Week 1 - Friday 6th September 2019

Welcome to our weekly newsletter in week 1 of our new school year. We are delighted to welcome old and new children back to school after the summer break. We have lots of exciting things to look forward to in the school year 2019 / 20 and we can't wait to share these with you.

School Communication

The School App has been updated at the start of September and there are a couple of different features for parents to be aware of.

There is no need to update groups / children's classes as these are all updated by the school.

Parents will need to update the App on your device if an automatic update has not happened.

Anyone will be able to download the App and browse as a guest. However parents will benefit from private messages relating to class information, specific messages and group messages such as choir, sports clubs.

In order to receive these messages from the school, we will need to verify your mobile number. Please follow these steps:

• You will receive a text from 'The School App' with the wording 'Your school have given you access to receive private app messages. To verify your phone number, please follow this link https://theschoolapp.page.link/install
• Please note the ink will need to be tapped on from your mobile device. The link will check which version of the app is installed and will either open the app, update the app or download the app before taking you to the screen. You will then see the 'Accept your invitation' screen.
• Type your mobile number and tap 'Check my number' button. If you have been granted access by the school, this will automatically generate a text message to be sent with a unique access code. You will need to enter this code on the next screen in the App. This code will expire in 10 minutes.
• Once the unique code has been received and entered you will then be asked to set a 4 digit pin. Should your phone have the ability to recognise Face ID or Touch ID you will be prompted and asked if you would like to use this instead of entering your PIN for the future.
• If you encounter any problems with set up click on the 'More' button in the App and tap the 'Verify' button and follow the instructions on the screen.

Please contact the school if you have any problems with setting up The School App and we will be more than happy to help you.

EMAILS

We also send emails to parents through our website where appropriate. Emails issued in this way will be sent from 'notifications@primarysite.net' so please add this user to your approved senders list to ensure the emails do not go into your junk folder. Please notify us if you are not receiving emails or you change your email address.

Payments for school trips and other school activities will continue to be made through your Parent Pay account.

Children's Voice Elections

Applications are invited from children in years 1 to 6 to join our Children’s Voice Council. We are looking for children who are interested in helping make important decisions about your school. The Children's Voice Council will be made up of children who are interested in being part of the School Council, Eco Committee, Digital Leaders and Newspaper team - this year we will arrange meetings as a whole group.

As in previous years we will hold elections in the coming weeks to allow children from each year group to vote and choose their class representative. We will appoint 2 representatives from each class in years 5 and 6, and 1 representative from each class in years 1 to 4. Please complete the questions on the form to apply for a position as a Children’s Voice representative. You will be required to present this information in whichever way you choose to your class. Please ensure that you have completed this by Monday 16th September and are ready to present that week. Forms are available from our website or available from main reception.

Music Scholarship

We are delighted to announce the launch of a new scholarship called the Bridgend Male Choir Music Scholarship. The scholarship funded by Bridgend Male Choir will enable two pupils at Oldcastle to benefit from music tuition for one school year free of charge. The scholarship is open to ALL pupils from years 3 to 6 including those who do not currently have music tuition. So if your child has always fancied playing the piano, guitar or singing then please come and have a go.

THE PROCESS

• All pupils who would like to be considered are invited to attend a preliminary round of auditions with Miss Ellett.
• Pupils who are able to play a short piece on an instrument should audition with their chosen piece. However, if pupils want to play another instrument or want to sing their favourite song then this is also acceptable.
• Successful pupils will then be invited to a further small working session with the conductor of Bridgend Male Choir, Mr Ryan Wood, Mr Thompson and Miss Ellett. This will be very informal and hopefully a lot of fun.
• The scholarship will be awarded to a pupil who shows potential and / or has a known commitment to music plus also their enthusiasm in the audition session. If you have already signed up and paid for music lessons these will be refunded if your child is successful in the scholarship process.

If your child is interested, please encourage them to make their interest known to Miss Ellett by Friday 27th September 2019.

