Parentmail 24.9.21

Dear Parents/Carers,

Staff News

We have had some exciting news this week – Congratulations to Holly Bird (Year 4 teacher) and her husband on the birth of their first baby boy. Both Mum and baby are doing well. I am sure you will all join us in wishing them a huge congratulations!

Warn and Inform Letters

A few year groups have received Covid ‘Warn and Inform’ letters this week. Just to clarify, the letters are written by Track and Trace and schools are asked to give them out to each year group when there is a case. This allows you all to be more vigilant when looking out for symptoms in your children. The letter also suggests you get a PCR test on day 2 and day 8 as a precaution. I thank you all for your continued support in keeping cases at Lakeside as low as possible.

Harvest

We have chosen next week (w/c 27^th September) to celebrate Harvest.  Pupils, families and staff are invited to donate to food banks and take photos of the things you are donating or of making the donation.  Food can be donated in larger supermarkets or at the Cardiff Food Bank Warehouse at Unit 5, Cardiff Bay Business Centre, Titan Road, Cardiff CF24 5EJ Mondays to Thursdays 9.30-1.30.  Cardiff Food Bank also accept online orders to the above address Mondays to Thursdays 9.30-1.30. 

Items needed:  UHT milk, Long life fruit juice, sponge puddings, jars of coffee, confectionery, savoury snacks, rice pudding, ketchup, shampoo, deodorant and toothpaste.  Please share any photos with me at MitchellR28@Hwbcymru.net  Thank you.

Appointments in school time

Please could parents/carers of Key Stage 2 pupils send a letter into school with your child if they have an appointment during the school day.  Teachers need to hear about appointments from the parents/carers and not the child.  Thank you.

Year 6 – Applications to High School

If your child is in Year 6, the application process for a High School place will open on Monday. Children will be bringing home leaflets today which explains the process to you.

Covid arrangements

We are continuing with our Covid measures, which include the routines of regularly washing and sanitising hands, using the one-way systems and staggered break and lunch-times.  Windows and doors are kept open to keep the classrooms and halls well ventilated.

Thank you to parents for wearing masks on the school gates and as you come on site to collect your children. We really appreciate everyone helping to keep us all safe.

A reminder of what the guidance now is: where a pupil displays one or more of the three main symptoms of Covid (a new continuous cough, high temperature, loss of smell or taste), they must isolate at home and arrange a PCR test as soon as possible.  Track and Trace have advised schools that where a pupil tests positive, the whole year group NO LONGER need to isolate.  TTP will advise close contacts and the school of any action they need to take.  

Nut Allergies

Allergies: please do not send your child(ren) into school with any food that contains nuts as we have a number of pupils and staff who have allergies.  These include muesli bars, some chocolate spreads (e.g. Nutella) and some cakes.  Please check the ingredients on food you are unsure about.  Unfortunately, if your child does bring food containing nuts into school we will not be able to let them eat it.  Thank you.

Upcoming Events

October

• Friday 8^th October: Wear Yellow for World Mental Health Day.  Pupils and staff are invited to wear as much yellow as possible to school on this day.  We will be collecting money to raise funds for Bronwen’s Wish, a cause very close to our hearts here in Lakeside.
• Tuesday 12th October - Flu Jabs (more details to follow)
• Friday 15^th October – Shwmae Day – wear red to school to celebrate the Welsh language
• Friday 22^nd October - Spooks & Sparkles Dress Up Day.  We know how much the children used to love to dress up for our Spooks & Sparkles Disco, so like last year, we are inviting pupils and staff to wear their best spooky or sparkly outfits on the last day of the Half Term. 
• Half Term – Monday 25^th – Friday 29^th October

November

• Monday 1^st November – INSET Day
• Around Thursday 4^th November – Hindu Festival of Diwali
• Wednesday 10th November - individual photo day
• w/c Monday 15^th – 19^th November – Anti-bullying Week
• Thursday 11^th November – Remembrance Day
• 29^th  Nov to 6^th Dec – Jewish Festival of Hanukah

December

• Friday 10^th December – Christmas Jumper Day

2022

• Cycling proficiency Year 5 – w/c 24 January 2022

Best wishes,

Rachel Mitchell