Latest News
Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
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Asthma and Covid-19 Concerns
Tue 17 Mar 2020https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/inhaler-videos/
Many people are raising concerns about Covid-19 if they suffer from Asthma, watch these short videos to learn how to use your inhaler properly and better manage your respiratory symptoms https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/inhaler-videos/
Improve your inhaler technique in just three minutes!
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guidance-for-schools-advice-for-parents-or-carers/
Tue 17 Mar 2020 -
Distance learning through Hwb
Tue 17 Mar 2020https://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.
Core Hwb tools that support distance learning include:
Office 365 including Microsoft Teams
Minecraft: Education Edition
G Suite for Education including Google Classroom
Just2easy
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Guidance to educational settings about COVID-19
Tue 17 Mar 2020 -
Stay safe – message from Kirsty Williams, Minister for Education
Mon 16 Mar 2020Stay safe – message from Kirsty Williams, Minister for Education
Today, Kirsty Williams, the Minister for Education, called for everyone’s help to slow down the spread of coronavirus in Wales. The clear message to all childcare and education settings it that they should remain open at this stage. These decisions are based on the latest scientific evidence.
We recognise new guidance on Coronavirus that members of the public should stay at home for seven days if they develop either a high temperature or a new continuous cough has the potential to cause staffing pressures on schools and public bodies.
We are postponing Welsh Government education conferences due to take place before Easter, as not to cause unnecessary staffing pressures on schools and to allow teaching staff to focus on health and well-being of children. We are keeping this position under review, and the latest advice will be communicated to teachers and parents through the usual channels.
Coronavirus: travel guidance for education settings and students
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised schools, colleges and universities against international travel, including school trips overseas.
Advice and guidance to educational settings is being updated on a regular basis to reflect current advice
Latest advice on assessments and exams from Qualifications Wales
For the latest information please visit the Qualifications Wales website
Digital distance learning page live on Hwb
We want schools to remain open, but they can start to prepare in case they need to close by using the Hwb platform and the updated advice on distance learning.
Anti-bullying guidance
Whilst COVID-19 appears to have originated in China, we need to tackle the incorrect impression that Chinese people are more likely to be spreading Coronavirus. We all need to work collectively to reinforce this message and challenge negative attitudes and behaviours, where they occur, that underpin this misconception. The Welsh Government suite of guidance ‘Rights, respect, equality’ provides statutory guidance and advice to help address and prevent all forms bullying in education settings in Wales, including racist bullying. We expect all education settings and education services to make sure all pupils and staff are properly supported and respected.
Latest advice on Coronavirus from Welsh Government: https://gov.wales/coronavirus
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13/03/20 Dear Parent/Carer Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Fri 13 Mar 202013/03/20
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: :
- 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.
- 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:
- Category 1 - countries are currently; Wuhan city and Hubei province (China), Iran, Daegu or Cheongdo (Republic of Korea) and Italy*.
- 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:
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:
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- Fever.
- Shortness of breath
- Cough
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
- cover any coughs or sneezes with a tissue, throw the tissue in the bin, and then wash their hands immediately
- avoid close contact with people who are unwell
- avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
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:
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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12/03/20 Dear Parent/Carer, Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Thu 12 Mar 2020Should you have any specific queries in relation to a specific set of circumstances, please direct these to the Public Health and Protection team at:
coronaviruscounciladvice@rctcbc.gov.uk
12/03/20
Dear Parent/Carer,
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
In respect of Covid-19 or Coronavirus, the Council felt that it would be helpful to provide some general advice on the virus in respect of pupils attending school.
A 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 around the virus continues to change but in summary the current advice 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 then:
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 NHS111. 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 NHS 111.
The following link will allow people to identify whether they are in category 1 or 2 more easily:
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 confirmed coronavirus, they have not been infected.
Travellers returning from other countries, including France, need take no special measures although people are encouraged to check the information on the website links as these are updated daily.
What are the symptoms of Novel Coronavirus?
Symptoms 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.
The following link to Public Health Wales (PHW) will provided further information for parents and carers:
To conclude, based on the current advice from the UK Government, Welsh Government and PHW,unless pupils (and/or their families) have visited the countries identified in categories above, then they can continue to attend school as normal.
Ar ran / On behalf of: Gaynor Davies,Cyfarwyddwr y Gwasanaeth Addysg a Chynhwysiant / Director of Education and Inclusion Services
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Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Advice – 12th March 202
Thu 12 Mar 2020Staff – 12th March 2020
The advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Public Health Wales (PHW) that one of the most effective means of protecting yourself is to follow good hygiene practices, in particular regular and proper hand washing
Below are a number of links / documents that you may download and print to display the relevant information at your location.
Information
Link
WHO poster encouraging hand washing
WHO - Encouraging hand washing
WHO poster – advice on protecting people
WHO - Advice on protecting people
NHS poster – demonstrating correct hand washing technique
Youtube video - demonstrating correct hand washing technique
Youtube - Correct hand washing technique
To ensure effective hand washing takes place, all staff, visitors and others (including pupils in our schools) have access to soap and water, or where this is not practicable, sanitising hand gel containing at least 60% alcohol. In addition bins are available to enable people to properly dispose of any used tissues.
You should keep yourself updated on the latest news and advice regarding the Coronavirus outbreak by visiting PHW website - https://phw.nhs.wales/
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Coronavirus Guidance
Tue 10 Mar 2020Coronavirus Guidance
This guidance from Public Health Wales will assist schools, childcare and other educational settings in providing advice for pupils, students, staff and parents or carers. https://phw.nhs.wales/coronavirus-parentsguidance Check the Public Health Wales website for the latest information on coronavirus. -
Annie’s Diary’
Sat 07 Mar 2020
