ENTERPRISE TROOPERS - The Dragons' Den

Our pupils entered the Dragons' den to fight for a chance to enter the National  competition  of Enterprise  Troupers !  They were all incredible at presenting and answering  questions from the Dragons. Pupils were very nervous but made us proud!
Congratulations  to Choco Rocks who were chosen for their clear  and engaging presentation  with lots of detail regarding  their budget.
Thank you  to our Dragons for helping  us out and like we said to the pupils today, they are all winners ! !

Christmas at Coedpenmaen

We are oozing with pride today! Our pupils have shone throughout  their performances and projects. From the nursery  and  reception nativity, biscuit project stall, sensory project room to the fantastic  performances  by our pupils in last night's  concert .  Thank you for your  support; the smiles seen on our pupils' faces says it all!

NEWSLETTER 11/11/14

11^th December 2014

Dear Parent/Carer

Christmas Celebrations   -   Thanks to the PTA who organised our Christmas Fayre.   Thanks also to everyone who supported the Fayre on 28^th November - it was a huge success!  Santa was kept busy throughout the evening and there were many opportunities to buy items of Christmas Craft and for the children to take part in Christmas activities.  The school is working with the PTA to identify areas of development which can be supported by the fundraising.  Our inaugural ‘Craft Fair’ for Willow, Oak and Beech classes was also a huge success.  Thanks to everyone who supported the children in this venture!  The children raised over £200 in total!

The children have been very busy rehearsing for our Christmas celebrations.  The Nursery and Reception nativity on Wednesday and Thursday was lovely and the children excelled!  As most of you will be aware, the incoming storm has forced us to change our plans over the last few days for our ‘Community and Carols’ celebrations.  All those families in Years 1 – 6 will have had a text message to explain the options with regard to tickets for Thursday’s celebration and the newly arranged second event on Monday 15^th December.  I apologise for any difficulties this may cause, but our original festive event has become a victim of the ‘gales’ which have been forecast!

Year 6   -   I am sure that many parents/carers are aware that Mr Holloway has been successful in his application for a deputy headship in a school in Caerphilly.  We wish Mr Holloway every success in his promotion.  The school has appointed Mr C Munday, who will be teaching the Year 6 class.  He is an experienced Year 6 teacher and will join the school’s management team.  Subject to RCT’s Human Resources processes, Mr Munday will be starting with us in January.  He will also be visiting the school before Christmas to meet the children and staff.  I am sure we will all extend a warm welcome to Mr Munday as a new member of our school team.

Swimming   -   Swimming for Beech and Oak classes begins after Christmas.  Please note: this is from the very first Monday when we return to school after the Christmas break.

New Governor   -   Thank you for the votes cast in the most recent ballot for parent governor.  Congratulations to Mr Steven Hall, the successful candidate.

Reminder: Please note the message below from RCT

To enable young people to have the opportunity to fully engage in the LA’s work with Microsoft, the local authority has secured free access to the latest Microsoft Office package - Microsoft Office 2013 for use at home.

A voucher is available from school as well as a document which tells you how to access the software on a home computer.  Please contact the school and we will be able to email a code and instructions to you.

Attendance   -   As you can see above, the school is below our attendance target, as set by the local authority.  You will be aware that, despite making improvements, the school remains in the Estyn Inspection category of ‘requiring significant improvement’ of which ‘continuing to improve attendance’ remains a key issue.  As a result, parents/carers are reminded to call the school to report non-attendance (e.g. illness).  All holidays MUST be advised.  From January 2015, as previously advised, the school will comply with Local Authority advice that holiday requests will be unauthorised.   Fixed Penalty Notices, issued by the local authority, form part of the updated policy.

9^th December                          1.30pm Nurs and Rec - rehearsal – Yr1 & 2 Coedpenmaen & Trallwn Infants to watch

10^th December                        1.30pm Nursery and Reception Christmas Concert

11^th December                        1.30pm Nursery and Reception Christmas Concert

                                                 6.00pm  Community and Carols - Year 1 to Year 6 with the Brass band

15^th December                        1.30pm – Community and Carols – Year 1 to Year 6

16^th December                        Year 2 and staff to visit Trallwn Infants school

18^th December                        Foundation Phase – Magician (am)  Visit from Santa (pm)

                                                 KS2 – ‘Christmas Tales’ – Christmas activities with our visiting storyteller

19^th December                        Last day of term before Christmas holiday.

5^th January 2015                     School starts back for children on the Monday

9^th January 2014                     Oak, Willow and Beech -Art exhibition and workshops at National Museum of Wales

12^th January                            Parents’ evening for Hazel class

13^th January                            Parents’ evening for Hazel class

10^th February                          Safer Internet Day

                                                 PC Rob Thomas – Year 6 ‘Cyber Safe’

13^th February                          World Book Day

16^th – 20^th February                Half Term

23^rd February                          INSET day – no school for children

24^rd – 27^th February                Welsh Week

27^th February                          School Eisteddfod

4^th March                                PC Rob Thomas – Year 4 “T.A.S.K.”

