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

• School Closure – Essential Maintenance to the Central Heating System

  Fri 30 Oct 2020

  Due to circumstances beyond our control it is with regret that we will have to close the school on Monday (2^nd November) and Tuesday (3^rd November) next week due to essential maintenance for the heating system.

   

  Please see the newsletter section for the full details. 

• Letter from Executive Head

  Mon 19 Oct 2020

  We would like to re-assure families, Ty Gwyn and all schools across the Western Learning Federation will re-open as normal after the half term break. This means that the children will finish school as planned on Friday 23rd October 2020 and return to school on Monday 2nd November 2020.

   

  Please see the letter from Wayne Murphy (Executive Headteacher) in the newsletter section for further details.

   

  Many Thanks,

   

  Diane Stones

  Head of Ty Gwyn

• Blended Learning & Harvest Assembly

  Fri 16 Oct 2020

  Before the summer holidays, staff put together fantastic resources and videos for online learning which were saved to our YouTube channel and linked to classes separate pages on the website. These are still available through individual class pages. However we have pulled many of these resources together and added new ones in a new 'Blended Learning' section which can be accessed through the pupil tab or by following this link: 

   

  https://www.tygwynschool.com/blended-learning-learning-from-home/ 

   

  This section is designed for all pupils and families supporting pupils and is designed to be easier to find what you are looking for.

   

  In this section you will also find our virtual Harvest Assembly is available to watch and join in with on our website (see link below). If you want to play along with the games from home there are printable bingo sheets available as well. Also, you may want to get some harvest fruits and vegetables ready for the full experience!

   

  https://www.tygwynschool.com/assembly/ 

• Ty Gwyn Procedures for COVID symptoms

  Fri 18 Sep 2020

  Cardiff Council have updated their testing procedures so that schools can prioritise testing for pupils and staff. We have updated our procedures to reflect the new system in place. Please see the latest newsletter (newsletter section) showing our procedures for symptomatic pupils and staff. We hope this will give even more clarity and confidence for families and staff. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the school. 

   

  Thank you for your continuing support,

   

  Diane Stones

   

  Head of Ty Gwyn

• Further Infomation forthe start of the new term

  Thu 03 Sep 2020
  Please see the newsletter section for the latest letter from Diane Stones (Head teacher) for further information regarding the start of the new term.

• Free School Meals Voucher Scheme Extended for 2 weeks

  Thu 16 Apr 2020
  Cardiff Council Free School Meals Voucher scheme has been extended for a further 2 weeks. Further details and contact infomation can be found by following this link to a letter which is a copy of the one which will be sent to registered families: http://orlo.uk/FU9Am 

• To parents and carers of pupils attending Cardiff school Hubs

  Wed 08 Apr 2020

  To parents and carers of pupils attending Cardiff school Hubs

   

  NB/DJ/HAE

   

  7th April 2020

   

  To parents and carers

   

   I am writing to advise you of arrangements in place in all Cardiff school Hubs to control the risk from COVID-19. In view of the projected increase in the rate of community transmission of the virus, it is important that we advise parents and carers of the measures in place to reduce the risk to pupils, staff and families within the Hub communities. This reiterates guidance provided by Welsh Government and Public Health Wales, and is consistent with the additional social distancing regulations published by Welsh Government on 7 April.

   

  Suspected/Confirmed Case of COVID-19 affecting a Household

  Should a family member residing within the same household as a pupil display symptoms or test positive for COVID-19, we require the pupil to immediately self-isolate for 14 days, prior to re-attending the Hub. Should the pupil themselves display symptoms of COVID-19 during the 14 day isolation period, a further 7 days of isolation should be undertaken from onset of the symptoms.

