Important Message from Councillor Andrew Morgan

Dear Parents/Guardians

As a Council, we recognise this is an anxious time for our communities with the continuing of restrictions on daily life and increasing rates of Covid-19 again throughout RCT. We are respectfully asking and reminding parents/guardians to help minimise the transmission of coronavirus at every opportunity, including by continuing to observe social distancing outside school grounds and by wearing a face mask if possible, in line with the Council’s advice to residents issued on Thursday, Sept 10th.

Whilst we do recognise that it is important that children are able to socialise responsibly and outdoor activity is vital for their wellbeing, we are urging all parents and guardians to please be mindful of where your children are, who they are with and what they are doing when outside of school, particularly in evenings and on weekends. Restricting the number of social contacts, maintaining social distancing and promoting effective hygiene are essential to reducing the risk of transmission.

You will be aware that there has been a significant increase in positive cases across Wales and Rhondda Cynon Taf over recent weeks and each and every one of us needs to play our part in minimising the spread of coronavirus in our communities. Please take extra care and stay safe.

Councillor Andrew Morgan

Leader RCT Council

Accessing School Online Resources

Checking the Work Tracker

https://www.aberdareschool.com/blended-learning
How to check the work tracker - (https://ygacs.uk/cwt)

Email

https://login.microsoftonline.com
Your Email address is "YourUsername@aberdareschool.co.uk"
Example - "9ABCable@aberdareschool.co.uk"
Your password is the same one you use to log on to a computer in School.
Make sure you sign out of any other Microsoft email account in order to sign into school Email.
Alternatively, you can use an incognito window - (https://ygacs.uk/Incognito)
If you experience any issues please clear browser cookies (https://ygacs.uk/Cookies)
How to video guides from Mr Jones
Accessing and using your email - (https://ygacs.uk/EmailTeacher)
Submitting your work via email - (https://ygacs.uk/email)

Free Microsoft Office

Once signed into school Email you can install Office on up to 5 devices for free
(https://portal.office.com/account/)

Moodle

https://moodle.aberdareschool.co.uk
Your username is your Email address "YourUsername@aberdareschool.co.uk"
Example - "9ABCable@aberdareschool.co.uk"
Your password is the same one you use to log on to a computer in School
Video Guides from Mr Jones - (https://ygacs.uk/moodle)
If you experience any issues please clear browser cookies (https://ygacs.uk/Cookies)

Maths Watch

https://vle.mathswatch.com/vle/
Please email your Maths teacher if you have forgotten Maths Watch login details

Google Classroom

https://classroom.google.com
If you are using an Apple Mac we recommend using the Google Chrome browser rather than safari (Install Link)
Your Email address is "YourUsername@aberdareschool.co.uk"
Example - "9ABCable@aberdareschool.co.uk"
Your password is the same one you use to log on to a computer in School
Make sure you sign out of any other Google accounts in order to sign in to Google Classroom
Alternatively, you can use an incognito window - (https://ygacs.uk/Incognito)
If you experience any issues please clear browser cookies (https://ygacs.uk/Cookies)
Video Guides from Mr Jones - (https://ygacs.uk/classroom)

Teams

https://teams.microsoft.com
We recommend that you install the Teams App rather than use the web browser if you are able (Install Link)
If you are using an Apple Mac we recommend using the Google Chrome browser rather than safari (Install Link)
Your Email address is "YourUsername@aberdareschool.co.uk"
Example - "9ABCable@aberdareschool.co.uk"
Your password is the same one you use to log on to a computer in School
Make sure you sign out of any other Microsoft email account in order to sign into Teams
Alternatively, you can use an incognito window - (https://ygacs.uk/Incognito)
If you experience any issues please clear browser cookies (https://ygacs.uk/Cookies)
How to video guides from Mr Jones
Uploading completed work - (https://ygacs.uk/teams)
Joining a live lesson - (https://ygacs.uk/teamsll)
Using Jamboard - (https://ygacs.uk/JBoard)

HWB

https://hwb.gov.wales/
If you are using an Apple Mac we recommend using the Google Chrome browser rather than safari (Install Link)
If you do not know your HWB logon details please contact your IT Teacher.
In order to access HWB you will need to sign out of your School Email or any other Microsoft email account.
Alternatively, you can use an incognito window - (https://ygacs.uk/Incognito)
If you experience any issues please clear browser cookies (https://ygacs.uk/Cookies)

School or RCT Provided Laptop

If you have been provided with a school Laptop you will need to log in using your school login details Example - "9ABCable@aberdareschool.co.uk"
Be aware that the default configuration may b for a US Keyboard not UK so you will need to press “SHIFT” + “2” to get the @ Symbol needed for your Email address. You can change the keyboard settings to UK from the panel at the bottom right.
How to video guides from Mr Jones
Setting up - (https://ygacs.uk/settingUpYourDevice)
Signing in to office on a Chromebook - (https://ygacs.uk/OfficeChrome)

Live Streaming Guidance

(https://ygacs.uk/LiveStreamingGuidanceV2)

Class Charts Parents Guide

Parents Guide
(https://ygacs.uk/CCPG)

SENECA

https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/
Account Setup guide
(https://ygacs.uk/SENECA)
How to video guides from Mr Jones
Accessing Seneca - (https://ygacs.uk/SenecaAccess)

GCSEPOD

https://www.gcsepod.com

If you are in Years 10 or 11 and have not activated your account follow these steps
1) Go to www.gcsepod.com and click LOGIN
2) Click NEW HERE? GET STARTED!
3) Enter your name, date of birth and the name of your school
4) Create a username and password

myON

https://www.myon.co.uk/login/index.html

You will have previously received your myON login details via email.
Select “Aberdare Community School” in the “School Name” section
Fill in your username and password. If you can not find your login details please contact Mrs Mears (SMears@aberdareschool.co.uk)

IDEA.org.uk

https://idea.org.uk/

Video Guide from Mr Jones - (https://ygacs.uk/IdeaOrguk)

Message from Headteacher 02.10.20

Dear Parent/Carer, 

The Council’s Contact Tracing Service (Public Health Wales) have advised us that there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19 within our school. However, as the individual involved has not been in school for over a week, there is no further action for the school to take at this stage. I wanted to inform and reassure you that all necessary processes are being followed, in consultation with a range of agencies and wanted to keep you up to date with the current situation.  

 Many thanks, once again, for your continued support during this difficult time. 

 Diolch  

Mrs C Morgans  

Headteacher

Message from the Headteacher

Please accept my sincere apologies for the confusion that has arisen this evening for our Year 11 and Year 12 learners and parents. Our texting system has sent multiple messages which have been delayed and hence out of sequence and this has caused undue confusion.

As per earlier communication please can all learners in Year 11 & Year 12 please check their school email account for the email that was sent after 6pm this evening from the Deputy Headteacher. 

Diolch 

Mrs C Morgans