February 2015 Newsletter
Annwyl Rhieni,
Dear Parents,
This half term is flying by and we can hardly believe we are already at the beginning of February! The children have continued to work hard and have had a variety of experiences and opportunities to develop their skills within a creative learning environment. As you are aware, each class has been working on a different project allowing contextualised learning to take place. Here is an update of some of the recent events in school.
Year 1 Trip to Gloucestershire Waterways Museum
Earlier on this term, Year 1 went to visit the Waterways Museum in Gloucestershire as part of their project on ‘Pirates’. They took part in a workshop about narrow boats, dressed up as Victorians and even went on a mini cruise where they had their lunch! The children had a super time.
Hilston Park
Last week, Mr Jones, Mrs McArdell, Mrs Fitzgerald and Year 6 spent a fabulous few days in Hilston Park. They had a super time, climbing, problem solving and canoeing. The children were excellent, a real credit to Glasllwch. Well done everyone and a big thank you to Mr Jones, Mrs McArdell and Mrs Fitzgerald for giving up their time to take the children away.
Holocaust Memorial Service
On Tuesday January 27th I took four Year 5 children to the Holocaust Memorial Service at St. Woolos Cathedral. It was a very poignant service attended by Head Teachers, Councillors, LA Officers and children from across the authority. I was so proud of the four children I took. Not only was their behaviour exemplary, but they demonstrated an understanding of why we were there and what the service was about. Well done children!
Pupil Voice
Last week representatives from our School Council and Eco Committee attended our governors meeting to give presentations about the projects they have been undertaking and their plans for future projects. The children designed their own PowerPoint presentations and spoke with confidence and enthusiasm in front of the Governing Body. The governors were hugely impressed! Well done everyone and thank you to Miss Gaunt and Mrs McArdell who lead these groups in school.
Governors Annual Report
A summary of the Governors Annual Report to Parents will be sent out towards the end of this week. A full report will be available on our new website under ‘online office’. You are invited to a meeting with the Governing Body on Thursday 12th February at 6pm in the school hall to discuss the report. All parents are very welcome to attend.
PTA
On Thursday 26th February, the PTA are holding a magic night in the school hall. This will be between 3.30pm and 5pm and costs £4 per child or £6 for two siblings. The cost will include a drink and a snack. Letters have been sent out by the PTA with permission slips which will need to be completed and returned.
Website
We are in the process of redesigning and updating our school website. This is taking a little longer than we initially anticipated! We are hoping that it will be fully functional before half term! Thank you for your patience!
Nursery
We are very excited that building work has begun for Glasllwch nursery! The site has been fenced off with access restricted to a separate entrance through the fence away from the driveway. No children or parents are allowed onto the site. We have spoken to the children about this. Please be extra vigilant when entering and exiting the school during this time. Thank you in anticipation of your support in this.
Eisteddfod
The first week back after half term, week beginning 23rd February, will be our designated Welsh culture and heritage week in school. We will be holding our Eisteddfod to celebrate St. David’s Day on Friday February 27th. On the day of the Eisteddfod the children can come to school wearing Welsh National costume or National costume from their country of origin. Each year group will be given a theme and the children are to produce one item following that theme. They can either: paint, collage, draw, make a model, cook or write about their theme. The themes for each year group are:
Reception – Dragons
Year 1 – Welsh costume
Year 2 – Daffodils
Year 3 – Welsh castles
Year 4 – Welsh food
Year 5 – Welsh history and heritage
Year 6 – Welsh art and artists
The entries should be brought into school on Wednesday 25th February. Children should invent a nom – de – plume to label their work with. Work will be judged throughout the week.
World Book Day
We will be celebrating World Book Day on Thursday 5th March with a special assembly, a book writing competition and a fancy dress competition. The children will be given booklets to write in (or they can use their own version). The children should use these to produce their own book, either fiction or non – fiction, with illustrations. Staff will be judging the books and there will be prizes for content and presentation. The children can also come to school on World Book Day dressed as a character from a book. Once again there will be prizes for the best costumes!
Attendance
As you are aware, we regularly monitor whole school, year group and individual pupil’s attendance. It is vital that children are in school every day and are on time so that they can achieve their full potential. Attendance figures for last term and this term so far are as follows. Well done to Year 2 and Year 4 on achieving above 97% last term and to Year 6 for having the highest attendance so far this term!
| Year Group | Autumn Term 2014 | Spring Term 2015 – so far! |
| Reception | 96.11% | 96.25% |
| Year 1 | 96.99% | 98.7% |
| Year 2 | 97.21% | 98.4% |
| Year 3 | 95.29% | 96.7% |
| Year 4 | 97.89% | 98.9% |
| Year 5 | 94.99% | 96.7% |
| Year 6 | 95.18% | 99% |
| Whole School Average | 96.2% | 97.8% |
Dinner Money Reminder
Dinner money and orders have to be in school on Monday mornings to order dinners for the following week. Dinners for week beginning 23rd February, the first week back after half term, must be ordered on Monday 9th February. Please can cash and menus be brought in in envelopes and if you are paying by cheque please attach the cheque to the menu order. Thank you!
Battery Recycling Competition
We have registered to take part in a battery recycling competition. Cash prizes of £175 first prize, £125 second prize and 2 x runners up prizes of £75 each will be awarded to schools collecting the most batteries, measured by weight. Most types of batteries can be collected including: AAA and AA cells, C and D batteries, button and mobile phone batteries, laptop and power tool batteries. So please send your used batteries to school!!!
Thank you for all your support again this half term. We value the partnership we have between home and school. It is vital if children are to flourish and to reach their full potential.
Yours sincerely,
C.M.Jackson
Head Teacher
Latest Class News
P.T.A
Have a look at the P.T.A. page, under ‘School Community’ to find out how to participate in the ‘Easyfundraising’ scheme when you are doing your online shopping!
Our Welsh word of the week
Pwy sy'n gwybod?
Who knows?