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• CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19 TESTING INFORMATION NOTE FOR PARENTS/CARERS OF PUPILS ATTENDING SECONDARY SCHOOLS

  Mon 07 Dec 2020 RCT Council

  
  CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19 TESTING
  INFORMATION NOTE FOR PARENTS/CARERS OF PUPILS 
  ATTENDING SECONDARY SCHOOLS 

  
  Parents/carers who are resident in the lower Cynon Valley area who have children aged 11 and above attending college or secondary schools other than Mountain Ash Comprehensive School are encouraged to get their children, themselves and other family members tested by visiting the Testing Centres at Abercynon Leisure Centre, Mountain Ash Bowls Club or another pop up test centre.  Full details about all the Test Centres and opening times is available at:
   www.rctcbc.gov.uk/MassTesting

  •    Only individuals with no symptoms should attend these Community Testing Centres.
    
  •    No appointment is necessary. 

  
  THIS IS A BRIEF INFORMATION NOTE TO OUTLINE THE PROCESSES TO BE FOLLOWED IN RELATION TO THE TESTING BEING UNDERTAKEN AT THE COMMUNITY TESTING CENTRES AND THE ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN ONCE THE RESULT OF THE TEST IS KNOWN.

  TEST PROCESS

  •    The initial test will be a lateral flow test.  The test involves your child taking a swab from the back of their throat and the inside of their nose using a long cotton bud.  This process does not hurt and only takes a couple of minutes.  The result from the test will be back within approximately 30 minutes, during which time you will be asked to remain on the testing site (in a safe place, away from others).

  POSITIVE TEST

  •    Anyone who tests positive will be requested to immediately undertake a full follow up confirmatory PCR test.  Details of how to access this test will be provided by the Testing Centre.

  •    Whilst awaiting the result of the PCR test (results usually take approximately 24 hours), your child must self-isolate immediately, along with their household. They must not go to school and household members should not go to work.  Do not use public transport or visit any shops or public buildings on the way home and limit contact with others.

  •    Close contacts will also be traced and must self-isolate whilst the result of the follow up PCR test is awaited.

  •    If the result of the follow up PCR test is negative, self-isolation for the child, close contacts and household members can end and your child can return to school.  

  •    If the PCR follow up test is also positive, Track and Trace will be in touch to provide further information regarding self-isolation periods for your child, household and other close contacts.  

  (Your child will need to self-isolate for 10 days from the date of their initial lateral flow test.
  Household members and close contacts of your child will need to self-isolate for 14 days from the date of your child’s initial lateral flow test).

  Please notify the school of the result of the initial lateral flow test and the follow-up PCR test.   

  CLOSE CONTACTS OF POSITIVE CASES

  •    Close contacts of a child who received a positive lateral test flow result will be traced and must self-isolate immediately.  If your child is identified as a close contact of a confirmed case, you will be contacted.  Your child will need to self-isolate, although members of your household will not need to self-isolate, unless your child becomes symptomatic or has a positive test themselves.

  •    If the follow up PCR test is negative, your child (as a close contact) can end their self- isolation and return to school.  

  •    If a child has a positive follow up PCR test, close contacts must self-isolate for 14 days from the date of the last contact with the confirmed case.  If your child is identified as a close contact, they must not attend school for 14 days.  The rest of your household do not need to self-isolate unless your child becomes symptomatic or has a positive test themselves.

  NEGATIVE TEST

  •    Those who test negative to the initial lateral flow test will need to continue to follow current national guidance on social distancing and other preventative measures.

  •    Please attend Abercynon Leisure Centre or Mountain Ash Bowls Club or another pop up test centre after 7 days to retake the test to ensure that you are still free of Covid-19.  

  TESTS FOR SYMPTOMATIC INDIVIDUALS

  •    Only individuals with no symptoms should attend these Community Testing Centres.  Individuals with symptoms (a new continuous cough, a high temperature, or a loss or change to taste or smell) should book a test by visiting  https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test or by calling the free phone number 119 between the hours of 7am to 11pm.

• It’s been a busy week, some reminders for parents and carers.

  Sun 06 Dec 2020 Mrs Cox-Wall

  Several staff have had to remain at home this week for isolation reasons or as their own children have had to isolate. We have had to use every resource and some additional cover to keep everyone learning and safe and I’d like to thank all our teachers and support staff for working so very hard to fill the gaps. Our cleaning team have also been extremely conscientious and focussed. 
  This is an anxious time with the virus still very much amongst us and children who live in the lower Cynon Valley have brought home letters re the additional testing arrangements.

  To help us keep Ty Gwyn safe, please:

  1. ensure your child has a face covering on school transport,

  2. encourage them to follow staff instructions re wearing face coverings outside the classroom,

  3. leave mobile phones ( a school rule anyway) and bags at home,

  4. encourage them to reduce sharing items which spread high levels of bacteria. 
   

