March 2015 Newsletter No 2
Dear Parents, Annwyl Rhieni,
The year is flying by and we can hardly believe we have reached the end of March and are heading towards the summer term and hopefully some warmer weather. 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 I’m sure you are aware each class has been working on a different projects allowing contextualised learning to take place. Here is an update of recent events in school.
Chicks
We were delighted to welcome three new additions to school earlier on this term. Pat, Oscar and Dylan, three chicks all named by the Reception children, arrived two weeks ago. The children have thoroughly enjoyed looking after the new arrivals and have done some fantastic diary writing as well as weighing and measuring them each day. They’ve already grown so much!
Dance Festival
Last Monday evening ‘Dance Club’ took part in the Newport Dance Festival at The Riverfront Theatre in Newport. Twenty two children from Years 3 and 4 took part in the festival and performed dances to music from ‘Shake It Off’ by Taylor Swift and ‘Eye of the Tiger’ from the film ‘Rocky’. The children performed really well and had a super time. A BIG thank you to Mrs McArdell and Mrs Ash for all their hard work and well done to all the children.
Enterprise Troopers
HUGE congratulations to the School Council on participating in the regional final of the Enterprise Troopers Competition as a result of their work organising their ‘Health Yourself’ initiative. The School Nutrition Action Group (SNAG), which is a sub group of the School Council, took part in the regional final at Coleg Y Cymoedd, Nantgarw last month where they presented their project to a panel of judges. The judges were really impressed with both their business skills and their presentation skills. Well done everyone and a HUGE thank you to Miss Gaunt for all her hard work.
Consultations
It was good to see so many parents attending consultations with teachers this week. If you have not yet met with your child’s teacher it really is vital that you contact school to make a convenient appointment to see them. Consultations for Year 6 are being held week beginning April 20th.
National Tests
The National tests for Years 2 – 6 will take place in school as follows; Wednesday 6th May – Reading Test, Friday 8th May – Numeracy Procedural Test, Monday 11th May – Numeracy Reasoning Test. The tests 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 and age – equivalent 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. The age – equivalent score will tell you whether your child’s reading age (or equivalent for numeracy) is equivalent to, above or below their actual age, based on how he or she performed in the test. Test results and comparative data will be sent out at the end of the year. It is vital that all children are in school on the above dates to sit these tests.
Attendance
We continue to monitor attendance and punctuality in school. WELL DONE to all those children with full attendance this term. Last year we achieved over 96% attendance. This year we are aiming for 96.5% attendance. So far this year we are at 96%. Come on, we can do it!!!
It is vital that children are in school and ready to learn by 9am. Only a small number of children are now coming to school after 9am. After Easter we will continue to monitor punctuality and attendance. Thank you for your support in this.
Trips and Permission Slips
When we send notification of trips out with permission slips attached, it is vital that the permission slips are completed and returned to school as soon as possible. Without signed permission, children will not be taken out of school. Thank you!
PTA
A BIG THANK YOU to the PTA for all their hard work again this term. Their next big event is the forthcoming ‘Ladies Night’ scheduled for Friday 17th April at 7pm. This looks to be a really super evening so please come along and support us.
Funky Hat Parade
We’ve certainly seen some weird and wonderfully funky hats today in our Funky Hat Parade! Well done to all the children who took part. We were also delighted that the Easter Bunny came to visit Foundation Phase! How eggciting!!!
Website
Don’t forget to keep up to date with the latest news and developments on the school website! You can follow us at @GlasllwchP or by linking through the school website.
School closes today for the Easter holidays and reopens on Monday 13th April.
Diary Dates for Summer Term
Monday 13th April school reopens for start of summer term
Friday 17th April am Newport Tennis Tournament Years 2 and 3
Friday 17th April PTA Ladies Night
Wednesday 22nd April School Council meeting with The Mayor for a question and answer session
Wednesday 22nd April Girls Cricket Festival Years 5 and 6
Friday 24th April am Newport Tennis Tournament Years 4 and 5
Tuesday 28th April Year 5 to Duffryn High’s Jam Pod
Wednesday 29th April Year 5 visit Newport Wetlands
Thursday 30th April 5.15pm Finance, 6pm Governors
Friday 1st May Class and group photographs in school
Monday 4th May School closed Bank Holiday Monday
Tuesday 5th May – Tuesday 12th May Y2 to Y6 sitting National tests – see dates above
Tuesday 5th May 7pm PTA meeting
Thursday 7th May School closed for INSET (Elections held at school)
Monday 18th May Police Talks in Years 2 and 6
Thursday 21st May Kinetic Theatre production for whole school
Friday 22nd May School closes for half term break
Monday 25th May – Friday 29th May School closed for half term
Monday 1st June School reopens after half term break
Monday 1st June – Friday 19th June Year 3 swimming course
Wednesday 10th June Boys Cricket Festival Years 5 and 6
Monday 15th June Welsh Reading Competition Y5
Thursday 18th June Year 5 visit Cardiff Bay
Friday 19th June Newport Athletics Tournament Years 5 and 6
Tuesday 23rd June Sports Day am Juniors, pm FP
Wednesday 24th June Year 5 Transition concert at Duffryn High (information to follow)
Thursday 2nd July 5.15pm Finance, 6pm Governors
Tuesday 7th July 7pm PTA
Friday 10th July 1.30pm Year 6 Safe Cycling Test
Wednesday 15th July 10am Year 6 Leavers Concert followed by bowling
Friday 17th July last day of summer term
Monday 20th July school closed INSET
Dates to be arranged next term:
Nursery intake meeting for parents
Reception intake meeting for parents
PTA Summer Fete
Class Summer trips
Thank you for all your support again this 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. We really are very proud of our school and of all our children.
Have a very happy Easter,
Yours sincerely,
C. M. Jackson and Staff.
Headteacher
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?