Possible inclement weather

The weather forecast for the next week is unsettled and if any inclement weather forces the school to either close during the school day or disruption due to overnight snow or ice we will use of text messageing service to alert parents of the closure.
We will also inform the snow lines on Radio Wales and Real Radio that will be broadcasting during their Breakfast shows. We will also update the Friends Facebook page and this Blog. You can also check for update status for all schools in Rhondda Cynon Taff by clicking on http://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/EN/EducationLearning/SchoolsColleges/School-closures/SchoolClosures.aspx

As you are aware closing school on health and safety grounds is done as a last resort.in order to minimise disruption to pupils learning. Please ensure that we have your currant mobile phone number so that you can receive these messages.

WEATHER UPDATE AT 10 am JANUARY 13th 2010

It is still snowing in the village and my sources report that there is between 8 - 10 inches of snow on the ground.

RCT has advised staff to take extreme care and not to put themselves or others in danger by attempting to access areas affected by heavy snow. However, I plan to make a site visit later today to see if it will be practical for us to make the pathway from Ystrad Road safe enough to open the school tomorrow. The Chair of Governors and I will discuss a number of possibilities from closing the school to opening with reduced a timetable. I also need to contact staff members to assess their local circumstances and to see if we have an adequate complement off staff. I will make a decision later in the day and post an update on this site and our facebook page.

SCHOOL IS CLOSED WEDNESDAY 13th JANUARY 2010

The Chair of Governors and Relief Caretaker conducted a site visit at 8.30. p.m. and have reported that it will be impossible to guarentee that the conditions in and around the school will allow us to open the school tomorrow. We have decided to take this decision now in order to make sure that parents can inform each other and there be no confusion in the morning.
The snow is due to last throughout the night and into the early morning but conditions will improve by late morning. The relief caretaker and I are planning to meet mid morning and endeavour to clear the pathway as we did yesterday. I am sure that we will be able to make the school safe for the children to return to school on Thursday.
Updates will be posted on this sight when available and on the facebook page.
Thank you for your patience during these difficult times.

SEVERE WEATHER WARNING FROM RCT CBC MONDAY 11th JANUARY 2010

RCT issued the following weather warning at 3.30 p.m. this afternoon.

"This is a weather forecast, prepared by the Met Office specifically for Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC, which we have received within the last 30 minutes. You may, therefore, wish to make contingency plans for tomorrow, to send pupils home early if the forecast materialises, "

On Tuesday afternoon, a band of persistent sleet and snow will push in slowly from the south-west. This is expected to continue into Tuesday evening and right through until Wednesday morning. Some of the snow will be heavy, threatening widespread and very significant accumulations (especially, but not exclusively over the high roads) with greater than 15cm possible. RSTs below zero with widespread ice. Fog developing over the high routes too. On Wednesday daytime, outbreaks of sleet and snow will become lighter and more patchy, but may persist for much of the day, with further slight accumulations. Widespread ice. The rest of the week is expected to remain cold, although milder conditions will attempt to move in off the Atlantic. As a result, there is low confidence in forecast cloud amounts and RSTs through the week but they are likely to be below zero at times with ice. Snow is possible at times, but this threat will mainly become confined to the high roads where it will also be very foggy.

As a result of this advice schools in the area are closing at lunchtime tomorrow. Please will you organise that your child is picked up after they have had their lunch. Packed lunch children can be picked up at 12 noon.
Nursery and Reception children to be collected at 12 noon.
Year 1 and 2 children at 12.15 p.m.
Junior children will be picked up at 12.30 p.m.

PLEASE WILL ALL PARENTS KEEP THEIR MOBILE PHONES SWITCHED ON DURING THE MORNING IN CASE WE HAVE TO EVACUATE THE SCHOOL.

RHONDDA CYNON TAFF CBC INCLEMENT WEATHER UPDATE

I am monitoring the weather situation to see whether we can open the school tomorrow. This is the latest

advice from the authority. I plan to make a site visit this afternoon and issue an update on this site after consultation with colleagues and the Chair of Governors. A link will also be posted on the facebook page of the Friends of Gelli Primary School.

LATEST UPDATE ON SCHOOL OPENING FOR THURSDAY 7th JANUARY 2010

In view of the continuing inclement weather, and the poor forecast for tonight, it is unlikely that any of the schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf that closed today will be able to open in the morning. Details will be confirmed, and posted on this website tomorrow at 7 a.m., placed on the Friends of Gelli Primary School facebook page, the Rhondda Cynon Taff School Closure website and communicated to the media (Radio Wales, Real Radio and the Rhondda Leader.) The pavements around the school had several inches of snow on them today and it is very unlikely that conditions will improve sufficiently to allow us to open in the morning. Every effort will be made to open the school on Friday. Please keep referring to this site for updates.

Met Office Severe Weather Warning

The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for heavy overnight snow on Tuesday 6th and Wednesday 7th January 2010.
In the event that the weather forces the closure of the school due to health and safety reasons, we will issue a bulletin on this web page. In addition, there will be a message placed on the Friends of Gelli Primary School facebook page, a message sent to Real Radio and the BBC Radio Wales. The caretaker and I will make every effort to inform parents and staff in order to minimise the risk of any unnecessary journeys.