which will be delivered to the classroom in disposable containers and with disposable cutlery. |
| Will my child need equipment?
Can my child share class resources?
|
For individual and very frequently used equipment, such as pencils and pens, pupils need to have their own items that are not shared. They should bring in their own pen and pencil case (one) which should contain a pen, pencil, ruler, sharpener, rubber, and some colouring pencils. Extra items that would be useful are a gluestick , a whiteboard/dry erase pen and pink, green & purple highlighters. However, if pupils need to borrow, then these will be cleaned at the end of the day.
Classroom-based resources, such as books and games, can be used and shared within the contact group; these will be cleaned regularly
Pupils should bring in their own water bottle and can fill it up through the day themselves, not share. |
| Will there be Nursery provision? | Nursery will not be returning at the beginning to the Autumn Term. At the time of writing, schools are awaiting the publication of further guidance on early years and nursery provision. |
| Do staff or pupils need PPE? | Due to the scientific evidence related to the wearing of PPE clothing and masks, the schools risk assessment identifies when it may be needed, and that staff may choose to wear masks. If you wish your child to do so, we respect that choice however, parents are asked to consider WG guidance, which states that “No one who may not be able to handle face coverings as directed (e.g. young learners, or those with special educational needs or disabilities) should wear them as it may inadvertently increase the risk of transmission, ”
They must wash their hands upon arrival and dispose of temporary face covering in a bin.
Hand washing should always be practiced before putting on and after removing PPE |
| How will infection control be managed? | Additional cleaning will take place through the day of all surfaces, high touch areas and resources used. Children will only use resources that can be frequently cleaned. Posters and videos will reinforce this with pupils. Toilet usage will be managed be allocated members of staff and water fountains will be made unavailable. Pupils with First Aid or Personal Care needs will be attended to by staff with PPE. |
| What about uniform / clothing? | There is an expectation that pupils will wear uniform from September in line with the school policy. |
| Will there be Breakfast Club? | Breakfast clubs and After school clubs will not be in place for the first few weeks – inline with the Welsh Government guidance ” It is likely that schools and settings will need to respond flexibly and build this up. It is recognised that this may be logistically challenging, particularly when offering facilities across year groups.”We are hopeful that we will be able to phase in Breakfast Club from September 14th. Schools are awaiting further advice from the Local Authority regarding how schools can make Breakfast Club work alongside the wider protective measures.
|
| Will Playworks After School Club be operating from September? | At the time of writing, Playworks After School Club are awaiting Welsh Government Operational Guidance from which to plan for a safe return. It’s unlikely that Afterschool Club provision will be available from the very start of the Autumn term. Playworks will contact registered parents with updates and start dates in September. |
| What will children be doing? | WG are directing schools to develop an approach to learning for the Autumn term which is flexible enough to adapt to different scenarios and differing amounts of in-school learning and learning at home or elsewhere.
Schools have been asked to consider a range of priorities including:
. |
| Will I be able to talk with my child’s class teacher | Of course however ad hoc site visits are not permitted. Where possible, we would try to arrange consultation remotely either via a telephone call or video conferencing at the earliest convenience.
Please note, with the exception or drop off and collection, all gates will be locked. Should parents/carers require access to the school building, please contact the school office of 01792 463019
Class dojo messaging service should be used as a means of communication between school and home. |
| Free School Meals | The Local Authority will be providing a choice of a hot or cold option which those eligible for Free School Meals will be able to order via Squid If you think you are eligible but have not already applied, please follow this link.
https://www.swansea.gov.uk/applyfreeschoolmeals All children will need to bring a water bottle.
|
| I have children with different start and finish times. What are my options? | Dropping off
Where siblings start times are different we would ask that the children arrive at the time (and gate) of the later sibling.
Collection.
WG Guidance for the September return demands that schools endeavour to avoid contact between different groups of learners. When scaled up to a full return, it would not be possible to have children from many different contact groups leaving their classrooms at the same time.
We would ask, unless in the case of an emergency, that your child/ren are collected at their allotted class pick up time. |
Gates and staggered timings
To support the staggered start times and reduce congestion at entrances and exits, we ask that you bring your child to the correct gate on time. These are on one of the 4 streets surrounding the school. Please check the Class News Tab or Class Dojo for more details.
