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

• Litter Walk

  Mon 15 Jan 2024 Dosbarth Helyg

  Dosbarth Helyg have been working hard to start the new term. We explored Aberaman to find out if there were any litter hot spots.  Unfortunately, we found a few.  So, we wrote emails to St Elvan's church in Aberdare which is a Keep Wales Tidy Litter Hub and asked to borrow some litter picking equipment to head off out on a clear up. Some children even brought their own litter pickers from home! We managed to gather up 11 sacks of rubbish that had been thrown on the street, left in the lanes or blown into the trees. We hope that we have inspired our community to look after our world a little bit more and we will be getting in touch with the local council next to try and persuade them to get some more bins! Watch this space! 

   

  Thank you the parents who helped us,  St. Elvan's Church and Tyler Whitney Photography for supporting our litter pick! 

   

  If you are interested in helping out further, there is a local litter pick at Cwmbach Community Wetlands every Sunday and you can contact the group here.

   

  

• Welsh Week - Wythnos Cymraeg

  Sun 05 Mar 2023

  We will be celebrating St David's day with our Wythnos Cymraeg after half term.

   

  Here are some exciting competitions to complete over the next two weeks and some more information about what your children should wear!

   

   

  We would like to thank you in advance for your support.

   

  Any questions just get in touch with your child's teacher on their Teams page or drop us an email.

   

  Diolch o galon,

   

  Miss Whitney 

  emma.whitney@oaklandsprimary.rctcbc.cymru

  

• Wythnos Cymraeg/ Welsh Week

  Mon 14 Feb 2022

  We will be celebrating St David's day and World book day with our Wythnos Cymraeg after half term.

   

  Here are some exciting competitions to complete over the next two weeks and some more information about what your children should wear!

   

   

  We would like to thank you in advance for your support.

   

  Any questions just get in touch with your child's teacher on their Teams page or drop us an email.

   

  Diolch o galon,

   

  Miss Whitney 

  emma.whitney@oaklandsprimary.rctcbc.cymru

  

• Flu Vaccination Clinic

  Tue 11 Jan 2022

  Flu Vaccination Catch Up Clinic -

  January 22nd & 23rd 9am – 4pm (pop in when it suits you)

   

  • Llantrisant CVC (Llantrisant Leisure Centre, CF72 8DJ)
  • Bridgend CVC (Ravens Court, CF31 4AP)
  • Merthyr Tydfil CVC (Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre, CF48 1UT)
  • Mountain Ash CVC (Cynon Valley Indoor Bowls Centre, CF45 4DA)
  • Rhondda CVC (Rhondda Sports Centre, CF41 7SY)

  

• Safer Internet Day

  Tue 09 Feb 2021

  Help us to celebrate Safer Internet Day 2021 by taking part in your child's live lesson today or creating an entry for our competition.

   

  All entries to be returned by Friday 12th February via Teams or email to Miss Whitney whitneye@hwbcymru.net 

   

   

  

• Harvest Festival

  Wed 14 Oct 2020

  We will be celebrating Harvest Festival within our school bubbles this year.  We are proud to be supporting The Cynon Food Bank again this year and are asking if you are able to donate to the collection to bring items in from the list below as they are the most needed items provided by the foodbank:

   

  • Tinned Rice Pudding
  • Tinned Carrots
  • Tinned Tomatoes
  • Powdered Custard
  • Instant Mash
  • Squash
  • Instant Coffee
  • Shower Gel
  • Toothpaste
  • Deodorant

   

  We are asking parents to bring donations in on Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st October, there will be plastic tubs situated outside classroom doors to drop items into, this reduces the contact of items coming into school as we are required to hold items for 72 hours before passing on.  Thank you for your continued support.

  

• Letter to Parents from the Director of Education

  Wed 15 Jul 2020

  Dear Parents/Carers,

  I’m writing to inform you of the latest updated position about the ‘back to school’ plans for September for Rhondda Cynon Taf schools. The Minister for Education in Wales (Kirsty Williams) confirmed on the 9th of July 2020 that all pupils will be able to return to school in September. The Welsh Technical Advisory Group, which provides scientific and technical advice to Government during emergencies, last week recommended to the Minister that schools “plan to open in September with 100% of pupils physically present on school sites, subject to a continuing, steady decline in the presence of COVID-19 in the community.”

