Wales 5

[DdraigGoch]

The old one filled up before we could link a new one but here we are.

It does sound like he should have been done sooner - good luck

I'm in Pembs too, 80+ were done a while back in our surgery, 75-79 in the mass vaccination centre, now they're on to 70-74 back in the surgery.

You could try calling the Community Connector covering Neyland (Fern Jones) Here's their page they're mostly about support but she might very well be able to help figure out what's happening, they have good connections with the surgeries

[email protected]
07595 192935 Connector for West Pembrokeshire

I've been doing the maths re reopening schools, going off what they've been saying re the reopening of foundation phase and onwards.

The next lockdown review date is the 19th Feb and foundation won't have gone back yet, so there will be no change on the school position then, not if they stick to what they have said in some of the announcements, re: wanting to be cautious and see what difference opening the schools for the youngest makes to transmission rates etc before making any more decisions.

The next review after that is mid-March and they've promised 2 weeks notice for changes in opening schools. 2 weeks after the March review date is the start of the Easter holidays, so it really does look like juniors and older are out until after then.

Of course, they could always go back on their word, if cases drop sharply and justify it that way.

I'd like my class back. Distance learning is boring, isolating and not effective - for them or for me!

@DrMadelineMaxwell

I've been doing the maths re reopening schools, going off what they've been saying re the reopening of foundation phase and onwards.

The next lockdown review date is the 19th Feb and foundation won't have gone back yet, so there will be no change on the school position then, not if they stick to what they have said in some of the announcements, re: wanting to be cautious and see what difference opening the schools for the youngest makes to transmission rates etc before making any more decisions.

The next review after that is mid-March and they've promised 2 weeks notice for changes in opening schools. 2 weeks after the March review date is the start of the Easter holidays, so it really does look like juniors and older are out until after then.

Of course, they could always go back on their word, if cases drop sharply and justify it that way.

I'd like my class back. Distance learning is boring, isolating and not effective - for them or for me!

I feel the same. I teach in a secondary school and I am finding it soul destroying some days. I talk to myself and if I am lucky someone may write something in the chat. One of my classes can be relied on to 'chat' on the chat but I really miss the interaction, the conversations and just seeing their faces.

Does anyone know if you can contact Aneurin Bevan to get vaccinated if you are in group 2. I'm supposed to be vaccinated as I'm a front line health and social care worker but my Manager has heard absolutely nothing and my team are getting demoralised. The vaccine helpline has nothing for us but the other health boards seem to be actively encouraging people to apply. Any ideas?

The local gp are now advertising for people who are 68 (random) or older as well as people who have shielding letters can book their jabs.

I'm nowhere near that high in the list, but it is encouraging that they are moving.

This just came up on my FB feed @ikeairgin - link here

If you are in Priority groups 1 2 or 3, and haven't been contacted for vaccination yet, Hywel Dda HB advise as follows
Who to contact:
Priority group 2 – people aged 80 and over – please contact your GP practice directly.
Priority group 3 – people aged 75 to 79 – please phone 0300 303 8322* or email [email protected]
hduhb.nhs.wales/.../people-in-vaccine-priority.../

Sorry, the clicky link is at the top, accidentally copied half of it in at the bottom. If the practice is being unhelpful, perhaps he could try the 0300 phone no.

Wales online (I know!) have a piece today about some council leaders saying they are not sure if they will open up to Foundation phase pupils on 22nd February. They are still not happy with the reassurances and are anxious about the reopening.

They are def opening here, the school put up a letter yesterday from the council, but no information about how it's going to work. Just they'll stagger the starts from 22nd. My DD is year 2, so maybe it'll be the end of the week before she starts?

The Welsh government still haven't communicated any guidance on risk assessments or policies to teachers and now have less than three days until half term to sort it. It would be very surprising if any schools were ready to open on the 22nd. Ours has currently said Thursday 25th at the earliest.

Merthyr are resuming from the 23rd with my school resuming the same procedure as September.

