Week 29 - Friday 7th May 2021

Have a great weekend

We hope you all enjoyed the bank holiday weekend despite the weather on the Monday! We've had a busy four days in school and we are sure that both staff and children are ready for another weekend off!

Fundraising for Little Princess Trust

We are delighted to update you that Heidi from year 1 had her hair cut last weekend to donate to the Little Princess Trust and in the meantime raised over £870 !! What a truly inspiring young lady Heidi. We are so proud of you and love your new hairstyle.

School Savings Club

School savings club took place again this week and we had 84 children saving money. Saving Club runs every Wednesday.

Poetry Competition News

We are pleased to inform parents that one of our year 5 pupils has made it into the Wales Young Poets anthology! Adam in year 5 came 2nd in the 10-13 age group with his 1st poem. We were also delighted to hear that his brother and past pupil, Morgan, was awarded highly commended in the 14-17 age group. Well done both we are very proud of you.

After School Club

After school club bookings for the period after half term will be live from next week. Parents will be emailed a link to the booking form and all bookings should be made in advance and will be non refundable. Thank you for your support and assistance in making our after school club work in these challenging times.

Parent Homework Survey

We are currently reviewing our Homework Policy and would welcome views from parents. Please complete this short google form to let us know your views on homework for all ages. Homework Survey.

Year 6 Leavers Arrangements

Year 6 parents have been emailed with details about proposed arrangements for our children leaving primary school. Thank you to the parents who have completed the form to date. We are delighted to let you know that Welsh Government rules have been relaxed and we are now able to organise domestic day educational visits. We are finalising arrangements with Atlantic College and will be in touch next week with further information. If you haven't completed the form here is the link Year 6 Leavers Form

Barney

Barney has had a busy week and his own school diary is filling up quickly! We still ensure that he has plenty of rest and relaxation but he enjoys sitting and reading with children and is definitely settled in Oldcastle. He is starting to become a little celebrity as our local press are taking an interest in how he is helping out in Oldcastle.

School Governor News

It is with great sadness that we inform parents that Jane Hughes, one of our longest standing school governors, has passed away. Miss Hughes was very supportive of the school and she spent many a year volunteering to listen to children read in school and helping them with their reading. She was a lovely lady who will be greatly missed.

Letter from year 3 to Mrs Littlewood

Year 3 wrote a very persuasive letter to Mrs Littlewood this week - we thought we would share it with you!! It certainly is very persuading! You'll also see Mrs Littlewood's response to the class below too.

Oldcastle Primary School,

South Street,

Bridgend.

4th May 2021

Dear Mrs. Littlewood,

We are writing to let you know that we strongly feel we should have chips every day because they are scrumptious, make us feel joyful and we work hard and deserve a reward.

Firstly, we’re sure you’d agree they are delicious and popular in school. There is no doubt that chips are a favourite food because more children have dinners on ‘Chip Friday’.

Secondly, from our point of view, we know that eating warm, crispy chips makes us happy. We personally believe that when we’re happy we’re less likely to fallout with our friends in school.

Finally, we are certain that Miss. Davies knows we work hard so we feel we deserve treats.

To conclude, it is obvious that we should have chips every day because we love them and they cheer us up.

Yours Sincerely,

3ND

Dear Class 3ND

Thank you so much for your letter telling me how strongly you feel about having chips every day. I would absolutely agree with you that chips are scrumptious and I also love them very much too.

I do believe, however, that if I allowed our cook to make you chips every day, you would soon be very fed up with eating them and no doubt want something else served in the canteen instead.

I also know that there are lots of other delicious items in the canteen like ice cream, cake and chocolate cookies that make you happy too.

If I was to serve you chips every day, that would not make me a very good headteacher. Why I hear you ask, well my job is to look after you and make sure you are safe and healthy. We all know that although chips are delicious, they would not be good for our bodies if we were to eat them every day. It is important that we have a healthy balanced diet so you can keep well and grow up to be strong individuals.

Also, it is always nice to have something to look forward to and at the moment we can all look forward to chippy Friday. If I gave you chips every day you would not have the excitement of Chippy Friday.

You are right though, you do work hard, therefore I will have a little think of something I can give to you that is also a treat!

Best Wishes

Mrs Littlewood

VR Headsets

This week year 5 have been using the VR headsets to recap on the life cycle of a plant using a summary bullseye and explore photosynthesis in more detail. Children loved the interactive session.

Healthy Eating Week

We will be celebrating Healthy Eating Week from 14th to 18th June and children will be learning about healthy food choices. More information will be shared with parents nearer the time.

Information regarding App Parental Controls

South Wales Police has asked us to share the following information with parents regarding parental controls on apps and games. More information on apps and age ratings can be found here https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/

Football Sessions

Please find below information that has been shared with us regarding foorball sessions for children under the age of 7 years.

Various school photos from this week

Inset days from September 2021

Inset days from September 2021 have been confirmed and are as follows:

• 2nd and 3rd September

• 1st November

• 18th February

• 25th April

• 20th June

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 - Please refresh yourself on the following information.

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