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ST. JOSEPH’S R.C. PRIMARY SCHOOL
Loving God through our love of learning and our love for one another.
Caru Duw, drwy ein cariad at ddysg a’n cariad at ein gilydd.
www.stjosephsprimarynewport.co.uk
Headteacher: Mrs Jane Beckett, BA Hons, PGCE, NPQH
Monday 4th September 2021
Dear families,
Changes to contact tracing and self-isolation from this September
As we return to school, there are some new arrangements in place when someone tests positive for COVID-19. These changes have been made possible by the vaccination programme and the significant reduction in numbers being hospitalised and suffering severe illness due to COVID-19 over recent months.
If your child tests positive for COVID-19 using a PCR test, NHS Test, Trace, Protect (TTP) will contact you, using the details provided when the PCR test was ordered. They will ask questions designed to identify recent close contacts of your child, and for contact details - if you know them - of the individual or their parent/guardian. TTP will then get in touch with these close contacts to provide instructions or advice.
Those who are under 18 or fully vaccinated are no longer required to self-isolate if they are identified as close contacts. But they will be contacted to let them know that they’ve been in close contact with someone who has tested positive. They will also be offered two PCR tests and provided with information and advice on how to minimise the risks of onward spread. If your child is identified as a close contact, they can still attend school unless they develop symptoms or are advised otherwise by TTP. Please continue to let us know if your child tests positive.
If a child tests positive, only a minority of their classmates will be identified as close contacts. But if there is a pattern of cases TTP may ask us to update you on the situation and remind you of key steps, including advising you to keep an eye out for new symptoms your child may develop, and to stay away from vulnerable family and friends in the short-term.
We do expect that there will be cases of COVID-19 across our community over the coming weeks, but this does not mean that COVID-19 is spreading within the school. Please continue to be vigilant for symptoms. If you are in any doubt, order a PCR test for your child at www.gov.uk/get‑coronavirus‑test or by calling 119.
Anyone with symptoms - a new continuous cough, fever or high temperature or loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste - should remain in self-isolation until the test result is known. You can find the latest information on self-isolation arrangements at www.gov.wales/self‑isolation.
We recognise how difficult the past 18 months have been and the sacrifices that all families have had to make. Thank you for everything you have done to support your child and our school.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs J. Beckett
Head Teacher
https://www.newport.gov.uk/en/Council-Democracy/News/articles/2020/December-2020/Blended-learning-for-primary-pupils-at-end-of-term.aspx
St. Joseph’s RC Primary School
Covid-19 Related Pupil Absence - A Quick Reference Guide
What do I do if… |
Action needed |
Return to school when… |
My child has Covid-19 symptoms:
This means they feel hot to touch on your chest or your back.
This means coughing a lot for more than an hour or 3 continuous coughing episodes in 24 hours.
This means they have noticed they cannot smell or taste anything. |
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My child has been sent home from school with Covid-19 symptoms. |
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My child tests positive for Covid-19. |
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My child tests negative for Covid-19. |
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My child is ill with symptoms not linked to Covid-19. |
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Someone in my child’s household has Covid-19 symptoms. |
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Someone in my household tests positive for Covid-19. |
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(A negative test for the child within the 14 days does not mean they can return to school) |
NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect Service has identified that my child has been in close contact with someone with confirmed symptoms of Covid-19. |
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Family/my child has travelled and has to self-isolate as a period of quarantine. |
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My child’s contact group has been sent home/told to isolate due to a Covid-19 outbreak in school. |
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Household - A group of adults and children living in the same property.
Extended Household - Up to four households who meet, act, and are treated as though they are one household (e.g. do not maintain social distancing and all have to self-isolate if one person becomes symptomatic).
Self-Isolation/Isolation - Stay at home and do not leave the house for 14 days. Do not visit GP, pharmacy or hospital. You must not go out to buy food or other essentials. Do not go to work, school or public areas. Do not use public transport or taxis.
14 day period - This starts from when the first person in the household or contact group becomes ill.
10 day period - This starts from the day symptoms begin.
Contact Group - School class/year group ‘bubble’.
NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect - This covers Wales’ approach to testing in the community and tracks people that you have been in contact with in order to protect family, friends and the community. They may trace you if you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive.
Further information can be found at: https://gov.wales/coronavirus
https://gov.wales/how-schools-will-work-during-coronavirus-pandemic
Follow this link for an up to date publication from Welsh Government:
\https://gov.wales/coronavirus-covid-19-educational-settings-guidance