Week 16 - Friday 9th January 2020

Welcome back to school following the Christmas break. We were thrown straight into 2020 in school with a STEM day and the mystery of some debris on the yard!! It was certainly an exciting start to the school term!!

STEM and Digital Days

Something exciting greeted our pupils on Monday morning! Children in all year groups were invited to have a look at the mysterious debris that had appeared on the grassy area of the yard. Once they had investigated the debris, children were encouraged to discuss what might have happened, and develop picture and written stories.

All was revealed to children later in the day once the 'CCTV' had been examined!! Have a look and see what the CCTV cameras picked up!! Space Crash

On Tuesday, children were encouraged to develop their ideas further and create digital resources to explain what had happened.

Some of the children's work is uploaded to our You Tube channel. More will be added once completed.

Year 5 TV programme

We will be using all this evidence as part of our application for the Space Quality Mark.

Year 1 wrote some 'tweets' to explain what might have happened.

Year 6 had a very interesting visit from Digital Communities Wales - we are helping our children become Digital Heroes. They will be helping the local community understand how digital resources can be used.

Fundraising Day - Wednesday 15th January`

A pupil from year 5 has sent a heartfelt letter to Mr Thompson this week to ask for his support in arranging a fundraiser for Australia following the devastating fires that have taken place. Niamh from year 5 is really passionate about helping the animals that have been affected by the fires and we are keen to support her efforts. On Wednesday 15th January children are invited to wear items that are green or yellow, and make a donation to the appeal. We hope you can support our appeal in any way you can.

Niamh very bravely stood up in front of the whole school in assembly today and talked to them about the appeal. You can watch Niamh's passionate plea here Fundraising appeal

School Swimming

Children in 4C are currently completing swimming lessons until 17th January. 4M will be starting from Monday 20th January for 2 weeks - children will need to bring a swimming costume, towel and a packed lunch.

Children in years 5 and 6 will commence swimming lessons shortly. Children will require swimming kit and a packed lunch each day. Payment should be made via Parent Pay - the cost is £5.

• 5BJ - 3rd February to 7th February
• 5JJ - 10th February to 14th February
• 6C - 24th February to 28th February
• 6E - 2nd March to 6th March

Singing Teddy

Singing Teddy has been awarded to class 1V for some super singing this week. Da Iawn.

Crisp Packets

Our Children's Voice pupils are once again collecting crisp packets and have been busy decorating the collection boxes. The crisp packets are collected and sent away to be recycled. The recycling process involves shredding the crisp packets and then the plastic can be made into various recycled products.

Pokemon Cards

Please can we ask that parents discourage children from bringing pokemon cards to school. Some children have been swapping cards and then becoming upset. Not bringing the cards to school will avoid any confusion about who the cards belong too.

Foundation Phase fruit

If you wish your child to participate in the school's fruit scheme and have not paid through Parent Pay please pay by Friday 10th January. Children from nursery to year 2 are provided with a piece of fruit daily as a snack and the cost is £10 per term.

Oldcastle PTA

The PTA are collecting Christmas concert outfits ready for their sale in December! If you are having a de-clutter and would like to donate any costumes then the PTA will happily receive these. The sale in December was a great success and the PTA will be arranging a similar sale in December 2020. Please send any donations into school.

A meeting is being arranged by the PTA for parents of the school on Friday 7th February. The meeting will be held in the evening around 6.30pm and will be held in a venue away from school. The aim of the social meeting is to discuss events and fundraising activities that the PTA could arrange, and be an opportunity for parents to get together outside of school. At this stage the PTA would like to gauge how many parents are likely to attend so an appropriate venue can be arranged. A google form has been created - please click on the link and let the PTA know if you are able to attend. If you are not able to attend the form will allow you to provide some feedback on what events / fundraising activities you would like to see the PTA focus on at the school. PTA meeting and suggestions form

Twitter

Don't forget we regularly use our Twitter account to let parents know what we have been up to in school.

During a school assembly, the following headteacher awards were distributed. The theme for today was 'Displaying Creativity'.

• Reception Miss Walters - Bette
• Reception Miss Williams - Sam
• Year 1 Miss Vaughan - Sophie
• Year 1 Mrs Morcom Lewis - Aled
• Year 2 Miss Lewis / Mrs Guy - Finley
• Year 2 Mrs Roberts - Theo
• Year 3 Mrs Brotherton / Mrs Burr - Mason
• Year 3 Miss Davies - Seren
• Year 4 Miss Radford - Lily-Mo
• Year 4 Miss Craven - Adam
• Year 5 Miss Jones - Alys
• Year 5 Miss James - Niamh
• Year 6 Mrs Coleman - Lily
• Year 6 Mrs Evans - Isobel

Admissions to Reception class

Bridgend County Borough Council have opened their application process for children joining reception class starting in September 2020. Applications are online - apply here. Deadline for applications is 13th February 2020.

Admissions to Nursery

Applications for admission for full time nursery from September 2020, and part time from January or April 2021, are also open via Bridgend County Borough Council. Applications must be received by 27th March 2021. Apply here

Diary Dates

• Monday 6th January to Friday 17th January - 4C Swimming
• Monday 13th January to Friday 31st January - 4M Swimming
• Saturday 1st February - Schools Cross Country competition years 3 to 6
• Monday 3rd February to Friday 7th February - 5BJ Swimming
• Monday 10th February to Friday 14th February - 5JJ Swimming
• Monday 17th February to Friday 21st February - Half term
• Monday 24th February - Back to School
• Monday 24th February to Friday 28th February - 6C Swimming
• Wednesday 29th February - Nursery, reception and year 6 long class photos
• Monday 2nd March to Friday 6th March - 6E Swimming
• Monday 6th April to Friday 17th April - Easter holidays
• Monday 20th April - Back to school
• Monday 4th May - Inset Day
• Friday 8th May - Bank Holiday
• Monday 25th May to Friday 29th May - Half term
• Monday 1st June - Inset Day
• Tuesday 2nd June - Inset Day
• Tuesday 9th June to Saturday 13th June - Year 6 residential trip
• Friday 17th July - Term Ends
• Monday 20th July - Inset Day

Inset Days 2020

• Monday 4th May 2020
• Monday 1st and Tuesday 2nd June 2020
• Monday 20th July 2020