22.03.2021 Thank you to Amelia Bailey for this wonderful photo of a robin. Dear Parents / Guardians of year 9 pupils, As per the Childhood Immunisation Schedule all year 9 pupils are routinely offered their vaccinations in school. In the upcoming weeks you will be receiving immunisation consent forms in the post from the School Nursing Immunisation Team. Should you wish for your child to receive their immunisations the team will be at Ysgol Rhiwabon immunising on the 15.04.21 . The consent forms will be sent to your home address that is recorded on your child’s school system. If you feel this may not be the most up to date address please contact the Immunisation Team before Wednesday 23.03.21. All information on what immunisations your child will be offered will be enclosed with the consent forms. Kind regards, Immunisation Team 03000 858 666 (option 2) [email protected] World Book Day Competition Winners Tuesday, 9th March 2021 Thank you to everyone who participated in our World Book Day ‘Decorate a Door’ competition. We are pleased to announce the winners: • 1st place is awarded to Ben Jones (Year 9). • 2nd place is awarded to Brody Burges (Year 7). • 3rd place is awarded to Chloe Ashton (Year 7). Other notable entries were from: Tayli Brooks, Ashton Jarvis, Sam Josephs, Sophie Williams and Taylor Greenshields. Congratulations to all our winners for their fantastic efforts. Ben Jones (Year 9) Brody Burges (Year 7) Chloe Ashton (Year 7) https://www.ysgolrhiwabon.co.uk/ Ruabon Medical Centre is receiving a high volume of calls from patients regarding the covid vaccination and this is preventing patients, who need to be seen with our clinical team, from getting through. This is also preventing our clinical staff from contacting patients for telephone triage appointments as the phone lines are constantly blocked with queries from patients over the vaccination. Please can we ask all patients to email in to the surgery any queries regarding their covid vaccine rather than telephoning. You can email on: [email protected] or you can pop a note in to our post box which is located near the brown wooden door on the front of the surgery building asking us to get in touch. Also, please can patients not telephone to confirm any appointments that have been booked for you with confirmation sent to your mobile by text message. If you do not receive a reply text facility within the text message, please just turn up for your appointment or email or pop a note in our post box if you do not wish to have the vaccine or if you have already had the vaccine please also list the date and where you had the vaccine. We are working through the tier groups in accordance with guidelines and are vaccinating as many patients as possible and in conjunction with our vaccine supply. Please do not contact us we will contact you. If you are concerned you may have been missed please then email or post a note to us. If you are an unpaid carer who wants the vaccine, please follow the link https://gov.wales/get-covid-19-vaccine- unpaid-carer where you will be guided to a page which gives you clear instructions on what to do. A screen shot of the page is below: Get a COVID-19 vaccine as an unpaid carer How to book a COVID-19 vaccine if you are an unpaid carer of a clinically vulnerable person. Part of: • Vaccine: coronavirus Last updated: 8 March 2021 Overview If you are the sole or primary carer (unpaid) for an elderly or disabled person who is clinically vulnerable, you are now eligible for a vaccine. Those clinically vulnerable to COVID-19 include: • children with severe neuro-disabilities • those who are designated Clinically Extremely vulnerable (CEV), adults who have underlying health conditions • those who need care because of advanced age How to book your vaccine If you are already registered as an unpaid carer with your GP you will be contacted by your practice automatically. You do not have to do anything. Otherwise you will need to complete an online booking form. Forms are available on the NHS health board web pages. You need to select your local health board (or the health board where your GP is based). Once you have completed the form you will be invited for your COVID-19 vaccine. Aneurin Bevan University Health Board Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board Hywel Dda University Health Board, Powys Teaching Health Board; Swansea Bay University Health Board First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced the creation of commemorative woodlands in memory of those who have died from coronavirus. Two new woodlands will be planted – one in North Wales and one in South Wales – as a symbol of Wales’ resilience during the pandemic and one of regeneration and renewal as the new woodlands grow. It is hoped they will be places of commemoration where families and friends can remember lost loved ones. The woodlands will also be locations where the public will be able to reflect on the pandemic and the huge impact it has had on all our lives. The woodlands will be planted with a range of tree species, making them resilient to a changing environment; a fitting symbol of the strength the people of Wales have shown over the past year. The First Minister said: “Today, we mark a deeply sad anniversary as we remember the first person in Wales to die from coronavirus. “Since that day too many people have been taken too soon. We remember them today and keep them in our hearts and our minds. “Today I am announcing the creation of two commemorative woodlands - one in north Wales and one in south Wales – as permanent living memorials to all those who have died. “These woodlands will grow into natural spaces of reflection, where families and others can come to remember all those we have lost. “The pandemic has cast a long shadow on all our lives over the last year, but we can also look to the future with hope.” The locations of the two sites will be announced shortly and Natural Resources Wales will engage with local communities to plan and design the woodlands. Clare Pillman, CEO Natural Resources Wales said: “Our woodlands play a vital role in our environment and communities and are powerful, poignant symbols of life and memory. “The new commemorative woodlands will provide a living, growing memorial that will honour the memory of all of those who have sadly lost their lives to coronavirus. “In addition to being a symbolic representation of Wales’ resilience during the pandemic, the woodlands will also provide a safe, quiet and accessible place where families can come to visit and remember their loved ones.” The First Minister also announced there will be a National Coronavirus Commemorative Event broadcast on BBC One Wales and S4C at 5pm on the 23rd of March. ********************** Legislation to manage Senedd election during covid pandemic - receives Royal Assent Legislation to ensure the next Senedd election can happen safely, despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, has been granted Royal Assent by Her Majesty the Queen. The Welsh Elections (Coronavirus) Act 2021 introduces a range of measures to make it easier for those affected by the pandemic to vote. It will also significantly address the risk of there being an extended period where the Senedd cannot meet that would arise if the Senedd dissolved as normal, on 7 April, and the election could not proceed on 6 May because of the pandemic. The Welsh Government is clear that the election should go ahead on 6th May 2021 as intended. Everybody should prepare on that basis. The Act makes it possible to delay polling day should the pandemic present such a serious threat to public health and the conduct of the election, that it is not safe to hold the election at that time. A Bill receives Royal Assent when Letters Patent under the Welsh Seal signed with Her Majesty’s own hand signifying Her Assent are notified to the Clerk of the Senedd. The First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, applied the Welsh Seal to the Letters Patent at a sealing ceremony earlier today. Minister for Housing and Local Government, Julie James said: “I’m pleased the Welsh Elections (Coronavirus) Act has now become law. “Given the unpredictable nature of the virus, there is significant uncertainty about what the public health situation will be like in May. That’s why we’ve acted now to respond to the potential risks to the election arising from the pandemic. “The Act will help ensure people can exercise their democratic right to vote in the election, but to do so in a safe and secure way.” Provisions in the Act include: • An ability for a voter to apply for an emergency proxy vote where, in the period ahead of the poll, a voter or their already nominated proxy becomes unable to participate in person on the day of the poll because of a reason relating to coronavirus, such as the need to self-isolate; • Allowing the Senedd to keep sitting for up to seven calendar days before the election (instead of it being dissolved 21 working days before the election as is usually the case). This will allow the Welsh Government and Members of the Senedd to continue to deal with legislation related to the covid pandemic and enable a postponement of the election should that prove necessary during the final month before the poll is held; • Allowing for the postponing of the Senedd election for up to 6 months, to a date no later than 5th November 2021, if this is needed due to public health reasons.