Week 34 - Friday 18th June 2021

Outdoor Classroom

Thank you to the parents that completed the google form to suggest a name for our outdoor classroom - the name suggestions were fantastic! We had a couple of same suggestions so we have decided to choose this name. The new name for the outdoor classroom is 'Learning Lodge'. We love the new name and look forward to sharing photos with parents showing how the classroom is used.

Oldcastle Primary Sports Day

Due to Covid restrictions our annual Sports Day event cannot go ahead like previous years. Therefore, we have decided that each class will have their very own sports day, where the children will compete with their classmates, participating in a variety of events. Please see the dates below for each class. Children may wear their house colours with their P.E. kit and will need suitable footwear for each day they are taking part in events.

Children will need to bring plenty of water and weather dependent; a sun hat or waterproof coat. Please also ensure you have applied sun cream to your child as staff are unable to do so.

The sports events will take place on the school grounds. Due to Covid restrictions, unfortunately parents and guardians are not permitted to attend. Staff at Oldcastle will ensure that there are plenty of photos taken for our weekly newsletter.

The final results will be announced during the whole school virtual assembly on Friday 2nd July once all year groups have participated in all events. We are looking forward to making this a fun filled day for each class.

Fundraiser for Bridgend Bereavement Services

Don't forget we are supporting a fundraising initiative for Bridgend Bereavement Support on Friday 25th June. Children may wear something yellow to show support for the charity and we will be accepting donations.

Mad Hatters Tea Party

We are so looking forward to holding our Mad Hatters Tea Party for our children on Friday 9th July! The PTA are busy arranging the details for the tea party. Children will be making hats for the tea party in their classes and we can't wait to see their creations. We will be taking lots of photographs of the event and will share these with parents via our newsletter. All children will be provided with a packed lunch from the canteen on this day so will not need to bring in a packed lunch or arrange school dinners.

School Improvements

We are delighted to inform parents that our school governors approved a proposal to improve our outdoor areas across the whole school at the full governing body meeting this week. The proposal involves the purchase of a wide range of equipment and resources to support outdoor learning in all year group areas. Due to the size of the project we will be completing an area at a time. The first area that will see improvements will be the year 1 outside area. We are excited to see the new resources / areas coming together to the benefit of our pupils.

We are grateful to some of our parents who are in the process of creating some new external artwork in our reception area. We can't wait to see it.

School Governor Vacancy

Could you volunteer and become a school governor? Governors play an important role in leading, supporting and improving schools.

• Do you care about improving children’s education and want to contribute to your local community?

• Do you want to work as part of a team and value contributions made by others?

• Are you willing to challenge and ask questions?

We are currently looking for community governors with expertise in one of the following fields:

• Finance and accounting

• Business and marketing

• Leading in the education sector

• Safeguarding and Child Protection

• HR or Health and Safety

More information is available on our website. Governor Vacancies

Family Engagement Officer

We are currently recruiting a new position at school of a Family Engagement Officer. The main aim of this position will be to strengthen links between the school, families and the wider community. We are committed to further developing links with our parents and pupils and this role will be extremely important within our school community. Further information on the vacancy is available on our website by clicking this link. Family Engagement Officer

Year 6 transition arrangements

Year 6 pupils have begun their transition arrangements to Brynteg and this week visited Brynteg for a BBQ! We hear the burgers were amazing! The children also had a tour of the school to learn where different areas are. Teachers from Brynteg have also visited the children this week. Its an exciting time for our year 6 pupils.

Healthy Eating Week

This week children have been learning about healthy eating as part of healthy eating week. It sounds like some lovely recipes have been designed!

Tennis Coaching - Reception to Year 3

We have been fortunate to receive grant funding from the Lawn Tennis Association to enable us to offer tennis coaching sessions to our reception to year 3 pupils. From Monday, pupils reception, year 1, year 2 and year 3 will need to wear PE kit every Monday as they will receive tennis sessions from a LTA tennis coach. We look forward to seeing the children progress with their tennis skills.

School Savings Club

School savings club took place again this week and we had lots of children saving money. Saving Club runs every Wednesday. If you would like to join please take a look at our website for more details. School Savings Club Information.

Inset Days

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

• Monday 19th July 2021

• Tuesday 20th July 2021

We ask that you refresh yourself with the following information regarding Covid and inform us if your child is having a covid test - please call or email ask@oldcastleprimary.co.uk

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.

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

School Photographs

Our school photographer will be visiting on Tuesday 22nd June to take class photos. All school photos will be available to purchase online after 22nd June.

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