18th December 2014
Dear Parent/Carer
This has been an extremely busy term at Coedpenmaen Primary!
All the children have had a wealth of experiences. We were introduced to Willow class’s ‘boy band’ in our Harvest celebration and were able to enjoy this treat again during our Christmas celebrations. Upper Key Stage 2 visited Fleet Air Museum, whilst other children have visited Barry Island Lifeboat Station, Cardiff Museum to see the dinosaurs, Caerleon Roman Museum and Llancaiach Fawr. The Sensoria room planned and displayed by Holly, Hazel and Sycamore classes was fantastic, as well as the ‘Enterprise Troopers which Oak, Willow and Beech classes completed. Well done to the ‘ChocoRocks’ team who will be go through to the regional finals
The children were very busy rehearsing for our Christmas celebrations. The Nursery and Reception nativity was lovely and the children thoroughly enjoyed themselves on stage! Despite the storms, Year 1 - 6 presented a lovely mix of traditional and modern items, accompanied by the Melin Griffith Brass Band. Cherry class’s Christmas Kiosk sold out very quickly – the children are thinking hard about what to spend their hard earned profit on!
As a reward to the children for all their hard work this tem, children in Foundation Phase were treated to a visit from Santa as well as storytelling sessions and a magician! Key Stage 2 thoroughly enjoyed the story teller – and thought his Christmas tales were really funny!
As detailed on my previous newsletter, you will be aware that Mr Holloway id due to start in his new role as deputy headship in a school in Caerphilly in January. We wish Mr Holloway every success in his promotion – I am sure he will be missed here at Coedpenmaen. Mr C Munday, has met with the children and begun working with school staff to plan lessons for after Christmas. He is looking forward to joining our excellent team at school.
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.
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 with your email address and we will be able to email a code and instructions to you.
Attendance 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. The children have had lots of coughs, colds and sickness over the last few weeks and this has meant that we are now below our target set by the local authority. We ask that you continue to keep us as up-to-date as possible with regard to your child’s illness so that we can make sure your child’s records are accurate. We are also working with the school council to see how we can continue to encourage the children to come to school regularly. Look out for some 100% challenges in the near future! Well done to the 43 pupils who achieved 100% attendance for the Autumn Term. Holly class had the most pupils who gained 100% and had extra break time as a special reward. Hopefully, we can work for more pupils to achieve this in the Spring Term!
5th January 2015 School starts back for children on the Monday
8th January Senior Leadership Team to meet parents – Meeting in the hall at 3.30pm – all welcome to attend
9th January Oak, Willow and Beech -Art exhibition and workshops at National Museum of Wales
12th January Parents’ evening for Hazel class – appointments will be issued
13th January Parents’ evening for Hazel class – appointments will be issued
10th February Safer Internet Day
PC Rob Thomas – Year 6 ‘Cyber Safe’
16th – 20th February Half Term
23rd February INSET day – no school for children
24rd – 27th February Welsh Week
27th February School Eisteddfod
4th March PC Rob Thomas – Year 4 “T.A.S.K.”
16th – 20th March Maths and Science week
24th March (am) Trallwn Yr 2 visit Coedpenmaen – working with Coedpenmaen staff & pupils
27th March Last day before the Easter break
**Welsh Government tests for Years 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 will be between 5th May and 12th May 2015. Please avoid any absences during this time*
It has been a pleasure for both Mrs Pugh and myself to start to get to know all the families, and especially the children. We are all looking forward to the Spring Term, where there are already lots of exciting plans in place for the children.
Wishing everyone a safe and Happy Christmas
Mrs Loveridge
