I do hope you and your wider families are managing to keep well….and keep going! January is now nearly over, and although February can be a tough month even in a standard year, we usually notice a significant change in March. I always feel it helps to have positive things to focus on and look forward to.

We are told that the Minister will make a further announcement today about the return to school for students in Wales. At the time of writing this has not yet happened, although we have heard of the plans Boris Johnson has outlined in England. As I mentioned last week, we also know that schools will be awarding Centre Determined Grades later this academic year to students due to complete examination courses.

We are all incredibly mindful of the impact that the current situation is having upon the mental health of many of our students. It is not an understatement to say how fantastically so very many of them have been coping with remote learning, and as staff we are genuinely appreciative of the toll this can take, especially over a prolonged period of time. As a direct result of your feedback during copious supportive and informative emails and conversations in recent weeks, and in light of the fact that next week marks Child Wellbeing Week, we are going to use the week beginning Monday 8th February as a Wellbeing week for our students.

In this week no new learning will take place, instead we will take the opportunity to give all students the chance to catch up and complete any work they may have which is outstanding, but also an opportunity to check in with their teachers to see how they are doing. All teachers will still be ‘in class’ online during their standard lessons, as determined by the timetable, and it is expected that students will still ‘attend’ their lessons, whether to ask for support, agree a way forward or receive help with questions relating to work already set.

Whilst no ‘new work’ will be set and therefore no ‘new knowledge’ imparted, there will be extension tasks and perhaps light-hearted activities for students to complete if they feel they are able to undertake extra challenge and if they are up to date with all of their work. We feel strongly, especially given the current circumstances, that the half term break should be exactly that, a break to allow students time away from the demands of remote learning and an opportunity to refresh, ready for the next half term. As we wait for further guidance from Welsh Government, the anticipation is that the current remote learning situation could continue for a short while yet and, as such, it is important that students are allowed to enjoy their half term and have a break so that they are replenished and able to pursue new knowledge gains in the coming weeks. Thank you for your support in looking after all students in this way.