COVID-19 Headteacher’s Update 13th November 2020

Dear Parent/Carer

As you may be aware, GCSE examinations have been cancelled this year. There is now a great deal of work for us to do in order to ensure that all students have the best possible opportunities to succeed. This has been a challenging time for GCSE students but at least now we know the way forward. There will be more contact home to year 11 students and their families regarding the assessment process the school will need to follow to ensure that our GCSE students gain the outcomes they deserve.

In terms of uniform, we have tried to be as flexible as possible in terms of allowing all students to wear their sports/PE kit to school when they have PE lessons. However, please can we stress that this MUST be the school PE kit and not coloured leggings and coloured hoodies. At all other times pupils should wear the Pentrehafod uniform including a dark waterproof coat. Hoodies will not be accepted. The weather is becoming colder and we expect students to be wearing their jumpers and blazers. We thank you, as a community, for supporting us with this.

Please can you also aim to support your son or daughter with a reusable face covering and explain to them that they need to be worn in corridors where we can’t maintain social distancing. Please can you also continue to monitor your child’s health; do not send them to school if they have a new and persistent cough, a high temperature and a loss of taste/smell.

At this time every year, and as part of our drive on empathy, we encourage all students to think of others and then to take some action to improve their world. Pentrehafod as a well-established link with Matthew’s House (matthewshouse.org.uk). This is a local charity with the clear aim to provide a ‘home’ in the heart of Swansea for those who are most vulnerable. Last year we run a number of activities, including a generous donation of tinned and dry food and toiletries. If you can donate some produce then please can you ask your child to give it to their form teacher. Every tin matters and can help make a real difference.

As ever, I hope this finds your family safe and well.

Yours faithfully,

Jennifer Ford

(Headteacher)