Latest News
Latest News
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This weeks fabulous ambassadors!
Fri 05 Jun 202005.06.2020
Archbishop Rowan Williams CiW Primary School
proudly present to you this week’s Ambassadors:
Caitlin Leigh – Showing beautiful creativity in her ‘Seasons Artwork’
Clemence Edwards – Being resilient and consistently challenging her learning, such an excellent quality!
Troy Andrews – Being a resilient learner and completing all of his maths! Well done Troy!
Theo Taylor – For super reading and excellent understanding of his recycling text
Jarvis Steel- For being an ethical, informed citizen by showing understanding and compassion to his fellow classmates when writing thoughtful reflections about each of them.
Esther Pridmore – For showing excellent creativity in her story map of a Welsh myth
Lara Williams- For excellent engagement with a topic activity – cooking her ‘National Dish’…I bet it was delicious!
Theo Reed- who has definitely been a healthy and ethical member of our community as he has run 6 and a half marathons to raise money for Ty Hafan… outstanding!
Ollie Jones- For great reading and writing and using these skills to write a lovely letter to his teachers… Diolch!
Brody Harris- For great enthusiasm in all of his learning…well done! So proud of you keeping up such enthusiasm!
Louis George - For being ambitious and capable. Home learning isn’t always a favourite thing to do, but even so, he has persevered and tackled all tasks. The work he is providing is at a great standard and presentation is beautiful. Well done Louis…super proud of you!
Caitlin Watkins - For demonstrating perseverance and enthusiasm towards her reading in the hub school. Well done Caitlin…I am looking forward to you reading to me soon!
Alex Wall -For demonstrating creativity and perseverance with his under the sea model. Well done…this is the route to success!
Jude Thorn – For demonstrating his ability to work independently and direct his own learning. Well done Jude…this is an excellent life skill to have!
Harrison Jones – For an excellent recycling leaflet showing he understanding of how to be sustainable.
Sara Walbyoff – For transferring her maths skills to real life and making a delicious chocolate cake… fabulous!
Ffion Silcox – Using BSL to sign her name… you can show us how you do it soon!
Lyla Jones – For showing imagination and creativity in her Giraffe creation.
Millie Hubbard – For setting herself high expectations and always putting effort into her learning.
Erin Heneghan – For engaging in her learning and having an ambitious attitude.
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Key points from Kirsty Williams
Wed 03 Jun 2020Dear Parents, Carers, Families,
We now know some timings for your return.
I appreciate that at this stage you will have significant concerns.
I am waiting for further guidance from Welsh Government and Monmouthshire County Council before mapping the detail of our future arrangements. I am also using the thoughts that you have shared via the school email to inform how we plan our next steps.
I may not have information to share for a little while, but rest assured, the work really is going on behind the scenes! I am just mindful to only share information once it has been scrutinised by the senior leadership team, teachers, governing body and associated outside agencies. This liaison takes time as participants need to reflect in order for feedback to be meaningful, hence the ‘gap in transmission’ on the schools ‘latest news’.
As soon as I have information to share, I will update you, and in the meantime, please stay in touch with us via the school website, and use the email address to contact us if you would like.
Below are the main points shared by Kirsty Williams today.
Take care and stay safe,
Caroline Swann
Key Points from the Education Minister for Wales, Kirsty Williams
A limited reopening for all age groups will begin on Monday, 29 June.
"We are proposing to extend the term by one week to end on the 27th of July, with an extra week’s break at autumn half-term".
"Year groups will be split into cohorts with staggered starts, lessons and breaks, meaning at most, a third of pupils will be present at any one time.
"Year groups will be split into cohorts with staggered starts, lessons and breaks, meaning at most, a third of pupils will be present at any one time.
"We will see much smaller classes, providing secure, dedicated time with teachers and classmates".
"We will use the last weeks of the summer term to make sure pupils, staff and parents are prepared – mentally, emotionally and practically – for the ‘new normal’ in September.
Education Minister Kirsty Williams says parents who decide not to send their children to school will not be fined in Wales.
"We will respect parents' decisions on what they think is best for them and their children," she said.
Ms Williams said children who have been told to "shield" at home would not be returning to school.
She also said that children with parents on the shielding list would not be attending school either.
The organisation and look of classrooms will change radically
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Return to school responses
Tue 02 Jun 2020Dear Parents/Carers/Families,
Can I thank you for your responses regarding the preparation for our return to school.
I am unable to reply individually to you all, but I am very grateful for your input.
I am using your responses to guide our school based discussions, and I am also aiming to make a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ document with them. I think that the answers to these questions will be relevant to all.
Tomorrow there will be an announcement from Welsh Government, which I am sure will give information around possible return dates and some steer on how will be moving forwards as a country. Once we have this information, we can make plans in earnest and share our preparations with you!
I greatly look forward to our gradual transition towards ‘normality’!
Kind regards,
Caroline Swann -
Planning ahead
Sun 31 May 2020Dear Parents/ Carers/ Families,
I am very conscious that with the recent Welsh Government communication on 29th May, relating to the next phase of easing lockdown, many of you will have questions around what’s next for your child’s education. I am also mindful that with English schools gradually reopening, you may be interested around what may be in plan for Welsh schools. At the time of writing, no decision has been made in Wales.
Firstly, let me reassure you that we will be making every effort to meet government requirements as they become known. As a school, we are all very clear that, in the early days, things will feel very different for the children and our teaching staff. There will also likely be a number of transitional phases to work through when we are in the position to commence any form of reopening. The safety and wellbeing of all children will be uppermost in our minds at ARW.
The Governing Body and myself are working together closely and we commit to keeping you informed on any developments as they happen. We will provide updates via our social media and our school website as anything progresses.