   

  Suspected/Confirmed Case of COVID-19 affecting a Pupil or Member of Staff within the Hub

  Any pupil who is displaying symptoms, or tests positive for COVID-19, would be required to immediately self-isolate for at least 7 days or for as long as symptoms persist, prior to reattending the Hub. If a pupil displays symptoms of COVID-19, we would like to reassure parents and carers that measures are immediately implemented to thoroughly clean the occupied areas to reduce the risk of possible transmission. Staff will be vigilant and monitor the wellness of pupils within each Hub and act in a precautionary way should pupils display recognised symptoms.Hygiene standards such as regular handwashing and use of hand sanitiser are in place for pupils and staff as well as social distancing requirements within each Hub. In addition, enhanced cleaning regimes are in place. Infection control measures are robustly applied in all Cardiff school Hubs . By working together we can ensure the risk of transmission is reduced to the lowest possible level.

   

  Yours faithfully

   

  Nick Batchelar

  Donna Jones

   

  Director of Education & Lifelong Learning Head of Health and Safety

• Update from Executive Headteacher

  Fri 03 Apr 2020

  Dear Parent and Carer,

   

  I hope you are all keeping well and safe during this challenging time. I have outlined a number of important updates that I wanted to make you aware of:

   

  Free school Meals

  Currently parents/carers have been collecting ‘Grab Bags’ for their children from local schools. As I explained two weeks ago this was an interim solution, whilst the Local Authority explored other options, especially for those who could not leave their homes to collect food on a daily basis.

   

  Earlier this week Welsh Government announced that Local Authorities should continue to support children eligible for a Free School Meal during the Easter Break. Over the next few days, each of the current pupils who are eligible to receive a Free School Meal in Cardiff and attend the Western Learning Federation will receive a letter which will include details of how they can redeem an e-voucher.

   

  This e-voucher can be accessed through an online portal to the value of £40 as a contribution to covering their food needs over the Easter break. By accessing the online portal, families who are eligible, will be able to choose a voucher from the following supermarkets; Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrison’s, Marks & Spencer and Waitrose. (Currently, the other large chains do not provide a voucher). This letter will be sent out by the Local Authority with guidance on how to use the online portal.

   

  Application for keyworker childcare

  Applications for key worker placements has moved to the Cardiff Council website, which can be accessed at www.cardiff.gov.uk , via the home page and search Key Worker Childcare

  Alternatively, please follow the link below to access information, the strict criteria for key workers and application process https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/ENG/Your-Council/Strategies-plans-and-policies/Emergency-Planning-and-Resilience/coronavirus-information/key-worker-childcare/Pages/default.aspx

   

  Pupils Work

  I’ve been so pleased that the platforms for distributing work to pupils is being accessed and meeting your needs. I have been overwhelmed with the resilience of our pupils and how they have adapted as best as possible to a new way of working.

  I’m fully aware of the challenges that you face, these challenges have been shared by us all from a Federation and each individual school. I want to reassure you that all staff are working extremely hard in keeping in contact with you, providing work for pupils and ensuring we can make this extremely difficult time a little bit easier for you. Please feel free to use our social media and online platforms to celebrate and share the wonderful work and experiences our pupils are currently undertaking.

   

  Western Learning Federation Hub

  We have completed our first week of being a Hub provider. We have supported our parents that are Key Workers and in line with multi-agencies supported a small number of pupils also. All staff have shown professionalism in attending the setting across the Western Learning Federation. I have been delighted with the positive attitude of staff putting the pupils first when having their own challenges in dealing with a pandemic.

  Health Hub

  In addition to the Western Learning Federation Hub, Health are establishing provision to support families across Cardiff. More details on this will follow.

  I would like to wish you all a Happy Easter, we will continue to do our best to serve you, meet your needs and the needs of our pupils.

   

  Best wishes

  Wayne Murphy

  Executive Head Teacher

  Western Learning Federation

• Update from Executive Headteacher

  Mon 30 Mar 2020

  Dear Parent / Carer

  After a very turbulent and confusing week, I write further to update you on our plans for communication and setting work during this very unusual period of time. As reassurance, we are working closely with the Local Authority and Welsh Government and monitoring the changing situation regularly. The school and everyone in it will always do our bit for the greater good but our pupils, our families and our staff remain our priority. Please communicate with us in the best way possible to ensure we continue to support each other during this time.

