Embedded Files
Headteacher's Summer 2 Newsletter 2025
Headteacher's Summer 2 Newsletter 2025
As we come to the end of another school year, I just want to pause and say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helps make Ysgol Y Bryn the vibrant, caring and ambitious school it is.
To our brilliant pupils – thank you for your energy, your effort, and the pride you take in your learning. Whether you were exploring volcanoes, running your own ice cream shops, tie-dying scrunchies, hosting coffee mornings, or climbing Pen y Fan, you’ve amazed us every step of the way. From Pembrey to Folly Farm to Llangrannog, you’ve made memories we’ll all treasure – filled with laughter, resilience and teamwork. You really are what makes this school so special.
To our amazing staff – thank you for everything. You’ve gone above and beyond again this year – creating exciting learning opportunities through our enquiry-based curriculum, introducing new tools like Seesaw and Mathletics, and tweaking our reports to better support parents. The passion, care and dedication you bring to school life every day doesn’t go unnoticed – and I couldn’t be prouder to work alongside you.
To our families – your ongoing support means the world to us. Whether you’ve been cheering at Sports Day, getting behind our Healthy Lunchbox Campaign, popping along to parent events or helping out at the Summer Fayre – thank you. Your involvement makes a real difference and helps make Ysgol Y Bryn a true community school.
To our fantastic PTCA – a huge thank you for your tireless work this year. From behind-the-scenes planning to organising events like the Summer Fayre, your efforts raise vital funds that go straight back to the children – and they always have such a brilliant time too.
We’re also saying goodbye to a few familiar faces this term. A special farewell to Mrs Dawson, who’s off to take on her own headship – we wish her all the best. And to Mrs Brown, who is retiring after years of incredible care and commitment – thank you, and enjoy every moment. We’re also grateful to Mrs Lyon, Miss Jones, Ms Koytemirova, Mrs Timbrell, Mrs Thomas, Mrs Evans and Mrs Williams for everything they’ve contributed to our school – you’ll all be missed.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to welcome Mrs Ryan, our new Deputy Headteacher, who really impressed us during the interview process with her Forest School lesson, her leadership and her thoughtful approach. She’ll be joining us in September. We also congratulate Miss Jones on becoming our acting ALNCo, following a thorough handover with Mrs Dawson.
And finally – to our Year 6 pupils – what a journey it’s been. You’ve led by example, from supporting younger children and representing the school, to climbing mountains (literally!) and getting ready for your next step. We’re proud of each and every one of you.
Wishing you all a restful and sunny summer.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding
At Ysgol Y Bryn, keeping our children safe is our top priority. We are fully committed to promoting the health, wellbeing and protection of every pupil, and we take our responsibilities very seriously.
Our staff are trained to recognise and act on any concerns, and every adult in school — from teachers to lunchtime supervisors — plays a key role in creating a safe, caring environment. We have designated safeguarding leads, Mr. Williams (Headteacher) and Mrs. Ryan (Deputy Headteacher, September 2025), who are responsible for making sure the right support is given when needed.
We teach children how to keep themselves safe, build trusted relationships, and help them feel confident speaking up if something worries them. Our curriculum includes lessons on relationships, emotions and staying safe, both offline and online.
We work closely with outside agencies, follow Welsh Government guidance, and have clear procedures in place if any concerns arise.
If you ever have concerns about a child’s safety, please contact the school immediately. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility — together, we can help every child thrive in a safe and supportive environment.
We’re always striving to provide the very best for our children, and your voice plays a crucial role in that journey. We kindly ask you to take a few moments to complete our parent questionnaire. Your feedback will help us shape our school vision, refine our curriculum, and ensure that every child’s learning journey is meaningful, relevant, and rooted in the needs of our community.
Please take the time to share your thoughts — together, we can build a brighter future for our children and our community.
Hwyl Fawr, a Diolch o Galon
Hwyl Fawr, a Diolch o Galon
Firstly, we bid a fond farewell to Mrs Dawson, who will be taking up a headship at another school in September. Mrs Dawson has been an integral part of Ysgol Y Bryn for many years, playing a key role in the leadership of our school and making a lasting impact on pupils, staff, and families. Her dedication, kindness, and professionalism have helped shape the school into what it is today. She will be greatly missed, and we wish her every success as she begins this exciting new chapter.
