Dear Parents and Carers,

Don’t forget: School is closed to pupils tomorrow (Friday 28^th May) for staff training.

We wish everyone a lovely half term break. 

Pupils return to school on Tuesday 8^th June.

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.

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.

Election of a Parent Governor: Ballot forms

We were pleased to have two parents who were interested in undertaking the role of Parent Governor and as such we need to conduct a ballot.

On Wednesday, each family was sent home two ballot papers for the parents / guardians for each parent to be able to vote. If your family situation requires an additional ballot, please contact the school office.

The deadline for the ballot votes to be cast is Wednesday 9^th June at 3:30pm. Ballots should be sent into school with your child. Class teachers will then pass them to the office.

Training Days (School Closed) for the remainder of this school year:

Friday 28^th May 2021

Monday 7^th June 2021

Monday 19^th July 2021

Tuesday 20^th July 2021

Term Dates FOR THIS YEAR

Summer half term: Monday 31^st May to Friday 4^th June 2021

Summer second half term begins: Tuesday 8^th June (as Monday we are closed for Staff training)

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

Yours sincerely,

Mrs M Harris

Headteacher