Latest News

• Covid 19 Update

  Wed 11 Nov 2020 C Swann

  Archbishop Rowan Williams Primary School

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

  Crick Road, Portskewett, Caldicot

  Monmouthshire    NP26 5UL

  ':   01291 420526

  www.arwprimaryschool.co.uk

   

  11.11.2020

   

  Dear All,

  It is a timely moment now that we are emerging from our ‘firebreak’ to revisit our actions and behaviours regarding Covid 19.

  As a head teacher, I am in various communication groups with colleagues and the Local Authority, and without being alarming, it is very clear from this communication that Covid 19 incidents and infections are very much within our community of Caldicot and the surrounding areas.

  Therefore, we must remain vigilant and cannot afford to feel like things are less serious just because the firebreak has ended. Quite the opposite. We need to build on the gains that we have made and ensure that our R rate remains as low as possible.

  As a school, we have refreshed our risk assessment and given staff the opportunity to note the updates as well as reinforcing the basics. However, as a staff, we cannot do this alone and as always, we achieve more when we work together. On this note, I will share some of our key messages so that you can join us in our mission!

  • The first and most important message is for me to thank you for your continued support and wise suggestions. You undoubtedly have shared ideas that have really made a positive difference to how we work and organise our systems.

   

  • All meetings are virtual, whether they are between staff, parents and staff, staff and wider agencies etc. This will minimise unnecessary contact between individuals.

   

   

  • There are several important things to feedback from the head teachers meeting with Will McLean, Chief Officer, Children & Young People.

   

  • • The Local Authority will shortly be bringing out guidance on face coverings within primary schools. STAFF are being advised to wear face coverings when we are in shared spaces within the school e.g. when in the corridors. This is purely out of respect for others and minimising risk. Please help your children to be prepared for this, and let them know that it is just a new rule for adults, and nothing for them to be alarmed about!

   

  • • The Environmental Health Team reinforced the message that Social Distancing, especially between adults, still remains the most effective form of protection, along with hand hygiene and the ‘Catch it, Bin it, Kill it’ message.

  Therefore, we need to respect others as much as we can and maintain

   a 2m distance between all adults.

  Please be mindful of this when you are at the school, and please, for the time being, do not gather in groups to chat, even though it is understandably tempting.

   

  • • Timings: to ensure that we minimise how many people are on site at any one time, please try to stick to the timings allocated to your child’s year group. We appreciate that this is not always possible, and we would rather you be a little late by going around the block if the car park is congested. Please can you ensure that you do not park on the driveway as this is dangerous.

   

  • • One way system- please can you only use the car park double gate to walk into school, and ONLY leave through the pedestrian gate on the path. Please can you refrain from going out of the large double gate as a gesture of respect to those who are coming in through it.

   

  • • And finally from this meeting, MCC are going to provide schools with guidance about Christmas and their expectations of what should be taking place within our schools. This will ensure that we have a safe and healthy Christmas, and, as a school, we will be creative around meeting the guidelines once they are shared.

   

   

  Kind regards,

  Caroline Swann

• Covid 19 Update

  Mon 09 Nov 2020 C Swann

  Message from our Local Authority:

   

  So we are through the FireBreak and into a period where a new set of COVID regulations are now in force across the whole of Wales. The link below will deal with the majority of questions that you may still have going around in your mind.

   

  https://t.co/zaEALeOBqT?ssr=true

   

  Clearly the big changes are that many more things are now open (including our services) that haven’t been for a fortnight and you are now free to travel within Wales. That said today does not mark a great COVID liberation - we are still dealing with a serious pandemic - and the over-riding context of these new rules is that you stay at home wherever possible, if you have to leave home do so infrequently and don’t travel any further than you need too and avoid contact with people outside your household as much as possible.

  The best defence against COVID remains social distancing. 

