Letter to Parents

Dear Parent/ Carers

In normal circumstances, I would have been writing my end of term letter to you today, sharing our achievements and looking ahead to the term ahead.

These are of course, not normal circumstances. These anxious and unusual times bring unforeseen difficulties. But the best of human nature can rise to the challenge. Now, more than ever, is the time for us to be proactive about creating small moments of happiness in our days. Ultimately, it is family and health that matter and underpin all that we do.

Free school meals will be available during Easter holidays

Free school meals will be available to eligible families during the Easter holidays.

The council is supplying food packs containing breakfasts and lunches for five days to all children registered for free school meals.

The food packs can be collected from Bro Dinefwr between 9am and 12noon.

Please note the school will not be open for collections on Good Friday (April 10) or Easter Monday (April 13).

Families are also being encouraged to apply for free school meals if they have had a change in circumstances, such as household income, due to the coronavirus pandemic. More information including how to apply can be found the council website http://newsroom.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/

If you are having difficulty collecting your free school meals food pack please email direct@carmarthenshire.gov.uk or call 01267 234567.

Free sanitary products are also available as part of the #PeriodPovertySirGâr project.

Examinations

Qualifications Wales has published a set of questions and answers about examinations with an FAQs page covering a range of issues.

https://qualificationswales.org/english/coronavirus—covid-19/frequently-asked-questions/

Careers Wales

Careers Wales have recently launched their new Wales-wide live chat with expert careers advisers. This service is available Monday to Friday and is available for young people in schools and colleges, parents/guardians and those children who are normally home-schooled. It’s an opportunity for them to discuss any concerns they have about next steps and their future options.

They are in the process of developing home-schooling resources. These are due to go live around Easter and will include a series of sector-specific webinars and lesson plans available to watch and download from our website.

Visit their website https://careerswales.gov.wales and their social media channels for the latest information about accessing their services

Supporting the Wider Community

Our staff who are not self-isolating will be working in the childcare Hubs based in Ysgol Rhys Prichard and Llandeilo Primary School.

We are excited to report that the first face masks have been produced today using our 3D printer. We are going to be producing more masks and possibly valves for ventilators.

We have shared our science department eye protection with Llanfair Surgery Llandovery/Llangadog, Meddygfa Teilo Llandeilo and Meddygfa Tywi Nantgaredig.

We have raided our store cupboards and have sent our hole punches to support another mask-making venture in Nantgaredig.

Action for happiness

Action for Happiness is a movement of people committed to building a happier and more caring society. In these very difficult times, you may find this a source of positivity.

https://www.actionforhappiness.org/

Children’s Commissioner for Wales

We have received some information from the Children’s Commissioner for Wales’ office regarding videos that they’re posting on their Facebook page to help parents find affordable and easy ways to make fun at home and some on general household wellbeing.

https://www.facebook.com/childcomwales/

There is also some useful information on their Info Hub https://www.childcomwales.org.uk/coronavirus/

Teaching and Learning

I can say with certainty that pupils will not be returning to school after the Easter holiday, indeed, it is likely to be months rather than weeks before we return to any semblance of normality.

From the 20^th April, teachers will provide resources for pupils to support them in their learning. However, given the health status of some staff, the commitment to working in the care Hubs to look after the children of Key Workers and the need to care for our own families, we will not be in a position to deliver lessons. We will share more information in the weeks ahead.

Updates

Please make sure that you check our website regularly as we will posting any new information that we receive during the holiday period https://brodinefwr.org.uk

Contact information

As ever, please contact me and I will do my utmost to provide advice or assistance.

Ionwen.Spowage@brodinefwr.org.uk

Be safe

These are very unusual times and one day, when this is all over, we will reflect on the time that our Bro Dinefwr community overcame a huge challenge, how we stuck together to help and care for each other. Please take care of yourselves and your families and keep in touch.

Yours sincerely

Ionwen Spowage (Mrs)

Headteacher