   

  The Minister also announced that:

  • Schools will return to full capacity, with only limited social distancing within contact groups.
  • At full operation, a contact group should consist of around 30 children. Some direct or
  • indirect mixing between children in different contact groups will also be unavoidable, such as on transport, receiving specialist teaching or due to staffing constraints.
  • Social distancing for adults should remain in line with regulations and guidance.
  • Schools will be required to minimise the risk of transmission by taking other mitigating
  • measures using the hierarchy of risk controls.
  • Every school should continue to be “COVID Protected” - having carried out risk
  • assessments and mitigated them with a combination of controls such as hand and surface hygiene, one-way systems and so forth.
  • If early warning information shows a local incident or outbreak then nearby schools should implement appropriate restriction measures.

  

  Each school will be provided with a supply of home testing kits.

   

   

  The Minister confirmed that the autumn term will start on the 1st of September 2020. Our learners will return to school from the 3rd of September following a period of school preparation and planning for assessing risk and putting in place control measures, and processes and procedures for keeping learners and staff safe once everyone returns to school. From the 3rd of September 2020, learners will undergo a phased return to school over a period of a week with all learners in Rhondda Cynon Taf accessing school by the 10th of September 2020.

   

  There will be a period of flexibility in recognition that schools may want to focus on priority year groups, such as those attending learning support classes attached to mainstream schools. At primary level, priority groups may also include learners in the early years or year 6; and at secondary level, learners who are new to secondary school or are due to sit examinations next summer. For further guidance please refer to:

  https://gov.wales/operational-guidance-schoolsand-settings-autumn-term-covid-19

   

  Thankfully, we have seen a significant fall in COVID-19 cases locally and nationally and your actions have made a big contribution to this. We know that some families and children have found lockdown very difficult to cope with. Some will have been personally affected by loss and grief, others will have encountered financial challenges and we have all experienced change and uncertainty. In this next phase, schools can open to deliver maximum learning with minimal disruption for our young people. There will be some challenges to re-opening all schools for all learners across the County, particularly as each school has its own context. However, school leaders and the local authority are working together to establish the best approach that is right for

  each context and we are delighted to be welcoming all learners back to our schools across the County Borough. The many happy and smiling faces that have been so evident in our schools in recent weeks is testimony to the enjoyment that so many have felt being back amongst friends and school staff, and learning in their community schools.

  We know you will feel uncertain and will have many questions about your child’s individual circumstances. A frequently asked questions link will shortly be posted on the Council website and will hopefully answer all potential queries that you may have. This will be available at www.rctcbc.gov.uk/schoolreturnfaqs on Thursday, 16th of July.

   

  Pupils who are in receipt of a shielding letter due to their medical vulnerability or who live in a household with someone who is in receipt of a shielding letter should not, based on the current medical advice return to school. However, this ‘shielding category’ is due for a review in mid-August 2020 so could change. If that is the case then further guidance will be shared with all parents and carers. Until that position is clarified, these children are likely to continue to access digital learning opportunities and remote school support.

   

  School leadership teams will be carrying out risk assessments to help them identify the approach that is right in your child’s school. Each school will implement plans which may vary across the local authority, with different year groups being prioritised for a return to school. Each school will be in touch with parents and carers to share this information prior to the summer break.

   

  Schools will work very differently, at least for the first half term. Classes and year groups will be placed into contact groups and social contact across groups minimised. Schools will implement regular hand washing/use of sanitiser and social distancing routines, with staggered break/lunch times and start/finish times. We will be working closely with schools and governors to try to ensure consistency in terms of principles and approaches across the County Borough.

   

  Further details are awaited in relation to school transport and Welsh Government guidance is due to be issued. We ask that parents and carers help communicate to pupils the importance of following social distancing, effective hygiene and respiratory controls as this will play a key role in keeping everyone safe.

   

  Rhondda Cynon Taf Council continues to work closely with all our schools who have done a fantastic job in delivering childcare throughout the term, including holiday periods and weekends, under very difficult conditions. They have also provided digital learning, wellbeing support and a phased return to school during the last 3 weeks which we hope has made a difference during the pandemic. I would like to extend my thanks to you too for the invaluable home learning opportunities that you have provided during these challenging few months and for making a positive difference. This is hugely appreciated.  If your child is expecting summer examination results there will be an opportunity for these to be picked up from the school on the designated date, with some significant changes to procedures.