   

  

• Ambassadors

  Fri 06 Nov 2020 C Swann

  23.10.2020 and 6.11.2020

   

  Archbishop Rowan Williams CiW Primary School

  proudly present to you this week’s Ambassadors:

   

  Brody Harris for being a super reader!

  Max Hancock for being a super reader!

  Perry Biddle for excellent creative writing, using beautiful descriptive language and re reading his work in an expressive voice. Fabulous boy!

  Pierre Tournier-Horton-for being an ambitious learner when creating his firework poem.

  Felicity Worgan- for being an ambitious learner when creating her firework poem.

  Phoebe Purchase for outstanding work and for her attitude of care and pride in her achievements.

  Ava Howard- for beautiful artwork and excellent handwriting.

  Eli Edwards for being an ambitious capable learner when recalling and writing the story of Guy Fawkes.

  Austin Banton for being an ambitious capable learner when recalling and writing the story of Guy Fawkes.

  Aderyn Shuck-for kindness and thoughtfulness.

  Charlie Johnson Major-  for kindness and thoughtfulness.

  Rose Northover for creating a fantastic story map about Mary Seacole.

  Alfie Taylor for always putting 100% into any task he is given.

  Scarlett Downer for always putting 100% into any task she is given.

  Celyn Griffiths- for being a responsible citizen and engaging in excellent discussion about justice, making sure that fair decisions have been made in class. Outstanding!

  Arthur Biddle-  for representing the school so beautifully, doing a fantastic job helping Miss Heales record the promotion video and for fantastic ideas.

  Olivia Wong- for persevering and having an excellent attitude to her work, especially spellings.

  Sara Walbyoff- who calmly finishes her work, manages distractions and works accurately every day and in every lesson.

  Cameron Hancock- for working well every day, being polite and well mannered, a good friend to others and has completed excellent reading this week!

  William Morgan- for representing the school so beautifully, doing a fantastic job helping Miss Heales record the promotion video and for fantastic ideas.

  Lara Williams- for being ambitious- working extremely hard and completing ALL tasks to the best of her ability..also offering her support to other children, once completed.

  Eva Lawn - for representing the school so beautifully, doing a fantastic job helping Miss Heales record the promotion video and for fantastic ideas.

  Yasmine Simsek- for representing the school so beautifully, doing a fantastic job helping Miss Heales record the promotion video and for fantastic ideas.

  Jesse Collins- for being an ambitious, capable learner and persevering to produce great work.

  Tobias Miles- for being an ambitious, capable learner and persevering to produce great work.

  Macie Griffiths- for being a healthy, confident individual, showing kindness and support for a fellow classmate.

• Good to be Green

  Thu 05 Nov 2020 C Swann

  Dear All,

  We have launched our ‘Good to be Green’ behaviour initiative this week and it has been underpinned with the views of the children.

  I have tried to explain it on a recording which has been posted via the Google Classroom. Take a look and please feel free to ask the class teachers any questions you have, or by email the school office.

   

• CALDICOT FOOD BANK

  Wed 04 Nov 2020 JAE

  Hello

  With your help, this could be the ‘usual Christmas’ so many families look forward to, and despite the Coronavirus.

  Yet we know many young families are struggling financially. We’re sure you know many too!

  This year, as in the past, Caldicot Food Bank are looking to help those young children living in deprived or difficult circumstances in the Caldicot, Caerwent, Portskewett, Rogiet, Undy and Magor area.

  If you know of any young families who are struggling to make ends meet, tell us about them. We’ll aim to give every family grappling with trying to survive in these perilous times, something hopefully to smile about!

  Through you, we’ll provide a bounty of food, treats, decorations and gifts: all wrapped up as a Caldicot Food Bank Christmas Parcel.

  What do we need from you? 

   Attached you will find a Caldicot Food Bank ‘Christmas Parcel Application Form’ in either Excel Spreadsheet or Word. Please complete one, or the other, with your nominations and leave a clear blank line between each entry.

