Autumn Term
Autumn has well and truly arrived. Children have settled back into their routines very quickly and are enjoying their new classes. We are blessed with the family we are and how our children behave. They are an absolute credit to you. We welcomed visitors from the Local Authoirty and our Consortia on Wednesday 25th September. They were very impressed with our children, and how polite and keen they are to share their learning. A big Diolch yn Fawr to our Ministers who gave them a tour of our wonderful school - Taya and Harri - we are so proud of you! Diolch yn fawr to our staff too, for all your hard work and dedication.
On Monday 16th, we welcomed our Nursery children in full time. We hope that you will join with me in welcoming their families to our Family! I hope you will be very happy with your child's time with us. If you need anything at all, please come and speak to us and we will help.
Please can I ask you to pray for Mrs Morris and her family, sadly Mrs Morris' father passed away this week.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen
We ask Our Blessed Mother Mary, to clothe Mrs Morris and her family in her Mattel and protect them in their hour of need. Amen
We are a Catholic Family learning together
Mass Times on Saturday evening / Sunday
We know how busy life can be, I always find it handy knowing the time of Masses around our area. Here is a list of Churches near by and the time of Sunday Mass.
Our Lady's & St Patrick's RC Church. Maesteg Sunday 11am & 5pm
St Robert's RC Church. Aberkenfig Sunday 9am
St Mary's RC Church. Bridgend Saturday 6pm Sunday 11am & 6pm
St Joseph's RC Church. Port Talbot Saturday 6pm Sunday 10am
Family Mass - Sunday October 20th 5pm this is a chance to say farewell to Fr John and thank him for his prayers and guidance over the past years
Please make every effort to join with our Parish family. It is a great opportunity for us to celebrate our faith together and share a cuppa and a cake after.
Contact details
Mrs James will be sending home a pupil profile sheet, to be completed. Please can you make sure that we have the most up-to-date contact details, any allergies, medical issues or anything we need to know to support your child's needs.
Handle with Care
If your children needs a gentle approach any day, please text 'Handle with care' to either the school messaging service or on Class Dojo. You do not have to tell us anymore than 'Handle with care'. We will know that your child will need extra time, patience or help.
CAFOD Fast Day
Friday 4th October 2024 - We will join Catholic Schools and Parishes all over the UK to think about our brothers and sisters around the world whose Harvest is less than plentiful.
We will wear something colourful to celebrate the Harvest and we are asking for donations of pennies - 1 p, 2 p, 5p, 10p, 20p or 50p.
Brawddeg yr Wythnos
This term we will re-introduce our Welsh phrase of the week, to be shared with you at home. We would like you to share these phrases / Q&A's with your family and friends.
Foundation Phase - Pwy wyt ti? (Who are you?) / Sam ydw i. (I am Sam)
KS2 - Beth ydy dy enw di? (What is your name?) Sam ydw i. (I am Sam) Sam ydy fy enw i. (My name is Sam) Fy enw i ydy Sam. (My name is Sam)
If we do not know the Welsh word, yet, we are placing the English word in its place. We would love you to join us on our bilingual journey.
If you would like to discuss anything with your child's class teacher, please can I ask you to make an appointment or send them a message on Class Dojo. When you are dropping off or when we are seeing children home at the end of the day, it is not the best time to discuss important information about your child.
School Day
School begins at 8:55 am - Doors open at 8:45am. School day ends at 3pm for Nursery pupils, 3.15pm for rest of the school.
Drop off & Pick up arrangements:
• Breakfast Club – the main gate to the yard is the entry point – Doors are open between 8.15am and 8.30am.
• Mr Ballenger will be on the gate, from 8.45am to ensure the children, unaccompanied, go in safely.
(The hall door must remain closed as it as a Fire Exit)
Bus children are accompanied by staff, and they come in as soon as they arrive.
If you are on the yard with your child, Please, do not send your children in at this time.
Doors are open from 8.45am for children to come in to class, to complete morning activities, ready to begin their day at 8.55am.
Nursery pupils come in to school via the Main Reception Gates, where they are greeted by staff, this is from 8.45am.
If you access the school from the Church steps, Commercial street, the Main Reception gates are open from 8.45am for children to come into classes.
The main gate and the Reception door will be maned by staff to ensure safe entry for children.
This will be the same for pick-up
Nursery - 3pm - Main Reception Gate
Reception to Year 6 – 3.15pm - Yard
If your child/ren are to meet you at the Main Reception gate or at the bottom of the Church steps, a member of staff will always let them out of the door.