   

  This experience will be very different this academic year and schools will be required to allow small groups of learners only into the school building to collect their results at set times, so as to manage the flow of learners and maintain social distancing. Learners will also not be allowed to congregate in large groups outside the school due to the potential risks this is likely to pose. It is recognised that this will be difficult due to the obvious emotions associated with the day but this is an essential requirement to keep everyone safe. Schools will provide follow up opportunities for learners and their families if they require support and guidance. To assist families with any queries that they may have about the examination changes, a frequently asked questions document been prepared for information. This can be accessed by visiting www.rctcbc.gov.uk and clicking on the ‘Latest Schools Information’ section on the home page.

   

  Your child’s headteacher will inform you shortly of the imminent plans for the autumn term and/or examination results day arrangements if applicable. During the school closure period, if there are updates from the Education Directorate these will be provided via the Council website. In the meantime, I hope you have a lovely summer.

   

  Thank you in anticipation of your continued support.

  Yours sincerely,

   

  Gaynor Davies

  Director of Education and Inclusion Services

• Letter to Parents

  Mon 15 Jun 2020

  15^th June 2020

  Dear Parents/ Carers,

   

  As you are now all aware Kirsty Williams the Welsh Education Minister announced that schools will reopen to pupils for “Check in, Catch Up and Prepare” sessions on June 29^th for 4 weeks until the summer holidays start on 27^th July (a week later than normal).

   

  I know that this is a worrying time for you all and want you to know that at Oaklands Primary we have been carefully reviewing and scrutinising all Welsh Government and Local Authority guidance to ensure we have appropriate plans in place to safeguard the safety of staff, pupils and families. May I take this opportunity to thank those who have responded to our initial survey, your thoughtful comments are both useful and uplifting.

   

  As you all know not all children will be in school at the same time. In fact, the advice communicated to schools is that only up to a third (maximum) of the whole school will be able to attend school at any one time so online learning will continue for pupils who are not physically attending school. It has also been stated by the Local Authority that Nursery children will not attending school until September (further details to follow from WG and LA)

   

  When pupils return to school, they will have to adhere to the 2m distancing rule, that means across our school we are only able to cater for a very limited number of pupils per classroom; we must note that they may not always be with their class teacher, however wherever possible we will try to accommodate this.

   

  On the numbers you have provided to us about your children returning to school we would be able to offer each child 1 day per week for 4 weeks which is above the Welsh Government and Local Authority target of each child attending their school at least 3 times before July. I and senior leaders will be in touch with you to let you know by Monday 22^nd June which day your child will be attending when exact figures have been received.

   

  When children return to school they will have to adhere to certain health and safety parameters:

  • On entry to school children will have their temperature taken. If any person has a higher than average temperature they will not be allowed to attend school;
  • They will sanitise and wash their hands on entry to school and frequently throughout the school day;
  • They will, as far as possible adhere to the 2 meter distancing rule;
  • They will not bring any equipment (pens, pencils, toys) in from home other than their school lunch bags and school drinks;
  • They will not be allowed to share any food or snacks with anyone;
  • They will only be able to use resources provided to them by the school that includes books, pens, pencils etc. and
  • Children will be able to use limited outdoor equipment during break times that can be easily cleaned and will not be permitted to play contact sports;

   

  When children return to school, you as adults will have to adhere to certain health and safety parameters and guidelines:

  • You will provide the school with advance notice about whether you will or will not be sending your child/children to school on their designated day;
  • You must declare that your children haven’t shown any symptoms of COVID-19 and if they have or do you must follow the guidelines regarding self-isolation;
  • You must adhere to the designated drop off and pick up times and follow the exit and entry points around the school playground observing the social distancing guidelines put in place for the safety of all;
  • Understand that if your child does have a packed lunch in school all rubbish will have to be taken home and disposed of at home;
  • Ensure that you have appropriate procedures and arrangements in place should your child fall ill during time in school, this includes giving the school up to date telephone numbers and addresses; and
  • If you decide your child will not be attending school for the last 4 weeks you must be in contact with the school or class teacher at least once a week, this can be done through various means e.g. email, telephone, hwb, Microsoft teams etc. Online work will be provided for your child during this time.

  Our school will not look or feel the same as before lockdown. Classrooms will be cleared of soft furnishings making them easy to clean throughout the day. We must be prepared that some children may find this upsetting and as adults we must do our best to reassure and support them.

