Rainbow Run
After the difficult time we have all had the staff and pupils at Stepaside School would like to add a little colour to your day.
Stepaside CP school held their second annual Rainbow Run on Thursday 13th May. Organised by Mrs Blewitt, class teacher at the school, with the support of Mrs Williams, School Admin officer, the event involved the whole school community and beyond. “All staff including our cleaner and cartaker,school cook and lollypop lady joined in with governers and registered Volunteers to make this day happen for the children. Pupils had busily gathered sponsorship from their family and friends and all pulled together to raise in excess of £2600. We are so Grateful to everyone for the part they played” commented Mrs L Blewitt.
Fantastic prizes for the highest fundraisers were donated by Bluestone, Broadway Mansion Laugharne, Heatherton World of Adventures, Folly Farm, Co-op Kilgetty, 1 Formula Fitness, Kilgetty Fish Bar and Nails by Natasha and Twisted Tangles, these were added to hampers and vouchers donated by staff and parents.
The weather threatened the afternoon but and the sun didn’t show up but unperturbed, if a little chilly, runners turned out in their white t-shirts, colourful accesories and sunglasses to take part. In a slightly adjusted format due to class bubbles, the Rainbow Run kicked off at 1.30 with pupils and staff gathering in the centre of the school field for class photos under the balloon arch. After running through the colourful arch each class ran to their first station. Rainbow Runners then set off around 5 circuits of the school field, stopping at stations around the track where staff and governors scattered a rainbow of colours over the them.
Each pupil was pesented with a beautiful rainbow run medal, inscribed with the name of the School. The madals had been purchased pre the first school closure last year so they are dated 2020 as a memory of the things we all went through together as a school.
“We are overwhelmed by the support we have received to make this event possible, especially under the difficult circumsatnces we still find ourselve in as schools. From the generosity of the sponsors to the local companies for their support and even the powder supplier for their amazing help and advice. We never dreamed we would raise so much money and we are delighted to have surpassed our target. We are so grateful to the many sponsors that the children signed up and for their generosity. The aim of the run was to allow the children to have fun, be outdoors and create a lasting happy memory. The money we have raised will be so helpful as we further develop the learning experiences we can offer the children here at Stepaside CP School.” Said Mr Paul Harries, Headteacher
This year we invited families to raise money together and we were delighted to award prizes from our sponsors to the top fundraisers. Prizes went to children across all of the classes and represented our broad and diverse catchment area. Prizes were awarded to Charlie and Archie, the Scale, Sharp, Shields, Mansell, Probert and Blewitt families, Aimee, Phoenix, Madeleine, Maci, Lucy, Katie, Merryn and Summer. Their efforts along with those of every child in the school was rewarded with a fun inflatable acssault course at school the following day, in their class bubbles of course!
“It’s fantastic that the school have been able to safely organise and carry out this event. We as governors are grateful for their tireless efforts in ensuring that the pupils don’t miss out on such expereinces as well as ensuring that their learning is continuous and engaging. Events like this help to pull the community together and celebrate the fantastic efforts of all of our pupils. We would like to extend a huge thank you to staff, pupils and parents for their hard work during these most strange circumstances.” Claire Gottwaltz, Chair of Governors.
Spring Menu
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Full Return to School
Wednesday 10th March 2021
Dear Parents,
Please read carefully
We are delighted to confirm that all Key Stage 2 children (Mrs Blewitt’s class, Mrs Chandler-Hall’s class and Mr Adam’s class) will be returning to school full time on Monday 15th March. We are very much looking forward to seeing them all.
Just to confirm the dropping off and picking up arrangements
Dropping off
8:50a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Miss Tidd’s class, Mrs Owen’s class and older siblings in the car park.
9:00 a.m. – 9:10 a.m. Remainder of Mrs Blewitt’s class , Mrs Chandler Hall’s class and Mr Adam’s class at the turning circle.
Picking up
2:50p.m. – Miss Tidd’s class and Mrs Owen’s class (car park)
3:10p.m. – Mrs Blewitt’s class , Mrs Chandler Hall’s class and Mr Adam’s class
Please note that to give the older children extra time in classes, they will not be released with their younger siblings at the end of the day as previously. You are welcome to wait in the car park for them.
As before, children in Mrs Blewitt’s class, Mrs Chandler Hall’s class and Mr Adam’s class with no younger siblings will meet their parents/carers at the turning circle.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at school.
Yours Sincerely
Paul Harries
Headteacher
Lights, Camera, Action
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Lateral Flow Testing for Staff
Please see THIS LETTER about staff lateral flow testing which starts today, 4th March.
