SNOW EXCUSE NOT TO GO TO SCHOOL

Over the past week or so Newport's schools have been forced to close thanks to some of the most severe snow for decades. 


One Newport headteacher says he'll be glad to get back to normal but has also pointed out that despite his school reopening, up to one in two parents have not sent their pupils back to school.


With the weather came frustration from some parents about the length of time the schools shut for, and for the criteria used to call lessons off for the day. Some parents faced taking annual leave or even loosing wages for taking days off due to lack of childcare.


Jon Wilson, Head of Duffryn High school, says the decision to close a school because of snow or ice is never made lightly, and pointed out it took a massive effort to open his school doors again on Wednesday.

"I'll be very glad to get back to normal because this week has been far more testing than a normal working day. Opening the school is always our aim, but only when it's safe to do so."

Some parents have voiced concerns regarding the decisions taken by headteachers to close schools, especially when other services nearby seemed to be open during the bad weather.


Despite doing everything possible to open Mr Wilson says that a school is not the same as an office, with hundreds of pupils having to move around the site on the hour, every hour. He added that despite the school's efforts to re-open as soon as possible, with the help of council workers to clear the area, attendance levels yesterday were just above 50%. That's despite the school texting all parents to advise them that the school was open.

"It's very interesting when you look at the media - we opened for all pupils on Tuesday and the attendance was only 75%, again yesterday despite texting all parents to advise them that the school was open, attendance was only 50%" said the headteacher.

Mr Wilson says whilst he understands the frustrations of parents, he's confident that everything has been done to keep closures to a minimum.


For the full interview with Mr Wilson click here

ADVERSE WEATHER UPDATE

The most up to date weather forecasts indicate that the weather conditions for tomorrow are likely to remain poor with severe ice predicted across Newport.
The following council services are anticipated to be operating on Thursday January 7th.

Finance

Service cover is anticipated for all Services within Finance including front of office Housing Benefit and Council Tax provision. The 50 High Street Cash Office was closed at lunchtime yesterday (6th January) and this cannot be ruled out for today at this stage.

Children’s Social Services

Service Continuity in place for Duty and Assessment Services to children at risk and in care.
Support for Foster Carers is in place.
Residential Homes provision will continue.
Overall service restricted (i.e. not normal service) but all emergency and urgent situations covered.

Public Protection & Environmental Services

Cemeteries are open and ongoing provision is anticipated.
Refuse continued is operational and there could be collections on Saturday.

Cleansing worked and will continue to do so although with disruption. Grounds staff have been redeployed to aid snow clearance at key locations e.g. residential home and footpaths.


Civic Amenity site has been closed for public access today but this will be reviewed on a daily basis to ensure the health and safety of visitors and staff.
Trading standards and environmental health services operating.



Engineering & Construction


Front line services e.g. gritting and snow clearance have and will continue to operate at 100 per cent.
Road Salting - main roads are cleared and workers are trying to get into side roads using shoverls where necessary. Footpaths are also being worked on where possible. Two lorry loads of salt were delivered overnight and we currently have sufficient supplies to last through the weekend



Education

To assist parents and pupils, all head teachers have been asked to make early decisions. The only schools open as of 9.00am are:

Caerleon Lodge Hill Infants

Fairoak Nursery



IS&C
Emergency calls received after this time will be directed to the Emergency Control Centre.



Law & Standards
The Civic centre is open during office hours but evening mettings have been cancelled.
Registrars open as normal.
Crematorium open as normal.
Other services operating with reduced cover.



Adult Social Services
All key critical services being maintained.
Due to the continuing inclement weather Social Services Day Centres will be closed to the public on Thursday and Friday of this week.
Ladyhill centre is closed but is in contact with users to ensure appropriate support is maintained.
Meals on Wheels – continued service delivery supported as necessary by 4x4 vehicles.



Continuing Learning & Leisure
All primary facilities have been opened e.g. NISV and Newport Centre but have been subject to ongoing health and safety reviews which have resulted in some early closures.
Leisure centres, including the new Active Living Centre were open this morning but assessments will be made during the day for the safety of users and staff

SCHOOL CLOSURES FOR JANUARY 6TH

The following schools are closed (as at 9.15am)

Alway Day Nursery

Alway Primary School

Bassaleg School

Brynglas Primary School

Caerleon High School

Caerleon Endowned Primary School

Caerleon Lodge Hill Junior School

Caerleon Lodge Infants School

Crindau Primary School

Cylch Meithrin Nursery, Baneswell

Clytha Primary School

Don Close Nursery School

Duffryn Infants School

Duffryn Junior School

Duffryn High School

Eveswell Primary School

Fairoak Nursery School

Glan Usk Primary School

Gaer Junior School

Hartridge High School

High Cross Primary School

Kimberley Nursery School

Langstone Primary School

Llanmartin Primary School

Lliswerry High School

Lliswerry Primary School

Maes Ebbw School

Maesglas Primary School

Maindee Primary

Malpas Park Primary

Malpas Church in Wales Junior School

Malpas Church in Wales Infants School

Malpas Court Primary School

Marshfield Primary School

Millbrook Primary School

Milton Junior School

Milton Infants School

Monnow Primary School

Mount Pleasant Primary School

Newport High School

Pentrepoeth Primary School

Pillgwenlly Primary School

Queens Hill Education Centre

Ringland Primary School

Rogerstone Primary School

Somerton Primary School

St Andrew’s Junior School

St Andrew’s Infants School

St David's RC Primary School

St Gabriels RC Primary School

St Joseph’s RC Primary School

St Joseph’s RC High School

St Julians Primary School

St Julian’s School

St Mary’s RC Primary School

St Michael’s RC Primary School

St Patrick’s RC Primary School

Ysgol Gymraeg Casnewydd

Ysgol Gymraeg Ifor Hael

FIRST SNOW OF WINTER

The first snow of winter gave Newport a light covering overnight. A series of showers blew in across the Bristol Channel bringing snow towards the end of yesterday evening.

The showers from this source would normally fall as rain but met the very cold air sitting over the mainland and turned readily to snow. The Met Office states that motorists could face difficult conditions this morning as the showers have now cleared and were followed by freezing conditions.

The cold spell has been marked by low temperatures day and night with the lowest minimum recorded minus four degrees centigrade on Saturday night. The cold weather is expected to last until Christmas Eve in the Newport area and after a brief milder interlude it is expected to return by the end of December.

Send us your photos of the snow - news@newportcityradio.org