News Archive
Move to Online learning
The Education Minister, Kirsty Williams has, today, announced that the Welsh Government, in consultation with the WLGA and Colegau Cymru, has agreed that all schools and colleges will continue with remote learning until at least Friday 29th January
This date is in line with the intended Welsh Government three-week review timetable of the current lockdown restrictions. At that point, unless the rates of community transmission in Wales reduce significantly by 29 January, a decision will be made that schools and colleges will continue working remotely until February half term.
This means that your teaching and learning and tutorials will now continue on-line for at least the next three weeks.
Update on Exams and Assessments
Following the Minister’s announcement, Qualifications Wales have today also published revised guidance on exams and assessments stating that:
- The spring internal assessment window for GCSE, AS and A levels (22nd February – 23rd April) has now been cancelled - revised assessment arrangements for the award of these qualifications in summer 2021 will be put in place shortly and we wil aim to update you as soon as we know more.
- Vocational exams and assessments will go ahead as planned at present and your tutors will be in touch with you to let you know when these exams are scheduled for. Please don't worry work if you are unable to attend your exams due to self-isolation or shielding etc. we will work with you to ensure that you will not be disadvantaged and that you have an opportunity to sit this exam again in June.
Learners requiring face to face support
The college building will be open to support vulnerable learners requiring an element of face to face support or learners who may find it challenging to access on-line lessons during the week. Our I2A and Learning Coaches are in college on a daily basis and are here to support you, if required. Please speak to your tutor or your I2A LeadWorker who can arrange this for you.
Similarly, if you are struggling to access your lessons from home and would like to come in to use the IT facilities, please speak to your tutor, who in turn, will speak to a member of the college’ management team to arrange this for you.
We are continuing to work with Welsh Government to plan for the rest of the term and will update you as and when we receive any further information.
In the meantime, please take care and look after yourselves
Best Wishes,
The College Executive Team
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Continuation of On-line learning until 18th January
Further to the Education Minister's announcement on 4th January 2021, on-line learning will now continue until Monday 18th January 2021.
The college building will remain open to support:
Exams and Assessments
To minimise disruption, assessments for technical, vocational and general qualifications that are scheduled during this time and that are deemed necessary, will continue to take place. Where possible assessments will be rescheduled. Your course tutors will be in touch with you to confirm if you do need to attend for any assessments.
Learners requiring face to face support
The college building will be open to support vulnerable learners requiring an element of face to face support or learners who may find it challenging to access on-line lessons during the week. If you are struggling to access your lessons from home and would like to come in to use the IT facilities, please speak to your tutor, who in turn, will speak to a member of the college’ management team to arrange this for you.
Face-to-face provision will recommence from Monday 18 January. Safety measures will continue for any learners or staff should they need, in limited circumstances, to attend college.
Read moreArrangements for week commencing 4th January 2021
Arrangements for week commencing Monday 4th January 2021
Our new term will start back on Monday 4th January 2021. Just a reminder to all learners that all learning and teaching will be online during this week (from Monday 4 January through to Friday 8 January).
The college building will remain open to support:
Exams and Assessments
To minimise disruption, assessments for technical, vocational and general qualifications that are scheduled during this time and that are deemed necessary, will continue to take place. Where possible assessments will be rescheduled. Your course tutors will be in touch with you to confirm if you do need to attend for any assessments.
Learners requiring face to face support
The college building will be open to support vulnerable learners requiring an element of face to face support or learners who may find it challenging to access on-line lessons during the week. If you are struggling to access your lessons from home and would like to come in to use the IT facilities, please speak to your tutor, who in turn, will speak to a member of the college’ management team to arrange this for you.
Face-to-face provision will recommence from Monday 11 January. Safety measures will continue for any learners or staff should they need, in limited circumstances, to attend college.
Read moreArrangements for week commencing Monday 14th December
Arrangements for the last week of term, week commencing Monday 14th December 2020
The college will close for face to face teaching and learning today, Friday 11th December 2020, with all lessons being conducted on-line and remotely during week commencing 14th December. Lessons will officially end for the Christmas Holiday period on Wednesday 16th December.
