Class 5 enjoyed listening to the talented musicians from Palisander Recorder Group

 

PCC Information

As we prepare to begin our holiday, I would like to thank parents, pupils and staff for the way they have worked together during this term

We should take pride in all we have achieved as a school community.

Your children have adapted brilliantly to all of the changes that we have made here to ensure that the school environment is as Covid-secure as possible and have worked productively with their teachers over the past term, making very pleasing progress indeed.

We have been extremely fortunate in being able to keep school open until the final week of term.

Our new pupils have settled in well and quickly became part of our community.

School staff have faced new and difficult challenges and have continued to provide a stable, safe and caring community for our learners.

Although we haven’t been able to welcome you into the school building as we do under normal circumstances you have continued to support the school in many ways. We hope, at some point in 2021 we will be able to resume all the community events that are normally an integral part of our school life.

Our fund-raising raffle raised an amazing £593.50 – thank you for your donations of chocolate and money and supporting us by buying tickets. This money will be used to provide additional resources for all pupils in the school.

Please read the attached PCC document which explains arrangements for January. If you are eligible to use the key worker provision mentioned in the document, please use this booking form shared on Class Dojo

 

If these arrangements change in any way, we will let you know via ClassDojo.

If your child, or any member of your household has Covid-19 symptoms during the holiday period please continue to request a test by phoning 119 or using the online portal https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test.

If your child has a positive Covid test result over the holiday period please email your child’s name, year group and school to education.coronavirus@pembrokehsire.gov.uk Please note that the self-isolation period is now 10 days.

 

On behalf of the staff I would like to wish all families a restful and relaxing break.

 

What to do if your child is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) 

One or more COVID-19 Symptoms: 

• A new, continuous cough 
• A high temperature  

• Loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste or smell  

Action list 

 

1. Self-isolate for 10 days   

 

1. Use https://111.wales.nhs.uk/ or Call 111 for clinical advice 

 

1. Apply for Coronavirus test if needed https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test or call 119 to arrange for a test. 

 

1. Collect any siblings from school. 

 

1. Call the school to inform them your child has symptoms and whether they have had a test. Do not visit the school. 

 

1. If your child has a negative test, return to school and provide proof of their result. 

 

1. If your child gets a positive test, then continue to self-isolate for 10 days from when their symptoms started. Anyone they live with, and anyone in their family bubble, or extended family bubble must self-isolate for 14 days. 

 

1. If your child does not have any COVID-19 symptoms but does: 

 

Feel unwell with a temperature of less than 38C 

Vomit or has diarrhoea 

Have a loss of appetite 

Have a rash 

Have fatigue / aches 

Or have any other general illness or is feeling unwell 

 

Then you are advised to monitor your child closely. If appropriate do not attend school but keep them informed in the usual way. 

 

1. If your child seems very unwell, is getting worse or you think there’s something seriously wrong, call 999. Do not visit your GP, pharmacy or hospital, except in an emergency. 

 

Dear parents and carers, 

Following the announcement by the Education Minister Kirsty Williams regarding the reopening of schools. I wanted to share our position with you. The last few months have been challenging of everyone, children and young people, parents and carers and school staff. I welcome the plans from Welsh Government, which will allow us to plan for the safe re-opening of schools in September. 

At the start of next term, schools will: 

• Reopen to staff on the 1st of September, 
• Plan and prepare for the return of learners by reviewing risk assessments and processes to ensure schools can welcome learners back safely. 

• Prioritise groups of learners to attend in the first week on the third and fourth of September. 
• Maximise the number of learners and increase numbers safely through the week beginning the 7th of September, leading to a full return by the 14th of September. 

Schools will communicate directly with parents and carers about their arrangements. During this week, Welsh Government will issue guidance and this guidance will change as the situation evolves. Every school will have its own challenges to deal with. The will include things like staffing, catering, cleaning, transport etc. These will be worked through in detail over the next few weeks. There will be no childcare provision for the children of key workers in September. 

We will: 

• continue to provide support to schools and the families they work with in the coming weeks; 

• continue to support headteachers and staff in schools who have worked under extreme pressure during the lockdown phase; 
• continue to communicate via the local authority website and social media channels 

I would like to thank you for your support and working with our schools and us during this difficult time. I am confident that by continuing to work together we can make the return to our schools successful. 

 

Yours sincerely 

 

Steven Richards-Downes 

Acting Director for Children and Schools 

DIGITAL SAFETY DURING COVID-19:

SAFEGUARDING FROM HARMFUL INFLUENCES ONLINE

 

• The impact of COVID-19 means that most of us will be at home for an extended period and are likely to be spending increasing amounts of time online.

 

• The online world is a necessity for many children in accessing school work and it delivers huge benefits, not least in enabling us to stay connected to family and friends during this period. However, many parents may feel concerned about the content their children are accessing.

 

• Although rare, there is a risk that increased online activity and feelings of stress and isolation may be exploited by negative influences and online groomers of all kinds to target vulnerable children and young people directly.

 

• An understanding of digital safety will help parents and carers safeguard loved ones from a range of harms, whether that’s child sexual exploitation, fraud, or extremist influences seeking to radicalise vulnerable people.

 

• Extremists may use the COVID-19 outbreak to promote hateful views, for example through conspiracy theories blaming a particular group for the virus, or through spreading misinformation regarding these groups’ responses to it.

