Summer Term part 2
How are we nearly at the end of another school year? So much has happened and yet still so much to do. We have been full steam ahead on ensuring our children are ready for their next journeys. This week our Year 6's will go to Archbishop McGrath for their transition day. I know they are ready and although we will miss them, this new adventure will allow them to spread their wings.
Our Ladybirds and new Nursery children have visits coming up and it will be a joy to welcome these little ones and their families to our Catholic Family.
All our other classes, will have a Transition afternoon on Monday 7th July. As staff will remain in the same year groups, we felt an afternoon is enough. We are blessed to be a family, where we all support and help each other out. I think we all know each other very well.
Y6 pupils Transition Day is July 1st. Please be reminded there is a parent meeting at 4pm the same day at ABMcG.
We are a Catholic Family learning together
Mass Times on Saturday evening / Sunday
Fr Paul welcomes you all to Mass. He would love to meet you and discuss anything with you. If you would like to have your child Baptised, please speak to Fr Paul. You could call to the Presbytery or the Church Number is 01656 733282.
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
Contact details
Please make sure we have the most up to date contact details for your child, including 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.
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.
Llongyfrachiadau to our Football Team!
On Friday our Football Team went with Mr McGuckin to the Goal Getters Competition at Caerau Primary school.
They played fantastically, working together and came out as the Champions!!!
Llongyfarchiadau to Harri, Blake, Zeo, Beau, Cohen, Cohan, Lucas, Dammy, Evan, Joe & Mr McGuckin.
We are super proud of you!!
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.
• Staff will be on the doors 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.
June / July Dates
- 30th June - Mass for Fr Paul Joseph 30th Anniversary - 10am
- 1st July - Y6 Transition to ABMcG - Parent Meeting at 4pm
- 3rd July - ALN Coffee Morning ABMcG - If you have received an invitation, please ensure you have replied.
- 4th July - A&S Animal Encounters - Ladybirds/ Nursery to Y4
- 7th July - Jubilee Pledge Day
- 7th July - Transition afternoon
- 8th July - Y1 & Y2 Trip
- 9th July - Nursery & Reception Trip
- 9th July - Y3, Y4 & Y5 Trip
- 11th July - Y6 Trip
- 14th July - Y6 Leavers Mass 1.30pm - Y6 Families welcome
- 15th July - Mass of Thanksgiving for the School Year 24-25
- 18th July - Last day of academic year 2024-2025
School Uniform
Please can I ask that you make every effort to ensure your child wears correct uniform.
NO jewellery should be worn. If earrings must be worn, they must be studs. Only one pair of studs are to be worn. If they can not be taken out on PE days, please can you send in plasters that can cover the earrings for the session.
Please can long hair be tied back.
These rules are in place for the health and safety of all our children. I am sure that you will support us in tightening up on these rules.
At a meeting with Mrs Howells - Headteacher of Archbishop McGrath. We spoke about transition and the issues unique to our school, STMP.
Uniform is a big issue. We have been very relaxed since Covid regarding uniform, however, I would not be helping our pupils to grow if I ignore the concerns of Mr Howells.
In the heat, children are able to wear PE kits to school, please either house colours or blue or white plain t-shirts.
No football shirts or t-shirts with slogans on.
Blue or white polo shirts / Blue jumpers or cardigans.
Black or grey school trousers / Black or grey school skirts.
Black School shoes
Thank you to the parents whose children are always in full school uniform, across the school.
In July, I will send out an update on school uniform and the expectations for all classes, for the academic year 2025-2026.
Late comers
Late comers - We have many pupils arriving late for school. This is picked up on registers by our Education Welfare Officer and reported to BCBC and Welsh Government.
Please can I ask you to ensure your child is in school before 8.55am. We open the doors at 8.45am for children to come in and settle in before the day begins. Staff set activities and children are ready to begin their day at 8.55am.
If your child would benefit from Breakfast club, please speak to Mrs James and complete a form. Emma, our cook is wonderful and welcomes all our children.
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.
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