Week 17 - Friday 17th January 2020

Welcome to our newsletter for week 17 of the school year.

Fundraising Day - Wednesday 15th January`

We were overwhelmed with our Australia fundraiser this week - as a school community we have raised over £760 !

The fundraising day was set up following a heartfelt plea from Niamh in year 5 to Mr Thompson. Niamh is particularly passionate about helping the animals that have been affected by the fires and as a school we were extremely keen to support her efforts.

Mr Thompson says: "As a school we are very proud of Niamh’s commitment to helping the residents and animals in Australia. Niamh wrote a passionate letter to me asking Oldcastle to consider helping Australia. We were so impressed with her letter that we were very keen to be involved and do whatever we can to help. We are delighted that parents, pupils and staff got behind the fundraising activity and raised over £760!! In consultation with Niamh, we will ensure that the money is sent to charities that will specifically help people and animals affected by the wildfires”.

Well done Niamh for raising the profile of the Australian fires and getting so many people to support your fundraising efforts.

Niamh wrote a lovely poem as part of her letter to Mr Thompson:

The fires are burning forests

As far as the eye can see

I would like to at least do something

would you help raise money with me!

The photo below shows Niamh with some of her year 5 classmates celebrating the amount of money raised. Thank you to everyone for supporting our appeal.

Safer Internet Competition

We are delighted to let you know that we have been announced as finalists in the welsh government 'Safer Internet Day' competition! As part of our digital day in November children created videos to promote how to use the internet safely. One of these videos has been selected to be viewed at the grand final on 11th February in Cardiff Bay. The winner will be announced by Kirsty Williams, Minister for Education, at the event. There are 4 other primary schools in our categories. We are so pleased that the school has been recognised in this way and we look forward to keeping you informed from the 11th February.

School Swimming

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

Thrive - Emotional and Behaviour Support

Oldcastle Primary School are fortunate to have adopted ‘Thrive’ a therapeutic approach to help support children with their emotional and social development. The Thrive approach is built around online assessments which identify children’s emotional development and provides action plans for their individual needs. Thrive Online helps us assess and develop action plans for individual children. This ensures that the adults working with them understand their individual needs and are able to meet these most effectively.

Research has shown that how we behave is linked to how we feel and our emotions are linked to how we learn. By teaching children to recognise and notice these feelings and emotions it can help with their development and learning. Children sometimes need some extra support with their emotional growth and this can be temporary or over a longer period of time. Our aim is to develop happy, confident and curious minds.

Why might my child attend a Thrive session?

Many children experience difficulties during their time at school. These may include:

• Difficulties with friendships.
• Getting into trouble at playtime.
• Finding it hard to settle in the classroom.
• Finding it difficult to manage their strong feelings.
• Not knowing who to turn to when feelings are too big to manage on their own.

These situations can lead to many different feelings which may seem overwhelming at times. They might include: anger, frustration, sadness, loneliness, confusion or anxiety. All these feelings are very normal and happen to a lot of children. The Thrive sessions are designed to help children learn to manage their feelings and teach them strategies that will help promote their learning at school.

What will happen in a Thrive session?

The session may be on an individual basis or as part of a small group of children. During each session there will be an activity which may include:

• Story Telling
• Circle games
• Arts and crafts
• Sand play
• Movement and relaxation
• Hand and foot massage
• Cooking and preparing food
• Role play and puppet work
• Games

If you would like further information about Thrive a leaflet is available on our website or please speak to your class teacher.

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 2R for some super singing this week. Da Iawn.

School Savings Club

Wow we had 86 savers this week at School Savings Club - this is the most we have had since February 2019! Well done to all those children who saved this week. Don't forget School Savings Club takes place every Wednesday and children can save as little or as much as they like. If you would like to join the savings club please complete an application form available on our website.

Oldcastle PTA

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

Nursery and reception - St Davids Day photos

The Glamorgan Gazette will be in school on Monday 10th February to take photos of nursery and reception children in their welsh outfits. The photographs will appear in the newspaper close to St Davids Day.

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 'Enthusiasm for using welsh'.

• Reception Miss Walters - Reubyn
• Reception Miss Williams -Lucia
• Year 1 Miss Vaughan - Jackson
• Year 1 Mrs Morcom Lewis - Blake
• Year 2 Miss Lewis / Mrs Guy - Lewis
• Year 2 Mrs Roberts - Mason
• Year 3 Mrs Brotherton / Mrs Burr - Darcey
• Year 3 Miss Davies - Rowena
• Year 4 Miss Radford - Maisy
• Year 4 Miss Craven - Charlie and Mateuz
• Year 5 Miss Jones - Finn
• Year 5 Miss James - Matty
• Year 6 Mrs Coleman - Rhys H
• Year 6 Mrs Evans - Angelina

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 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 - Nursery and Reception St Davids Day photos
• 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