Council strikes pupils’ festive lunch off menu due to staffing
A COUNCIL has cancelled school Christmas lunch in all its schools saying there aren’t enough staff to run the traditional festive end of term meal.
Bridgend council admitted it expected take up among pupils would be high for Christmas lunch but it can’t go ahead.
A spokesperson said: “Unfortunately, due to limited staffing available to the local authority to support the likely increased take-up of the offer of a Christmas lunch, there will be no dedicated Christmas lunches provided in schools. However, some food will have a ‘festive theme’.”
Meanwhile parents have been told they cannot go in to see Christmas performances and events for a second year, thanks to Covid.
The Welsh Government and local authorities have left it up to schools to decide based on local risk assessments, but have warned them to follow advice based on the local situation with the virus. Some are recommending Christmas concerts are held virtually.
Merthyr council has asked all its schools not to hold Christmas concerts that bring parents in.
Carmarthenshire council said it has “strongly discouraged” schools allowing parents on site for Christmas performances, including outdoor carol concerts.
Rhondda Cynon Taf council has “strongly recommended” that schools hold Christmas events virtually and Powys council said it has given the same advice.
One angry mother, whose children attend a primary in RCT, said she did not understand why people can go to the cinema, pubs and sporting events but not school concerts with safety measures in place.
Faye Mortlock, who has four children aged from six to 11 in years two, four and six, said her youngest daugh
ter is particularly upset that her parents can’t come to her school Christmas concert for a second year.
She did not want to name their primary but said parents have been asked to give permission for concerts to be filmed so that parents can watch them on screen.
“Our primary have decided that we can’t go and watch again this year.
“My daughter is heartbroken I can’t watch again, it’s her last infant concert.
“Another childhood rite of passage that she’s missed. I’m so sad though because our school was always so proactive and keen for the return to normal prior to the summer.”
What each council says about Christmas events in their schools:
Merthyr
The schools will be offering a Christmas lunch but the advice to all schools is not to hold Christmas concerts etc that bring parents into the school.
Carmarthenshire
“The final decision on whether and how schools hold Christmas activities is down to head teachers, and they will communicate plans to pupils, parents etc through their usual channels.
“In Carmarthenshire schools have been strongly discouraged from inviting parents on to school sites as most schools do not have sufficient space for social distancing.
“As they did last year, schools will still hold many of these events with their pupils but they will be either recorded, or parents invited to attend virtually.
“Schools can hold outdoor events such as carol services but it has been recommended that these are held without parents present.
“There are no restrictions on decorations and Christmas trees and both staff and pupils can exchange presents and cards, but they must wash their hands before and after exchanging.
“Schools can hold Christmas lunches but are encouraged to maintain the current contact group arrangements.”
Flintshire
Flintshire’s chief officer for education and youth, Claire Homard, said: “The decision about the range of school events and activities related to Christmas is a matter for headteachers and governing bodies.
“Flintshire County Council has recommended to headteachers that they consider whether it is appropriate to have large public gatherings at a time when Covid 19 is still prevalent in communities.
“Any activity in school is reviewed as part of the school’s own risk assessment processes, with Christmas events no exception.
“Flintshire schools will be participating in a special Christmas lunch but again, this will be delivered within the current Covid-secure arrangements for meal provision in partnership with our catering partner, Newydd Catering and Cleaning.”
Newport
“Last month, Gwent Infection Management Team took the decision to place all schools in the region in the very high risk category which supports the use of additional safety and preventative measures.
“All plans for Christmas celebrations in Newport schools are being made in line with this guidance and individual school risk assessments. Headteachers have the full support of the local authority to complete assessments and make such decisions.
“We are confident that schools will work hard to ensure that pupils will have an enjoyable experience in the run-up to Christmas.”
Ceredigion
“Any schools planning an event this term will need to ensure that a robust risk assessment is submitted to the local authority health and safety team. Christmas school lunch will take place.”
Rhondda Cynon Taf
“The local authority has strongly recommended that schools adopt a cautious approach and undertake these activities virtually.
“For schools that wish to consider holding concerts/fairs/events for parents/carers to attend in person, we have advised that such events should only be undertaken following a full risk assessment with consideration given to additional risks and control measures to be put in place.
“These events should only take place where there is a high degree of confidence that these can be held safely for the protection of all learners, staff and visitors. Risk assessment advice is regularly provided to schools.
“The exchanging of cards and presents will be a matter for individual schools to decide upon.
“School kitchens are fully open and there is provision of food to all pupils who want a school lunch, including Christmas lunch on designated days.”
Powys
“The advice we have given to schools in Powys is that Christmas performances/events should take place virtually/be recorded for distribution to parents, ie parents should not attend events in person in school.
“Gifts and cards can be exchanged, so long as social distancing – where relevant – is maintained.
“Christmas lunches at schools can still go ahead under current school dining room arrangements that are in place.”
Denbighshire
“Schools wishing to undertake events will be required to undertake risk assessments to ensure reasonable measures are taken to protect staff, learners and others from Covid-19 as per Welsh Government advice.”
Anglesey
“Schools are following Welsh Government guidance in relation to holding Christmas events such as concerts and fairs.
“They have also been advised by the local authority regarding risks and control measures. Bearing in mind the First Minister’s statement on 29.10.21 where strengthened measures at alert level 0 were introduced to reduce the incidence rate and keep everyone safe, schools on Anglesey have been asked to carefully consider the need to hold any public event at present.
“Schools will continue to take as many reasonable measures as possible to protect staff, learners and others from Covid-19 within their setting.”
Pembrokeshire
“Pembrokeshire County Council has discussed events over the Christmas period with schools on a number of occasions.
“Schools have worked together well, having discussions about what may be done at a local level.
“Schools can hold events and attend events as long as they have taken reasonable measures to protect their staff and learners.
“Any events that a school holds or attends should be risk assessed and they also need to consider all additional risk and control measures that need to be put in place.
“Information on the events should be communicated to those attending or taking part prior to the event.”
Updated advice on the Welsh Government’s school guidance says: “Local authorities, employers and schools must protect people from harm. This includes taking reasonable measures to protect staff, learners and others from Covid-19 within the setting.
“Any events – such as concerts, fairs and visits – should be risk assessed, with consideration given to additional risks and control measures to be put in place.
“Where appropriate, information on the relevant arrangements should be communicated to those attending or taking part in these events in advance.”