   

  I am sure that many of you will have questions you would like answered so please feel free to contact me on admin.oaklandsprimary@rctcbc.gov.uk

   

  With that in mind, I have attempted to put together some questions and answers that you may have about your child returning to school based on the Welsh Government guidance posted on June 10^th 2020.

   https://gov.wales/keep-education-safe-operational-guidance-schools-and-settings-covid-19

   

   

  Will staff be wearing PPE?

  It is important to remember that physical distancing; hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene (catching a cough or sneeze in a tissue or covering the mouth and nose with an elbow or sleeve) remain strongly evidenced to be the most effective ways to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

  Hand hygiene is critical before and after all direct contact with a child or young person, and after cleaning equipment and the environment.

  There is therefore no need to use personal protective equipment (PPE) when undertaking routine educational activities in classroom/school settings.

   

  Will my child be back in class with their friends?

  Rooms will be large enough to ensure social distancing in line with guidance. Numbers in each will reflect staff availability and be kept as small as possible that means we may not always be able to accommodate friendship groups.

  Seating arrangements and activities have been planned to ensure appropriate distancing in order to minimise physical contact as well as staggered break and lunch times.

   

  Does my child have to wear school uniform?

  We would like to reassure all our families that we do not expect pupils to wear uniform when we return to school, so please do not go to any expense for these 4 weeks and just send them into school in their own clothes on the days they attend that can be easily washed daily.

  (Please ensure that clothing and footwear is comfortable and appropriate e.g. no strappy or crop tops, no high heels, flip-flops or open toed sandals)

   

  Will school start and finish at the same time?

  We will seek to stagger arrival and departure times as well as breaks to ensure that movement and concentration of staff and learners is minimised.

  We will be ensuring that safety and social distancing measures will be in place during arrival and collection times, all parents/carers will need to understand, observe and agree to social distancing when dropping off and collecting their children. Cwmaman Road gate will be used as the entrance to the site and Cardiff Road will be an exit to avoid people passing through the narrow gates. Maes y deri can be used as an entrance and exit point as it is wide enough to remain socially distanced.

   

  Do I have to send my child to school for the last 4 weeks? If I do not will I be fined?

  There is no expectation to send your child / children back to school at the end of June. Parents will not be fined for keeping their child / children at home and will not affect your child’s attendance. Your children will continue to be supported by their class teacher in different ways.

   

  Will my child be provided with a lunch if they stay the full day?

  Dinners will only be made available to free school meals pupils on the day they are attending school. This will be in the form of a grab and go bag.

   

  Will my child still be able to access emergency child care provision as I am a keyworker?

  From Monday 29^th June Keyworker children will access emergency childcare at their own school. The hours of this provision will be 8-5pm. Applications will be made weekly to schoolplanning@rctcbc.gov.uk

   

  As I explained earlier staff will be in contact with parents this week who indicated that they were unsure about their child returning to school in order that I can put together a timetable as to when your child/ children will be attending school.

   

  I will endeavour to get this done as quickly as possible but as I am sure you will all appreciate this is going to take some time to ensure that we are adhering to all statutory guidelines and policies.

   

  This is going to be a challenging time and we know it will take some time to get used to this way of learning and working but I am confident that in working Together Everyone will Achieve More!

   

  Kindest Regards

   

  Mrs C Wright: Pennaeth

• Leavers celebrations

  Thu 04 Jun 2020

  Hi Dosbarth Derw,
   

  As some of you might know I’ve started working on your leavers celebration and I still need lots of photos from school trips, concerts, sports day maybe first day at school. If you would like to eg film a TikTok video of your skills, talk about some of your memories etc then please send them to me On Teams or by email:

   

  whitneye@hwbcymru.net

   

  Please get in touch with your ideas and what you’d like to include! I look forward to seeing your contributions!!

   

  Thank you and stay safe, Miss Whitney 😊

• The Joy of Moving Festival

  Mon 18 May 2020

  Good morning everyone! We are excited to be invited by Cardiff City Football Club to take part in the Joy of Moving Festival and would love  for all of our Key Stage 2 pupils to join us on Wednesday afternoon for some fun and games.

   

  A pack has been designed for you and your family to have an afternoon of fun, with different games and activities to choose from. You won’t need much equipment and there is an activity at the start that helps you find and collect useful things! The pictures below give you a taster of the fun planned but the full pack can be found by clicking here.  The pack contains all the information you need to join in.

   

  As always we'd love to see your pictures shared on Twitter plus tagging the organisers #JOMHomeFestival gives us a chance to win £500 worth of equipment for our school.

  Look out for more information in this pack!