NEWSLETTER

15^th April 2016

Dear Parent/Carer

Welcome back to school following the Easter break.  I hope you, and the children, are well rested and ready for the busy term ahead.

The classes are now settled in for the term ahead and are working on a number of new themes.

Oak, Willow and Beech – The Olympics (thinking about the history and geography of the Olympics –as well as focusing on sport and exercise)

Sycamore, Hazel and Holly – ‘SpyKids’ with geography – where will the spy be working next?

Ash and Cherry – Blooming Marvellous (learning about plants)

Maple and Acorn – Scrumptious (Food and Healthy Living)

Last term ended with our fantastic Sports Relief Day, planned and led by our Bronze Sports Ambassadors and the School Council.  The children had a wonderful day of activities from dancing, athletics and just plain fun!  Altogether, the children raised a massive total of £821.  Thanks to them for all their hard work, to the pupils for gaining the sponsorship and to you, the parents, who have supported this so well.  We will ensure the money gets sent to the charity as soon as possible.

Our Value for this half term is Courage.  The children will be encouraged to think about how being courageous means a lot more than being brave physically - having the courage to stand up for your beliefs, having the courage to stand up for what you know is right - as well as having the courage to admit when you are wrong.  As always, your support with this is much appreciated.

The Welsh Government tests are scheduled to take place between 3rd May and 10th May.  Please make sure your child is in school throughout this time.  Welsh Government expectations are that the vast majority of pupils will take the tests, and only a few will be ‘disapplied’ in exceptional circumstances. 

Please note: these tests only give a ‘snapshot’ of your child’s attainment at school in reading and Mathematics, and this is under strict ‘test’ conditions which the children are not used to in their usual school experience.  Teachers monitor your child’s work closely throughout the whole year and this is what gives us, at school, what we believe is a true reflection of your child’s progress.   Remember to celebrate ALL your child’s skills – we are all wonderfully different!

School Dinners

Please bring your dinner money in an envelope each Monday.  Local Authority auditors monitor this – we are not permitted to allow families to build up a ‘debt’ of dinner money.  Unless there are exceptional circumstances, children MUST maintain the same arrangements for lunch throughout the week.  This ensures that the kitchen orders the correct amount of food to cook as well as helps office staff with the accurate administration of dinner money. 

Microsoft Office Code - Don’t forget that we have 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.

22^nd April                   PTA Cake Day

22^nd April                   9.15 – Stay and Play – preschool play group – every Friday

28^th April                   Choir Competition – 5.30 at Pontypridd High School

2^nd May                      BANK HOLIDAY

3^rd-10^th May             WG TEST WEEK

5^th May                      School Used as a Polling Station – school will remain open

10^th May                    3pm – 5pm – HHS transition

16^th – 18^th May        Year 6 – Llangrannog

27^th May                    INSET Day – school closed to pupils

HALF TERM BREAK – 30^th May – 3^rd June

6th June                    Choir to Millennium Centre – 11.00am – 1.00pm

8^th June                      Super Attender Assembly

10^th June                   QUEEN’S 90^TH BIRTHDAY – school ‘street party’

14^th June                   Sports Day – KS2 (am) – FP (pm)

15^th June                   all Year 6 – It’s Your Choice

16^th June                   Pandemonium Theatre

20th – 24^th June      Year 6 – PHS Transition

23^rd                             School used as Polling Station – school will remain open.

23^rd June                   5.00pm – meeting with Coedpenmaen and Trallwn Year 2 parents re: transition

24t June                    5.00pm - PTA – BBQ – Hawaiian Theme

1^st July                        HHS – Year 5 transition Day (plus preparation for performance)

5^th July                       HHS -  Year 6 – pastoral transition day “Healthy Body, Healthy Minds”

5^th July                       School transition session – including new children due from Trallwn

7^th July                       2pm - Year 6 Leavers’ Assembly (TBC)

8^th July                       Bronze Ambassadors USW Sports Park (TBC)

11^th July                     All Year 2 – Trallwn and Coedpenmaen – picnic and team games on the field

12^th July                     All Year 5 pupils to HHS (show rehearsal) – show at 5pm

13^th July                     Year 6 Prom – arranged by Sadie’s Mum.

14^th July                     Year 6 Curriculum Day – HHS transition – plus parents’ information evening at HHS.

14^th July                     Year 2 Leavers’ Assembly – 2pm (TBC)

15^th July                     Year 5 to Hawthorn High School for visit and activities

18^th and 19^th July    Coedpenmaen’s Summer Performance

19^th July                     Reports due to parents

20^th July                     Last day of term.

**Summer trips will be confirmed in the next few weeks**

As always, your help with our attendance target is much appreciated!  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 continued support. 

Thank you

Mrs Loveridge