Enforced School Closure

Dear Parent/Carer
Following the announcement from the Welsh Government to close all schools by Friday 20th March 2020, extending the Easter holidays by two weeks, we are writing to provide you with information and advice for your child/children to be able to continue with their school work at home.

We understand that many of you are feeling a little anxious, so we hope this provides you with some reassurance.

Our teachers and the school have been working on solutions to help to support your children whilst working at home. Your child will be able to access work via the school website for most of their subjects. Teachers have provided lesson resources and instructions for pupils to be able to continue with their learning.

The Aberdare Community School Website has a variety of resources that your child can use to help them at this time. As a school, we will be updating this regularly with new materials we think students will find useful. The main platform that teachers will be using to provide pupils with work is Moodle. All pupils have access to this using their normal school ICT login details and will be familiar with using this resource in school. The link to Moodle, as well as other useful sites, can be found on the main school website. If your child does not have access to ICT facilities at home, we are producing paper copies of some resources that teachers have uploaded to the Moodle platform so far, these will be available to collect from reception after 2pm on Friday.
Please see below links to a number of useful websites that can be used by pupils to support their learning at home.

The school and its teachers are more than happy to support all of our students. The ability to work independently, regulate own learning and ask for help when needed is going to be key at this time. Pupils should still be keeping a clear focus on their studies.
If you have any concerns or would like any further support, please do not hesitate to contact me using the school email address – school@aberdareschool.co.uk
Yours faithfully,

Mrs K Leyshon
(Assistant Headteacher)

Resources to support remote learning:-

https://hwb.gov.wales/distance-learning/
Distance learning can be delivered through a range of the Hwb tools, which are available to all maintained schools in Wales. These tools will allow teachers and learners with suitable internet connected devices to continue their classroom activities outside of school as required.

https://www.gcsepod.com
https://moodle.com
https://resources.wjec.co.uk
http://www.amazingeducationalresources.com/
https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/135609/list-of-education-companies-offering-free-subscriptions/
https://www.teachertoolkit.co.uk/2020/03/15/how-to-teach-online/
Mathematics - https://vle.mathswatch.co.uk/vle
French - https://www.frenchteacher.net/free-resources/samples/
Biology - https://www.kayscience.com/
English – Young Writers competition - https://www.youngwriters.co.uk/
Home learning - https://www.tts-group.co.uk/home+learning+activities.html
Science - https://cogscisci.wordpress.com/resources/
Physics - https://www.gcsephysicsonline.com/
GoConqr- https://www.goconqr.com/en/a-levels/resources/
Pass my exams - http://www.passmyexams.co.uk/index.html
Physics & maths tutor - https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/
Extremepapers - https://papers.xtremepape.rs/
Quizlet - https://quizlet.com/subject/alevel/
Maxpapers - http://maxpapers.com/
The student room -https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/
Khan Academy - http://www.khan academy.org
BBC Learning - http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/coursesearch/
Futurelearn - http://www.futurelearn.com
PA/Drama and Theatre Arts - https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/

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School Closure

As you may be aware, the Minister for Education in Wales has made an announcement yesterday that the Easter break for all schools in Wales will come into effect from Friday 20th March 2020. Therefore, I can confirm that we will close the school to all year groups after the completion of the school day on Friday at 3.00pm. The Ministers announcement can be accessed via the following link

https://gov.wales/statement-minster-education-kirsty-williams-school-closures-wales

You may also be aware of a further statement made by Kirsty Williams, Education Minister in relation to the forthcoming GCSE and A level Examinations. The statement reads

“We are in an unprecedented period, one that is changing hour-by-hour, and governments around the world are having to make quick decisions. We recognise the worry and anxiety that the uncertainty around the summer exam series was causing. Today I met with Qualifications Wales and WJEC to consider options that are in the best interests of our learners. We recognise that there are no easy choices but we have agreed that the best way forward is not to proceed with summer exam series. Learners due to sit their GCSEs and A levels this summer will be awarded a fair grade to recognise their work, drawing on the range of information that is available. We will be working with the sector to announce further details shortly but wanted to give this early certainty. We also won’t be using the results to publish performance measure outcomes in 2020.”

At this stage, we do not have any further details. Furthermore, it does not necessarily mean that students do not have to continue with their studies. However, we will provide further updates as they become available to us. I am sure that the statement will raise questions but I would advise families, students and staff to keep an eye on developments as they unfold.

This is an incredibly challenging situation for us all – there are many unknowns and it is important, especially at this time, to work together and support each other.

Our aim is to support pupils’ education and, as a school, we have been working over the past week to put together a pack for every child in the school so that they can continue to learn at home after the Easter break. All resources will also be available on a dedicated area on the school website and you will receive further information and details about this in due course.

