Diolch yn fawr
What a fantastic start to our second half of the Spring term. A week and a day of events, but it has been the breathe of joy that we needed.
Our St David's Day celebrations culminated in our wonderful Eisteddfod. Such a celebration of our children, their love of learning and song. Each class shared a song /poem which they had learnt so well. We celebrated some of our musicians and we hope to host more musical events in the Summer term.
There were many behind the scenes events and our traditional Home task. This year we saw the introduction of a Welsh Bake Off for Y5 & Y6. What a collection of homemade delights; Glamorgan sausages, leek & potato pies, bara brith, to name just a few. We hope this will be a staple of the Eisteddfod moving forward.
Our celebration was brought to a close by Dawns Gymreig from Y2, then our Crowning of the Bard ceremony.
We are delighted to announced that Imogen is the Bard for STMP Eisteddfod 2025. Her creative writing held all the elements of a gripping Welsh Folk Tale.
LLongyfarchiadau Imogen!
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
Family Mass - 23rd March 5pm. Please join us, it is lovely to celebrate as a Parish Family.
It is a great opportunity for us to celebrate our faith together and share a cuppa and a cake after.
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.
Brawddeg yr Wythnos
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.
March / April Dates
- 17th March - St Patrick's Day Mass 10am - wear green
- 17th March - Y5 Residential to Llangrannog
- 18th March - Governors Meeting
- 19th March - Feast Day of St Joseph
- 26th March - Parents Meetings Y3 - Y6
- 27th March - Parents Meetings Nursery - Y2
- 1st April - 5pm - Y6 PGL Meeting
- 2nd April - Y6 Crucial Crew
- 2nd April - Parents Meetings - Nursery - Y2
- 3rd April - Parents Meetings - Y3 - Y6
- Week Beginning 7th April - Holy Week @STMP
- 8th April - 2.30pm - Nursery & Reception - Palm Sunday
- 9th April - 2.30pm - Y3 & Y4 - The Last Supper
- 10th April - 2.30pm - Y5 & Y6 - The Crucifixion
- 11th April - Easter Bonnet Parade / Easter Egg Raffle / visit from the Easter Bunny
- 11th April - Last day of Spring Term
- 28th April - Return to School - Summer Term
- 29th April - 2.30pm - Y1 & Y2 - The Resurrection
Dates for the year ahead
- 5th May - May Day Bank Holiday
- 23rd May - Last Day of Summer 1
- 24th May - 1st June - Half Term
- 2nd June - Return to School - Summer 2
- 4th - 6th June - Y6 Residential PGL
- 17th June - Governors Meeting 5pm
- 19th June - Sports Afternoon - Nursery to Y2
- 20th June - Sports Afternoon - Y3 to Y6
- 18th July - End of Academic Year 24-25
- 21st July - INSET Day
INSET Days;
- 2nd September 24
- 11th Novemeber 24
- 20th December 24
- 13th January 25
- 21st February 25
- 21st July 25
Jesuit Pupil Profile
Attentive & Discerning
Pupils are growing to be attentive to their experience and to their vocation; and discerning about the choices they make and the effects of those choices.
What does this mean?
Catholic schools help their pupils grow by promoting the practice of attentive reflection and discerning decision making: in teaching, in the examen, prayer and retreats; and through the practice and example of school leaders and staff.
Attentive
We are attentive when we listen to our calling from God to love and serve one another in all that we do. We are attentive to our experiences and can see where they will take us in our future vocations.
Discerning
We are discerning when we decide to do the right thing in the interest of the needs of others because we know the positive impact that will have on their lives.
- Are you listening to God?
- What is he saying?
- Why is being attentive so important?
- How could you use your gifts to be attentive to others?
- Could you be a good listener?
- Could you help your friends?
- Could you give money to charity?
CAFOD BIG LENT WALK
On Friday our RE Council launched our Lent Charity work - This year we are taking part in The CAFOD Big Lent Walk.
The link to our JustGiving Page;
https://schools.walk.cafod.org.uk/fundraising/stmp-cafod-big-lent-walk-2025?utm_medium=email&utm_source=PostOffice&utm_campaign=DS_EVENTS-LFC_Trans_PageCreated
We will be updating our km as the weeks go by.
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 are to be worn, they must be studs. 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.
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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Created with images by Pixel-Shot - "Bouquet of beautiful daffodils on white background" • ungvar - "Christians symbols Holy communion on wooden table in church wine in the church during the communion" • photosaint - "dandelion flower seeds fly away from the base of the flower" • Bits and Splits - "Astronomical Clock on Prague Old Town Square" • Victor Moussa - "First day of Spring and springtime equinox concept theme with block calendar set on March 20, two yellow tulips and one pink tulip and butterflies isolated on a rustic white wooden background" • komthong wongsangiam - "inscription on the cubes of the world, 2025 new year concept " • Angelov - "Child girl with book and bag breaking through yellow paper wall. Happy smiling kid go back to school, kindergarten. Success, motivation, winner, genius concept. Little kid dreaming to be superhero" • Odua Images - "School supplies on blackboard background" • syahrir - "Mistakes are proof that you are trying on wooden blocks. Education, Motivation and inspiration concept"