What an exciting and inspiring Careers Week we've had at Oldcastle Primary! Our classrooms and halls have been buzzing with the sounds of future doctors, engineers, police officers, army musicians, designers, scientists and so much more, as our pupils explored the amazing world of work.

This week was all about opening our children's eyes to the vast array of possibilities out there and helping them understand that their interests and strengths today could lead to incredible careers tomorrow. We had a fantastic time learning about different jobs and the skills people use every day.

A huge thank you to all our visitors who came into school. It is truly heart warming to see the children's enthusiasm and respect for all our visitors, with lots of interesting questions being asked! We were also lucky to receive a lovely video from past pupil, Joe Elliot, who is now a musician in the Irish Guards. What a wonderful video Joe shared to tell us about his army career to date. Joe has performed with his regiment on many ceremonial occasions, including the VE Day celebration and the King's Birthday parade last weekend. All children in school were able to watch the video and we love how inspired the children were knowing that Joe came to Oldcastle School. Below are a few images from his session.

Thank you to all for inspiring our children this week. We hope this week has planted seeds of inspiration and encouraged them to think about their own unique talents and how they might use them in the future. We believe that fostering these early conversations about careers helps children develop important skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and communication. It also teaches them about the value of learning and hard work.

Thank you again to everyone who made our Careers Week such a resounding success. We can't wait to see what amazing things our pupils will achieve in the future!

Please read on to find out what each year group got up to in Careers Week.

Nursery

A career might be a long way off for our nursery children but they have fully embraced our Careers Week and learnt about lots of different jobs! From farming to police officers, army musicians and vets the children have been so well behaved with our visitors. We think Harley the sheepdog was a huge success!

Reception

Reception have had a super busy week with lots of visitors and their first external trip!

On Monday children learnt about the role of a science teacher and got to try out various experiments. They also had a visit from a farmer who brought along her sheepdog, Hurley, who was a huge success.

On Tuesday children met two police officers who work for British Transport Police - the children loved trying on their uniform.

Wednesday was a first for our Reception children as they went on their very first school trip to St Fagans. During the visit children attended a toy workshop to inspire and generate ideas. Seeing how toys were made will inspire children, creating a sense of understanding in terms of design, craft and assembly.

Finally at the end of the week children enjoyed a visit from Shepherds the vet who bought along their very own pet snake!

Year 1

Year 1 took part in a practical session on Monday to inspire our children to become scientists! They enjoyed looking at electrical circuits, examining body parts and learning about alkali and acids! In the afternoon, children got to meet a farmer, a sheepdog and a beauty therapist!

On Tuesday, children loved meeting the two officers from British Transport Police, and loved dressing up in their uniform. On Wednesday, they also had a talk from a 999 police operator. Who knows, one day some of them might become police officers!

Shepherds the vet was a big hit with their huge snake on Thursday, and the final visitor on Friday was the Barclays Bank community champion who inspired the children in the world of money and digital skills.

Year 2

Year 2 have met some lovely visitors this week to learn about different job roles. On Monday the children had a hands on session with a science teacher and learnt about gravity, push and pull, circuits and chemical reactions. They also had a varied afternoon meeting with a farmer and a sheepdog and a beauty therapist! Two very different jobs but both sessions inspiring our children. On Tuesday children loved hearing from the British Transport Police who came with their equipment. The handcuffs, hat and riot shield were a big success.

On Wednesday, children learnt all about life as a 999 / 101 operator for South Wales Police. The varied job role inspired the children, and they had lots of questions. Shepherds the Vets are always a bit hit in Careers Week and children got to pretend to be a vet looking at their doggy. Fin,ally on Friday, the children had a session with Luke from Barclays Bank who talked to the children about his role as Community Ambassador.

Year 3

Year 3 kicked off their week with a session with the Community Fundraiser for Hope Rescue. Hope Rescue are a charity that helps to rehome dogs. Fundraising is an important aspect of the charity and the children learnt how the charity raise vital funds and what they use the money for.

