Dear all parents and carers

Download the letter - School Year Arrangements next year

Add the calendar to your device - calendar (7)

School term dates 2021/2022

I do hope this letter finds you well. We are currently planning for next year and we as a community have considerable hope that the disruption that we have seen over the past 18 months is now a thing of the past.

Please find on the back of this letter the calendar of term dates and INSET days for the next academic year for the Prestatyn cluster. Term dates are fixed by Denbighshire CC and the INSET days have been agreed by the six cluster schools.

Autumn term 1

INSET days (1&2) - Wednesday 1st and Thursday 2nd September 2021

Pupils return to school - Friday 3rd September 2021 to 22 October 2021

Half term – 25th October to 29th October 2021

Autumn term 2

Monday 1st November to Wednesday 22nd December 2021

Christmas Holiday – 23rd December to 5th January 2022

Spring term 1

INSET days (3&4) - Thursday 6th January and Friday 7th January 2022

Pupils return to school - Monday 10th January 2022 to 18th February 2022

Half term – 21st February to 25th February 2022

Spring Term 2

INSET day (5) – Monday 28th February 2022

Pupils return to school – Tuesday 1st March 2022 to 8th April 2022

Easter Holiday – 11th April to 22nd April 2022

Summer term 1

INSET day (6) – Monday 25th April 2022

Pupils return to school – Tuesday 26th April to 27th May 2022

Half term – 30th May to 3rd June 2022

Summer term 2

Monday 6th June to Wednesday 20th July 2022

End of the academic year. Please note that the calendar of events for the year will be published in September 2021. Please contact the school if you have any questions about the dates provided.

Yours faithfully

Neil Foley - B.Sc. MA.

Pennaeth Headteacher

Dear Parent/ Carer,

Please find attached information that has been published by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board on wider symptom testing for COVID 19.

Free COVID-19 test if you have a wider range of symptoms

You can now go for a free COVID-19 test if you have a wider range of symptoms.  As well as the three cardinal signs: fever, a new continuous cough or a loss/change of taste and smell; people are now able to get a test if they have other symptoms too.

These wider symptoms are:

• Flu-like symptoms, which are not caused by a known condition such as hay fever, including: myalgia (muscle ache or pain); excessive tiredness; persistent headache; runny nose or blocked nose; persistent sneezing; sore throat and/or hoarseness, shortness of breath or wheezing
• Generally feeling unwell and a history of being in contact with a known COVID-19 case
• Any new or change in symptoms following a previous negative test

The change is happening to help find hidden COVID-19 cases in our communities, and drive down the numbers of onward transmissions. The more tests carried out, the easier it will be to spot early clusters of cases and possible virus mutations. This will help with easing restrictions in the future.

Residents are asked to consider taking a test if they are experiencing any of these wider symptoms and they are new, persistent and/or unusual symptoms for them.

Individuals who take a test because of these other wider symptoms are not required to isolate while they await their test result.  This includes children and school pupils who can continue to attend schools and childcare settings while they await a test result. However, children and adults with diarrhoea and or vomiting should remain off work or school and not attend childcare settings until they are symptom free for 48 hours even if their Covid-19 test is negative.

If individuals then receive a positive Covid-19 result, they and their household must then isolate. Households must also isolate if anyone develops any of the 3 cardinal Covid-19 symptoms while waiting for a test result taken on wider symptoms to come back.

But if you are experiencing one or more of the three most common COVID-19 symptoms (new persistent cough, fever and/or loss of taste or smell) you must continue to follow the NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect guidance on testing and isolation and self-isolate with your household whilst you await a test result. 

Frequently asked questions can be found at:

https://bcuhb.nhs.wales/covid-19/testing-broader-covid-19-symptoms/wider-symptom-testing-faq/

Yours sincerely

Mrs Claire Turner

Deputy Headteacher

Dear Parents and guardians,

After what has been one of the most challenging years in education it has been great to welcome all pupils back into face to face lessons since the Easter break. We are proud to have done everything within our power to keep pupils safe, and it is thanks to the hard work of our staff, you the parents and our pupils that we have been able to do so.

In all our decisions on how we operate as a school we have tried to balance the priorities of keeping everyone safe, whilst ensuring the best quality education for all our pupils and students. We have monitored the situation both locally and nationally very carefully, to see where we can make changes which meet both of these priorities. We have amended our risk assessment when needed to react to the changing guidance and safety concerns during the pandemic.