  We would prefer you to use the Spreadsheet. However, we appreciate that not everyone is familiar with this format.

  Please be reassured, your returned data will not be shared with any other persons or organizations outside of Caldicot Food Bank. Once received the information will be kept under a secure regime (password required), with access limited to just four of our volunteers.

  Please ensure every detail requested is provided.

  Kindly also note that, in the past, we’ve had names duplicated.  If a couple have different surnames it’s important both surnames are recorded on the Application Form. (This also helps when a couple has two postal addresses).

   

  Deadline for receipt of forms

  Friday 4^th December is the last day we can accept your nominations.

  The earlier we receive your recommendations the better. The point after next will explain.

   

  What will the parcels contain?

  Apart from our normal contents, the Christmas Parcels aim to provide a range of fare including seasonal food and treats, decorations, children's toothbrushes, and toothpaste, and gifts for all the family.

  Each parcel will come in a number of bags, each bag labeled with the family name. You will also know how many bags have been provided for each family as they will be numbered

  ‘1 of -’; ‘2 of -’; etc.

   

  Will everyone nominated receive a parcel?

  We cannot guarantee that every person you select will receive a parcel. Early indications suggest that this year we’re likely to be swamped with requests.  As a result, all requests will be logged in the order they’re received. Preference will be given to the first received and in date order.

   

  How will the parcels be distributed?

  Once we’ve received your nominations, we’ll contact you to discuss both:

  -          When you can expect to receive them,  

  -          How many individual bags we’ve prepared for each of your clients, and

  -          To discuss collection arrangements (day and time)  

  Please note that we do not deliver to your clients: that function will be your responsibility.

   

  Dates and times for collection or delivery?

  As above, collection times and dates will need to be agreed in advance.

  This year, we’ll be making up the Christmas Parcels in the Caldicot Male Voice Choir Hall, off Mill Lane, Caldicot NP26 4BN   This, thanks to the generous help and co-operation we’re receiving from the Chairman and Management of the Choir Hall in Caldicot.

  We’ll be starting in the Choir Hall on Wednesday 11^th November, and expect to continue every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am until 1pm.

  Our final date for either delivering parcels, or having them collected, is Wednesday 16^th December.

   

  Health and Safety

  When collecting parcels:

  ·       Collection must be at the pre-arranged time/date.

  ·       On arrival in the area please reverse your vehicle to the front door.

  ·       Do NOT enter the premises but rather phone either:  077 912 588723, or the phone number we'll provide when making collection arrangements

  ·       Once we know you’re outside, we will bring the parcels to the front door of the building. Under NO circumstances should you enter the hall.

  ·       We recommend you check in advance to ensure the number of packages you’ll be collecting will fit inside your vehicle.

   

  To discuss further:

  Either phone our Manager, Danielle Cadden on T. 077 912 58723, or write to us on E-mail: Caldicotfoodbank@yahoo.co.uk

   

  Many thanks

   

  David Flint

  Chairman

  Caldicot Food Bank Committee & Volunteers

  Mobile: 07925285994

  Caldicot Food Bank working with Churches Together and in partnership with Raven House Trust

   

• Message from our PTFA...Smarties!

  Mon 02 Nov 2020 PTFA
  So, the start of the new term is nearly upon us, and here is your first positivity post of the Winter school weeks! 
  
  Our wonderful families have worked really hard and have managed to raise a superb £502 profit during the smarties challenge event! 
  
  This is made more amazing, because despite Covid causing us restrictions, and being financially hard for some, we have matched the amounts raised in both the previous two years of this challenge. You really are fantastic! 
  
  So, down to the finer detail and obviously what most of you really want to know.......!!! 
  
  Drum roll! 
  
  The class raising the most money for this event, was yet again, Mrs Hoare’s Reception/Year 1 class! Well done to them! You have won a £50 Amazon voucher, for Mrs Hoare to spend on items that will provide a topic related activity. 
  