If you want your child/ren to walk home or there are any other arrangements at the end of the day, please speak to myself, Mrs James or the Class teacher please.
Please can I ask you to be very mindful of parking and DO NOT park in the Church grounds. We all have the safety of our children at heart.
October dates for your diary;
- 30th September 24 - Reception to Y6 - Nasal Spray
- 2nd October - Y5 & Y6 Theatr na nOg trip - subsidised by an Arts Council Wales Grant
- 4th October 24 - CAFOD Harvest Day - colourful clothes and pennies
- 7th October 24 - Y3 & Y4 visit to The Big Pit
- 15th October 24 - Y3 & Y4 Winter Lights Workshop in school
- 15th October 24 - Y6 Open Evening @ Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School 4.30pm
- 16th October 24 - Y4 - STEM Learning & Railway Safety Day
- 18th October 24 - Show Racism the Red Card - Wear Red Day
- 24th October 24 - Y1 - Hearing Tests
- 25th October 24 - Training Day for Student Teachers from Cardiff Met
- 25th October 24 - Last Day of Autumn 1
November Dates
- 4th November 24 - Return to school - Autumn Term 2
- 5th November 24 - Nursery to Y2 - Fluoride application
- 6th November 24 - Y1 & Y2 visit to Afan Mining Museum
- 11th INSET - Staff training for new Religious Education Directory, with other schools from the Archdioecse
- 12th November 24 - Governors Meeting
- 13th November 24 - School photos
- 20th November 24 - Archdiocese of Cardiff -Menevia School Staff Mass 7pm Mary Immaculate Catholic High. Cardiff
- 24th November 24 - Feast of Christ the King
Dates for the year ahead
- 1st December 24 - First Sunday of Advent
- 2nd December 24 - 12th December - Christmas Concerts - see above
- 8th December 24 - Winter Lights Festival - Maesteg Welfare Park - choir will be singing @5pm
- 18th December 24 - Christmas dinner day
- 19th December 24 - Party Food day
- 19th December 24 - Last Day of Autumn 2
- 20th December 24 - INSET Day
- 20th December 24 - 5th January 25 - Christmas Holidays
- 6th January 25 - Return to School - Spring 1
- 10th February 25 -all week - Swimming Year 4 & Year 5
- 17th February 25 - Monday to Thursday - Swimming Year 4 & Year 6
- 17th February 25 - INSET Day - Church Cluster
- 21st February -2nd March 25 - Half Term
- 3rd March 25 - Return to School - Spring 2
- 3rd March 25 - Celebration of St David's Day (1st March)
- 5th March 25 - Ash Wednesday - beginning of Lent
- 17th March 25 - St Patrick's Day
- 11th April 25 - Last Day of Spring 2
- 12th April 25 - 27th April 25 - Easter Holidays
- 28th April 25 - Return to School - Summer 1
- 23rd May 25 - Last Day of Summer 1
- 24th May - 1st June 25 - Half Term
- 2nd June 25 - Return to School - Summer 2
- 18th July 25 - End of Academic Year 24-25
- 21st July 25 - INSET Day
INSET Days;
- 2nd September 24
- 11th Novemeber 24
- 20th December 24
- 21st February 25
- 21st July 25
One INSET Day to be confirmed
Jesuit Pupil Profile
Curious & Active
Being Curious & Active about Religious Art. Share with your child/ren and discuss the questions below;
What does this image make you think/feel?
• Find something puzzling, surprising or interesting about this picture?
• Identify the key people in this painting.
• Think of a caption or synopsis for this image.
• Compare and contrast this piece of artwork to the scripture
Luke 2: 25 - 38
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother marvelled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
St Francis Xavier was sent out to bring the gospel to the ends of the earth, St Ignatius said,
“Go, set the world ablaze!”
This is what we hope for our pupils as they step out into the world, active and curious.
Attendance and punctuality
Please can I remind you of the school times;
8.55am until 3.15pm - Reception to Year 6.
This is a legal requirement of children attending school, above the age of 5.
Our attendance is tracked on a 3 week basis, by BCBC.
Letters will be issued if your child is persistently late in the morning or collected early at the end of the day.
The Governors of STMP have permitted 10 days authorised holidays. Please ensure you complete a holiday form.
I thank you for your support in working with us to improve our attendance.
School officially begins at 8.55am. Please inform Mrs James of any absences before 10am in the morning of the first day. This can be done by text or phone call. If you need to collect your child early for any reason, please ring the office to explain.