The college building will remain open during this time for any learners who need to attend to complete online exams and Oxbridge interviews and also to support any learners who may find it challenging to access on-line lessons during the three days. If you are struggling to access your lessons from home and would like to come in to use the IT facilities, please speak to your tutor, who in turn, will speak to a member of the college’ management team to arrange this for you.
Please could you also ensure that you let your tutor know if you do require any IT equipment or devices to support your on-line learning. We can then ensure that these devices are ready for you to collect by the end of this week.
As we enter the last day of face to face teaching and learning delivery, I would just like to say a big thank you again for all of your efforts and hard work in your studies this term and for adhering to all of our health and safety procedures and guidelines. By working together, we have been able to ensure the safest learning environment possible, resulting in as least disruption as possible to your studies.
Reporting of COVID Cases
If you do receive a positive COVID test outcome between now and Wednesday 16th December, please do ensure that you report this outcome to your course tutor as soon as possible. If you receive a positive COVID test outcome after Wednesday 16th December, you do not need to report this over the Christmas break.
Learner Support and Wellbeing
Your health and wellbeing during this Christmas period is of our utmost importance. If you do require any advice, guidance or support between now and next Friday 18th December, you can access:
- Counselling Service t.cadd@merthyr.ac.uk or via mobile no 07443 448732
- Wellbeing Team can be contacted via email on T_wellbeing@merthyr.ac.uk
- The Safeguarding team can be contacted via email on T_safeguarding@merthyr.ac.uk if you are worried about the safety of any learner or the safety of others
From 4pm on Friday 18 December 2020 - to 8.30am on Monday 4 January 2021, there will be no emergency cover within the Wellbeing / Safeguarding Team. Your course tutors will be sending out information regarding external support agencies that you are able to access during this time. You may also wish to take a look at the Wellbeing section on Moodle, which has advice, guidance and fact sheets to help you stay safe online and tips to help you stay healthy at home - https://vle.merthyr.ac.uk/.
In addition to college resources, there are also some useful external helplines and resources you are able to access, including:
The Live Fear Free web address is https://gov.wales/live-fear-free
The Meic Cymru help line is https://www.meiccymru.org/
The Papyrus website and Help line is https://papyrus-uk.org/
Samaritans for Young people https://www.samaritans.org/wales/how-we-can-help/schools/young-people/
If you have any queries on any of the above, please do not hesitate to speak to your course tutor.
Please stay safe, take care and enjoy the Christmas break.
Yours sincerely
Lisa Thomas
Principal
Read moreArrangements for week commencing 9th November
In line with Welsh Government guidelines, the college will reopen, tomorrow, Monday November 9th.
We’re really looking forward to seeing you all back at college
Both the main college site and the Redhouse will be open with all lessons continuing to operate as per your normal timetables.
Transport
College transport from Brecon and Bedlinog/Trelewis will run as normal. If any learners had already purchased a ticket for the Brecon Bus for week commencing 2nd November, this can be used to cover your transport for this week. If your lessons currently finish prior to 4pm and you do not wish to use public transport, the designated hub rooms in your subject bubble/floor are available for you to use whilst you wait for the college bus.
Ensuring your safety at college
We understand that many of you may feel anxious or concerned during this difficult time. We want to reassure you that the safety and well-being of our learners and staff is our number one priority and, as an organisation, we are doing all we can to ensure that both the main college building and Redhouse are safe places to work and learn.
All of the social distancing and health and safety measures that were in place prior to half term will remain. All of the subject and learning zones and key circulation areas are set out with clear social distancing rules and signage. Face coverings remain compulsory in all communal areas of the college. Additional hand sanitising stations are available across the college and enhanced cleaning schedules are in place.
If you are worried or concerned at all about returning to college, please do speak to you course tutor in the first instance and then he/she can refer you to a member of our senior management or learner support and wellbeing team, who will be able to help and assist you further.
Please take care and we look forward to seeing you back this week
With Best Wishes,
The College Executive Team
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