Pembrokeshire County Council Press Release February 11th 2021
Pembrokeshire County Council Press Release
PHASED REOPENING OF SCHOOLS FOR FOUNDATION PHASE LEARNERS
Schools are planning for the phased reopening of on-site provision for Foundation Phase learners in the week beginning 22nd February.
Schools are currently revising their risk assessments following the release of Welsh Government revised operational guidance.
The revised guidance to schools includes new detail on:
- wearing of face coverings by staff in all areas of the school or setting where social distancing cannot be maintained
- risk assessments – recognising the importance of reviewing risk assessments to suit the current circumstances and supporting checklist
- availability of twice weekly testing for staff in schools and
- workforce – including advice for those who are extremely clinically vulnerable
- free school meals – the continuation of £19.50 per learner.
On Monday 22nd February all schools will be undertaking a planning day for the return.
The provision for key worker and vulnerable children will continue that day.
From Tuesday 23rd February schools will begin a phased return for learners in the Foundation Phase.
This return is being locally determined by clusters of schools to enable them to ensure that the return to school is as safe as possible for learners.
Further detail for each school can be found by accessing school websites and social media platforms.
The return to schools will be phased so that each group of learners entering school settings is familiarised with the range of measures to keep them safe.
Therefore, in the first week of the return to school numbers on school sites will be lower.
Distance learning for Foundation Phase learners will cease in this week to enable school staff to spend quality face to face time returning to schools.
During the first week of the return schools will be monitoring and evaluating their procedures as learners return to school sites.
There will also be monitoring to see if there is any increased transmission of the virus resulting from the return to school sites.
School staff will be undertaking lateral flow device testing on a twice weekly basis.
This means that there may be instances where the return to full capacity may be halted or slowed to ensure that all mitigation measures are working.
Parents and carers will have a role to play in ensuring that the mitigating measures in the guidance are supported. They include:
- Maintaining social distancing on school sites wherever possible
- Wearing face coverings on all school sites
- Ensuring that learners are not mixing outside their designated school bubbles.
- Continuing to follow the Welsh Government Guidance at Alert level four which means staying at home unless it is essential to go out.
Learners who are extremely clinically vulnerable should remain at home in line with current guidance which remains in place until the 31st March 2021.
Schools are preparing for a full return of all Foundation Phase learners on 1st March.
For the latest advice and press releases relating to coronavirus, please view: www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/coronavirus
For press queries, please email: presspublicrelations@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
Letter about return to school Feb 2021
Please read the following letter about the return after February half term
11th February 2021
Dear Parent,
I am writing to you with the plans for the gradual return of children to the Foundation Phase classes (Dosbarth Pili Pala – Miss Tidd’s class and Dosbarth Cwningen – Mrs Owen’s class) after the half term holiday.
A number of meetings have been held and I can now confirm what the return to school will look like.
Monday 22nd is a designated planning day across all County Schools.
Date | Children returning to school |
Tuesday 23rd February | Year 2 children in Mrs Owen’s class for this day only |
Wednesday 24th February | Year 1 children in Mrs Owen’s class for this day only |
Thursday 25th February | Reception children in Miss Tidd’s class for this day only |
Friday 26th February | Nursery children in Miss Tidd’s class for this day only |
Monday 1st March onwards | All children to attend Miss Tidd’s class and Mrs Owen’s class |
Distance learning for the Foundation Phase classes will end this Friday.
If you have any questions relating to this return to school, please contact your child’s class teacher or contact myself at the school on 01834 812764. Please be aware that the school will be closed during the half term holiday.
As soon as I am made aware of the plans for Key Stage 2 children returning to school (Mrs Blewitt’s class, Mrs Chandler Hall’s class and Mr Adam’s class) I will inform you. These classes will continue to be provided with distance learning after the half term holiday.
The hub school will continue to run for the children of critical workers after the half term holiday from Monday 22nd February.
Can I thank you all for your continued support. I would also like to thank every member of staff who have been working extremely hard throughout this very challenging time. I would like to wish everyone a restful half term holiday. Please try to relax a little over the holiday and enjoy some quality time with your families.
Yours Sincerely
Mr Paul Harries
Headteacher
Message from the Education Minsiter
Please click here to see a message from Kirsty Williams, Education Minister for Wales
(Please be aware that this link takes you to you tube.)
Nationwide Survey for Children
The Children’s commissioner for Wales has asked that all children be given the opportunity to complete this survey
Survey link using pictures to help with reading
Picture activity for children aged 3-7 or those who may need an accessible option
The Director of Education has asked that you complete this survey as part of your home learning activites this week please. The deadline is this Friday 29th January
Many Thanks