Dear Parent/Carer,

You will undoubtedly be aware from the media of concerns around Strep A cases and we are mindful of the anxiety this can understandably cause. To advise and reassure you on this matter, please see the information from Aneurin Bevan Health Board below.

‘The Health Board is aware of increased public anxiety with regards to recent media reports on rare complications of Strep A in children.

We are asking parents and carers to view official advice from Public Health Wales, which can be found at www.phw.nhs.wales/news/igas-infection-remains-rare-say-public-health-experts/

Complications of Strep A are extremely rare and there are lots of viruses circulating at the moment, which may give children a sore throat. We are urging people not to worry unnecessarily – please read the Public Health advice or use the online 111 symptom checker before seeking medical attention. 

Consultant in Adult and Paediatric Emergency Medicine at The Grange University Hospital, Dr Rob Stafford, said: “We know there are a lot of parents and carers who are anxious about Strep A at the moment, but I would urge people to stay calm. 

“The complications of Strep A that have caused a small number of deaths across the UK are extremely rare and parents are advised to be vigilant and only seek healthcare if their child displays symptoms that might suggest a review by a health professional is needed. The symptoms to look out for are: a high temperature above 38°C, severe muscle aches, localised muscle tenderness, and redness at the site of a wound.

“There are many other illnesses circulating at the moment, many of which cause sore throats and cold symptoms in children. This should be managed at home with paracetamol and ibuprofen products.

“If your child does not have the symptoms that might suggest Strep A, listed above, then there is no need to seek a swab test or to see a medical professional.

“It is particularly important that parents avoid taking their children to the Emergency Department at The Grange University Hospital unless absolutely necessary to ensure those children who are seriously ill can be seen and treated quickly.”

Parents and carers are being advised to contact their GP or call 111 if they think their child has any of the signs and symptoms of Scarlett Fever or iGAS disease.’

From our perspective as a school, we would ask that you follow the normal procedure of not sending your child to school if they are unwell, including if they have a sore throat. Please do contact us to let us know if your child is going to be absent and to explain the reason why.

Best wishes,

N Davies

Headteacher
Lliswerry High School

Dear Parents and Carers,

Did you or someone you know attend Lliswerry High School? We would value your help to inspire current learners to become more confident, motivated, and inspired about their future careers. 

There is extensive research highlighting the benefits to learners of employer role model engagement in schools.  In their 2019 research, Insights, and Inspiration; Exploring the Impact of Guest Speakers in Schools, the charity Education and Employers reported: 

* 91% of learners surveyed reported increased levels of motivation, understanding of careers and self-belief after listening to employer guest speakers. 
* 88% of learners said they were helped to understand that everyone needs to overcome setbacks in pursuit of their career goals. 
* Learners who could not recall any encounters with employers were 5 times more likely to believe that their background held them back from achieving their ambitions.
* Free school meal (FSM) students typically benefitted more than non-FSM students 

Research also shows that engagement with employer role models who attended the same school, and experienced similar barriers to current learners, is even more valuable. 

By becoming part of the ‘alumni community’ at Lliswerry High School and depending on the amount of time you would like to commit, you can support the school and its learners in a range of ways:               

* Give a talk to a small group of learners about your career or your industry 
* Deliver a presentation to a large group of learners or at open days or special events 
* Host a visit for a group of learners to your workplace 
* Join a lesson in a specific subject to talk about how the subject is relevant to your work 
* Host a work experience placement for a learner at your workplace 
* Film a vlog about your experiences of school and your career to date 
* Attend mock interviews or support a Careers Fayre 

 Register your interest here – [EN] Community Alumni 

If you would like to find out more, please contact Heidi Purnell 07890 274901 – Heidi.Purnell@careerswales.gov.wales 

Best wishes,

Mrs L Evans
Senior Assistant Headteacher

The timetable of After school and Lunchtime clubs have gone live on Google Classrooms, along with a link to a Google Form for learners to sign up to the clubs they wish to attend.  The sports based clubs will continue as normal when we return to school on the 7^th November.  Our new clubs for the half-term will commence w/c 14^th November.  Learners will receive more information about the specific clubs on Friday 11^th November via their school email.

Dear Parents and Carers of Learners at Lliswerry High School

We want the best for all Newport children and young people and we would like to remind you of the importance of good attendance at school.

What is good attendance?

