Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Message from Mrs Robbins

  Mon 11 Jan 2021
  Good morning all,
  
  I hope you have a good week with home learning. Please remember we are all available to offer any support you need or answer any questions. There is always someone in the school office and all staff available to you on dojo.
  
  Do what you can, when you can. We understand how difficult it is. I’m also balancing my job with home learning too.
  
  Take care all,
  
  Mrs Robbins

• BBC Bitesize

  Sat 09 Jan 2021
  This might be helpful for next week to go alongside the learning your teacher sets.
  
  Have a lovely weekend!
  
  Mrs Robbins

  

• Update from Mrs Robbins

  Fri 08 Jan 2021
  Good morning all,
  
  Please see the update below which states schools are unlikely to reopen before February half term.
  
  I have more meetings today and as always will keep you up to date.
  
  Kindest regards,
  
  Mrs Robbins
  
  https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/schools-wales-stay-shut-until-19583384

• Message from Mrs Robbins

  Thu 07 Jan 2021
  Good morning all,
  
  I hope you are all doing well with your home learning. If you need any help or are finding it difficult then please don’t hesitate to contact your teacher.
  
  School is open on site today for critical workers and small groups of children who we have been advised need to be offered a place.
  
  As soon as I have any more information I will be in touch.
  
  Thank you and stay safe,
  
  Mrs Robbins

• Access Hwb Through Xbox and Playstation

  Wed 06 Jan 2021

  Morning all,
  
  Just wanted to share this as I know some of you are struggling with devices. I hope this might help as I also know many of our children have gaming devices.
  
  Mrs Robbins

   

  https://hwb.gov.wales/api/storage/c235e622-45c0-41c3-a589-889e5735e934/using-x-box-or-play-station-to-access-hwb.pdf

• Update From Keri Cole, Chief Education Officer for Wales

  Mon 04 Jan 2021
  Dear all,
  
  Please see below a letter from the local authority that I have just received. It seems my guess in the earlier video was correct and full school on site will now not return until at least Jan 18th.
  
  Mrs Robbins
  
  
  
  Dear Parent,
  
  Happy New Year to you all and I firstly would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing patience and co-operation regarding the situation in our schools.
  
  You will be aware of ongoing discussions at a national level between the government, local authorities and teaching unions about re-opening our schools in the safest way possible in order to protect pupils and staff.
  
  We all agree that the health and wellbeing of the whole school community is paramount and discussions have been taking place this morning between CCBC and Head Teachers across the county borough to agree the best way forward.
  
  We know that the increasing number of new cases, particularly the new variant of coronavirus, is causing significant concern. You may also be aware that new advice on shielding was issued before Christmas which is impacting staffing levels in our schools.
  
  Welsh Government has today confirmed that all schools across Wales will adopt a ‘blended learning’ approach for the next two weeks, until Monday 18th January. This means that most pupils will not physically attend school, but will be provided with learning.
  
  However, schools will open for vulnerable learners and the children of eligible key/essential workers from Wednesday this week (6th January). Please apply via the following link:
  https://www.caerphilly.gov.uk/Services/Coronavirus/Emergency-school-provision-for-keyworkers
  
  We are committed to re-introducing face to face teaching in a phased approach for all pupils after the 18th January, as soon as national and local risk assessments allow and we await further guidance in this respect.
  
  I will continue to keep you updated about any new developments around this issue.
  
  Regards
  
  Keri Cole
  Chief Education Officer

• Update from Mrs Robbins

  Mon 04 Jan 2021

  Good Afternoon,

   

  I am writing to let you know that the children will now not be returning to school on Thursday but doing distance learning from home for the rest of this week. This is on the advice of the local authority. 

   

  We we will only be open on Thursday and Friday for key worker children who have already applied for a place through the local authority, and to a very small group of children who we feel need to be in school. 

   

  Class teachers or teaching assistants will message parents privately if they are to return to school Thursday. 

   

  I am sorry for the late notice but the situation is changing all the time.  

   

  Kindest Regards

   

  Mrs Robbins

   

• Message From Mrs Tomlins

  Sat 02 Jan 2021

  Happy New Year to our families and friends near and far. We hope you have stayed safe and well over the festive period.
  
  Thank you for supporting us in 2020.
  
  Mrs Robbins continues to be involved in meetings with the local authority.
  
  Staff will update Dojo on Monday and Tuesday confirming start back dates. Just a reminder that Monday is an INSET day.
  Tuesday and Wednesday are blended learning days therefore work will be provided via ClassDojo / Google Classroom.
  
  We are still hoping all pupils except new risers will start on Thursday.
  
  Many thanks for your ongoing support and understanding.

   

  Mrs Tomlins

• Important Information on Return to School in January

  Fri 18 Dec 2020
  Dear Parent/Guardian,
  
  Welsh Government’s announcement:-
  
  Following this announcement, in regard to the arrangements for the new term in January, 2021, I am writing to confirm the approach for schools in Caerphilly CBC and for us at Cwmcarn Primary.
  
  This decision has been based upon the increasing number of staff shortages due to positive cases and self-isolation together with the concern that these numbers are, of course, unpredictable for the first week of term. All risk assessments will have to be reviewed. It is a Welsh Government decision, not a school's decision.
  
  Monday 4th January will be our INSET as planned and then Tuesday, 5th January and Wednesday, 6th January will be distance learning days for all schools, whilst staffing levels are confirmed.
  
  We aim to have school open to all classes on Thursday, January 7th providing we have enough staff to safely do so. If there are any classes that we are unable to open we will let you know on Monday 4th January.
  
  If we do have any classes that we were unable to open we would provide care for any children whose parents are key workers and had no other childcare options from Thursday 7th.
  
  During the first week of term all children will need to bring their own lunch as the canteen will not be operating. We will also be delaying the start of the rising 3’s and Miss Pyle will inform the parents of the new start date .
  
  
  Other points to note
  Pupils entitled to free school meals will continue to receive deliveries as up to now.
  Pupils having provision on site will be required to bring a packed lunch.
  The Welsh Government list of key workers is extensive, so priority for applications will be given to those from frontline emergency services, social care and education staff in the first instance, in line with our current context in Caerphilly. In our case, this will only apply where we are unable to open classes from Thursday January 7th.
  
  If you have any questions we will be happy to answer those we can today on dojo, otherwise we will answer them the first day or so of the new term.
  
  I hope you all have a happy and healthy Christmas.
  
  Yours sincerely,
  
  Mrs H Robbins
  Headteacher

• Message from Mrs Robbins

  Thu 17 Dec 2020
  Afternoon all,
  
  Please see the news article below. I will give you some further information on how this will look for Cwmcarn Primary over the coming days.
  
  Thank you,
  
  Mrs Robbins
  
  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-55354318