During the closure, you can continue to contact us using the following email address
school@aberdareschool.co.uk

We will keep you regularly updated via our school website and social media sites.
Please take care of each other during this unprecedented time.

Yours sincerely 
Mrs C Morgans
Headteacher

COVID-19 - RCT Letter Update

Please find attached a letter from the Director of Education for Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council dated 13th March 2020.

Dear Parent/Carer
Coronavirus (COVID-19)

I am writing to advise you that all Rhondda Cynon Taf schools are provided with regular updates in relation to Coronavirus (COVID-19) developments which are always informed by Welsh Government and Public Health Wales guidance.

As you will be aware Coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, Coronaviruses are common across the world and COVID -19 is a new strain of Coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China in December 2019. The situation in relation to the virus continues to change on a daily basis. In summary, the current advice relating to travellers returning from overseas is broken down into two categories: :
1. Category 1 - travellers should immediately self-isolate, even if asymptomatic (no visible signs of illness), and call NHS Direct (Wales) to inform of any recent travel.
2. Category 2 - travellers do not need to undertake any special measures, but if they develop symptoms they should self-isolate and call NHS Direct (Wales).

In terms of the above categories, these relate to the following countries:
1. Category 1 - countries are currently; Wuhan city and Hubei province (China), Iran, Daegu or Cheongdo (Republic of Korea) and Italy*.
2. Category 2 - countries are currently; Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam.
* Travelers who returned from areas of Northern Italy that were under containment measures (see map link below) between 19 February and 8 March 2020 should self-isolate for 14 days. If they develop symptoms they should contact the NHS Direct Wales on 111.

Any Travelers who returned from the rest of Italy before 9 March 2020 do not need to undertake any special measures, but if they develop symptoms they should self-isolate and call the NHS Direct Wales on 111.
The following link will allow people to identify whether they are in category 1 or 2 more easily:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-specified-countries-and-areas/covid-19-specified-countries-and-areas-with-implications-for-returning-travellers-or-visitors-arriving-in-the-uk

The incubation period of the virus is between 2 and 14 days. This means that if a person remains well 14 days after contact with someone with a confirmed Coronavirus, they have not been infected.
Travellers returning from other countries, including France, currently do not need take any special measures although people are encouraged to check the information on the Public Health Wales website as it is updated daily.
The government announced on the 12 March 2020 that all overseas education trips for children under the age of 18 should not take place until further notice. For further information, please check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website as this specifically deals with travel advice and restrictions at
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-office. In the event of a school trip being cancelled due to travel restrictions being imposed, further advice will be provided by the schools as and when appropriate.

What are the symptoms of Novel Coronavirus?
Symptoms are similar to other respiratory viruses such as the flu. These may include:
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Fever.

Generally, these infections can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease. There is no evidence that children are more affected than other age groups and presently there have been very few cases reported in children.

In order to minimise risks to your child, please encourage good hygiene and frequent hand washing. Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is recommended. The use of an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol is recommended if soap and water are not available.

It would also be helpful if you could encourage your child to
• avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• avoid close contact with people who are unwell
• cover any coughs or sneezes with a tissue, throw the tissue in the bin, and then wash their hands immediately

Updated advice provided on the 12 March 2020 suggests that schools should remain open. However, if a child or adult develops a new cough and a mild temperature they should self-isolate for a 7 day period. If you require any further information or assistance please call NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47 or 111.

More detailed advice is however provided on the Public Health Wales website at:
https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/guidance-for-schools-advice-for-parents-or-carers/

I hope that this letter provides the necessary reassurances that schools are receiving appropriate advice in relation to this matter.

Yours sincerely


Gaynor Davies
Director of Education and Inclusion Services

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SUMMER EXAM SEASON

We have received the following advice from the examination board:-

Contingency Timetable dates have been scheduled up to and including Wednesday 24th June. These dates will be used in the event of widespread, sustained national or local disruption to examinations.

Centres must therefore remind candidates that they must remain available until Wednesday 24th June 2020 should an awarding body need to invoke its contingency plan.

Please therefore ensure you are available should the contingency plan come into force

Disneyland Paris – Coronavirus Update

Dear Parents / Carers,

A number of pupils from schools in Wales including pupils from Aberdare Community School attended a Welsh Festival at Disneyland Paris this weekend. You may be aware of reports from various news outlets of Coronavirus in a staff member at Disneyland Paris. It is reported that the member of staff was a night worker and part of the maintenance team that did not have contact with the public guests.

We have contacted Public Health Wales who have advised no special precautions at this stage. The advice is to continue with regular hand washing and monitoring of symptoms. If you are concerned about your child use the 111 phone line. Further updates are likely to appear on the Public Health Wales website first, which can be accessed via the following link. 

https://phw.nhs.wales/

We will continue to receive advice through the local authority and will update our information as appropriate.

Mrs C Morgans

Headteacher

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