January Newsletter

Friday 6th January 2017

Annwyl Rhieni,

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i bawb.

Dear Parents,

 

Welcome back to school and Happy New Year to you all!

A huge thank you from all of us in school for your gifts, cards and good wishes for Christmas.

The children and staff have already settled back into the routines of school life and we are all looking forward to another very busy and exciting spring term.

 

Our Creative Curriculum

This term we are continuing to develop our creative, project-based curriculum with children having a say in what they want to learn, how they want to learn and how they want to record their findings. This is having a really positive impact on the already high standards of learning and teaching, with the children recognising the value we place on their involvement at this level. You will soon be receiving information, via curriculum updates and class web-pages on the school website, about the projects to be studied this term. If anybody would like a paper copy please ask your child’s teacher. We hope you will find this information useful and that it will enable you to support your child’s learning at home. Any parents who are willing and able to come into school to help out in any way are most welcome. Just approach your child’s teacher and arrange a time!

 

Digital Competence Framework

The Digital Competence Framework (DCF) has been developed by Welsh Government to help achieve the Welsh Government’s aim that the children of Wales are able to develop as digitally competent learners during their time at school.  In school we are using the DCF alongside the Literacy and Numeracy Framework (LNF) to integrate Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Skills throughout the curriculum. We continue to evaluate and revise our schemes of work to ensure that we have a learner centred, skills focused curriculum that is relevant to the 21st century and inclusive of all learners. In each lesson, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital skills are discussed with the children so they are aware of the skills they are developing.  Please help us by asking the children about the skills they have been focusing on in their learning each day. Thank you!

 

National Tests

Four years ago, Welsh Government introduced National Tests in reading and numeracy for all pupils from Year 2 to Year 9. This year pupils will sit these tests between Wednesday 3rd May 2017 and Wednesday 10th May 2017. It is vital that all children are in school on these days. The tests will last about an hour each and are constructed so that our younger learners will be able to sit them in ‘chunks’. They will be delivered on a year group or small group basis. The reading test will consist of a number of passages followed by short, closed response and multiple choice type questions. There are two numeracy tests; a procedural test for knowledge and understanding and a reasoning test for application of skills and problem solving. The tests will be marked in school and learners’ raw scores will be converted to standardised scores. The standardised score will show how your child’s performance in the test compares to other children of the same age who have sat the test in Wales. Test results and comparative data will be sent out at the end of the year.

 

Y Cwricwlwm Cymreig

We will be celebrating our Welsh culture and heritage during week beginning Monday 27th February 2017. Our St. David’s Day Eisteddfod will be held on Wednesday 1st March 2017. More information will follow before half term.

 

Extra Curricular Activities

We offer a variety of extra curricular activities and these are always well attended. This term the after school (AS) or lunch time (LT) clubs that will be taking place are as follows;

 

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Rugby (AS)

Netball (AS)

Gardening(AS)

Digital Leaders (AS)

Multi Skills (AS)

Mine Craft (AS)

 

Y5/6 Football (AS)

Tennis(AS)

Media Club (AS)

Discovery Bible (LT)

Orchestra(AS)

Craft Club(AS)

 

Dance (AS)

 

Y1/2 & Y3/4 Football (from 3rd March) (AS)

 

Clubs will start week beginning Monday 9th January. We endeavour to keep clubs running every week, however if there are exceptional circumstances then we will notify you as soon as possible that a club will be unable run. If it is raining, you will be notified by text that a club is cancelled.

 

Applications for Nursery 2017 Applications for nursery provision in Newport open on 9th January 2017. Go to www.newport.gov.uk/schooladmissions and follow the instructions.

 

Parking I have already received complaints from residents about parents parking either directly across their driveways or directly opposite; either way restricting access. Please Please DO NOT OBSTRUCT DRIVEWAYS, even if it means parking a little way away from school and walking your child the rest of the way.

 

As you can see we are going to be very busy indeed! We look forward to another very productive and exciting term. Thank you in anticipation of your continued support.

 

Yours sincerely,

C. M. Jackson (Headteacher)

 

Diary Dates

3.1.17 – Spring Term begins HEALTHY LIVING WEEK

10.1.17 – PTA Meeting 7pm

11.1.17 – Year 6 police Talk – Cyber Bullying

11.1.17 – E-Safety Parents Meeting 6pm

27.1.17 – Holocaust Memorial Service, St.Woolos 11am

19.1.17 – 5pm Finance Meeting, 6pm Full Governors

1.2.17 – Year 5 Jampod Session, John Frost High School

3.2.17 – school closed INSET

20.2.17 – 24.2.17 HALF TERM

27.2.17 – Whole School Welsh Week

1.3.17 – Whole School Eisteddfod (pm)

8.3.17 – Year 5 visit Big Pit

17.3.17 – Reception vision & growth screening

20.3.17 – 23.3.17 – Year 6 visit to Hilston Park

22.3.17 – 5pm Finance Meeting, 6pm Full Governors

3.4.17 – 5.4.17 Parental Consultations

3.4.17 – Newport Dance Festival this week

7.4.17 – Break up for Easter Holidays

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