  This year, we couldn’t ignore two other classes - 
  
  Not only did they have the next two highest amounts raised, but they also had the next two highest number of returned tubes - meaning that over 60% of their class participated in this event! 
  
  Well done to Mrs Robertson’s Reception/Year 1 class who win a £30 Amazon voucher, and Miss Heales Year 2 class, who win a £20 Amazon voucher! 
  
  We’re looking forward to seeing what your teachers choose to spend your vouchers on, and how it helps your topic learning! 
  
  Thank you to all our families for participating and donating! It’s hugely appreciated.
   

• Breakfast Club

  Thu 29 Oct 2020 C Swann

  29.10.2020

  Breakfast Club Plans

  UPDATE

   

   

  Dear Parents, Carers, Families,

   

  As you are aware, we have not yet been able to open our Breakfast Club provision due to Covid 19 restrictions and the associated challenges. We have however been looking to find solutions to these challenges, and as a result, we are aiming to open the provision from the 9^th November 2020 on a trial basis. Prior to this we will be amending risk assessments and ensuring that we meet all of our Health and Safety non-negotiables.

   

  We have looked carefully at your feedback on the survey, and are trying to accommodate your wishes as far as possible. Here is some cursory information and we will send you an update during the first week back at school.

   

  Main Points:

  • The hall will remain sectioned into ‘bubbles’, matching what we do for After School Club. The main focus of both the staff and Governors at this time, is to keep all members of the school community as safe and as healthy as we possibly can. This means that we are only able to open breakfast Club using the bubble system, and this in turn does limit our capacity. As a result of this, we ask for your cooperation and request that you only use the Breakfast Club facility if it is ABSOLUTELY necessary for you to work and you have no other option.

   

  • We will be open from 8:15 am and no earlier. We were originally going to open at 8:30 am, so that children wouldn’t have to sit in their bubbles for an hour (if we started at 8:00 am), as we feel that an hour is too long to be sat in a small area. We know however, from some of your feedback, that an 8:00 am start was requested, and we hope that the compromise of an 8:15 am start will meet both the needs of the children and families alike.

   

  • Children will only be able to attend with a booking via the main office. Once you have requested a place, you will receive an email to confirm your booking. After confirmation, if you are using the club from 8:15-8.30 am, you can use the usual payment system (£1 per day) to complete the booking.

   

  • NO CHILD WILL BE ACCEPTED INTO BREAKFAST CLUB UNLESS BOOKED IN VIA THE OFFICE. Children must be accompanied to the hall door where they will be checked in. If a child arrives at the Club without a booking, parents will be called to collect them. If parents are unavailable, next of kin will be contacted as per the school contact information.

   

  • We need to take these measures in order to stay safe and to maintain our bubble system. If the numbers remain manageable in each bubble, we will continue to run the club in this manner. If numbers are high and we have too many children per bubble, we may need to consider an alternative solution.

   

  We will provide more detail next week and in the meantime, I hope that you are enjoying your half term break…despite the rain!

   

  Kind regards,

   

  Caroline Swann

• "Firebreak"

  Fri 23 Oct 2020 JAE

  21st October 2020

  Dear Parents/Carers

  I write to share with you the latest information regarding the provision of education and childcare across Monmouthshire in the forthcoming ‘firebreak’ period.

  The First Minister for Wales, Mark Drakeford, announced on Monday 19th October that the country would soon be entering into a ‘firebreak’. This is a significant announcement that will see the whole of Wales enter a period of heightened restrictions that will run from 6pm on Friday 23rd October through to 9th November 2020. The experience will feel very similar to the full lockdown that we experienced in March this year, albeit this time the lockdown will be for a ‘short, sharp’ period designed to slow the spread of Covid-19.

