Week 2 - Friday 13th September 2019

Welcome to our weekly newsletter.

School Communication - The School App

All parents, except for a few new nursery parents, should have received a message from 'The School App' inviting you to confirm your mobile phone number to register with your child's class in the app group settings. If you have not received or having problems with the app please do not hesitate to contact the school office. If you have changed any of your phone numbers please notify us so we can update our records. By confirming your mobile number through the app you will be able to receive specific messages regarding your child and their class.

Trip letters and Media Consent letter

You will have received copies of the trip consent letter and media consent letter last week. Please can these be returned to school as soon as possible. Thank you.

School Holiday Club - October Half Term

The Oldcastle holiday club will operate from Monday 28th October to Friday 1st November from 9am to 3.30pm at a cost of £18 per day. Children from the age of 5 years to 11 years will be able to attend the club. Children will be able to participate in a range of exciting sports, and arts and crafts activity sessions throughout the day provided by our qualified staff. The Club will operate in the main hall and nursery areas in the school and utilise other areas as required. Children will need to bring a packed lunch and water to drink throughout the day. Please complete a booking form for each child. Once your booking form has been received we will issue a Parent Pay invoice to you. Discounts are available for sibling and weekly bookings. Please contact the admin team on 01656 815790 or by email holidayclub@oldcastleprimary.co.uk if you have any questions.

Booking forms are available here.

Children's Voice Elections - please return forms by Monday 16th September

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.

Thrive Approach

Oldcastle Primary School are fortunate to have adopted the 'Thrive' approach to help support children with their emotional and social development. Our aim is to develop happy, confident and curious minds. More information about the Thrive Approach can be viewed on our website. https://www.oldcastleprimary.co.uk/thrive

Music Scholarship

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

School Savings Club

School savings club started back again on Wednesday 11th September. Savings club was very busy at the first session since the summer holidays. All children who currently have a school savings account will have received a letter advising them of the interest / dividend paid to them from the Credit Union. This amount will be added to their book on their next visit to the savings club. Savings club takes places every Wednesday.

Brynteg Comprehensive School - Open Evening

Brynteg School will be holding an open evening for parents of children in years 5 and 6 on Thursday 19th September from 5pm to 7pm. The evening will start with a meet and greet in the Lower School Canteen at 4.45pm followed by a welcome from the Headteacher at 5pm in the Sports Hall. Parents and children will then be invited to tour the school. Parents who are unable to make the 5pm Headteacher welcome will be able to meet with Headteacher at 6.30pm in the Sports Hall.

School Vacancy

We currently have a vacancy for a Learning Support Officer - for more information please look at our website. https://bit.ly/2lQMpzy

Music Lessons

Music lessons will start next week for those that have paid. If you have not paid please ensure payment is received by Monday 16th,

Macmillan Coffee Morning - Friday 27th September

We are delighted to be supporting the Macmillan coffee morning again this year. We hope you are able to join us on 27th September for a coffee / tea and a slice of cake between 8.15am and 10am. All money raised will be donated to the Macmillan Cancer Charity. We will be welcoming cake donations from the Thursday 26th but please can we ask that a list of ingredients is included with cakes.

P.E.

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

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 Good Manners.

• Year 1 Mrs Morcom-Lewis - Lottie
• Year 1 Miss Vaughan - Aaron
• Year 2 Mrs Roberts - Perla
• Year 2 Miss Lewis / Mrs Guy - Harley
• Year 3 Brotherton / Mrs Burr - Scarlett
• Year 3 Miss Davies - Evan
• Year 4 Miss Radford - George
• Year 4 Miss Craven - Lily
• Year 5 Miss Jones - Zack
• Year 5 Miss James - Henry
• Year 6 Mrs Coleman - Jessy
• Year 6 Mrs Evans - Mylo

Diary Dates

• Thursday 19th September - Brynteg open evening
• Wednesday 25th September - Parents Presentation at 3.45pm
• Friday 27th September - Macmillan Coffee Morning
• Saturday 28th September - Schools Cross Country event years 3 to 6
• 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
• Wednesday 18th December - Juniors to visit Pantomime
• 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