We also say goodbye to Mrs Brown, who will be retiring after many years of committed service to the school. Her warmth, patience, and care have supported countless children during their time at Ysgol Y Bryn, and we are incredibly grateful for all that she has done. We wish her a long, happy, and well-earned retirement.
A special thank you also goes to Mrs Lyon, Mrs Timbrell, Mrs Evans, and Miss Koytemirova, who have each provided dedicated one-to-one support this year. Their commitment has ensured that the children in their care have made excellent progress and felt fully supported throughout their learning journey.
Mrs Williams also leaves us this summer. She played a key role in developing the school and leading on ALN for a number of years. We thank her for her hard work and wish her all the very best for the future.
Finally, we extend our thanks and good wishes to Mrs Thomas, who has supported our Early Years classrooms, and to Miss Jones, who has provided class cover during the summer term. Each of them has made a valuable contribution to the life of our school.
To all our staff who are moving on, thank you for everything—you leave with our heartfelt gratitude and best wishes.
You Said, We Did
You Said, We Did
As we reach the end of the academic year, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support. At Ysgol Y Bryn, we place great value on listening to our families, and this year we’ve made important changes based on your feedback.
Here is a summary of what you told us through questionnaires—and how we responded.
You said:
“We’d like to know more about what our children are learning in school.”
We did:
Launched Seesaw so you can view real-time updates, photos and class news.
Introduced clearer curriculum overviews and celebrated children’s work more regularly.
Updated end-of-year reports to reflect the new Curriculum for Wales, showing progress across the six Areas of Learning and Experience.
You said:
“We’d like more support in helping with learning at home.”
We did:
Ran parent workshops, including Mathletics and reading strategies.
Shared learning tips and ideas through Seesaw and newsletters.
Provided home-friendly resources linked to class enquiry questions.
You said:
“Communication needs to be easier and more consistent.”
We did:
Introduced Seesaw as our main platform for clear, centralised communication.
Streamlined how updates are shared so everything is in one place.
Introduced half-temrly Headteacher newsletters.
Introduced a new website, hosting all key information.
You said:
“We want to be involved in our children’s learning.”
We did:
Welcomed families to events, project showcases and class visits.
Involved you in enquiry-based planning through our ‘I wonder…’ curriculum approach.
Strengthened home-school links through shared learning and themed activities.
You said:
“We’d love to see more clubs and activities outside of lessons.”
We did:
Launched our new Bryn Beyond after-school programme with clubs in cooking, sports, gardening, knitting and more.
Supported staff to run clubs based on their own interests and expertise.
Created inclusive opportunities for all pupils to take part in extracurricular activities.
You said:
“We’d like more opportunities for our children to develop independence through trips and residentials.”
We did:
Organised Urdd residentials for Years 4 and 6 to Cardiff Bay and Llangrannog.
Introduced a Year 5 residential to Llain.
Offered local trips to enrich the curriculum and build confidence.
Communicated well in advance and ensured access and support for all families.
You said:
“Attendance is important – but it can be hard to stay motivated.”
We did:
Introduced Class Attendance Challenges with rewards and celebrations.
Provided supportive systems and regular communication for families.
Involved pupils in designing attendance initiatives through the School Council.
You said:
“Children need support with well-being, emotions and confidence.”
We did:
Embedded Jigsaw PSHE across the school, with weekly circle-time sessions.
Carried out pupil well-being surveys and responded to the results.
Introduced a new survey, HAPPEN, linked with Swansea University to further understand what it is we can do.
Offered more ELSA, Positive Play, Blociau Bendigedig and Trauma sessions to all learners.
Have more trained professionals in these areas through professional learning.
Strengthened support through mentoring, pupil leadership and targeted pastoral care.
You said:
“Welsh language and culture should be more visible.”
We did:
Promoted daily use of Cymraeg through routines, assemblies and rewards.
Celebrated Welsh events including St David’s Day, Eisteddfod and Welsh Language Music Day.
Introduced more Urdd residentials, and for longer.