  I recognise that this is once again an anxious time for everyone, and I am very aware of the challenges that the last lockdown posed for many of our families. The forthcoming ‘firebreak’ will be significantly different to the lockdown in terms of the provision for our children and young people that we are able to maintain. The arrangements across Monmouthshire during the ‘firebreak’ period will be that:

  - All nurseries and childcare settings are permitted to remain open as per their normal arrangements

  - All Primary Schools in the county will re-open as normal after the half term break, returning on 2nd November 2020.

  - Our pupil referral service will also re-open after the half term break on the 2nd November

  Our four secondary schools will open to children in year 7 and 8 pupils only for the week that follows the half term break (week commencing 2nd November). This is necessary to ensure compliance with the requirements of the First Minister’s ‘firebreak’ announcement.

  Students in years 9,10,11,12 and 13 will need to remain at home where they will receive a package of blended learning from their schools. Schools will arrange to support learners who need the support of school and those expected to undertake examinations during the ‘firebreak’ period. Our four secondary schools will be liaising with you directly over these arrangements.

  The Council will continue to fund Free School Meals for the eligible students in years 9-13 who are unable to attend their school setting for the week commencing 2nd November 2020.

  As announced by the First Minister on Monday, the ‘firebreak’ period will conclude on 9th November 2020 allowing for the provision across all of our

  Monmouthshire schools to return to their current arrangements. For clarity, all children and young people of all ages will be able to return to their school settings on conclusion of the ‘firebreak’.

  I am sure we all agree that keeping our schools open is hugely important for our children and young people in supporting both their emotional wellbeing, mental health and their educational progress. All of our schools have all performed fantastically under very difficult conditions this term to keep their environments safe for children and staff. I want to take this opportunity to extend my thanks to you as parents / carers for supporting your schools and their necessary processes they have introduced. Pleasingly, our collective efforts have resulted in a very low number of confirmed Covid-19 cases across our schools. To help maintain this position, I am asking for your continued support in the following areas:

  - Please follow the social distancing requirements at school pick up and drop off times. School staff are working incredibly hard to ensure that your children are safe and social distancing and cleanliness regimes are being carefully managed – please do not undo this work by not socially distancing when dropping off / collecting your child(ren) from school.

  - If your child, or any person within your child’s household has COVID symptoms, please ensure that they isolate at home and do not attend school until a negative COVID test has been received.

  - Should your child, or anyone within your child’s household, receive a positive COVID test, please follow all advice concerning household isolation requirements before your child returns to school.

  - Under no circumstances should any children return to school before they have had the results of a COVID test.

  The pandemic continues to be a huge challenge for everyone. I am hopeful that the steps described in this letter will allow our schools to continue to provide education and support for our children and young people. However, what we achieve in our schools can only be maintained if we observe the regulations outside school too.

  Thank you in anticipation of your continued support.

  Yours faithfully

  Will McLean

  Chief Officer – Children & Young People

• Aneurin Bevan University Health Board,

  Thu 22 Oct 2020 JAE

  Please see below important information from Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, who provide NHS healthcare services to our families.

   

  When the new Grange University Hospital, in Cwmbran, opens on 17th November 2020, the way you access urgent healthcare will change – it is vitally important that you understand these changes for you and your family.

   

  Please visit our website for full information about these changes (https://abuhb.nhs.wales/clinical-futures1).  A dedicated information leaflet on children and maternity services can be found at https://abuhb.nhs.wales/files/clinical-futures/clinical-futures-information-leaflets/children-and-maternity-layout-1-pdf/

   

  Please also look out for a printed A5 booklet which will be posted to your home in the coming weeks.

   

  Thank you,

  Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

   

  #ClinicalFutures #GrangeUniHospital #NHSWales

   

• Harvest Collection

  Mon 19 Oct 2020 C Swann
  We would like to share our thanks for the generous harvest donations that you shared in order to help others. Caldicot Food Bank collected the items last Friday, and have now contacted us to express their thanks. I have attached the letter for you to read.