23^rd – 27^th March                    Maths and Science week

24^th March                              (am) Trallwn Yr 2 visit Coedpenmaen – working with Coedpenmaen staff & pupils

27^th March                              Last day before the Easter break

Thanks     Mrs Loveridge

Newsletter 19th November 2014

19^th November 2014

Dear Parent/Carer

We have had a busy few weeks.

Remembrance Day was commemorated beautifully with a whole school assembly and the children keeping a minute’s silence.  Every child also made their own poppy and placed them carefully around the focal point in our hall.

Children in Need was a roaring success.  Staff and children dressed up in superhero costumes and pyjamas.  The school council arranged our trade fair on the yard where all the children were able to buy a wide selection of books, videos, toys etc. as well as being able to have their face or nails painted or even throw water sponges at ‘Superman’!  In total the school raised a fantastic £423.82 which has now been forwarded to the charity.  Thank you to all the families who contributed to this worthwhile cause.

The children also had a great day yesterday with the author Mark Dorey where everyone had the chance to listen to storytelling and participate in writing workshops.  The children have also been challenged to take part in next year’s BBC2’s ‘500 words’ competition. 

However, due to the mishap with the gate to the Junior Yard, the author has agreed to visit the school again next week to sign books and meet parents in our new library area. 

If you are interested and would like to meet the author, please contact the school.  Depending on the numbers of people interested, I can then contact Mr Dorey and arrange a day for him to visit again!

Year 5 and 6 – Grease at Hawthorn High School

Please ensure the children are in school for 8.45am on Monday 24^th November.  The coaches will be picking up between 8.50 and 9.00am as the performance will start at 9.30 am.

The children will need to bring their own snack and drink for break as the canteen at the High school is cashless.

Coaches will pick up at 12.30pm from Hawthorn to deliver the children back to school – arrangements have been made for children to eat their lunch a little later than usual.

The children will be supervised by school staff throughout

Nursery and Reception

Tickets will be available soon for the ‘Nativity’ as performed by our superstars in Nursery and Reception.  We will have 2 tickets available per family for each of two dates (10^th December and 11^th December).  Each of these performances will be at 1.30pm.  We hope that Year 1 and 2 will be able to watch the children rehearse on 9^th December.

Parents’ Evening for Hazel Class

As Mrs Jones was ill during the Parents Evening in October, appointments will be made available early in the Spring Term.  Thank you for your patience in this matter.

Thanks

Mrs Loveridge

Children In Need Day!

Again, we are super proud of our pupils who were incredible when setting up stalls and looking after the younger pupils on the yard. We haven't finished counting the money yet as there was so much!!!! We'll let you know Monday!

Thank you to our wonderful staff who all entered into the spirit by dressing up as super heroes. Thank you to all parents for your kind donations to a very worthy cause!

We will remember them...

We are always proud of our pupils but this morning we are even more so because of the way they conducted themselves in our Remembrance Service. 

  Every child made a poppy and laid it before sitting in the hall. They look beautiful.  All were perfectly silent at 11am and listened to the words read carefully. Willow class acted out scenes of war which were incredibly powerful and Acorn class showed us their poppies as we sang a remembrance song.

It was a very special moment to show our gratitude to those who have died and suffered.

Newsletter: 24th October 2014

Dear Parent / Carer

Thank you to the PTA for arranging the Hallowe’en Disco.  I’m sure all the children had a fantastic time!

I have heard today that Miss Jones is well on the road to recovery and will be returning to work on Monday 3rd November.  To support Miss Jones on her return to work, I have arranged for Mrs Pugh to also be in class for 2 days each week in a supportive role.  I am sure that this will now settle the class more effectively and ensure that they continue with their learning.

The work on the boundary wall will begin through half term.  Please note that this will still be continuing when the children return to school after the break.  The working areas will be closed off to the pupils.  Please take extra care during this time.

I have had some difficulty confirming dates with theatres and/or cinemas at the moment despite them making temporary arrangements for Christmas excursions for the children.  I have detailed below the provisional dates – please note that these are NOT confirmed at the moment and details will follow as soon as possible.

3rd December                                      Festival of Christmas Music for Primary schools – details to follow

4th December                                      Nursery and Reception to Visit Santa – details to follow

5th December                                      Year 1 to Year 6 to the cinema – details to follow

10th December                                    Dress rehearsal for Nursery and Reception – Year 1 and 2 to watch

11th December                                    Nursery and Reception Christmas Concert

11th December                                    6pm. Carols by Candlelight – Year 1 to Year 6 with the Brass band.  Mulled wine and mince pies will be available while everyone joins in with the Carols and fun!

16th December                                    Year 2 and staff to visit Trallwn

19th December                                    Last day of term before Christmas holiday.

Mrs Thorne’s photo challenge has produced some very interesting places to read!!  These have included sat in the fridge dressed in hat, scarf and gloves or reading upside down   just like Batman!  Thank you to all the children who took part.

Remember that Monday 3rd November is an INSET day – and the school will be closed to the children

Enjoy a happy and safe half term break with the children!

Yours

Mrs J Loveridge - Headteacher