Johnston Community Primary School September 13th 2024

Our School Motto

Dear Parents/guardians,

It has been another lovely week in school and pupils have settled back into school well. Next week we are going to hold an outdoor learning day on Thursday 19th September. If possible, please could pupils bring wellies or old trainers to school. We have lots of exciting activites planned.

Curriculum Corner - Retrieval Practice

In recent years I have written to you about the exceptionally high standards achieved by pupils in mathematics. Every lesson begins with a retrieval practice warm up. During the warm up pupils revisit a skill which they have already been taught. This is very important as it supports pupils to improve their knowledge of key strategies in mathematics. These pictures show some examples of warm ups that pupils have used this week.

How can I support my child in maths?

Key instant recall facts are a great way to support your child. Click on the button below for a link to the school website which provide more information.

Friday Football

Attendance

Several classes enjoyed a treat in the roundhouse to celebrate achieving 100% attendance.

Attendance this week has dropped slightly. Please support us to achieve our target of 95%.

  • E.Y. - 92.20%
  • Y1 - 95.80%
  • Y2 - 92.80%
  • Y3 - 97.50%
  • Y4 - 95.80%
  • Y5 - 93.80%
  • Y6 - 93.10%
  • LRC1 - 85.5%
  • LRC2 -80%

Information from ASD Family Help

Information from Llangwm RFC

Music Service Information

Inset days for 2024-2025

  1. Monday 2nd September 2024 - Focus: Direct Instruction and Teacher Modeling.
  2. Wednesday 9th October 2024 - Focus: Oracy, independence and continuous and enhanced provision.
  3. Monday 25th November - Focus: Cluster Working.
  4. Friday 10th January - Focus: Welsh Language.
  5. Friday 24th January - Focus: Phonics and Reading.
  6. Day Six will be taken as twilight sessions.

Mobile Phone Policy Update

During the summer term. the Local Authority contacted all schools and Governing bodies asking them to review their Mobile Telephone Policy. In recent years, internet enabled mobile devices have caused a significant increase in incidents of online bullying and inappropriate behaviour. Gradually, device usage has become more popular in younger year groups and whereas previously primary schools had very few serious incidents related to devices, this has changed in recent years.

There is broad consensus amongst experts that the use of mobile telephones can be detrimental to child development. At a time where children are particularly anxious and parts of their brains are still developing, mobile telephones can exacerbate concerns and worries that pupils might have. Social Psychologist, Jonathan Haidt, say that the decline of free-play in childhood and the rise of smartphone usage among adolescents are the twin sources of increased mental distress among teenagers.

As such, we have taken the decision to become a smart phone free school. This is an approach promoted by the Local Authority.

From September, pupils will not be permitted to bring any smart phone/internet enabled device to school. This is a change to our current policy where pupils check in smart devices at the school office. Should parents feel that their child needs a mobile telephone to walk home with because they need to contact them, we will permit a non-internet enabled brick telephone which can be checked in at reception.

We recognise that this may result in additional costs for parents as pupils may already had a smart-device. As such, the governing body have agreed that we able to provide a limited number of brick telephones (non-internet enabled) for free which pupils are then able to check into the office at the beginning of the school day.

Thank you for your support and understanding with this issue.

Headteacher's Coffee Afternoon

On Monday 16th September I will hold a Headteacher's coffee session at 15:30. This will be an opportunity for an informal chat about anything that parents would like to discuss - be it something that you think we are doing well, something which you think I might have missed, or an area of concern. All parents are welcome.

Friday Afternoon Booking Form

Please note that children must be booked onto provision so that we are able to ensure appropriate staffing levels.

Seren yr Wythnos