We are very proud of the fact that we are one of only a few schools that have not been instructed by TTP to send any year groups home due to an outbreak of infection. We are only in this position due to the hard work and resilience of all staff and pupils at PHS and the conscientious way our community has operated during these difficult times. I am delighted that we are now in a position, due to a variety of factors to make some significant amendments to our operational procedures here at Prestatyn High School.

These changes are possible because:

- The plans and risk assessment we have in place have been robust to keep people safe.

- There are low virus rates in the community.

- All staff and many pupils are testing twice weekly.

- Y11 and 13 leave on 28th May meaning we have 400 less students on site.

- Due to ongoing refurbishment work, the narrow Science corridor is blocked off allowing a safer flow of traffic with more travelling outside.

Therefore, on our return after the half term break on the 7th June pupils will return to moving between classrooms for their lessons. This means that lessons can take place in specialist classrooms which will be better for all pupils. For Year 7 pupils there will be the chance to get used to how secondary school works before we hopefully return to full normal operations in September.

We will make sure all Year 7 pupils are guided to any rooms that they have not yet visited. Pupils will receive new timetables with their rooms on during the first day back. We will continue to ensure that all desks and chairs are wiped down thoroughly between lessons, that there is good ventilation in all rooms and that sanitiser is available and used regularly by pupils and staff.

We will continue to separate pupils into their year groups where possible, including at lunchtime. However, we are able to make some alterations to lunchtime procedures. From 7th June Year 7s will go for lunch at the standard time of 12.20, which will allow them access to a full lesson 3. In preparation for next year Year 9 will move to the KS4 lunch time of 1.20-2.00pm. Pupils will be reminded of their year group’s location on their return.

Other measures such as separate entrances for different year groups, separate toilet facilities and separate diner times will remain. Face masks will remain mandatory in all areas of the school until the Welsh Government relax this measure.

Reminder: All pupils and students in Years 7 to 10 and Year 12 are to continue to test using the Lateral Flow kits over the half term.

I wish you and your families a restful half term break.

Neil Foley - B.Sc. MA.

Pennaeth Headteacher

This is a learner resource that provides information on assessment arrangements in summer 2021 - 19-05-21-summer-2021-results_eng_new

Your school or college (what we refer to as your ‘centre’) will award your GCSE, AS and A level grades based on their judgement of your attainment in a subject. These are called Centre Determined Grades.

This means you should be able to move on to your next stage of learning or employment. Our guidance for centres, alongside detailed guidance from WJEC, has all the information schools and colleges need. It confirms which decisions teachers need to make, how they should make those decisions and what types of evidence they can use when they award grades for each qualification.

Centre determined grades are for Wales only approved qualifications, there are different arrangements for GCSE and A levels offered in England that are also taken by some learners in Wales. You can find out more about these on Ofqual’s website.

Dear Parent

Update regarding the positive LFT return in Prestatyn High School

NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect has informed Prestatyn High School that the student we wrote to you about yesterday has returned a negative PCR test meaning they do not have COVID-19 and therefore do not need to isolate.

We have told the 5 students (who were asked to temporarily stay away from school and isolate) that they can return to school.

PHS has followed all of the guidance and procedures from Public Health Wales to ensure all members of our community are safe. We are delighted with the outcome and that all of our students can return to school at such an important time.

Although this is a second false positive a student has registered over the past few months, the regular testing of learners and staff is an essential tool to tackle any outbreak of the virus. We as a school community have conducted nearly 10,000 tests and very few return a false result.

Please follow the latest guidance from Welsh Government and contact the school with any issues or concerns.

Remember, do not send your child to school if they have any of the following symptoms:

• • A new or continuous cough
• • A high temperature of > 37.8oC
• • A loss of, or a change to sense of smell or taste

Warm regards

Neil Foley - B.Sc. MA.

Pennaeth Headteacher

Did you know that just one blood donation can save 3 lives?!

Start your lifesaving journey in Prestatyn this May

https://wbs.wales/PrestatynHighSchool

Oeddech chi'n gwybod mai dim ond un rhodd gwaed yn gallu achub 3 bywyd?!