Progressed towards achieving the Siarter Iaith Silver Award.
You said:
“We want a clear, easy-to-use website with key information in one place.”
We did:
Built a new Ysgol Y Bryn website with a dedicated Parent Hub section.
Made it mobile-friendly, easy to navigate, and regularly updated.
Ensured key documents, dates and contact details are easy to find.
You said:
“We want to know what the school’s long-term plans are.”
We did:
Shared our School Development Priorities for 2024–2025 & 2025-2026.
Involved governors, staff, pupils and parents in shaping our focus for 2025–2026.
Set clear goals for the next stage of our journey, including deeper enquiry learning, stronger reading provision, and even greater use of Cymraeg.
We’re excited to announce that next year’s residential trip to Gwersyll yr Urdd Llangrannog will take place from Monday 15th June to Friday 19th June for our new Year 6 pupils. Please check Parent Pay for the consent and payment page, where you’ll find further details.
Our current Year 6 pupils had an incredible time at Llangrannog this year—taking part in thrilling activities like skiing, climbing, go-karting, and tobogganing, while enjoying discos, quizzes, and folk dancing in the evenings. The trip was filled with laughter, teamwork, and memories that will stay with them for years to come. It was a week of fun, friendship, and unforgettable experiences!
We’re proud to have established a strong partnership with Llangrannog, meaning our Year 6 pupils will visit every year for a four-night residential stay during the summer term. To support families in planning ahead, we are working on a long-term payment plan available from Year 3 onwards, making it easier for everyone to prepare for this exciting opportunity.
With comfortable en-suite accommodation, all meals provided (including dietary requirements catered for), and a packed schedule of adventure and fun, this trip continues to be a highlight of our school year. We can’t wait to do it all again next summer!
Parent Letter for Llangrannog 2026
Llangrannog 2025.mp4Cardiff Bay Residential - Year 4
Cardiff Bay Residential - Year 4
Dates for the Diary
Dates for the Diary
01/09/2025 - INSET Day (School closed to children)
08/09/2025 - Kerbcraft Y2 (10 Weeks)
24-26/09/2025 - Llain Residential Y5
26/09/2025 - Flu vaccines reception - Y6
13/10/2025 - Colorfoto - Individual Portraits & Internal Siblings
24/10/2025 - INSET Day (School closed to children).
Healthy School
Healthy School
Miss Lewis has been working closely with our School Council to improve the quality of school lunches, and we’re pleased to share how successful our Healthy Lunchbox Campaign has been so far. Over the past few weeks, pupils have embraced the weekly challenges with enthusiasm — proudly earning their ‘Huw the Horse’ stickers and showing a real commitment to making healthier choices.
From reusable containers to fruit-filled lunches, the children have been fantastic in taking small but meaningful steps toward better health and sustainability. We’re so proud of their efforts and the growing awareness around the importance of eating well.
This campaign has been a brilliant step forward, and we’re excited to continue promoting healthy habits in the autumn term. Our School Council and Eco Team are already busy planning more ideas and initiatives — so keep an eye out for what’s coming next! Together, we’re building a healthier, greener Ysgol Y Bryn.
Bronze Ambassadors
Bronze Ambassadors
A huge thank you to our brilliant Sports Ambassadors who have been an incredible help throughout the year. Whether it’s leading games on the yard, supporting activities during play and lunchtimes, or welcoming children into school with energy and enthusiasm each morning, they’ve played a key role in promoting teamwork, wellbeing and active play across the school. Their leadership and positivity have made a real difference—diolch to each and every one of them!
Rags 2 Riches
Rags 2 Riches
Rags 2 Riches helps raise money for the school by collecting unwanted clothes and textiles. Thanks to your generous donations, we were able to raise £38.20 this term. Diolch yn fawr for your support!
A huge thank you to our incredible PTCA for their hard work, dedication, and ongoing support throughout the year. Their commitment to organising events and working closely with the school has made a real difference. The Summer Fayre was a fantastic success — a true team effort between the PTCA, staff and pupils. Together, we raised funds that go directly back to benefit the children. From PTCA-run stalls to class-led product sales, it was a wonderful celebration of creativity, community, and teamwork. Diolch yn fawr!