School Choir

The school choir have been invited to perform at the Bridgend Male choir annual concert at the Sony Theatre in Bridgend College on Friday 11th October. The concert starts at 7pm.

P.E.

Last year we trialled a new system for P.E. kit and following parental feedback we have decided to continue with this method for another term. On the days when your child's class has P.E. they may wear their P.E. kit to school for the day instead of their uniform.The aim is to increase the amount of activity time and make sure all children have their P.E. kit on the appropriate day. P.E. kit should consist of dark shorts / leggings / tracksuit and a white t-shirt. On top of the P.E. kit we recommend a school hoodie / jumper / cardigan, tracksuit and trainers. Please also remember that jewellery should not be worn for P.E - this includes earrings, necklaces, rings and hard headbands - and long hair should be tied back.

P.E. will be held on the following days for each year group:

• Nursery - Friday
• Reception - Friday
• Year 1 - Monday
• Year 2 - Tuesday
• Year 3 - Monday
• Year 4 - Wednesday
• Year 5 - Thursday
• Year 6 - Thursday

School Savings Club

School savings club will start back again from Wednesday 11th September. We look forward to seeing our savers and hearing about what they are saving for this term.

Fruit Tuck Shop

Children in years 3 to 6 are able to purchase fruit from our Tuck Shop every morning break. Fruit is 20p and we usually have a variety of options available dependant on the season. Fruit tuck shop is run by children in years 6.

Schools Cross Country Event - Years 3 to 6

The first event for the Schools Cross Country competition will be held at Bryntirion Comprehensive School on Saturday 28^th September.

There are 4 races, with the first race beginning at 10am and therefore attendees must arrive no later than 9.30am. The competition is for junior age children (years 3-6) and children must be accompanied by an adult, who is responsible for their child’s welfare at all times at each venue. The events should be finished by 11am. NO DOGS ARE EVER ALLOWED AT THE EVENTS.

To enter children and parents simply need to meet at the venue and a parent has offered to coordinate children from Oldcastle on the day. Children will be provided with Oldcastle bibs to wear for the competition - these bibs were provided by the PTA and Bridgend Male Choir.

Two further events are provisionally arranged for Saturday 19^th October and Saturday 23^rd November. Venues tbc.

Headteacher Award

The following children were presented with a Headteachers Award during assembly today. This weeks theme is settling in.

• Year 1 Mrs Morcom-Lewis - Gethin
• Year 1 Miss Vaughan - Eva
• Year 2 Mrs Roberts - Jayden
• Year 2 Miss Lewis / Mrs Guy - Courtney
• Year 3 Brotherton / Mrs Burr - Bella
• Year 3 Miss Davies - Alicia
• Year 4 Miss Radford - Tabitha
• Year 4 Miss Craven - Gracie-May
• Year 5 Miss Jones - Seth
• Year 5 Miss James - Tiegan
• Year 6 Mrs Coleman - Max
• Year 6 Mrs Evans - Levi

Congratulations

Well done to Seren Mai who has been selected for the Under 13's Wales National Basketball team. Congratulations!

Diary Dates

• Tuesday 1st October - Year 2 trip to Techniquest
• Friday 11th October - Choir concert at Sony Theatre
• Friday 18th October - PTA Clothing Collection
• Friday 25th October - Term Ends
• Monday 28th October to Friday 1st November - Half term
• Monday 4th November - Inset Day
• Tuesday 5th November - Inset Day
• Wednesday 6th November - Back to School
• Friday 20th December - Term Ends
• Monday 6th January - Back to School
• Monday 17th February to Friday 21st February - Half term
• Monday 24th February - Back to School
• Monday 6th April to Friday 17th April - Easter holidays
• Monday 20th April - Back to school
• Monday 25th May to Friday 29th May - Half term
• Monday 1st June - Inset Day
• Tuesday 2nd June - Inset Day
• Friday 17th July - Term Ends
• Monday 20th July - Inset Day

Inset Days 2019/20

• Monday 4th November 2019
• Tuesday 5th November 2019
• Monday 1st and Tuesday 2nd June 2020
• Monday 20th July 2020