Dechreuwch eich siwrne achub bywyd ym Mhrestatyn Mis Mai yma

https://wbs.wales/PrestatynHighSchool

Dear all parents, carers and Year 13 students
Download the letter - Y13 Leavers ltr

Earlier this week the Welsh Government announced that Year 13s may leave on the 28th May 2021, if the school is satisfied that all evidence for their CDGs has been generated. Following this announcement Prestatyn High would like to confirm that Year 13s can leave on the 28th May which is the last day before Whit half term begins.

In order for Year 13s to formally leave on this date students must:

• Produce enough assessment evidence for each of their A levels so a true, fair and accurate CDG can be awarded.

• Complete all BTEC, Welsh Bacc or similar vocational units fully so a true, fair and accurate CDG can be awarded.

• Complete any other work fully as directed by their teachers so that all qualifications are completed to as high a standard as possible.

• Attend any additional catch up sessions if directed by your subject teacher in order to complete a qualification.

Year 13s must also attend the Provisional CDG sharing meeting in early June (date to follow).

During the last week of term, the year 13 students will have the opportunity to say goodbye to their teachers, friends and the rest of Year 13. Refreshments and farewell activities will also be available during this time (details and date to follow).

Regards

Neil Foley - B.Sc. MA.
Pennaeth Headteacher

Sian Reed
Head of Sixth Form

Dear all parents, carers and Year 11 pupils
Download the letter - Y11 Leavers ltr

Earlier this week the Welsh Government announced that Year 11s may leave on the 28th May 2021, if the school is satisfied that all evidence for their CDGs has been generated. Following this announcement Prestatyn High would like to confirm that Year 11s can leave on the 28th May which is the last day before Whit half term begins.

In order for Year 11s to formally leave on this date pupils must:

• Produce enough assessment evidence for each of their GCSEs so a true, fair and accurate CDG can be awarded

• Complete all BTEC, Welsh Bacc or similar vocational units fully so a true, fair and accurate CDG can be awarded

• Complete any other work fully as directed by their teachers so that all qualifications are completed to as high a standard as possible

• Attend any additional catch up sessions if directed by your subject teacher in order to complete a qualification

• Continue to attend their college courses until directed by their tutors

Year 11s must also attend the Provisional CDG sharing meeting in early June (date to follow).

All Year 11s who have signed up to join Prestatyn 6th Form must attend A-level preparation lessons in the subjects they have chosen to study. These sessions will be vital for their success when they begin their L3 courses and help bridge any gaps in knowledge due to the pandemic. They will take place during the final half term and pupils will be expected to attend on a part time basis throughout this time. A timetable of these preparation lessons will be given out before Year 11s leave on the last Friday. Pupils attending do not have to wear school uniform.

Please contact Mrs. Williams if any pupils wish to donate items of uniform, this will greatly support our community during this very challenging time. All donated items will be laundered and pressed ready for sharing with families.

On the 28th May, all Year 11s will have the opportunity to say goodbye to their teachers, friends and the rest of Year 11. Refreshments and farewell activities will also be available during this time.

At this moment there are no plans to have a formal ROA due to COVID-19 restrictions. As soon as this guidance changes we will be in touch.

Regards

Neil Foley - B.Sc. MA.

Pennaeth Headteacher

Dear colleague

2021 appeals process - Download the letter 280421stakeholderletter_appeals

I want to provide an update on the publication of information on the appeals process for summer 2021 qualifications.

We’ve been working with WJEC and the Design and Delivery Advisory Group on the appeals process for Summer 2021. Having spoken to headteachers, college leaders and other stakeholders this week, we’ve made the decision to pause the publication of our information on the appeals process, while we consider their feedback. The WJEC guidance for appeals that was scheduled for publication this week will therefore be delayed.

Following further consideration and discussion with headteachers, college leaders and other stakeholders, we intend to publish our information on the appeals process by mid-May.

We understand that schools and colleges want clarity, but we think it is important to take time to reflect on the feedback we’ve received. Everyone in the education community wants an effective appeals process for learners, so it’s important we give it time.

We will continue to keep you updated on any progress. If you have any questions or queries, please contact us via communications@qualificationswales.org.

Yours faithfully

Philip Blaker

Chief Executive, Qualifications Wales