You can join the Ysgol Y Bryn PTCA Facebook Page by searching Bryn Primary PTCA on Facebook and answering the questions.
Pembrey Country Park Visit
Pembrey Country Park Visit
Pembrey Country Park provided the perfect backdrop for a day of fun, friendship, and fresh air as our Year 1 to Year 6 classes spent the day together. It was a wonderful opportunity for pupils to make lasting memories and enjoy each other’s company outside of the usual school environment. From exploring the park to sharing laughs over picnics and games, the day captured the true spirit of Ysgol Y Bryn!
Year 3 Cymraeg Coffee Morning
Year 3 Cymraeg Coffee Morning
Year 3 hosted a special Bore Da Coffee Morning for parents and families, celebrating the Welsh language and sharing the fantastic work they’ve completed through their topic. It was a wonderful opportunity for the children to showcase their learning, creativity, and growing confidence in using Cymraeg in a meaningful, real-life context. Diolch to all who attended and supported the event!
School Useful Information:
School Useful Information:
Cardiff Bay Residential - Year 4
Seesaw - the only place you'll find our up to date messages.
NEW: School Development Priorities: 2025-2026
NEW: School Development Priorities: 2025-2026
We are excited to share our school development priorities for 2025–2026. These priorities have been carefully chosen following rigorous planning and self-evaluation with our staff, learners, and governing body. Your feedback as parents and carers has also played a crucial role—helping us reflect on areas we may not always see ourselves. If you feel you can contribute to these priorities or support the school in any other way, we would love to hear from you.
Our four priorities for the year ahead are:
• Priority 1: Strengthening the use of Welsh in informal, everyday contexts by building staff confidence and encouraging consistent pupil use during playtimes, transitions, and pupil-led activities.
• Priority 2: Raising standards in mathematics by ensuring solid foundations in number fluency and developing pupils’ reasoning, problem-solving, and ability to apply skills across the curriculum.
• Priority 3: Supporting learners to clearly articulate their learning journey through purposeful teaching, reflection, and effective questioning.
• Priority 4: Continuing to design and embed a curriculum that is enquiry-driven, rooted in pupil interests, and shaped by real-world, meaningful learning experiences.
We’re really looking forward to another year of growth, curiosity and shared success
We are yet to decide which clubs will be running in the autumn. This is a voluntry service that the staff give their own personal time up for, so I need to establish what they're able to do.
I will send a Seesaw message to all during the first week, where the clubs will then go live on Parent Pay.
Our After School Club with Miss Phillips and Miss Boyling will run from the second week also.
Staffing Structure and Deployment 2025-2026
Staffing Structure and Deployment 2025-2026
You can find our staffing structure and deployment list for 2025–2026 on the ‘Our Family’ page.
Miss Jones, who has worked incredibly hard in Year 4 since the Christmas break, will take up the post of Acting ALNCo. Miss Jones was successful at interview, showing real enthusiasm and commitment to the role. She will be in touch with families during the autumn term to introduce herself and begin building strong partnerships. There has been an extensive handover process between herself and Mrs Dawson to ensure a smooth transition and continued support for all our learners with additional learning needs. We are confident that Miss Jones will bring great energy, empathy, and expertise to the role, and we look forward to seeing her thrive.
First Ministers
First Ministers
We are thrilled to announce our new First Ministers and Deputy Ministers for the upcoming academic year. After a thorough and challenging selection process—which included speeches, applications interviews, and even answering questions from their peers—our successful candidates have now been chosen.
This group of pupils demonstrated exceptional confidence, leadership potential, and a clear vision for how they want to help shape and support our school. We were incredibly impressed by all applicants and are so proud of the way they presented themselves throughout.
We’ll be sharing more about their roles and responsibilities in the new term, but for now, a huge congratulations to our new First Ministers and Deputies! We’re excited to see what they will achieve as they begin leading pupil voice at Ysgol Y Bryn.
"I was ecstatic when my name got called out, and I'm forward to representing the school."
"I am grateful by all to be selected as their Deputy First Minister."
"I am looking forward to being deputy First Minister and making our school proud!"
"I can't wait to get started!"
