Headsprout is an online English language reading programme that provides engaging online episodes and eBooks designed to teach phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension skills.

It is comprised of three parts: 
1. Early Reading (80 episodes – around 15 minute per episodes) This teaches phonics, 
phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and beginning comprehension skills. 
2. Reading Comprehension (50 episodes - around 20 minutes per episode) This teaches 
comprehension skills including the 4 key question types: ‘find fact’, ‘clue words’, ‘mostly 
about’ and ‘vocabulary’. 
3. Advanced Reading Comprehension (50 episodes – around 20 minutes per episode) This 
teaches pupils to apply the key reading comprehension strategies across a variety of text 
types and includes key vocabulary.

​We have been offered a 90 day, free licence for the software.
Would you like your child to benefit? email pennaeth@santjoseph.conwy.sch.uk
Access will be on a first come, first served basis (we have 36 licences available initially)

Here is the first copy of our Newsletter, fiull of children’s work. Thank you Miss Copp for putting it together.

Following today's announcemnets from mark Drakeford and Kirsty Williams, there is an outline of where we are going next, but no detail on when and how. (Below are the RAG rating categories relating to school changes, the full 'roadmap for change' in Wales and a more specific document relating to how changes will be introduced in schools)

For now, this means nothing has changed, nothing is going to happen fast and there are no time frames yet for any future changes. It will all depend on the rate of transmission of the virus, NHS capacity and several other factors. 

However, plans and consultations are taking place across the region to determine which pupils should return first, when the conditions allow. Also, they are planning how we would ensure safety for all staff/ pupils and how daily routines would work. 

​Again, as soon as we know more, we will let you know.  

​Firstly, thank you to all parents who completed our survey. The summary can be found here. As you will see, the responses were very positive and staff greatly appreciate all the lovely things you had to say. Where recommendations/suggestions for improvemnet were made, we will be doing our best to address these as we move forward.

Secondly, a reminder that if you are eligible for Free School Meals, you must complete an application for Direct Payments (see letter sent to all eligible families). If you are in receipt of Direct Payments, and your child attends the Childcare Setting, they will still receive a meal.

Also, if you still do not have internet access, please get in touch with school. As far as we know all families are now equipped for online learning, except those younger children who require an iPad (ideally) to access SeeSaw. I believe iPads are being made available very soon.

Next, just to confirm, we have no new information on when schools will re-open  or which pupils will be invited back first. The UK government  has communicated a 'plan' for English schools but as yet there is no equivalent in Wales. As soon as we know, we will share any information with you. However, we are working closely as Eirias Cluster Heads to prepare for Year 6/7 transition. A letter will be going out on Monday to all Year 6 pupils, who will be moving to Eirias in September, to outline the approach being taken. I am sure there will be something similiar for other high schools, including Bryn Elian.

Finally, a reminder that if you need anything, please contact school via website, Twitter, facebook, email or phone. We have plenty of school resources we can print, share or loan, should you need them.

Stay safe everyone and let's hope that 'normal' isnt too far away.

Mr J Wilkinson

We hope you are all keeping well and somehow continuing to manage to juggle childcare/learning, work, support for elderly relatives etc. It has been a test for everyone but we know that the situation has been much harder for some families than others. Hopefully, there will soon be some light at the end of the tunnel!

Below are a few bullet points to update you on the current situation

• Since last week we have loaned over 30 Chromebooks to pupils in need of devices and provided internet access for a small number of families.
• There are still plenty of Chromebooks available and if you need help with internet connectivity, please get in touch
• We still await updates from Conwy CBC/Welsh Government on access to iPads/tablets for younger children
• We are working hard to ensure the consistency of Distance Learning across classes in Key Stage 2 and Foundation Phase
• We are using Microsoft Teams for video contact between staff and pupils.  
  • We believe this is important to maintain connections which will make returning to school easier for everyone.
  • This is not meant to be intrusive or an added pressure and is certainly not compulsory.
  • However we encourage your support with this and hope you understand the rationale for this provision.
• We will be conducting a Parent Survey on our Distance Learning Strategy early next week to help inform further development
• In a week where lockdown rules are being reviewed and there is a lot of media speculation about what will happen with schools, we assure you that as soon as we have confirmed facts and plans, we will let you know immediately. (As we learnt in the early stages of this crisis - speculation, rumour and hearsay are of little use to anyone!)

​If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact school via email, phone, school website, Facebook or Twitter.