At this point in time, I would welcome your questions, concerns and ideas in relation to the children’s return to school. I hope that your input will make this transition as smooth as possible and that it may serve to offer you a degree of confidence in the arrangements made.Please send your responses to arwprimary@monmouthshire.gov.uk
Kind regards
Caroline Swann
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Ambassadors
Sat 23 May 202022.05.2020
Archbishop Rowan Williams CiW Primary School
proudly present to you this week’s Ambassadors:
Keelan Boston – for showing commitment to sustainability of the planet when learning about marine life - looking at plastic and the ocean. For his birthday the only thing he asked for was a litter picker... we are very proud of you!
Alex Wall- for his graph showing the temperatures of North Carolina. Alex was also an excellent learner last week too! Well done Alex!
Oliver Ost who has shown the qualities of an ambitious, capable learner by producing a range of outstanding work this week and for upskilling his writing using advice from teachers or his own initiative. Excellent work Oliver!
Beatrice Norrie for being an ambitious, capable learner by setting herself high standards and enjoying this challenge… great quality Beatrice!
Aidan Preedy – for being an ambitious, capable learner who sets himself high standards and enjoys challenge… such an important quality Aiden!
Isabella Hudson – for being a resilient learner in maths…well done Isabella! Resilience is a quality which is essential, and not just for maths! Good girl.
Ioan Llewellyn He has shown many great skills such as perseverance and courage, by completing tasks that he doesn't necessarily want to do. He has been extremely ambitious, completing tasks to a high level each time, and shown confidence by really engaging with his peers, through the use of Google classroom. Ioan this term has shown us how he could easily achieve all of the 4 core purposes. Well done.
Ollie Jones – for being an ambitious learner and his amazing work learning to tell the time. Mum has said that he picked it up very easily…well done Ollie
Esmé Fearn – for being a ‘creative learner’ with her wonderful ‘natural’ art work.
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A shout out for our Hub workers this week!
Sat 23 May 2020This week, Mrs Jerome, Miss Clement, Miss Deakin and Mrs Williams, have all played their part in our collective efforts to minimising the impact of Covid-19. Their work in the Hub has enabled our key workers to continue their incredible and brave work, and we share our great thanks with them also.
Next week is half term, but the Hub continues for those who really need it. I am very proud of our satff who are working through their holidays to make sure that childcare is avaiable for key workers.
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Coming soon: Ambassadors
Sat 23 May 2020Due to a high volume of meetings on Friday, the Ambassadors for this week will hopefully be posted tonight and failing that, tomorrow!
Sorry for the delay
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Stay safe online
Sat 23 May 2020Here are some useful links to support you with staying safe online:
https://hwb.gov.wales/onlinesafety
Stay Safe. Stay Learning. Guidance for keeping safe online
This guidance contains useful tips and links to resources and further support for keeping safe online. There is guidance specific to each audience:
All this guidance is available at - https://hwb.gov.wales/zones/online-safety/key-information/
Stay Safe. Stay Learning. Live-streaming lessons
Live-streaming safeguarding principles and practice for education practitioners guidance has been published as part of the ‘Stay Safe. Stay learning’ programme to support schools who wish to live-stream lessons with their learners.
New online safety resources to support home learning
Now available!
- A series of informative posters for parents and carers on:
Coming soon!
- A new distance learning resource to support parents and carers with a range of online issues.
- A series of informative videos for parents and carers on:
- Roblox
- HouseParty
- TikTok
- Misinformation
- Six new home learning worksheets with fun and simple online safety activities for foundation phase to KS3 learners.
New branding
From next week, the Online safety zone will be renamed Keeping safe online, which will now include cyber security news and resources, as well as online safety. This change won’t affect the URL at this point – https://hwb.gov.wales/onlinesafety
Keeping safe online will continue to evolve over the coming months and we look forward to involving you in this as it progresses.
Keeping Kids Safe Online Webinar
The NSPCC and O2 are working in partnership to offer free sessions on keeping your family safe online.
The 30min webinar will provide parents and carers with information on:
- Appeals and risks of the internet for children
- How to keep kids’ safe online
- Resources and support available for parents
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Google Meet Guidelines
Tue 19 May 2020Please see your emails for a copy of the guidelines.
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Google Meet and Web Free Wednesdays!
Tue 19 May 2020This week, teachers will be introducing Google Meet as an additional tool to stay in touch with their classes. This will be an optional interface for your child to access if you wish. I will be sending out guidance over the next few days... there is a small delay in posting it today as I am making my daughter learn a new skill and ... ‘jazz it up’ so that the document looks a bit more interesting for us all! Watch this space!
Staff have found that with home learning, they are spending very long periods of time each day using their laptops, and take few breaks as they are very dedicated in working with the children.
In light of this, and to support wellbeing, every Wednesday as of 20.05.2020, teachers will be taking their Planning, Preparation and Assessment (PPA) time, as well as fulfilling leadership responsibilities on this day. Where possible, there will still be a member of support staff allocated to each class in order to support the wellbeing of learners if required, and teachers are always available if you have a safeguarding concern of any kind.
Unsurprisingly, the ‘Happen’ survey, which measures children’s reflection on their own wellbeing, shows that our children at ARW have expressed an increase in their screen time. We could therefore look at the wellbeing of the whole school, and have a ‘Web Free Wednesday’, where children engage in activities that do not involve a screen. Suggested activities would be provided by teachers in their weekly communication with the class. We fully appreciate the demands that you face within your day such as working/caring commitments/ICT limitations etc. and understand that you will engage in this initiative as suits your family’s needs. If you have any queries or thoughts regarding these changes, I would very much welcome your feedback. Please email us, ironically, via our school website.
I will share any feedback that I receive and will get the guidelines to you shortly.
In the meantime, take care and stay well,
Kind regards,
Caroline Swann