- Gate 1 Trafalgar Place Single Gate
- Gate 2 Trafalgar Place Double Gate
- Gate 3 – Kemble Street
- Gate 4 – De Breos Street
- Gate 5 – Waterloo Place (back double Gate)
8:30 am – 3:00 pm
1 /2 H – Gate 3
1 /2 L – Gate 1 & 2
1 / 2 B – Gate 4
8:45 am to 3:15 pm
LFP M – Gate 4
LFP R – Gate 3
4/5 J – Gate 1 & 2
9 am – 3:30 pm
3 /4 N Gate 1 & 2
3 /4 T Gate 3
5/6 D Gate 4
5/6 E Gate 5
Key Dates for the start of academic year 2020/2021
Key Dates for the start of the new academic year:
Tuesday & Wednesday 1st & 2nd September: School closure for planning days
From Thursday 3rd September – Year 6 and Reception in phased groups only
From Monday 7th September – Year 1, 3, 5 (Year 6 and Reception phased groups will continue to attend)
From Wednesday 9th September – Year 2 & 4 (all other year groups with exception of Nursery will continue to attend)
From Thursday 10th September – Full return of all pupils with exception of Nursery
*Reception groupings and days: we have included details of groups and staggered days in the class 20/21 booklets that have been sent to Reception parents directly via Class Dojo.
Swansea Consistent 16 Principles for reopening schools
Swansea Consistent 16 Principles for reopening schools
Letter from the Director regarding reopening 22 6 20
Swansea’s guiding principles on the return to education opportunities have been drawn up to help schools plan how best they can allow pupils who would like to return to check-in, catch-up and prepare for September. The principles are not prescriptive for all schools but allow as much consistency as possible in Swansea schools, at this time. It is accepted that every school is different and safe return will be based on the school’s own risk assessment.
Guiding principles
Principle 1
The local authority’s and schools’ primary focus must be the physical and emotional wellbeing of staff and learners.
Principle 2
Schools need to make provision available for vulnerable children (for check –in or respite) and the children of key workers (which now includes school staff) between 15 June and 24 July. Emergency childcare takes primacy.
Principle 3
Wherever possible, all pupils should have contact with their current and next school year’s class teachers/form teachers when they attend their school. The contact can be virtual.
Principle 4
All children should be offered a few visits to school in the four-week period between 29 June and 24 July. A school’s risk assessment will determine frequency. There will be no minimum number.
Principle 5
There will at least be a virtual opportunity for transition between primary and secondary schools.
Principle 6
Schools will be responsible for determining sessions for check-in, catch up and preparation for September to be conducted within normal school operational hours
Principle 7
The school-based emergency childcare settings will move to each school between 15 June and 29 June. Childcare will be offered by individual schools for their own pupils (who are vulnerable children or are the children of key workers) between 8.30 am and 3.30 pm during weekdays for the remainder of the summer term. Ensuring this provision will take priority for schools’ planning in terms of capacity.
Principle 8
Schools must not exceed 33.3% occupancy.
Principle 9
The last day of this school term for pupils in Swansea schools will be Friday 24 July. Schools are expected to be open for staff on Monday 27 July (if required).
Principle 10
A simple clear message to parents will be reinforced between 3 June and 29 June to state that schools can offer what is practical and safe. Continuity of learning plans will continue in parallel to ‘check-in and catch up’.
Principle 11
The local authority’s guidance and risk assessments to schools will align with national guidance.
Principle 12
All children to bring their own packed lunch to school unless a school offers half day sessions where no lunch at school is required.
Principle 13
Schools in Swansea will not be open for nursery and reception aged children between 29 June and 24 July. They will return in September.
Principle 14
A consistent corporate approach to staff in shielding households or who are shielding will be adopted so that leaders have a clear message for staff.
Principle 15
All pupils with ALN must have the same opportunity for the check-in, catch-up and preparation for September as other pupils. Individual needs, the child and their families’ voice must be considered and reasonable adjustments put in place to enable access to the check-in, catch-up and preparation facility.