There is operational guidance on Welsh gov website so I'm not sure what other areas are waiting for.

Just repeating what the article said without quoting verbatim There was a meeting with heads on Monday and one of the council leaders said they were still anxious.
I wish I knew where I was in terms of return with regards to my secondary school. Just knowing a date would help. News is bleak with no end in sight. Would like a little hope.
Once Foundation go back perhaps it will open the door for other year groups. 🤞

It should open the door if it doesn't cause cases to rise, but it still won't be before Easter.

@DrMadelineMaxwell

It should open the door if it doesn't cause cases to rise, but it still won't be before Easter.

The thought of teaching online until Ester makes me want to cry. I will do it as I can`t do anything about it but I am dreading it especially trying to motivate pupils who won't get out of bed. Thankfully it is a short term. Sorry for the moaning. People have had this far worse than I have. I am lucky that I don`t have school aged children and have to work from home on top. Plus I am employed and so is my husband.

Easter!

If you scroll down this article, it seems to tell you what you need to do in each health board if you've not been vaccinated (but should have been).
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-56004238

@tinytemper66 I'm with you at the thought of it making me cry. If not just for me, for my y11 dd who is finding it very difficult to stay motivated and keen to do all the work, but panics at the thought of being behind and not keeping up with it all.

It's a mess.

My colleage who lives over the border is getting her jab on the weekend. She's asthmatic, like me, so group 6 (has had it confirmed) and is getting the jab. The difference in their priority groups means they are way ahead of working their way down to the clinically vulnerable than we are.

I'm well jealous!

I am in Group 9 but if they take longer than August I will be 55 and move up a group!
I am going to school after half term to work there a couple of days a week to see if that makes me feel better. My head suggested it after she asked how I was and I just told her! I live nearly an hour from the school so have only been in twice as thought it best I stay home.
I how your yr 11 daughter feels ok soon. We are trying to keep their spirits up but it is very hard. 😊

My DS’ school in Gwynedd are doing a quick stagger of the 3-7s so meithrin/derbyn back in on Wednesday 24th, Bl1 as well on Thursday and then all 4 year groups back on Friday, then full time after that.

Tbh I still haven’t told DS he’s going back because I don’t believe the WG won’t put a stop to it if they think the SA variant is getting hold. I would rather another half term of home schooling 4 yo DS and send them back then and never have another school lockdown, than have him back for a half term and have to do this all over again.

My partner teacher in my yeargroup is shielding, so doing all the online work for their class, but can't go into school in person. So I'm doing all the online work for my class and being in person nearly every day, apart from when an HLTA can take the group of KW kids occasionally.

It's a lot.

My child's school in Powys is sending year R,1 and 2 back on Tuesday 24th , staggered start times like last term.

Does anyone know what different schools are doing with regards to nursery children? The current plan with mine is to do two 9-3 days instead of 5 AM/PM sessions for easier cleaning and "bubble" maintenance. Bit of a pain for me really as will have to change wraparound plans.

So jealous of those with children I the infants my children are yr3 and yr 8 so not much hope of them returning before Easter that I can see. They are so desperate to be back with their friends.Trying to cancel already once re-arranged Scottish Easter holiday today, depressing never imagined last Easter we wouldn't be able to travel this Easter. Feels all a bit endless today m, even though the vaccine roll out is really heartening especially here in Powys where they are doing an amazing job.

@Haywire

So jealous of those with children I the infants my children are yr3 and yr 8 so not much hope of them returning before Easter that I can see. They are so desperate to be back with their friends.Trying to cancel already once re-arranged Scottish Easter holiday today, depressing never imagined last Easter we wouldn't be able to travel this Easter. Feels all a bit endless today m, even though the vaccine roll out is really heartening especially here in Powys where they are doing an amazing job.

I've got older ones and one infant - I think the juniors will be back a few weeks after - I'd be very surprised if it was Easter

Fingers crossed. It's going to feel strange to have one going back and the others at home.

For the previous poster our nursery is going back am/pm and full time from Monday 22Nd