Latest News

• Summer Childcare Offer

  Fri 10 Jul 2020 C Swann

  Here is the information for the summer childcare offer by MonLife.

  The link is below.

  I have copied the information from their page for your information, but don't know if the links will work sorry!

   

  www.monlife.co.uk/monactive/childrens-activities/summer-activity-hubs/. 

   

  Monmouthshire Summer Activity HUB’s

  We are pleased to confirm that this summer we will be delivering ‘Monmouthshire Summer Activity Hubs’ at all four MonLife Leisure Centres for a 5 week period running from Monday 20^th July – Friday 21^st August, 8am – 5pm. 

  This provision will be available for all children to attend between the ages of 5-12 years old, it is not restricted to key workers.  The cost will be £20 per child per day which is the equivalent of £2.22 per hour. We also have a limited number of funded spaces available for children in receipt of free school meals.  To access this please complete the Register Your Interest form below.

  Each site will have a maximum number per day and we will not be able to go above this due to social distancing restrictions and the conditions we have put in place, due to this we strongly recommend pre-booking. 

  From Friday 10th July you will be able to register your interest by completing the REGISTER YOUR INTEREST form.  Please note that this is not a confirmation of booking and you will be contacted W/C Monday 13th July by the relevant Leisure Centre to confirm your child’s place and to take payment.  All calls will take place between 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday, you will be contacted within a 24 hour period and this will be on a first come first serve basis. A list of FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS have been produced to provide some further information.

  Here at MonLife we understand how difficult recent months have been for both parents and children.  We are committed to providing a positive experience for the children attending this summer with our Leisure, Sport Development and Youth Service team providing a range of exciting activities.  We look forward to welcoming you back to our Leisure Centres this summer for the Monmouthshire Summer Activity Hubs. 

  Please note, we have limited spaces available, please book in advance to avoid disappointment. To enquire about The Summer Activities HUB’s, please click here.

   

   

• Kirsty Williams information regarding September

  Thu 09 Jul 2020 C Swann

  Archbishop Rowan Williams Church in Wales VA Primary School

  ‘I can do all things through Him who strengthens me’

  Philippians 4:13

   

  Crick Road, Portskewett, Caldicot, Monmouthshire.  NP26 5UL

  Tel:  01291 420526

  www.arwprimaryschool.co.uk

  Dear Parents,

   

  At last! We have the news that so many have wanted to hear! All children to return to school in September!

   

  This, as you can imagine, will mean that the school now needs to reorganise and modify our plans, as, it still remains the case that whilst wanting to get back to learning, safety remains a priority.

   

  I shall now be working on new systems and engaging with staff and the governing body to ensure that we are thorough in our approach. We also value any feedback around what is working well for you, and what you feel could improve our systems further. As usual, please send your ideas to the school website at arwprimary@monmouthshire.gov.uk  

   

  Kirsty Williams has given schools the opportunity to use the first two weeks of September to ensure that planning is finalised and school is ready for the new arrangements, and also offers an opportunity for transition work. All children must be in school from the 14^th September onwards. Specific return dates for your child will be shared as soon as it has been decided, and I am waiting to see what decisions are made after discussions with Monmouthshire and our cluster of schools, to ensure consistency for our pupils.

   

  Below are some of the key points from today’s announcement by Kirsty Williams:

  • The first fortnight will allow schools to prepare for the full return on September 14th (focus on specific groups of learners) or to allow time for extra planning and reorganisation.
  • In the interests of all of our children and young people, all schools will be open to all pupils by Monday, September 14^th at the very latest.
  • £29m is available to ‘recruit, recover and raise standards’ in Welsh schools in response to the impact still felt from the pandemic. Support will be targeted at Years 11, 12 and 13, as well as disadvantaged and vulnerable learners of all ages. 
  • We will also continue to fund free school meals for all eligible children over the summer holidays.
  •  Estyn has also halted its inspection arrangements until further notice.
  •  There needs to be a broad and balanced curriculum focusing on well being. 

   

  So! There is much to do, and we are delighted to be getting on with it, and will keep you as informed as we can.

   

  I will be sharing more information, hopefully tomorrow, regarding classes for next year.

   

  Kind regards as always,

   

  Caroline Swann

• First full week back

  Fri 03 Jul 2020 C Swann

  Dear Parents,

  Thank you for your continued support and your trust in us as a school, to create a safe and welcoming learning environment for children to return to this week.

   

  It really has been FABULOUS to see our children, and an absolute joy and privilege to witness their beaming faces as they have come through the gate! In fact, it was the parents faces that were etched with worry rather than the children! I think for many families it felt more like dropping the children off for their first day in school ever!

   

  This said, the children across the week and across every year group have adapted extremely well with the ‘new normal’ and wellbeing levels have been very high…for both staff and pupils. It really has been lovely to be back together, and routines have felt very natural and easy to maintain.

   

  I am acutely aware of the eagerness you will undoubtedly have to know what the plans are for school in September, and am so sorry not to be able to give you and the children clarity at this time. I am waiting on Welsh Government as well as Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) guidance, and at this point in time, there is no information.

   

  Kirsty Williams will be making her usual weekly announcement on Wednesday 8^th July 2020, and I am hoping that this will provide us with some direction, as the lack of information impacts upon us all, and particularly for our new intake of Reception pupils who have not been able to engage in the process of transition yet. Unions have written to the Minister asking for a decision to be made regarding September, so that schools can start the process of planning and adapting the current system. I will share new information as soon as it is known.

   

  This just leaves me to thank you once again, for the kind messages of support that you have sent the school (these mean more to us than you could imagine) and also to say how much we appreciate your punctuality when dropping off and collecting children, as this has allowed the system so far to be flawless (fingers crossed that it remains dry for two more weeks!)

   

  I look forward to seeing you next week on the gate,

   

  Kind regards,

  Caroline Swann