Dear Parents and Carers,

Effectively we are reaching the end of our half-term and I would like to update you on different issues which impact on us all:

Firstly, my thanks on behalf of all staff for your continued support for everything we are trying to achieve. I trust you have found our weekly newsletters, assemblies and all of the advice and support for home learning informative. Hopefully, much of it has also been fun and enjoyable to complete. My thanks also to everyone for all the essential wellbeing and pastoral support that is being undertaken each day. I have received a great deal of positive feedback from parents and carers about this work which is very much appreciated.

Unfortunately there continue to be people in our school community who are experiencing illness and the loss of loved ones. I would like to take this opportunity to remember Mrs Cheryl Evans who passed away last week. Cheryl was a member of staff at Pontypridd High for a number of years. She was much liked by students and staff and amongst many other things, she did a great deal of work supporting children with their reading and writing in Years 7 and 8. Our thoughts are with her family at this difficult time.

Understandably there is a great deal of comment at the present time regarding children returning to school. I can assure you that all staff are eager for this to happen but we must only do that when it is safe to do so, respecting the advice to maintain the right level of social distancing. Please note that there is no official confirmation on when the re-opening of all schools in Wales will take place. We have however been provided with reassurance by the Minister of Education that a three week notice period will be given prior to any phased re-opening of schools. All national and local decisions will be informed by the current medical advice and guidance so that the health, safety and wellbeing of our children, school staff and communities is protected. 

With school closure continuing there remains demand for the emergency childcare provision currently being provided through school hubs. From Monday, June 1^st the number of Local Authority emergency childcare hubs will be increased in order to address the growth in demand across the County Borough. The centre ‘Hub’ for Pontypridd High children will be based at Trerobart Primary School. I understand the application process for your child to secure a place in this provision will be the same as it is at present.

Please be aware that because of the demand on staff time to work at the childcare hubs we will always review our commitment to home learning against the ‘Hub’ provision. Initially, I can confirm that there will be no extra work set, nor will staff expect work to be submitted during the half-term break next week for any PHS student. We will monitor this after half-term as numbers of students attending the ‘Hub’ and the demand for staff attendance become more clear.

As always I thank you for your understanding and ask that you contact staff should you require any advice, help or support. Collectively we are making every effort to do the very best for our children together.  

Take care and stay safe.

Huw Cripps

Headteacher