Week 29 - Friday 3rd May 2019

Welcome to our weekly newsletter. We hope that you had a lovely Easter holiday. Please remember there is a bank holiday on Monday 6th May and the school will be closed.

New reception doors

Over the Easter holidays we had new doors installed at reception. The doors have been installed to aid security arrangements at the school. As a result of the new doors, access to the staff toilet will not be available to parents and children prior to and after school. Children in our younger age groups will be encouraged to use the toilet prior to the end of the day. The new doors have added to the reeception environment and make the area more secure.

We also had another set of doors installed upstairs in our junior block which has created a new room. This room will be used for music lessons and has created a lovely learning space.

Oldcastle Holiday Club

We are delighted to let you know that we are launching a children's holiday club this summer holidays. The holiday club will operate from Monday 22nd July to Friday 23rd August from 9am to 3.30pm. at a cost of £18 per day. We are pleased to offer add ons to the core time with a breakfast club from 8am to 9am at an additional cost of £4, and a late club pick up option upto 5.30pm for an additional cost of £7.50. Children from the age of 5 years to 12 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 of the school and utilise other areas as required. Children will be provided with toast and fruit in the breakfast club and late club options. 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. Bookings and payment must be received by Friday 12th July. 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.

To book a place please complete a copy of the Booking Form by clicking this link https://forms.gle/xyZoz9NNNj9gjBgK9 or by clicking on the link on our website https://bit.ly/2DKQFHa

The Big Pedal

Fantastic news from Sustrans this week confirming that Oldcastle Primary came top in our category in Bridgend in the Big Pedal challenge. We are looking forward to our prize which is visit from Pro BMX rider Matti Hemming and his Fusion Extreme team. Well done to everyone that took part.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Heidi from year 6 who has obtained a place in the children's chorus for the Welsh National Opera autumn production of Carmen by Bizet. Layla from year 2 has also gained a part as the hedgehog in their autumn production of The Cunning Little Vixen by Janacek. Excellent news both.

Year 1 visit New Zealand!

Our year 1 classes were able to visit 'New Zealand' this week thanks to a trip to Bridgend College. The college have a specially adapted training facility that looks like the inside of an aeroplane. Whilst on the 'aeroplane' children stopped off at a variety of countries to look at flags and various animals. College students acted as cabin crew and served the children snacks. We are very grateful to Bridgend College for allowing us to visit and enjoy these great facilities - the children had an amazing time.

Reception children

Reception children were lucky to observe fish in an underwater science lab this week as part of their topic. Thank you so much to Mrs Ali for bringing in the fish and tanks for the children. Children enjoyed observing the fish and writing notes and drawing pictures of them.

Job Vacancy

We are currently recruiting for a Children's Activity Coordinator. More information is available on our website. Please follow this link. https://bit.ly/2Hkb9Jn

Eco Committee - reducing plastic waste

Our Eco Committee are extremely keen for children to reduce the amount of plastic waste in their lunch boxes. They will be in the hall at lunchtimes offering advice to children on how to cut down on the disposable plastic used. There are a number of ways in which we can all cut down on the disposable plastic we use. Some simple suggestions from the Eco committe are:

• Buying reuseable sandwich / food bags
• Buying larger products and placing in smaller reuseable plastic containers eg, buy a large carton of yoghurt and dispense into a smaller container to bring in a lunch box
• Putting drinks in reuseable bottles rather than using cartons or single use plastic bottles

Welsh National Tests

Next week children in years 2 to 6 will take part in the Welsh National Tests. The National Reading Test will take place on Wednesday 8th May and the National Reasoning Test will take place on Friday 10th May.

Grounds afternoon

We are very keen to arrange another Grounds Day as we have a range of outdoor projects that need some tlc. Due to various commitments we are looking to arrange a Grounds Afternoon on Friday 17th May 1pm to 5pm. We will have painting jobs, gardening and general tidying up in our grounds areas. We do hope you will be able to join us. Next week we will send out a Google form for you to let us know if you are able to help out. We will be providing sausages and burgers as an incentive to come along and help!

PTA

Unfortunately the PTA Quiz Night planned for the 17th May has been cancelled. The PTA apologise for any inconvenience caused. For your information the PTA are holding a PTA meeting on Tuesday 7th May at 5pm all welcome.

Nut free school

Reminder - as a school we strive to be 'nut free'. Please can we ask that food containing nuts is not included in children's lunch boxes. We have a number of children with an intolerance to nuts as well as a few children who have a severe allergy who may experience an anaphylactic shock as a result of coming into contact with nut products. Please can we ask that you consider the products being put into lunch boxes and check whether these items contain any form of nuts.

Headteacher Award

The following children were presented with a Headteachers Award during assembly today. This weeks theme is developing a practical skill.

• Reception Miss Walters - Nell
• Reception Miss Williams - Joseph
• Year 1 Mrs Morcom-Lewis - Sofia
• Year 1 Miss Mullins - Mason
• Year 2 Mrs Roberts - Fiorella
• Year 2 Mrs Evans - Ella
• Year 3 Miss Minkowski - Logan
• Year 3 Miss Davies - Mateusz
• Year 4 Miss Jones - Freya
• Year 4 Miss Craven - Freya
• Year 5 Mr McNally - Elin
• Year 5 Miss James- Samuel
• Year 6 Mrs Coleman - Ava-Grace
• Year 6 Mrs Taylor-Jones - Korben

Diary Dates

• Monday 6th May - Bank Holiday
• Tuesday 7th May - PTA Meeting
• Wednesday 15th May - Reception and Year 6 Class Photos
• Monday 20th May - PTA Clothing Collection
• Half Term - Monday 27th May to Friday 31st May
• Monday 3rd June - Back to School
• Monday 10th June - PTA Cake Sale
• Wednesday 12th June to Friday 14th June - Year 6 residential trip
• Wednesday 19th June - Class and team photos
• Saturday 22nd June - PTA Summer Fete
• Friday 5th July - Sports Day years 1 to 6
• Tuesday 16th July - Reception trip to Porthcawl
• Friday 19th July - School Term Ends
• Inset Day - Monday 22nd July 2019

Inset Days 2019/20

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