Corona Virus Update
Please read this page to keep you up to date with the current situation regarding the Corona Virus.
If your child is absent and it is COVID related please telephone the school as soon as possible. You will need to tell us:
- is your child symptomatic?
- have you booked a test?
- have you had a test and are waiting for the results?
- is anyone else in your household symptomatic?
Covid-19 Pupil Absence
IMPORTANT!
PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING SURVEY WITH REGARDS TO THE REOPENING OF EDWARDSVILLE PRIMARY SCHOOL
The Children's Commissioner for Wales, the Youth Parliament and Children in Wales have been working with the Welsh Government, to make sure that they hear and listen to what children have to say. All of those people want to make sure they are doing their best for all children and young people in Wales. They want to make sure that they are giving children the information and support they need to feel as happy as possible during this time and afterwards.
The survey should take around 15 minutes.Please encourage your child to complete the survey. Class teachers will also be asking your child to complete the survey as part of their learning tasks.
The survey closes on 27th May.
Please share your views. The survey is on this link: www.childcomwales.org.uk/coronavirusandme
Thank you for completing the survey. We really appreciate your feedback. As of next week, tasks will be set weekly so that you have time to organise resources if needed and also so that you can plan your time around your work and family commitments.
A message from your teachers
Reminder re Application for Childcare Provision.
*Applications for childcare provision can be made up to 6 weeks in advance but no later than 5 days before it is required.*
Applications for childcare provision starting the week beginning 20th April must be made by 13th April – please use the following link to apply https://www.merthyr.gov.uk/resident/coronavirus/school-closures-emergency-childcare-and-free-school-meals/
Free School Meal Update
Merthyr is now moving to a voucher system for the Easter Holiday period and parents of children who are eligible for free school meals will be provided with a voucher of £39 per child to cover the 2 week period i.e. to the value of £3.90 per day per child. A letter explaining this is being sent to you next week.
If any parents want to advise of a change of address then please provide the following information to fsmvouchers@merthyr.gov.uk by no later than Sunday 5th April 2020
For each child eligible for FSM
- Full Name
- D.O.B.
- School
- Previous Address inc. post code
- Current Address inc. post code
Update 30.3.2020
Message from Sue Walker Chief Education Officer:
CHILD CARE HUBS
Reminder to families about the process for accessing hub provision childcare.
Moving forward all applications for childcare must be made via the link below:
https://www.merthyr.gov.uk/resident/coronavirus/school-closures-emergency-childcare-and-free-school-meals/
Applications for weekend provision starting 4th April must be made by Tuesday 31st March .
Please identify your needs as far in advance as possible.
For provision week commencing 6th April (Mon – Thurs) please apply by Wed 1st April.
For week commencing 20th April (Tues – Fri ), please apply by 13th April
for Friday 11th and Monday 13th please use weekend form but please note it is not yet confirmed that provision will be open this weekend it will be determined by demand as these days are officially bank holidays.
All applications must be received at least 5 days in advance so that the number of hubs required and staffing ratios are managed safely.
IN ALL INSTANCES THE SAFEST OPTION TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THIS VIRUS AND TO PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN IS TO KEEP YOUR CHILD AT HOME.
Update 27.03.20
As the 4th April we are moving to a 7 day a week provision for childcare between the hours of 8am and 6pm.
Weekend and bank holiday provision will be for:
- Health and Social Care sectors including Social Care
- Public safety and national security ( this includes police and support staff, fire and rescue employees ( including support staff) and prison and probation staff.
The rest of the holiday period will be for key workers, as this week.
If you need to access this provision you need to apply as soon as possible but no later than 5 days in advance of the required days. For provision on the 4th or 5th April the application needs to be submitted by Tuesday 31st March.
Please follow the link to access the online application form:
A LETTER EXPLAINING THIS IN MORE DETAIL IS AVAILABLE IN THE NEWSLETTER SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE
DO NOT TURN UP AT A HUB SCHOOL WITHOUT AN EMAIL AS PROOF OF CONFIRMATION
Update 24.03.20
From Wednesday 25th March the emergency childcare provision will take place at Trelewis Primary School,
Treharris, CF46 6AH
Trelewis Primary School is located just off the main high street in Trelewis and can be accessed via the school foot bridge. There is also a rear access point off Cherry Tree way, which can be used at the start and end of the school day.
The contact number is : 01685 351822
This childcare provision is for the pupils of Trelewis, Bedlinog, Edwardsville and Afon Taf schools. Other hub schools have been set up in the rest of the local authority.
There will always be a senior member of staff present who is qualified in safeguarding.
Update 22.03.2020
Please see the most recent letter in the newsletter section. The letter gives you information re Key workers, which children will be accepted in school on Monday and the provision for pupils eligible for free school meals. There is also a form for completion by those parents who will need this emergency child care provision. You may either complete the form and bring it with you on Monday morning or we will have copies for you to complete at school . Please bring your work ID / confirmation with you to school.
Thank you for your cooperation
E Edmunds
Head teacher
Update 20.03.20
Please see the letter from the local authority and Welsh Government in the newsletter section.
To clarify, as it stands today, from Monday we will only be accepting pupils where both parents are key workers. We appreciate that this is a very difficult time for everyone but we are following the advice and guidelines given to us by the LA and WG at this difficult time.
Please remember that as stated by the WG:
If children can stay safely in their home, they should, to limit the chance of the virus spreading. The smaller the numbers, the more we can lower the risk that the virus can spread and infect vulnerable people in our communities. Parents need to keep their children at home, wherever possible and schools and childcare settings should be open only for those children who absolutely need to attend. For schools this means, they should continue to provide care for as small a number of children as possible.
School Closure Update 18.03.2020
As directed by the Welsh Government earlier today, school will be closing at the end of the day on Friday 20th March. Until this time we will remain open.
Currently we do not know for how long this closure will remain but we will keep you up to date via text and via this website.
A letter explaining how children will continue to access their learning during this time is available on the News and Events section under the Newsletter heading.
Please do not hesitate to contact school prior to Friday if you have any queries or concerns.
Stay safe everybody
Mrs E Edmunds
17.03.2020
At Edwardsville School we are committed to ensuring your child has the safest and best experience with us. Any information we send to you will be from Public Health Wales, the NHS or the local authority.
We will contact you regularly through text as matters develop, but as things stand, here is a summary of our current position in dealing with the unprecedented situation:
- The school remains open for all. We will be monitoring our staffing situation daily and have plans in place if we must make amendments to our normal teaching situation. This may include closure or partial closure of the school and if this is the case we will inform you as soon as a decision has been made.
- Teachers are planning for the possibility of school closures and are ensuring that teaching materials are available electronically. If school closes, it would be beneficial if every pupil had access to a computer and Wi-Fi. Teachers will communicate with pupils through Google Classroom and other online platforms. If you do not have internet access at home, please contact the school so that we can offer you alternative provision for home working.
For more information please go to:
- If any family requires any practical support during these difficult times, please contact the school in order for us to offer any support that we can (email: office@edwardsville.merthyr.sch.uk )