Hwyl Fawr Blwyddyn 6
Hwyl Fawr Blwyddyn 6
We say a fond farewell to our wonderful Year 6 pupils. Watching them grow into kind, confident, and capable young people has been a privilege, and we couldn’t be prouder of all they have achieved during their time at Ysgol Y Bryn.
They have faced challenges with determination, embraced opportunities with enthusiasm, and shown true leadership across the school—whether through their learning, representing the school in sports, or simply by being fantastic role models for our younger pupils. From their very first day in Nursery to now, they’ve filled our school with laughter, curiosity, and friendship.
To our Year 6 leavers—thank you for the memories, the hard work, and the joy you’ve brought to our school community. As you move on to your new schools, take with you everything you’ve learned, stay true to who you are, and know that you will always have a special place here at Ysgol Y Bryn.
Good luck—we believe in you, and we’ll miss you.
Llwynhendy Children's Centre Summer 2025
Llwynhendy Children's Centre Summer 2025
Early Years: Nursery & Reception
Early Years: Nursery & Reception
Early Years have had a busy and engaging half-term exploring the question, “I wonder how to stay safe at the seaside?” The children learned all about sun and water safety, floating and sinking, light and shadows, and who can help them when they’re near the sea. They also enjoyed setting up their own beach shop, using coins to pay for items and developing their understanding of money in a fun, hands-on way.
Discussions about sea creatures sparked curiosity, with the children sharing which ones they liked and disliked, while Reception pupils created colourful seaside safety posters. Across the phase, pupils used DCF skills to draw pictures and edit simple text linked to their topic.
A definite highlight was their trip to Tiny Tots Town, which offered lots of opportunities for imaginative play. They also welcomed visitors to enhance their learning, including a visit from the RNLI and a session with PC Courtney, helping them understand more about real-life heroes and how to stay safe.
It’s been another exciting term of learning through play, exploration and experience in Early Years!
Nursery
Nursery
Reception
Reception
Blwyddyn 1
Blwyddyn 1
This half-term, Year 1 have explored the inquiry question: “I wonder if there are any heroes at sea?” Their learning began with a special immersion day, where they discovered a message in a bottle from Grace Darling, setting the scene for their journey into real-life seaside heroism. Over the weeks, the children explored sea-themed topics across the curriculum. They investigated magnetism to discover which materials could move sea creatures around the ocean, made predictions and tested them, and thought about what they could create to sell at the Summer Fayre.
They looked closely at Grace Darling’s historic rescue, using the story to develop their writing and maths skills, solving sea-themed money problems. The children explored what else lives in the sea, learning Welsh names for sea creatures, using digital skills to create fact files, and playing interactive games to match creatures with treasures.
In preparation for the Summer Fayre, they made and sold Sea Creature Magnets and Marshmallow Lighthouses, proudly using their enterprise skills. They also deepened their understanding of what makes a heroine by sketching Grace Darling using charcoal, exploring shading techniques, and recording opinion sentences explaining why they believed she was a true heroine.
The children also enjoyed discussions around environmental questions like “Is plastic fantastic?”, developed their understanding of money through role-play and shop games, and explored capacity through hands-on activities. The term ended with a fantastic trip to Pembrey Country Park, rounding off another exciting and meaningful term of learning for Year 1.
Blwyddyn 2
Blwyddyn 2
This term, Year 2 have had a blast exploring their big question: “I wonder how to run an ice cream shop?” They kicked things off with a blindfolded ice cream tasting session to get their senses and curiosity flowing! In maths, they took part in a 3D shape hunt outdoors, building their knowledge of shapes through real-world exploration. In design and technology, they made biscuits and even followed their own written instructions to create and taste their very own ice cream. Children also enjoyed using and combining coins to buy items from their classroom ice cream shop, making links between maths and real-life contexts. In the mud kitchen, muddy ice creams were the flavour of the day, and in construction, they built local-style ice cream shops using natural materials. They brought their creative flair to persuasive adverts, convincing others to visit their shop!
The term also included some exciting extras – Sports Day, creating sweet cones to sell at the Summer Fayre, and a wonderful end-of-year trip to Pembrey Country Park where they made memories to last a lifetime.
