Newsletter - 25th January 2016

25^th January 2016

Dear Parent / Carer

I have few updates I would like to share with everyone. 

After a very long process we have finally received planning permission to build a wooden ‘outdoor classroom’.  This will give an extra ‘outdoor’ room for children to use both in their lessons and during break and lunchtimes.  This work has been possible through the successful application of a grant from the ‘Wooden Spoon Foundation’.  Construction has been arranged for the week beginning 29^th February.  This will be clearly visible on the top of the junior yard and the area will be secured whilst the work is being completed.  I ask that you encourage the children to please avoid the construction area if possible. 

Mr Gardiner has also almost finished building our new planters to create our ‘garden area’ on the yard.  This will begin to create a quiet area on the yard for those children who prefer to chat, rather than the hustle and bustle of the yards.

The local newspaper has been in touch to arrange the photographs which will appear in the Pontypridd Observer on St David’s Day.  These photographs will be taken on Tuesday 2^nd February.  If you do not want your child to be part of this photograph please let your class teacher know.

Year 4 swimming  -  We have had notification from the Local Authority that Bronwydd Swimming Pool will be closed for repairs in the coming weeks.  As a result, the children’s final swimming session will be on Monday 22^nd February (this is the first day back after half term).

You would now have received information about our Writing event on Thursday 28^th January at 1.30pm.  Last year’s event was a fantastic success and we hope to see as many parents again this year to help with your child’s writing.   We are again working towards entries for BBC Radios 2’s ‘500 Words’ Competition.  We look forward to seeing you all on Thursday 28^th January at 1.30pm

I would like to thank the parents who have attended school to support the themes being studied in their child’s classes.  This adds a sense of the real world to the children’s learning - and the children love it when other people come in to school to help them.  These parents have also now earned ‘Time Credits’ which can be exchanged against a number of leisure treats for adults and children.  Look at http://www.justaddspice.org/our-work/where-we-work for details.  Ask about time credits if you volunteer at school! 

You should today have received your copy of the Christmas Performances.  Many apologies for the delay in the distribution, but unfortunately we had some technical difficulties.  Can you please check your DVD carefully – if you have any problems with it, please return to school and we can arrange to make a further copy for you. 

We also have a few more copies of the Lion King from our Summer performance for £5.  If you require a copy of this please place the money in an envelope with your child’s name and reason for the money and hand to your child’s class teacher.

Our 100% attendance days were tricky this time around, as there seemed to be quite a lot of sickness in the children.  Nevertheless, Hazel and Acorn classes had the best attendance and so had their prizes.  However, our school attendance is now only 94.7%.  As you are aware, this is below our target of 95.3% - we cannot meet this target without your support.  This could have an impact on any future visits by the school inspectors.  Our next challenge days are 25^th - 26^th Feb.

We had an amazing response to the girls’ ‘Beat Ball’ after school club.  As advised, there are only 16 places available, although we had over 50 replies.  I have contacted the organisers to find out if they can offer more sessions, and I am awaiting a response from them.   The girls who were successful have been informed today, and I have kept the names of all the other girls for sessions hopefully in the future. 

Don’t forget that we have a number of Microsoft Office codes available for those families who wish to use this free offer.  Just send your email address to school and we can forward the details to you.

I have detailed a number of key dates below:

4^th Feb                     Ash and Cherry Class–litter pick-Planet Protectors

8^th Feb                     Reception children– height, weight & vision

9^th Feb                     Sports Festival at HHS for all Year 5 and 6 – they will provide details in due course

9^th Feb                     Safer Internet Day–PC Rob with Yr4–Safer Surfing

11^th Feb                   Ash and Cherry Class–litter pick-Planet Protectors

11^th Feb                   Years 5 and 6 – ‘Wide Kids’ Safer Internet use workshops

11^th Feb                   Parents’ workshops from ‘Wise Kids’ for Safer Internet use 3.30pm-4.30pm

12^th Feb                   Whole Cluster INSET Day

15^th -19^th Feb          Half Term

22^nd Feb                  Children return from Half Term

23^rd Feb                   Year 4 – PC Rob – T.A.S.K.

25^th -26^th Feb          100% challenge days for attendance

1^st Mar                    Eisteddfod–Welsh cake sale (proceeds to Bobath Cymru)

2^nd Mar                    Mothers’ Day Tea – Year3 Mums and Grans 2pm

3^rd Mar                    World Book Day

4^th Mar                    Mothers’ Day Tea–Nurs&Rec Mums & Grans 10.45am

4^th Mar                    Mothers’ Day Tea – Year2 Mums and Grans 2pm

14^th – 18^th Mar        Maths and Science Week – look out for events!

16^th Mar                  Parents’ Evening

17^th Mar                  Parents’ Evening

17^th Mar                  Class and team photographs (TBC)

17^th Mar                  RCT Rugby Festival

23^rd – 24^th Mar        100% challenge days for attendance

24^th Mar                  THURSDAY – Last day of Term

25^th Mar                  Good Friday (beginning of Easter Break)

11^th Apr                   Children return to school.

WG Test dates - The Welsh Government Tests for all pupils in Years 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are 3^rd - 10^th May 2016