Principle 16
Where possible, parents and carers should travel with their children to and from school, ideally on foot, by bike, scooter or any other means of active travel. Social distancing should be maintained on the journey to and from school.
The Transport Team will work with schools and settings to determine the demand for home to school transport for eligible pupils and will endeavour to meet these requirements.
In providing free home to school transport, priority will be given to those pupils who are unable to attend school without it.
Potential Reopening of school
In case parents have not yet filled in the LA questionnaire, here is the info you need:
Regarding any possible reopening of the school, it is vital that parents take note of this paragraph from LA Director:
‘Capacity in schools will vary and many schools will need to introduce a phased re-integration. This
might affect the year groups that can attend and the days available.
Schools will work very differently, at least for the rest of this summer term. Class sizes
will be small and schools will implement social distancing. This means lessons may run
differently, break times and lunch times may be staggered, school start and finish times
may be different. We will be working closely with schools and governors to try to ensure
consistency in terms of principles and approach.’
School will NOT be open for all pupils all of the time. It will not be possible. We hope it will be in the future, of course.
1: Fill in this LA questionnaire
Please understand that it directly affects how we plan for reopening.
2. If you have any questions about this, the LA have provided a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ Page.
Many Thanks,
Mr Davies
Houseparty E Safety Update
Houseparty is a live streaming app described as a face-to-face social network where people ‘drop in’ on each other to video chat, leave messages and hang out in groups. The app is available for iOS, Android, macOS and Google Chrome and has tens of millions of users worldwide. It’s important to note that children under the age of 13 must have a parent’s permission to access the services, however, no proof of age is required to create an account.
What parents need to know about Houseparty: ( link + extract of information below)
Houseparty
Top Tips for Parents
TURN ON PRIVATE MODE
One additional tip is to use the app settings to turn on
‘Private Mode’ which automatically locks the room,
instead of doing it manually. Parents with questions can
always email us at hello@houseparty.com
SAFER CONVERSATIONS
With live streaming being such a popular feature on
apps, it is important that you are aware of the dangers
associated with it in order to protect your child
effectively. Have regular and honest conversations with
your child about what apps they are using and how they
are using them. It may be a good idea to have your child
show you how they use Houseparty and how to navigate
through the platform so you are aware of how it works.
CHECK COMMUNICATIONS
Also, it’s important to be aware of who is on their friends
list and who they are communicating with. Remind your
child to not communicate with people they do not know
and trust. If they experience something on the app that
makes them feel uncomfortable then they should tell a
trusted adult immediately. Remind your child that if
they get an invite to join a Houseparty room from
someone they don’t recognise, then they should ignore
the request.
‘LOCK’ ROOMS
In regards to communicating with users on the platform,
we advise that your child uses the ‘lock’ feature to make
their conversations private. This means that other users,
especially strangers, can’t join their conversations.
PROTECT THEIR PRIVACY
Your child may unknowingly give away personal
information during a live stream, including their
location. Talk to them about what constitutes ‘personal
information’ and make sure they do not disclose
anything to anyone during a live stream, even to their
friends. Advise them to remove any items in their live
stream (school uniform, street name, posters etc.) that
could potentially expose their location or personal
information. Check your child’s privacy settings
thoroughly. You have the option to opt out of certain uses
and disclosures of personal information, such as turning
of the app’s location sharing option.
PROTECTING YOUR CHILD’S
DIGITAL FOOTPRINT
As the videos are live, it may lead to the misconception that
whatever happens in the video will disappear once the live
stream ends. All content shared on the app can be recorded or
screenshotted and shared to a wider community. It is
important that your child knows that what they do now may
affect their future opportunities. In addition to this, the video
chats can’t be reviewed later which means unless a parent or
carer is sitting nearby during a call, they won’t know what has
been said. It’s worth bearing in mind that parents can see
when their child has last communicated with someone and for
how long for under the ‘We Time’ feature.
REPORTING AND BLOCKING
If your child faces a problem while using the app they can
report direct to the platform by shaking their phone. A
prompt will pop up allowing you to report issues
immediately by clicking on the ‘report now ’ button. They
also have the option to report and block users directly on
the user‘s profile.