Year 3
Year 3
Year 3 have had a busy and exciting Summer Term, packed with hands-on learning and real-world experiences. They explored their community through a local walk around Bryn, Trallwm and Llwynhendy, identifying local businesses and their social, environmental and economic impact, before analysing their findings through map work and data graphs.
As part of their Apprentice project, they designed tie-dye t-shirts and scrunchies, learned about persuasive writing through leaflets and posters, and even planned a wellbeing-themed coffee morning—creating Google Forms, spreadsheets and letters to local businesses.
Their teamwork shone through during the Apprentice Experience Day, where they worked together to launch their own businesses. They also enjoyed activities like planting sessions in Welsh (Adam yn yr Ardd), sending postcards, and learning about money through shop roleplay.
Maths focused on capacity through practical tasks, and PE included rounders and competitive sports. The term ended with a fantastic trip to Pembrey, participation in the Urdd Jambori, and of course, an energetic and joyful Sports Day!
Year 4
Year 4
Year 4 have spent the summer term diving into the question “I wonder what it takes to run a successful shop?” They started by exploring different types of shops, their purposes, and how they serve communities, before designing their own creative shopfronts. As the weeks progressed, pupils investigated what shops need to plan for, writing detailed diary entries from the perspective of shop owners and even designing their own business models. They explored how shops use data to understand customer needs by analysing and presenting information through tally charts, bar graphs and pictograms. Children created and conducted their own surveys and questionnaires to support this. Using real-life examples, they explored profit margins and created fruit shop budgets using actual Tesco catalogues. This culminated in persuasive presentations and written applications for fictional shop roles, as well as posters in Welsh describing successful businesses.
In Literacy, they explored limerick poetry and the features of formal letter writing, while Maths focused on money, capacity, algebra and budgeting. The children also enjoyed creative projects including designing and building wind chimes, and learning about cultural designs. VE Day was celebrated across the school, and in DCF lessons, they honed their communication and collaboration skills through email writing and Microsoft Teams projects. Health and Wellbeing topics covered relationships, emotions, healthy choices and how to cope positively with change. The term ended with an exciting trip to Pembrey Country Park and a brilliant Sports Day where the children showcased their athletic skills.
Year 5
Year 5
This half term, Year 5 have been exploring the question: “I wonder what it takes to reach my goals in life.” They’ve spent time considering the skills and qualities needed to achieve their dreams, looking at real-life scenarios and discussing how attitudes and perspectives can influence success. Pupils reflected on their own ambitions—from learning new languages to travelling the world—and identified the steps needed to make them happen.
Through timetabling tasks, they explored how planning and time management play a part in reaching goals. They collected class data on aspirations, created bar and line graphs using Excel, and even took on the physical challenge of climbing Pen-y-Fan. This experience provided inspiration for recount writing, landscape art, and fact file creation.
As part of their literacy focus, pupils wrote autobiographies, completed listening tasks based on inspirational stories, and took part in mock interviews for their dream careers. In maths, they explored capacity and proportions, and in science and art, they created vibrant Pop Art pieces inspired by Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. Their Welsh work included dialogues and poems on the theme of leisure.
Additional highlights included Sports Day and a fantastic transition visit to Bryngwyn School, where pupils watched a performance of Joseph and launched rockets during a science session. Year 5 have shown great resilience and creativity this term as they’ve reflected on their dreams and explored how to turn them into reality.
Year 6
Year 6
Year 6 have been busy preparing for the next chapter of their journey. During their residential to Llangrannog, they embraced new experiences such as skiing, go-karting, and tobogganing—challenging themselves and stepping out of their comfort zones. They also showed incredible perseverance and resilience by climbing Pen y Fan, a memorable achievement they should be extremely proud of. Alongside these adventures, they’ve been learning practical skills to support their transition to secondary school, including how to read a timetable and tie a tie.
As always, thank you for all of your support. Have a lovely break with the family, stay safe and enjoy making memories!
See you in September!
Mr Williams
Headteacher
Ysgol Y Bryn
Remember to follow us on Instagram where we post weekly about class updates as well as our superstars! @YsgolYBryn
Report abuse