On Tuesday, we were delighted to welcome a past pupil back to Oldcastle to talk to the children about her job. Louvain Rees is well known in Bridgend for her history knowledge and the children were fascinated with the old letters and articles she brought in to show them. Louvain has been very successful with her social media history page 'Remembering Bridgend' and showed the pupils photos and aerial shots of the school from a long time ago!

Later in the week, pupils listened to a talk from a 999/101 operator which gave them an insight into the world of policing. We also welcomed a knitwear designer to talk to the children about her interesting job role. Penny manages the production at a knitwear factory where the products are all handmade. She also designs the knitwear for their own brand, while also developing and creating designs with high-end brands around the world.

Year 3 learnt lots about eyes following a visit from an Ophthalmic Photographer who inspired the children with her job. Finally, year 3 had an insight into the world of banking when Luke from Barclays explained his job role and also talked about other banking roles.

Year 4

Year 4 also enjoyed a talk from the Hope Rescue Community Fundraiser and asked lots of questions about the role of a charity fundraiser. On Tuesday, the children were delighted to show off their mood boards to Nicola from Venetia Steele Boutique. Nicola came in to talk to the children about how she started her career and how she developed the Venetia Steele brand. Nicola was so impressed with the work that the children had put into their mood boards.

Children have been inspired by an ophthalmic photographer who told the children about her job role as a eye photographer/retinol practitioner. Such a different job role for the children to learn about. Mr Faulkner shared his knowledge of oil trading with the children on Thursday. The children loved the interactive session that allowed them to 'buy' and 'sell' on the stock market. The final session of the week was from another past pupil who is now a BBC Wales News presenter. Elinor is also inspiring and so lovely for the children to meet someone from the telly!

Year 5

Year 5 kicked off their week finding out about life as a hospital pharmacist. Children also learnt about the role of a chartered engineer from Mrs Hales. We also welcomed Nicola from Venetia Steele Boutique into school to talk to the children about her successful business and how she uses social media to develop her business.

Children in years 5 and 6 had a great session learning about a career in engineering. Thank you to Mr Summerfield for coming in and providing the interactive session. The children loved dressing up in the 'clean room' outfit!

Thursday was a busy day with a session from Dr Roberts who told the children all about his role as a Consultant in Anaesthesia and critical care. Children got to practice CPR on the 'Annie' mannequins and learn about the recovery position! In the afternoon Mr Faulkner spoke to the children about life as an oil trader and the children got to try out their buying and selling on the training trading system!

Finally on Friday the children heard from Barclays Bank and the various job roles in the bank. We also welcomed ex-pupil Elinor Rice into school to talk about her role as a BBC News reporter. Fascinating to hear about how she became a news report.

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Year 6

Year 6 also kicked off their week finding out about life as a hospital pharmacist. Children also learnt about the role of a chartered engineer and used this knowledge to create bridges in their classroom!

On Tuesday the children were lucky to meet a lady who specialises in prosthetics and special effects make up. The limbs she brought with her were very realistic!

Children in years 5 and 6 had a great session learning about a career in engineering. Thank you to Mr Summerfield for coming in and providing the interactive session. The children loved dressing up in the 'clean room' outfit! We also welcomed a knitwear designer to talk to the children about her interesting job role. Penny manages the production at a knitwear factory where the products are all handmade. She also designs the knitwear for their own brand, while also developing and creating designs with high-end brands around the world.

Thursday was a busy day with a session from Dr Roberts who told the children all about his role as a Consultant in Anaesthesia and critical care. Children got to practice CPR on the 'Annie' mannequins and learn about the recovery position! In the afternoon Mr Faulkner spoke to the children about life as an oil trader and the children got to try out their buying and selling on the training trading system!

Finally on Friday the children heard from Barclays Bank and the various job roles in the bank. We also welcomed ex-pupil Elinor Rice into school to talk about her role as a BBC News reporter. Fascinating to hear about how she became a news report.