The recommendation from Welsh Government is that good attendance is at least 95% and we expect this of most children. Out of 365 days in a year, schools are open to pupils 190 days which allows 175 designated days for parents to take holidays, dental/medical appointments and other non-urgent appointments.

What are the advantages of good attendance?

Attending school has the benefit of:

* Keeping up with school work
* Ensuring that children meet their expected progress
* Meeting friends and learning and playing together
* Learning key skills needed for adult life such as regular attendance and arriving on time.

What are the consequences of poor attendance?

* Your child will fall behind in their learning and miss out on key concepts taught.
* Lack of social contact in school; difficulty in maintaining friendship groups.
* Low self-esteem and poor pupil well-being.
* Statistics show that poor attendance can be linked directly to low attainment in National tests.

Regular attendance is required by law. Following the pandemic, the Welsh Government has re-introduced the use of Fixed Penalty Notices for non-school attendance. Schools in Newport will resume their use of Fixed Penalty Notices to ensure children and young people are accessing their education. This can be issued for any absences not authorised by the school, including holidays. Newport City Council will issue these notices when concerns are raised by EWO, school or the police. The fine is £120 unless paid within 28 days when it is £60.

Contacts

If your child is absent for any reason, please contact the school to explain why.

If you need help and advice with any difficulties, contact the Education Welfare Service on 01633 210615 or email inclusionadmin.support@newport.gov.uk

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Dear Parent/Carer,

There have been no major changes to our school uniform policy, so please bear our uniform rules in mind when purchasing new uniform items over the summer. Trousers must not be skin tight or jean type and skirts should not be tight fitting and should be a maximum of 7cm above the knee. Currently the length of some girls’ skirts is not appropriate for school, however we have not asked parents/carers to purchase new skirts so close to the end of term. No leggings are to be worn. Please see the images below.

All learners must wear a Lliswerry High School blazer and should they be cold they can add a Lliswerry High School branded black jumper. This does not however replace the blazer. A school tie must also be worn at all times and footwear should be plain black.

The school PE kit remains the same and can be seen below.

Female – Compulsory –  Polo-shirt, either skort or shorts or leggings, and socks

Male – Compulsory –  T-shirt, shorts, and socks plus optional rugby jersey

All learners have the option of purchasing a hoodie as well as having their initials printed on their kit too (no names or nicknames). This would be at an additional change.

The only change in our uniform policy is around jewellery where, after listening to our learners, we now allow 1 small nose stud. Large hoop or dangling earrings, bars, nose rings or any other facial piercings are still not permitted.

The uniform policy is part of the school’s drive to raise standards and helps ensure that learners feel part of our school community and take pride in their appearance. Full details about the uniform  requirements can be found on the school website at https://lliswerryhigh.org/parents/uniform/.

From September, if a learner is not wearing correct and appropriate uniform, as per the school’s uniform policy, parents/carers will be expected to bring appropriate uniform items to school. If a learner persistently attends school in incorrect uniform, they may be placed in our Inclusion Room (IR). Obviously, we do not want either of these scenarios to happen, so we would ask that you work with us and support the school with this matter.

We appreciate that buying school uniform can be expensive. If the cost of school uniform is likely to be problematic for you, please do contact us on admin@lliswerryhigh.org or contact your child’s Head of Year so that we can assist you if possible. Many thanks for your support and understanding with this.

Yours sincerely

Mr D Jackson
Assistant Headteacher (Wellbeing, Inclusion and Equity)

Dear Parents and Carers,

New advice came into effect yesterday, 28^th March regarding self-isolation if a person tests positive for Covid-19.  However, the guidance for schools has not changed and it is a requirement for learners to self-isolate if they return a positive test.  Learners should self-isolate for a full 5 days from the onset of symptoms or a positive lateral flow if asymptomatic.  Then take a lateral flow on day 5 and 6 and if both are negative they can leave isolation.  This will be the situation until the 8^th April which is the end of term.  From the 8^th April, is it advised that anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 takes a lateral flow test and follows the self-isolation procedures.

The routine asymptomatic testing using lateral flows is also due to end on the 8^th April.  Therefore, when we return to school on the 25^th April we will no longer be issuing lateral flow testing kits.  For a period of time they will continue to be available from pharmacies and to order online at https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests

Best wishes,

Mrs L Evans
Senior Assistant Headteacher