School News Friday 11th September ‘26
Twmbarlwm Sponsored Walk
Yesterday our Year 5 had a fantastic time embarking on their sponsored walk adventure! As a class they have been to Cwmcarn Forest Drive, where they have climbed Twmbarlwm (twice)! In doing so, Year 5 have been raising money to support the charity ‘Bullies Out’, who provide valuable peer-mediation training for our Year 5 Playground Pals, and also St. Davids Hospice who regularly support our whole school events. This year we will also be supporting ‘The Alfie Nick Foundation’, a charity who support disadvantaged children across England and Wales. We are so proud of all the children for their effort and determination it was wonderful to see them supporting each other and working as a team.
A HUGE thank you to all the parents who were able to help support the walk and of course to all the friends and family who have sponsored this worthwhile event! So far, the children have raised over £1000! Da iawn pawb! If you would like to sponsor the children, please do this via Parent Pay. Diolch!
The Alfie Nick Foundation
Today we were delighted to welcome singer-songwriter James Kirby https://www.jameskirbymusic.com/ into school to begin an exciting music project that will provide the children with a unique opportunity to experience authentic learning. Today, James visited the school to perform a selection of his songs for the whole school and share insights into his career as a professional musician. Over the coming weeks, some of the children will work alongside James to create and perform an original whole-school song, developing their creativity, confidence and musical skills through collaboration with a real artist. This inspiring project is being supported by the The Alfie Nick Foundation https://alfienickfoundation.org, a charity dedicated to supporting disadvantaged children, including those who have experienced the care system, live with disabilities, or face mental health challenges. We look forward to sharing more news and celebrating the children's achievements as this exciting opportunity develops over the coming weeks.
Curriculum Projects
During the Autumn Term the children will be engaging in 'Cynefin' themed curriculum projects through our Enquiry Curriculum approach. The children will experience a wealth of cross-curricular learning opportunities, developing their sense of belonging and their understanding of the people and places around us. They will be immersed in activities to develop their skills and knowledge of the world around them, including the historical, cultural and social place which has and continues to shape our community.
Throughout the term the children will develop an increasing understanding of how the people of Wales interrelate with the rest of the world. They will develop an understanding of the ethnic and cultural diversity within Wales. Combined, these experiences will foster a sense of belonging that can encourage them to contribute positively to their communities; locally, nationally and internationally.
Pupil Participation
We continue to encourage pupil participation in shaping our curriculum; pupils are involved in generating ideas for learning opportunities and regularly reflect on how they are developing as: ambitious capable learners, healthy confident individuals, ethical informed citizens and enterprising creative contributors.
In the coming weeks our 2026-27 Senedd Glasllwch members will be elected and the children will be busy making plans to improve our school – we look forward to sharing their achievements with you as we progress through the year. Some of Senedd Glasllwch’s successes last year include:
Criw Cymraeg – achieving the Silver Cymraeg Campus Award
Eco-Champions – achieving our Platinum Flag renewal
Digital Leaders - creating a whole school game on Kahoot
Wellbeing Ambassadors - refining our individual and whole class rewards across the school
Community Committee - developing an intergenerational relationship with Home Valley residential home
Resolution Role Models - developed a range of social interaction games to support children on the yard at break and lunch times
Learning Squad – developed our outdoor learning spaces, including an orchard and wild area
Home – School Partnership
We place enormous value on the partnership between home and school and hope that you will work with us to enable your child to achieve their full potential. If you are able to get involved in our whole school project by sharing your experience or expertise, please do get in touch with your child’s class teacher via our school email address: glasllwch.primary@newportschools.wales
We would also welcome any parent/career who would like to volunteer on a more regular basis. If you have any time available and would like to support us in school, we would be very grateful. Please do get in touch! (All volunteers undergo DBS checks.)
Newport Dragons Rugby Training
This week Year 4 took part in their first rugby training session with Steve from Newport Dragons. The children thoroughly enjoyed the session and were commended for their excellent behaviour. These sessions will take place fortnightly throughout this academic year, enabling the children to develop their passing, dodging and tackling skills, as well as learning the rules of tag rugby and how to play as a team. A fantastic experience – da iawn pawb!
Reception Reading Meeting
We would like to remind all Reception parents and carers to attend our Reception Reading Meeting on Monday 14th September at 4:30pm. Reading is one of the most important skills children develop in their early years and plays a vital role in their success across all areas of learning. By working together, school and home can create strong reading habits and foster a lifelong love of books. We look forward to sharing practical ways you can support your child's reading journey and strengthen this valuable home-school partnership. We hope to see you there!
Nut Allergies
As a result of having a number of pupils in school with severe nut allergies, we ask that no products with nuts are brought onto the premises or given to children for lunch.
Punctuality
We ask that all children arrive in plenty of time for the school day. Classroom doors open 8:50am ready for a prompt start at 9am. The school gates close at 9am so entry after this time must be via the School Office. Thank you for your support.
Communication
Communication between home and school is vital. We have an open-door policy at Glasllwch and value the support given by parents in the education and guidance of our children. We would like to remind parents/carers of the communication methods we use within school.
In-person: At the end of each day the staff will bring the children out onto the yard to hand them over to whoever the designated person is for collecting them. Any concerns or issues arising from the school day can be discussed at this time. In person meetings can also be arranged to discuss any concerns or issues which may arise.
Phone: If we need to contact you urgently regarding health and safety or behaviour during the course of the day this will be via a phone call. Parents can also phone the school office to report illness/absence or if there are any concerns/general queries.
Email: Any concerns about your child's well-being or general queries can be communicated through the school office via an email. Parents may arrange meetings with class teachers, at a mutually convenient time, to discuss any issues or concerns they may have. The Senior Leadership team can also be contacted via the school email address: glasllwch.primary@newportschools.wales Information specific to your child will also occasionally be emailed out to you.
Website: Our school website can be used to report illness, notify us of a change of address or request an absence.
News Updates are posted on the school website giving information about what is going on at school, dates of events and any items of news. The Calendar page can be used to view school diary dates and the Home page can be used to view upcoming dates and general information.
Seesaw: An app called See-saw is used to share learning updates. Staff use the app to celebrate learning - sharing information and pictures with you about your child's school day. These could be individual or whole class posts. Home Learning is also shared via See-saw. Please do not contact your child’s class teacher via the Seesaw app.
Text: Our text messaging system, Teachers2Parents, is used regularly to remind you of whole school issues, events or share specific reminders.
Safeguarding – Collection Arrangements
As a school we take the safeguarding of pupils very seriously. If there is a change to the regular collection arrangements at the end of the day please contact the school office to inform Mrs Griffiths, who will inform your child’s teacher. Children will not be released to an unknown adult. Thank you for your co-operation.
Upcoming Events
Please visit our school calendar to access diary dates for the year ahead. We will continue to add dates to the calendar as we move through the school year. Please note – upcoming dates for the week ahead can also be found on our home page.
Thank you in anticipation of your ongoing support. Wishing you an enjoyable and relaxing weekend.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs J. Munslow
Headteacher
