Parent Bulletin No. 5
Dear Parent/Carer
As of last night, Flintshire joined several other counties in going into a local lockdown. This will not change the education of your child or make any significant changes to us at school. However, it does emphasise the need for adhering to the Government guidelines and Public Health advice. The link below will take you to a frequently asked questions page to help your understanding of what will be affected in Flintshire. https://gov.wales/flintshire-county-council-lockdown-frequently-asked-questions
New Website and Virtual Tour
Our new website, prospectus and virtual tour are due to go live next week. Please follow us on twitter @argoedhs for latest news.
This week we have reviewed our safety restrictions and operating guidance at school. Please note the following changes:
Uniform
Due to the colder weather arriving from Monday blazers can be added to your child’s
uniform. This means that we are now back to full uniform minus the tie. If you do not
have a blazer yet you have until October half term to obtain one.
PE Kit
On the days that students have PE they can come to school in the school PE kit. If it
is cold they are to wear their uniform over the kit. Clothing other than official school
PE kit and uniform are not to be worn.
Start and end of the school day
Pupils should not come onto the site more than 10 minutes before their start time. If you need to drop your child off earlier than this then please book them into breakfast club by phoning school before noon the previous day. Parents cannot come past the gate but there are staff on the yard to meet and accompany pupils if needed. If you come by car can I ask you remain in your car when waiting to drop or collect your child. If you are walking to meet your child then please remember to maintain 2m social distance from other people.
Year 7
Arrive from 8:40 for an 8:50 start
Finish at 14:50
Year 8
Arrive from 8:40 for an 8:50 start
Finish at 14:50
Year 9
Arrive from 8:45 for an 8:55 start
Finish at 14:55
Year 10
Arrive from 9:00 for an 9:10 start
Finish at 15:00
Year 11
Arrive from 9:00 for an 9:10 start
Finish at 15:05
Face Coverings
We have reviewed our policy regarding face coverings and due to the staggered break times and restricted movement around school the decision remains that they are optional. Please remind your child to observe social distancing at breaks and to wash their hands regularly throughout the day.
Food and Dining Arrangements
Our outdoor food cabin is now offering the same service as the school canteen. To reduce queues and wait times for food Years 9 and 10 are to purchase food from the canteen. Years 8 and 11 are to use the outdoor food cabin. Year 7 can use either. Food is to be consumed outdoors in the picnic areas or in harsh weather can be taken into form bases. Please remember to pay via Parentpay.
Accessing work from home
If your child is absent from school then all work is available via Microsoft Teams. They will not be sent this separately. They are to use their Office365 Log on details
and the appropriate work will be assigned. If you have any questions or need support with this then please contact Mr Lofts.
What to do if your child or a member of your household develops symptoms
Please do not send them into school if you suspect they are ill. If a child develops symptoms whilst at school they will be isolated, checked by a first aider and parents called to collect. They are not allowed to return to school until they receive a negative test or until after they have been in isolation for 10 days. Can you please forward negative tests to school via email. If you suspect any member of your household has Covid then do not send your child to school until they have had a test.
Communication
Visitors to school are not permitted without a prior appointment. Staff will communicate with families via email or a phone call. If we do not have your email address then please provide one urgently. Reports and other communications will be shared using SIMS Parent App. If you have not downloaded it yet then please do so. If you need support with this then please contact us.
I hope you all have a pleasant weekend.
Best wishes
Paul Smith
Headteacher