Dear Parents and Carers,

Goodbye

It is with deep regret that I inform you that Mrs McLeod will be leaving us at Christmas after 12 years at St. Gabriel’s due to her family having to relocate because of her husband’s job. She has been a tremendous asset to the school during this time and I know that you will join with me in wishing her and her family all the very best for the future. We are delighted to announce that we have appointed Miss Dando who is a very talented teacher and will be replacing Mrs McLeod from January in Dosbarth Rhaglan to work alongside Mrs Wright in Year 2.

Christmas

We are happy for the children to bring in Christmas cards and / or presents but ask that they are only for their class.

Our Advent service is now on our website for you to watch and as you know each class will be recording a Christmas concert / service which will be sent to you in the last week of term.

We will be having a Christmas Jumper Day on Wednesday 16th December which is the same day as our Christmas dinner, and we ask for a donation of £1 (via Parent Pay) which will contribute towards the Friends of St. Gabriel’s who do tremendous work in supporting the school. They have also purchased a gift for every child in the school which they will be giving out shortly.

We are holding a virtual Christmas raffle this year and tickets are now available to purchase via Parent Pay with the draw taking place on Friday 11th December. There are a number of prizes including a Christmas hamper, £25 Tesco voucher and many more!

We’d like to say a huge thank you to those parents who have donated prizes and to the following businesses –

Tesco
Jenna McDonnell ‘The Art of Beauty’
Lily’s Cheescakes
Marenghi’s Café
Nikki Swift Designs
LoveHeart Gifts
PickUpAPumpkin Gifts

Face Coverings

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for adhering with our request to wear face coverings when dropping off and collecting your children, and very much appreciate your continued support with this.

Attendance

We have been delighted with the level of attendance over the past few weeks and thank you for your support with this.

Well done to Dosbarth Rhaglan who achieved 99.2% last week!

Dosbarth Coch – 97.1%
Dosbarth Cas-Gwent – 96.8%
Dosbarth Rhaglan – 99.2%
Dosbarth Cil-y-Coed – 98.3%
Dosbarth Caerdydd – 92.7%
Dosbarth Caerffili – 90.8%
Dosbarth Caernarfon – 87.5%

Total attendance for that week – 94.6%

Blended Learning

We wanted to take this opportunity to remind you that the Blended Learning menu that is sent home every fortnight includes a section called ‘Flourish’ which contains the homework tasks for the children to complete.

The teachers will send you their Blended Learning Menu via SeeSaw which will also be uploaded to your child’s class page on our school website – https://stgabrielsrcprimary.org.uk/

Weather

As the weather gets colder and more inclement please can we remind you to ensure your child has appropriate clothing as they are continuing to access the outdoors wherever possible.

Covid

Here are some quick updates that may be useful for you.

Getting a COVID-19 test in the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board area

There is now a range of COVID-19 testing provision in Gwent (for residents of Caerphilly, Newport, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen and Monmouthshire), including drive through and walk up testing units in various locations. Mobile testing units are frequently changing location, and details of current services can be found online: www.abuhb.nhs.wales/coronavirus/testing-centres.

All tests must be booked in advance by phoning 0300 30 31 222, 8am-8pm Monday-Friday, and 8am-6pm on weekends. We will offer people tests in a location convenient and appropriate to them.

Home testing kits can be ordered by phoning 119 or online:
gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test

INSET Days 2020-21

The school will be closed for INSET training on the following dates this year –

Monday 4th January 2021
Monday 22nd February 2021
Monday 7th June 2021
Monday 19th July 2021
Tuesday 20th July 2021

There will be one other training day that has yet to be confirmed.

Jewellery

Please can we remind you of our jewellery policy as outlined in our parental handbook –

The wearing of jewellery is discouraged although a watch and stud earrings may be worn but they are the responsibility of the child. All jewellery must be removed by the child for PE and Games. If earrings cannot be removed because the ears are within 6 weeks of being pierced the child must not take part. The safety of pupils in physical lessons is paramount.

We kindly ask that no hooped earrings, necklaces or rings are worn to school, thank you.

Thank you,

Mr J Llewellyn
Interim Headteacher