Parent Bulletin No. 8
Dear Parent / Carer
As we approach the end of the first term, I would like to thank you all for your support and understanding in these incredibly difficult times. The vast majority of our students have responded maturely and with resilience to the new measures they have had to follow. Staff are adapting to the changes and developing their use of new technologies. We will do all we can to reduce disruption to learning as we continue to face uncertain times ahead.
There will be an announcement after half term regarding GCSE arrangements for our Year 11 as to whether external exams will go ahead. I will share this information as soon as we receive it.
Please note school is not open to pupils this Friday (October 23rd) as it is a staff training day.
As outlined by Welsh Government the arrangements for pupils return to school after the half term break on Monday, November 2nd is as follows:
Years 7 and 8
They will be in school as normal. Lessons will continue as they have during this term. The school canteen will be open to provide lunches but the outdoor snack shed will be shut for that week. Year 7 will have lunch from 12:25 – 12:55 and Year 8 12:55 – 13:25.
Years 9 – 11
As directed by Welsh Government, they will be accessing lessons from home. They are to follow their usual timetable and we return on week 1. For example, if your child has Maths period 1 on Monday they will have a live Maths lesson. If their timetable states that they then have Science period 2 they will then have a live lesson with their Science teacher at that time. In order to facilitate the extra time it may take to log in and out of sessions we have altered our timings slightly as follows:
Lesson 1 start 9.15 am – finish 10.05 am
Lesson 2 start 10.15 am – finish 11.05 am
Lesson 3 start 11.30 am – finish 12.20 pm
Lesson 4 start 12.30 pm – finish 1.20 pm (Year 10 and 11)
Lesson 4 start 1.00 pm – finish 1.50 pm (Year 9)
Lesson 5 start 2.00 pm – finish 2.50 pm
It is your responsibility to ensure your child participates in these lessons and completes the work set. Teachers will take a class register and you will be notified by the school office if your child has not joined their lesson.
Any child who receives Free School Meals will have their credit sent directly to your bank account.
Distance Learning
Distance lessons will be delivered via Microsoft Teams They do not need a computer but a smartphone will suffice providing it can access Office 365. We have given students guidance on using Teams. The quickest way for students to access lessons will be via the calendar on Teams, here they will be able to click on lessons arranged by their subject teacher. Students will not need cameras or microphones for their lessons. Questions and interactive dialogue will take place using other features within the Teams platform. Should your child act in an inappropriate manner they will be removed from the class.
On our new website you will find guidance on distance learning, including tutorials on how to access work via Microsoft Teams. We are also currently updating our subjects page to include links and resources to support learning. I would strongly recommend you follow us @argoedhs on Twitter where we will also post updates.
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 wish you all a restful half term. All staff will be in school from November 2nd should you need to contact us for advice or support.
Best wishes
Mr P Smith
Headteacher