 

What steps can I take to keep my child safe online?

 

• If you have downloaded new apps or bought new technology to help stay connected at this time, remember to review and adjust privacy and safety settings if you or your child is signing up to a new online service.

 

• Government has encouraged Internet Service Providers to allow parents to easily filter content to put you in control of what your child can see online.

 

• You can switch on family friendly filters to help prevent age inappropriate content being accessed on devices in your home.
  • The UK Safer Internet Centre provides guidance on how to do this.
  • Internet Matters has also provided step by step guides on how to setup parental controls.

 

• More information is included in the ‘Further Resources’ section.

 

What are the signs that my child may be being exploited online?

 

• Online exploitation is often hard to recognise because it is a complex issue. When it comes to being drawn into extremist ideas online, sometimes there are clear warning signs, in other cases the changes are less obvious.

 

• Although some of these traits may be quite common among teenagers, taken together they could be indicators that your child may need some help:
  • Exploring new and unusual websites, chat forums and platforms. Harmful influences may push individuals towards platforms with a greater degree of anonymity.
  • Joining new or secret groups since isolation.
  • Speaking with new friends or being secretive about chats during online gaming or in forums.
  • A strong desire to seek new meaning, identity and purpose.
  • Using language you wouldn’t expect them to know.
  • Watching, sharing or creating films online linked to religious, political or racial hate.
  • Becoming increasingly argumentative or refusing to listen to different points of view.

 

Should I be concerned that a loved one is being exploited online?

 

• The above are merely signs that they might need help, but you know your child best and you will want to speak with them first. Check in with them and ask about what they are viewing, who they are speaking to and how they are feeling. This might feel difficult, but here are some pointers to help you:

 

• Listen carefully to their fears and worries. Find some helpful tipshere.
• Avoid explanations that could be interpreted as antagonistic, belittling or frightening.
• Advice and support is available to help them understand COVID-19.
• If they are finding it hard to cope with bereavement and grief – advice can be found here.

 

What help is available if my child is being exploited online?

 

• It is important to safeguard loved ones from a range of online harms, whether that’s child sexual exploitation, fraud, or extremist influences seeking to radicalise vulnerable people.

 

• If you are concerned that your child may be at risk of radicalisation, help is available to make sure they get the support they need to move away from harmful influences.

 

• Teachers, healthcare practitioners, social workers, the police, charities, psychologists and religious leaders work together to safeguard those vulnerable to radicalisation through a safeguarding programme known as Prevent.

 

• Prevent protects people from being drawn into hateful extremism – regardless of the ideology. It works in a similar way to safeguarding processes designed to protect people from gangs, drug abuse, and physical and sexual exploitation.

 

• Receiving support through Prevent is voluntary, confidential and not any form of criminal sanction. It will not show up on any checks or negatively affect an individual’s future in any way.

 

• The type of support available is wide-ranging, and can include help with education or careers advice, dealing with mental or emotional health issues, or digital safety training for parents; it all depends on the individual’s needs.

 

• With this specialist help, vulnerable people across the country have moved away from supporting hateful extremism, enabling them to live more stable and fulfilling lives.

 

How can I access support and advice for a loved one being radicalised?

 

• As with other safeguarding functions, Prevent is still operating during this time and is here to support families in times of need.

 

• If you are worried that a loved one is being radicalised, you can call the police on 101 to get advice or share a concern so that they can get safeguarding support. Alternatively, you can contact your local authority safeguarding team for help.

 

• Contacting the authorities will not get the individual into trouble if a criminal act hasn’t been committed. The local authority or police will discuss your concerns, suggest how they can best help and give you access to relevant support and advice.

 

• If you think someone is in immediate danger, or if you see or hear something that may be terrorist-related, trust your instincts and call 999 or the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.

 

I have seen concerning hateful content online that could cause harm. What should I do?

 

• Prevent takes robust action to tackle radicalisation online and to counter the ideology promoted by extremists. This includes removing terrorist-related material and action to suspend the accounts of those fuelling these views.

 

• Any member of the public can report terrorist content they find online through the UK referral tool. The Action Counters Terrorism campaign provides more information on this.

 

Further resources

 

There are resources available to help you understand and protect your child from different harms online.

 

• Educate Against Hate Parents’ Hub provides resources and government advice for parents and carers on keeping young people safe from extremism.
• Let’s Talk About It provides support for parents and carers to keep children safe from online radicalisation.
• UK Safer Internet Centre has guides on the privacy settings, parental controls and internet safety features of the major internet service providers.
• Parent Zone works with Prevent to provide digital safety advice for parents.
• Thinkuknow provides resources for parents and carers to help keep children safe online.
• Childnet has developed guidance for parents and carers to begin a conversation about online safety, and on keeping under-fives safe online.
• Parent Info provides digital support and guidance for parents and carers from leading experts and organisations
• NSPCC guidance for parents and carers is designed to help keep children safe online. Their Net Awarewebsite, produced in collaboration with O2, provides specific safety information on popular apps and websites.
• Childline can provide advice and support if your child is worried, from dialling 0800 1111 or downloading the ‘For Me’ app.
• This list of online education resources for home education includes resources to support your child’s mental wellbeing.