  Until we are told otherwise, all staff are continuing to work unless they are unwell. We have good systems for communicating with all school stakeholders, we are currently adapting and all getting used to a different way of working. We will have teething problems, and new technology will emerge all the time which will make things easier. I hope you are finding the platforms and websites with activities beneficial.

  A summary of our communication strategy to help you communicate are;

  1. General whole school checking in procedures – we are aiming to make telephone contact with all families on at least a weekly basis. These phone calls will give you an opportunity to discuss ideas and concerns.

  2. General Whole School Electronic Communication – it is vital that you have access to a couple of important ways in which we electronically communicate. These are:

  ○ Parentmail – we send a lot of communication via text and email through parentmail.

  ○ Twitter – We communicate short, snappy messages and good news stories through our Twitter feed. You will need to start an account and ask to join our feed. We need to verify that these requests are linked to our school. Please post pictures etc of the great work you are doing using the following:

  Western Learning Federation - @CardiffWestern

  Riverbank – @Riverbanksch

  Ty Gwyn – @GwynSchool

  Woodlands - @WoodlandsHS

  ○ Website – We will be putting formal communications on the Federation and each school website:

  Western Learning Federation - www.westernlearningfederation.co.uk

  Riverbank – www.riverbankspecialsch.co.uk

  Ty Gwyn – www.tygwynschool.com

  Woodlands – www.woodlandshs.com

   

  2. Teaching and Learning - All teachers are responsible with their class team for setting work, helping you to maintain structure and routine. All class teachers or members of the team will communicate with you throughout this time. Please refer to details outlined in previous correspondence for support.

  3. Support and Safeguarding - If you need any support or need to report any safeguarding concerns please use link below:

  CHandDTeamDuty.SocialWorkerMailBox@cardiff.gov.uk

   

  4. Please also refer to previous correspondence of the support available in each school.

   

  5. The health team will continue to work from the Ty Gwyn site in the interim.

   

  There has been significant discussion over the past few days over the way schools will operate moving forward. We need to remember that the purpose of closing schools is to restrict and minimise social contact and consequently reduce the risk of being infected by the Coronavirus.

  Therefore, if it is at all possible, please keep your children at home. However, when arranging childcare, please take into account government and public health advice regarding keeping at risk members of the public safe, including grandparents and any other relatives that are over 70 or have underlying medical conditions.

  Cardiff Schools and Childcare providers will provide facilities for parents who are at the forefront of the national effort to fight the Coronavirus disease, to ensure that these vital workers are given every opportunity to be in work and to get on with their efforts to protect our lives and wellbeing.

  In accordance with the above, in the first instance, we have identified children whose parents work in either the Health and Social Care sectors (including Homeless Hostels and Outreach), or the Emergency Services.

  Should you fall into one of the other Keyworker categories listed by the UK Government, we will also collate your details and will provide further information on school access.

  Please contact – WLFkeyworker@hwbwave15.onmicrosoft.com

  We will review these arrangements very carefully with the Local Authority on a daily basis and will keep you up-to-date of any changes.

  We are confident that if this advice is followed, we will all make a significant contribution towards protecting our pupils and our staff.

  I would once again reiterate our commitment to you and your family in this unprecedented period of uncertainty. I can assure you we will continue to work tirelessly in their best interests of pupils, families and staff. Essential to this is effective communication and I would therefore urge you all to continue to be patient and understanding.

  My very best wishes to you all

  W A Murphy

  Executive Head Teacher, Western Learning Federation

• Ty Gwyn Resources and Class pages

  Wed 25 Mar 2020

  To all parents,

  Please take a look at the Pupils area on the Website for Ty Gwyn Resources and Class Pages to get Ideas for home learning.

  Stay safe all