Croeso nol! Welcome back! And a huge welcome to all our new starters! We've had a lovely first week back with the children and are very much looking forward to the coming year.
You will no doubt have noticed that we had some major structural work done to the front wall over the summer but we have also had some decorating and refurbishment work done too. The most notable change is to the Early Years building where we've had a new vinyl floor laid throughout. Dosbarth Coch (Nursery / Reception) now have a very large area which Mrs Reeve and her team have worked very hard to make welcoming. It looks amazing!
Dates
Are you interested in joining in with our PTFA this year? All parents are automatically members and are encouraged to get involved in whatever capacity you are able to offer. Whilst the committee meet regularly throughout the year, we also need a wider group of volunteers to help at events. If you'd like to get involved or find out more, come along to our AGM on Wednesday (11th) next week after school - staff will look after children of those attending.
We'd really love a few more parents to join our Parent Forum. This is separate to the PTFA & a chance to have your say and give us some additional insight into parents' views. Ideally we'd like 1 or 2 parents from each class to attend. At the meetings we discuss the responses to parent surveys, school improvement priorities & hot topics. Parent Forum meetings are held in advance of Governors meetings so that we can capture views ahead of policy changes. Our first meeting will be Tuesday October 1st 14:30 - 15:30. If you would be interested in joining us, please email Mrs Tucker (TuckerJ58@sch.caerphilly.gov.uk). At the first meeting we will be discussing a new home/school agreement, our communication policy, plans for Literacy Open Days & items for future agendas.
We will be holding a meet the teacher session for parents of children Reception - Year 6, after school on Thursday 19th September until 4:15pm. Please note this is a general drop in session and if you require a personal conversation this needs to be arranged separately. We apologise that we are unable to hold a later meeting and do appreciate that it is difficult for all parents to attend. Attendance is not required - it's simply an opportunity for you to come in and say hello if you haven't met your child's teacher before. Teachers' email addresses are available on their class website pages. Please note that we ask parents to contact us by phone or email rather than Google Classroom, X, or See Saw. If it's urgent, please contact the school office. More information about communication can be found here.
Flu immunisation Friday October 4th
Individual & sibling photos (sorry, no secondary school siblings) Monday 7th October
Literacy Open Day Sessions (21st & 22nd October) - information will be sent out at the end of September. Parents will be invited to book one morning or afternoon session (so that it's manageable). It will run in a similar way to the Maths Open Day Sessions we ran last year.
Parents' evenings will be held on Monday 11th & Tuesday 12th November - parents will be invited to book times week beginning 30th September.
Odd Socks Day Tuesday 12/11/24
Children in Need Friday 15/11/24
The calendar on the school website is up to date with as much information as possible. Please note some dates are provisional at the moment e.g. dates for PTFA events & trips. We have one INSET date left to confirm for this academic year (all others are on the website calendar).
Clubs
We are very lucky that the staff of Pontllanfraith volunteer to run after school clubs and activities. We do our best to offer a range of activities to a range of ages (within the obvious limitations of staff skills & availability). Numbers may be limited according to the activity.
A list of clubs that are on offer on Tuesdays and Wednesdays this term, which age groups are eligible, when they will be held and information about how to apply for a place, will be sent out next week. Clubs will start week beginning 22.9.24. Please note that we cannot take an unlimited number of children. If clubs are over subscribed we may need to operate a waiting list.
Intervention Support & ALN Provision
Teachers are currently working with Mrs Tucker as ALNCo to identify children for intervention support this term and to organise ALN additional support for those who have allocated additional support hours by the LA. We have also have a number of new starters to consider. Class teachers will be in touch by the end of next week to confirm provision.
Getting to know your child
Keep an eye on your email next week: teachers will be emailing you a form to complete that will help them get to know your child. It's really helpful for us to know about their interests outside of school and things that are important to them.
Wellbeing
Mrs Tucker and Miss Ferguson are our leads for Health & Wellbeing. We have two members of staff leading this area given its importance and breadth.
Health & Wellbeing, for example, encompasses: food, fitness & physical activity; mental health & emotional wellbeing; relationships & sexuality education; risky behaviours e.g. smoking, vaping, drugs education.
Our website has been updated to provide further information (link here).
This term we will take part in Welsh Government's Student Health & Wellbeing Survey organised by the The School Health Research Network (SHRN). A letter for parents about this is attached here. The survey is anonymous and confidential and conducted with children in Years 3 - 6. If you do not want your child to take part in the survey you will need to let us know by Friday 20/9/24.
Belongings in school
A polite reminder that we ask that the children don't bring large bags, pencil cases or personal belongings such as toys, cards etc to school. Please do not send large bottles of water. We provide access to technology throughout the day and whilst we want children to be able to drink, large bottles, particularly those that do not have a sports cap, are a hazard. Some children are also bringing expensive branded bottles to school. We advise against this and parents are advised that bottles are brought to school entirely at their own risk. Our preference is for a small bottle with a sports top as if they are knocked they do not break and there is minimal spillage. Children are able to refill their bottle from the classroom sinks which all provide water that is safe to drink. Children are not permitted to drink squash during lesson time.
ASDA Cashpot for Schools
Do you shop in Asda? Asda donate to schools each time you shop. This is a donation from Asda and does not come from your own Asda rewards cashpot. Even if you don't shop in Asda regularly, they donate £1 just for registering with the app. We're really grateful to all those already registered - thank you! ASDA Cashpot for Schools