  Thank you for your support. Please remember school finishes on Thursday 17th December. 

  

• Mobile phones

  Wed 02 Dec 2020 Mrs Cox-Wall
  Please support our no mobile phone policy. Your support is needed to stop your child or young person bringing their phone to school and thus avoid issues on arrival.
  We want children and young people in classes and learning, phones are a distraction, safety risk and a disturbance. Their being brought in will not be accepted. 
  Please do ring if you want to discuss this, thankyou. 

• Christmas Dinner and Christmas Jumper Day

  Wed 02 Dec 2020 Mrs Cox-Wall
  We will be having Christmas Dinner in school on Wednesday 9th December. We will also be wearing Christmas jumpers on this day and donating anything raised to Save the Children. Join if you can! 

  

• ⭐️Stars in our School Celebration Day ⭐️

  Fri 27 Nov 2020 Mrs Cox-Wall

  Today is the day to celebrate the support staff team in Ty Gwyn. We are saying thank you to our cooks, our cleaners, our learning support staff, our site manager and office support staff for their invaluable work in supporting, guiding, nurturing and caring for the wide range of needs of our children and young people at Ty Gwyn and the children and young people taught in the community. 
  Thankyou all and hope you enjoy the goodie bag! You are all stars in our school 💫 

  Mrs Cox-Wall

  

• Latest Covid-19 advice IMPORTANT

  Thu 26 Nov 2020 Mrs Cox-Wall

  Latest Welsh Government Guidance is that all secondary age learners should wear face coverings at all times outside the classroom. 
  Please discuss this with your son or daughter and ensure they understand. We have face coverings in school or you can provide your own. Washable ones are best for the environment, daily washing with detergent kills the germs! 
  We will of course observe any recognised exemptions. 

  There is also a positive case of COVID-19 as per the text of 26.11.20. This member of staff and the colleagues and pupil she was in close contact with are now isolating and all areas have been thoroughly cleaned. If you have any concerns, please get in touch. 

• Rights Respecting School Bronze Award

  Thu 19 Nov 2020 Mrs Cox-Wall
  We are proud to announce Ty Gwyn Education Centre has achieved Rights Respecting Schools Bronze Award.  
  This means Ty Gwyn is committed to placing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child at the heart of their ethos and is working towards becoming a Rights Respecting School. 

  

• Anti-Bullying week activities In Ty Gwyn

  Mon 16 Nov 2020 Mrs Cox-Wall

  Every child has the right to be free from harm and violence (article 19 of the UNCRC), Ty Gwyn learners are taking part in an assembly (in classes due to COVID-19) to understand the theme of this year "united we stand".

  Please see: https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/anti-bullying-week/

   

  Tuesday is Odd Socks Day for staff and pupils - we are all different but united! We want everyone to show their support for this important message in mis-matched and crazy socks!

   

  We are also launching "I wish my teacher knew" in school and on the website to ensure all learners can access help or support in confidence (in school time) by using one of the two boxes in school to drop a slip into or the "I wish my teacher knew" button on the website. A member of staff will respond during school time and if outside school hours, there are safe and confidential services signposted. 

   

  RCT YEPs are also offering virtual activities for all children and young people this week:

  16th November Virtual Youth Club 5-6pm: email kelly.a.cobb@rctcbc.gov.uk

  16th November YEPs Instagram poll live for 24h follow @YEPSRCT

  All week YEPS TV, follow on insta/facebook or email Kelly

  All week Chill and Chat (Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri) 8-9pm on zoom: https://zoom.us/j/94483752873?pwd=U2pRSEZOFdDcmwyYzZ0eFVjdGI3UT09 

   

   

  

• Children in Need Day 13th November 🤓

  Wed 11 Nov 2020 Mrs Cox-Wall

  To recognise and support the annual Children in Need appeal, children can wear pyjamas, spots or stripes to school on Friday 13th and bring a £1 contribution.

  Children asked if they could be part of this - the right to be heard and taken seriously! Article #12 of the UNCRC

  *please make sure all clothing choices are appropriate for school - no rude slogans or skimpy items please! 

  

• Ty Gwyn’s Act of Remembrance

  Sun 08 Nov 2020 Mrs Cox-Wall

  On Wednesday 11th November at 11am, we will pause for a minute’s silence to reflect and remember all our family members, over the generations, who gave their lives, in courage and dedication to serve and protect our freedoms. 

  Children and young people will also participate in other learning activities during this week. 
  The Glamorgan Archives have detailed records of the the Aberdare boys and men who went to war, the school masters that were called up for service and those that came home to visit during WWl:

  Mr Williams’ group has been called up. He has also handed over the Roll of Honour which had names of 84 old scholars of the school “who have answered their country’s call”. “EA 23/6 Aberdare Park Council Boy’s School record book http://glamarchives.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Aberdare-WWI-Log-Book-Summaries.pdf

  The accompanying picture shows the memorial plaque erected in their honour and now within the new Community School.