BE PRESENT
A study conducted by the Internet Watch
Foundation (IWF) found that 96% of streams showed a child
on their own, often in their bedroom or bathroom. If your
child is going to conduct a live stream, ask them if you
could be present for it. This will give you a greater
understanding of what your child is doing during their live
streams and who they are streaming to.
REMOVE LINKS TO
OTHER APPS
Users can link their account to both Facebook and
Snapchat, or can simply share a link to their profile. We
advise that your remove these links and remind your child
not to publicly share access to their online profiles as
there is the potential for strangers to get hold of your
child’s information or communicate
Newsletter 13/03/20
Thank you to everyone who has supported Sports Relief today, we will let you know how much was raised once all the sponsor money is in.
Criw Cymraeg – We had a very enjoyable Welsh fortnight celebrating the culture and language of Wales. Children took part in activities including, making and tasting Welsh ffod, learning about Welsh tales and legends, creating Welsh poetry and learning about Welsh artists and famous Welsh people.
Please can all children bring in a refillable/labelled bottle of water to keep in class until further notice.
Thank you to everyone who donated clean old clothing for the Rags2Riches collection. We raised £130.40 for the school, which will be spent on Eco Friendly Resources. Diolch
Beach Litter Pick – Following on from last year’s successful Eco Club Beach Litter Pick, and as part of this year’s Spring Clean Cymru Campaign from Keep Wales Tidy , we are pleased to announce that we have been successful in winning a clean up crew from the Co-op who will be assisting us. We are opening this year’s Beach Litter Pick up to more pupils, and consent forms will be sent home next week (for Years 2 to Years 6). Please note that this is an after school event on Monday 30th March.
What’s On Next Week?
Monday – Parent/Teacher Meetings
Monday to Wednesday – FBP- Book Fair
Tuesday – Drama
Tuesday – Parent/Teacher Meetings (Please note we have postponed Mrs Breeze’s meetings until further notice.)
Friday – Science Exhibition. Parents are invited to join us from 2.30pm until 4.00pm
Friday – Please note Mrs Breeze’s Class Assembly is postponed until further notice.
What is coming up?
Fri 27th March – Class Assembly Y3/4T at 9.00am
Mon 30th March – Eco Club – Beach Clean 3.00pm to 4.30pm
Thursday 2nd April – Easter Bonnet Parade – Children in Foundation Phase (Nursery to Year 2) are invited to make an Easter Bonnet, or Spring Themed Hat. Parents are invited to stay and watch the parade at the start of the school day. Children in KS2 are invited to decorate a hard boiled egg.
Friday 3rd April – LFPR – Reception and Morning Nursery – Class Assembly.
Monday 6th to Fri 17th April – Easter Holidays
Monday 20th to Friday 24th April – Y5/6 Residential
Inset Day 5 – Monday 1st June
Inset Day 6 – Monday 20th July
Newsletter 06/03/20
Attendance – Llongyfarchiadau to Y1/2H with 94.8% and to Y3/4J with 99% attendance this week.
What’s On Next Week?
Monday – Eco Club – please can all Eco Club & KS2 Eco Council Members attend as we have arranged a Sea Grass Workshop until 4.15pm
Tuesday – Drama Club
Wednesday – Cross Country & Netball
Friday – Rags to Riches Collection – Please can we have any bags of clean second hand clothes in by the end of the school day on Thursday.
Friday – Sports Relief – All children are invited to dress up to represent a sport, or as their favourite sports person and bring in £1.00 for Sports Relief. We will also be holding various sponsored activities, with half the proceeds going towards a defibrillator for our school, and the other half going towards sports relief. ( e copies are on Dojo – paper copies being sent home next week).
What’s coming up ?
Week beginning Mon 16th March – Parental consultations & FBP Book Fair
Fri 20th March – Class Assembly Y1/2B at 9.00am
Fri 20th March – Science exhibition
Fri 27th March – Class Assembly Y3/4T at 9.00am
Mon 30th March – Eco Club – Beach Clean
Inset Day 5 – Monday 1st June
Inset Day 6 – Monday 20th July