Dates to be aware of:

3.12.21 School closed to pupils for staff training

6.12.21 Filming of Christmas Concert

14.12.21 Live Streaming of Christmas Concert available (link live for 72 hours)

16.12.21 Last day of Autumn term for pupils

16.12.21 School Christmas Dinner: must be pre-ordered. See information within the newsletter.

17.12.21 School closed to pupils for staff training

Risk Level in Newport Schools remains at ‘Very High’

Gwent Incident Management team have sustained the decision for schools to remain at the ‘very high’ risk level of the schools’ framework.

For our school, this means we continue to employ a range of procedures to mitigate risk. These include physical distancing to reduce close interaction to the lowest practical level and face coverings being worn by staff and visitors in all indoor areas, including classrooms, where physical distance cannot be maintained.

Please could we respectfully request that parents / carers that drop off, pick up and have queries at our school office all wear masks (unless medically exempt).

We also ask that parents / carers move from the site once your child/children have been collected to reduce the risk of community transmission.  

Breakfast Club Opportunity

We will have a vacancy for breakfast club support which will start in January. It will be advertised on the Newport Council Job Vacancies website soon. If you are interested or would like to have more information about this role, please do contact the school.

Friends of St. Gabriel’s Raffle

As you know, the ‘Friends of St. Gabriel’s’ raffle is a big event for us and the funds raised go to provide resources for pupils in our school.

Please do let us know if you are able to provide or facilitate a prize for our raffle through a business contact and thank you to those who have already done so.

Tickets will be going on sale soon…watch this space!

Christmas Production

Given the Welsh Government framework and guidance from the Local Authority that Newport Schools are working under, we will unfortunately not be holding ‘live’ Christmas concerts again this year.

However, even though we are still in contact groups, we have decided to virtually come together as a school to film a Christmas Production. Each class has a section of the performance which will be filmed on December 6^th. This will then be screened on December 14^th and the link will remain ‘live’ for 72 hours after that. There will be the opportunity to purchase the DVD of the performance also and we will share the process for doing this in a separate communication once we have all the information.

Christmas Dinner Information

Christmas Dinner will be held on Thursday 16th December 2021 at lunchtime.

Christmas Dinner MUST BE ORDERED IN ADVANCE by MONDAY 6th DECEMBER to give our cook time to order and receive the correct amount of food.

We will text you a link to the booking form.

We do need everyone to complete it – even if your child is not having Christmas Dinner.

If you don’t order before this deadline then please remember to give your child their own packed lunch on that day as THERE ARE NO ALTERNATIVES on Christmas Dinner Day (there are no jacket potatoes, no sandwiches, no usual menu).

If your child receives Free School Meals there is no need to pay for Christmas Dinner BUT YOU DO STILL NEED TO BOOK IT.

If your child doesn’t receive Free School Meals, please ensure that you load the £2.15 into their ParentPay account IN ADVANCE of the day to pay for their meal – please load the money into the usual area for dinners: there is nothing specific relating to Christmas Dinner on their ParentPay account.

Children in Need Update

Thank you for your generosity in supporting this important charity. I’m pleased to say that St. Gabriel’s school community raised £183.25 for Children in Need’s 2021 fundraising campaign.

Latest COVID 19 Guidance from Welsh Government

Reminders and Information from Previous Newsletters:

Planned Training Days

SCHOOL IS CLOSED TO THE PUPILS ON THE FOLLOWING DAYS TO ALLOW STAFF TRAINING TO TAKE PLACE:

Friday 3^rd December

Friday 17^th December

Tuesday 4^th January (Note Monday 3^rd January is a Bank Holiday)

School Lottery

The reality of getting closer to holding school based funding raising events in these times is still challenging. However, if you or a family member or even family friends, are looking for a way to support our school, then the St. Gabriel’s School lottery is an easy way to do so! Once it is set up, it can run each month if you choose the direct debit option. There is a prize for the people that are part of our lottery each month and the more people that participate the bigger the prize!

https://www.yourschoollottery.co.uk/lottery/school/st-gabriels-r-c-primary-school

TIMINGS REMINDER:

Thank you for supporting us as we returned to normal school start and end of day procedures as directed by the Welsh Government.

Breakfast club (for those who have places) arrival begins at 8:15. Last entry at 8:35 am.

Gates open for school day between 8:45 and 8:55am. Your child should be through the gate by 8:55am.

Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 end the school day at 3:05 pm

Year 3 end the school day at 3:10pm. Pick up on the yard.

Year 4 end the school day at 3:15pm. Pick up on the yard.

Year 5 and Year 6 end the school day at 3:15pm and exit through the hall doors.

Current COVID Guidance to Schools from Welsh Government:

Anyone with symptoms (excluding the under 5s – see above) – a new continuous cough, fever or high temperature or loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste – should book a PCR test and 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.

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.