Week 26 - Friday 16th April 2021

Welcome back

What a busy week we have had in Oldcastle following our Easter break. It has been so lovely to see our children back in school and hear about what they got up to in the Easter holidays. Thank you to all our parents for keeping to our one way system and ensuring the safety of our visitors, staff and pupils.

If anyone has seen Barney this week then you will see how much he has grown! He has finished his first set of dog training and is now able to visit children in their classrooms. Today he has been with children helping them read and also walking / playing in the yard. We have put together a timetable for Barney to ensure that he has plenty of breaks and walks throughout the day. We look forward to sharing more details

Virtual School Assembly

Today we held a virtual school assembly where all classes were able to share highlights of what they have been doing this week. Children and teachers love this opportunity to be to see each other and give each class a little wave hello! It sounds like all classes have been super busy this week - in particular we learnt that Reception children have been making Thumbelina characters, Year 1 have started reading 'What the ladybird heard' and learning about money, Year 2 have been finding out about sea creatures and spring cleaning the outdoor area. Year 3 were most excited to tell us about their new desks and how they have been learning about electricity - sounds like they've had fun this week!

New Website

We launched our new website earlier this week - we hope you like it. The website has been upgraded to allow users to view the site content on a mobile device as well as a computer. The redesigned look will hopefully make it easier for parents to navigate and will allow you to get to the correct information. The site content is constantly reviewed and we have further improvements to make however if you have any suggestions for information to be included please let us know via the ask@oldcastleprimary.co.uk email.

After School Club

We will be restarting our after school club from Monday 26th April. Please complete the booking form below by Wednesday 21st April.

Bookings for after school club from Monday 26th April to Friday 28th May can be made via this form. After school club will run Monday to Friday until 5.30 pm.

ALL existing bookings will be cancelled and parents will need to apply for a new place. Places will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Key workers will be given priority. All attendance should be booked and paid for in advance. Please complete a separate booking form for each child. Places are very limited due to Welsh Government guidance around pupil bubbles.

Late Club will not be offered until further notice.

Refunds will not be provided for non-attendance and once bookings are made they cannot be amended. Places will not be available on an ad hoc basis and can only be booked via this form which will close on the Wednesday 21st April. The Bookings will be processed following this date and you will be notified via email by the end of the term.

After school club is £7.50 per session per child.

After School Club Booking Form

School Savings Club

School savings club started back this week and we were delighted to see 65 children saving! Don't forget anyone can join the school savings club - more information about joining can be found on our website School Savings Club. Savings Club will continue next Wednesday.

News

We are delighted to let parents know that Mrs Brotherton had a baby girl a couple of weeks ago and Miss Williams has given birth to a baby boy this week. Congratulations to both.

V2C Poster Competition

You will notice that the V2C development at the end of St Marie Street / Ewenny Road has started. We have been liaising V2C and the contractor and they have committed to keep disruption to a minimum. Earlier this year we ran a competition with V2C to design some posters to be included in the hoardings that will surround the construction site and we are delighted to announce that the following posters have been chosen to be displayed! We can't wait to see them on display!

• Fara year 1

• Iris year 6

• Taylor year 6

• Maya year 2

• Zoe year 4

• Hannah year 4

• Elisha year 5

• Holly year 3

P.E. Lessons

P.E. lessons this term will take place on the following days. Children attending school should wear their P.E. kit to school on the day of their lesson.

• Nursery - Friday

• Reception - Thursday

• Year 1 - Monday

• Year 2 - Tuesday

• Year 3 - Wednesday

• Year 4 - Tuesday

• Year 5 - Friday

• Year 6 - Thursday

COVID Reminder

If your child is off school due to a member of your household having a Covid test please ensure that you let us know when you report their absence.

The main symptoms of coronavirus are:

• a high temperature

• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot, for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours

• a loss or change to sense of smell or taste – this means they cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

What to do if your child has symptoms. If your child has any of the main symptoms of coronavirus:

1.Get a test to check if they have coronavirus as soon as possible.

2.Stay at home and do not have visitors until you get the test result – only leave your home to have a test.

Anyone you live with, and anyone in your support bubble, must also stay at home until you get the result.

Inset Days

Inset days for the school year have been approved and these are:

• Monday 7th June 2021

• Monday 19th July 2021

• Tuesday 20th July 2021