Dear Parents and Carers,

 

It has been a busy week where Year 6 have been working with a professional musician to create a ‘Leavers’ Song’ about their time in Primary School. Year 2 also met the Fire Brigade in a socially distanced session outside in our log circle. They were very interested in the information shared and also asked some excellent questions.

 

Information from Newport Local Authority:

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board are running a walk-in vaccination clinic at Newport Leisure Centre on Saturday 3^rd July from 08:30am until 4pm. If you are yet to receive your COVID-19 vaccination and would like to attend please come along. No appointment required, we only ask that you please bring ID. Please note they will only be offering first doses. Getting the vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and loved ones from COVID-19’.

 

Friends of St Gabriel’s School Lottery

In these current times where we are unable to hold our usual fundraising events such as the Summer Fayre, please consider signing up to the Friends of St. Gabriel’s School Lottery. It is £1 per ticket and you can set up a direct debit. It is a great way for parents and wider family to support our school when support must happen from a distance.

Please follow this link if you wish to purchase a ticket: https://www.yourschoollottery.co.uk/lottery/school/st-gabriels-r-c-primary-school

Each week there is a guaranteed winner from the St. Gabriel’s ticket holders – the amount goes up depending on how many tickets are sold!

 

There is also the opportunity for a wider prize draw, across the whole school lottery, which includes an option for a jackpot (£25,000) plus the possibility for fruit and vegetables box for a year.

 

We would really appreciate your support. The money raised by the Friends of St. Gabriel’s is invaluable to our school as it provides many resources that benefit the children.

 

 

REMINDERS FROM PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS ARE BELOW:

 

 

Staff Training Dates for NEXT YEAR

We have currently allocated the following days for staff training:

Thursday 2^nd September

Friday 3^rd September

Friday 3^rd December

Friday 17^th December

School will be closed to pupils on the above days. We have two more days for staff training and will let you know as soon as we have allocated them.

 

Please note that Friday 24^th September is no longer a training day and children should be in school on this date.

 

 

 

When your child is ill

We know that when your child is poorly, and consequently absent from school, there are many things to organise. However, please do remember to text, email or leave a phone message.

In normal times, as part of Welsh Government attendance tracking, we need to know within which category to mark the absence.

In current Covid19 times, this becomes more pressing as we need to account for all absences and to know if we are prepping for a class isolation.

Please do help us by informing us of the reason if your child is not in school including whether or not any Covid19 symptoms are being displayed.

 

Term Dates FOR THIS YEAR

End of Summer term: Friday 16^th July 2021 (as Monday 19^th and Tuesday 20^th is Staff training)

 

For the term dates for the next two years please follow this link: http://www.newport.gov.uk/en/Schools-Education/Schools/Term-Dates.aspx

 

 

 

LOCAL AUTHORITY UPDATE ON COVID19 TESTING

Covid testing for 3 cardinal symptoms

If you identify one or more of the three cardinal symptoms-

• New continuous cough
• High temperature
• Change or loss of sense of taste or smell

You must book a PCR test and you and your family must isolate immediately until you receive the test result, which is usually within 24 hours. If the result is positive, you and your household must self-isolate for 10 days from the date your symptoms started. You will also be contacted by the local Tracing Team. However, if your result is negative, you can end your self-isolation, when you feel well enough to do so.

 

Covid testing for wider symptoms

The Health board in Gwent is now making testing available for those who identify with one or more of the wider symptoms-

• Flu-like symptoms including aching or painful muscles, excessive tiredness, persistent headache, runny nose or blocked nose, persistent sneezing, sore throat and/or hoarseness, shortness of breath or wheezing

If you consider that you or your family need to book a PCR test for wider symptoms, The Aneurin Bevan University Health Board are operating fourteen testing facilities across the region and getting a test is now quick, easy and convenient with results in most cases returned within 24 hours.   Tests can be arranged by phoning 119 or book online: https://gov.wales/getting-tested-coronavirus-covid-19.

 

If you have one of the wider symptoms then you should stay away from school until receiving your result, which is usually within 24 hours.

If the result is positive, you and your household must self-isolate for 10 days from the date your symptoms started. You will also be contacted by the local Tracing Team. However, if your result is negative, you can return to school or work when you feel well enough to do so.

Asymptomatic testing (no symptoms)

Rapid lateral flow tests are for people who do not have coronavirus symptoms.

In Wales, you can get lateral flow tests for you and your household if:

• you are a volunteer
• you cannot work from home
• you are an unpaid carer

 

Order rapid lateral flow home test kits on GOV.UK. You can order 1 home testing kit (7 tests) at a time. Delivery takes 1 to 2 days.

 

You can also collect testing kits in person. Find your nearest collection point and opening times (on nhs.uk). You can collect 2 home testing kits (14 tests) at a time.

 

You should test twice a week, 3 to 4 days apart. Please report rapid lateral flow test results (on GOV.UK) the day you or someone in your household takes the test.

 

If your test is positive you should book a PCR test within 24 hours of the positive lateral flow test result.

 

If you develop any symptoms you should book a PCR test even if your lateral flow test result was negative.

 

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Mrs M Harris

Headteacher