Christmas Concerts

We do hope that you have been able to make it to a Christmas concert this year.  We have some very talented pupils who have entertained parents and carers over the last two weeks.  We have one more concert to go for year 6 on Monday afternoon.  We are very grateful for the support of parents and carers who have ensured the children all looked amazing on the stage in their various outfits.  All of our staff have worked so hard to prepare the pupils and ensure they had the wow factor on the stage!  Thank you to all our staff and pupils for all your hard work.  Thank you also to the PTA who have tirelessly provided refreshment throughout every concert - we know how much you have all enjoyed.  Finally thank you to the parents and carers that came to support the concerts and also provide the gifts for each of the raffle prizes - we were able to provide some fantastic hampers at each of the 16 concerts that took place.

Choir Performance

Our choir performed wonderfully this week for us to record their performance to be added to the recording of 'O Holy Night' by Shane from Those Damn Crows. The children were so patient whilst we filmed them from three different angles and recorded various audio files to send to Shane! We can't wait to share the recording with parents next week.

Christmas Dinner Day

Christmas dinner day is always a challenge as we have a massive influx of children wanting to have a school meal.  But our wonderful canteen staff managed to pull it off once again.  Children were treated to a wonderful dinner and enjoyed Christmas music to get them in the spirit.  Over 330 dinners were served and we are grateful to all our staff for helping the dinner time run so smoothly.

PTA Countdown to Christmas event

We are delighted to have a special event planned for our children on Tuesday 19th December thanks to our PTA.  We understand that a Chopsy Elf is coming to school to entertain the children and we hope to have a special visitor too!  To help us get in the Christmas spirit children may wear Christmas clothes / jumpers on this day.

Christmas Productions

The Littlest Elf

On Monday, nursery and reception children will be treated to a wonderful Christmas story by a professional theatre company.  The story of The Littlest Elf  will delight our youngest pupils.  Pip isn’t like the other elves. She is small and slow, with a huge imagination and even bigger dreams. Still, she wishes she wasn’t so different! Your child is invited to join us in Santa's colourful workshop, meet an Elf or two, hear stories, and dance along in this interactive drama.  We look forward to sharing photos with you following the event.

Pantomime

On Wednesday, children in years 1 to 6 will travel to Porthcawl to watch 'Beauty and the Beast' in the Grand Pavilion.  We will leave school promptly just after registration so please ensure children are on time for registration at 8.55am.  All children attending the Pantomime will need to bring a packed lunch on this day to eat on their return to school. (If your child is entitled to universal free school meals and you have ordered a packed lunch the lunch will be provided by the canteen). 

Children will be able to take a small packet of sweets (not chocolate or nut products) and a carton of juice / water with them to the Panto.  Please ensure children wear school uniform on the day of the Pantomime.

Oldcastle Toddlers

From Wednesday 17th January we will be starting a new Toddler Group in Oldcastle Primary School. Pre booking is essential please message us through our new Oldcastle Toddlers Facebook page to book a place. Places are limited.

Please like and share the Oldcastle Toddlers page.

Facebook - Oldcastle Toddlers

Smart Watches

We would like to remind you of our policy regarding smart watches in school.  Below is an extract from our E Safety Policy.

Children should not wear smartwatches to school that can take photographs. The functionality of these watches poses concerns regarding privacy and safety as children are freely allowed to take photos in all areas of the school.

Reading Workshops

Mrs Burr will be holding reading events for parents in the new year.  The sessions will provide parents with an overview of reading within Oldcastle Primary School.  The sessions will be held on the following dates - please complete the short Google form if you would like to like.

• Nursery to Year 1 - 11th January - 9.15 am to 10am and 3.30pm to  4.15pm   Booking Form

• Year 2 to Year 6 - 18th January - 9.15am to 10am and 2.15pm to 3pm  Booking Form

School Attendance

Attendance at school is important. Our whole school target for attendance is 95%. This week the attendance across the school was 94.7%.

Dinner Money

Payment for school dinners should be made via the Bridgend Council website.  Please ensure your child's account has funds at least 48 hours before they require a school dinner.

Schools Cross Country Years 3 to 6

The final cross country for 2023 will take place on Saturday 16th December in Porthcawl Comprehensive School for children in years 3 to 6.  Please meet at 9.30am for a 10am start.  Staff will be on hand to coordinate the children. 

Throughout the year we will implement the following values each month.

• September - Determination and Perseverance

• October - Respect and Responsibility

• November - Friendship and forgiveness 

• December - Compassion and Hope  / Understanding and Patience

• January - Community and Service 

• February - Co-operation and being a good citizen within society

• March - Learning and Effort

• April - Showing gratitude

• May - Care and Generosity

• June - Honesty and trust

• July - Taking and managing risks

At Oldcastle, we are proud of each other and ourselves. We nurture all of our community so that we grow as confident, responsible and happy people. Oldcastle school is more than just learning.

• We try hard for each other

• We act responsibly

• We treat people how we’d like to be treated

• We work as a team

• We trust and respect each other

• We listen and learn together

• We share knowledge and experience

Together we make the difference

Together we shape innovative experiences 

More information on our values and visions can be found on our website.  Visions and Values

Nut Free School

Please can we remind parents that we strive to be a nut free school as we have a number of pupils who have a severe allergy to nuts.  

This includes nut products such as peanut butter and nutella. 

Contact details

Please ensure we have up to date contact details for you to ensure you keep up to date with school news and we are able to contact you during the school day if required.  You can either email us with change of details (ask@oldcastleprimary.co.uk) or complete the change of details form.  

Year 6 held an exhibition for their parents on their topic justice and freedom. What a powerful exhibition. Thank you for visiting year 6 parents!

Year 2 enjoyed playing in the mud kitchen this week.

Ty Penybont Community Garden

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Ty Penybont community garden earlier this week. Barney had great fun helping out too! 

Year 4 art project

Fantastic Fundraising!

William from year 4 has been raising money for a women's refuge charity, because he was concerned that anyone without an address might be missed by Santa this Christmas. For the past three years William has gone door to door selling homemade hot chocolates, reindeer food, and popcorn to raise money for children whose parents are struggling at Christmas time.  William first became determined to make a positive impact in his community when he noticed the toy collection trolleys at his local Asda in Brackla, Bridgend, and his mum Kimberley had to tell him what they were collecting for. This made him so sad that William set out on a mission to do what he could to make a difference.

This year, he has already raised £1,000 so far for the women's shelter in Bridgend!  William has bought presents for the children and their mothers and we are delighted for his resilience to raise vital funds for others.  Da Iawn William!

• 18th December - Nursery and Reception The Little Elf Event

• 20th December - Pantomime Years 1 to 6

• 21st December- Last Day in School 

• 22nd December - Inset Day

• 8th January - Return to School

The next Parents Evenings are planned for week beginning 11th March 2024.

Inset Days 2023/24

Inset Days have been approved by Governors for 2023/24 and they are as follows:

• Monday 4th September 2023

• Friday 22nd December 2023

• Monday 19th February 2024

• Friday 22nd March 2024

• Monday 3rd June 2024

• Monday 22nd July 2024

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 - Thursday

• Reception -  Thursday

• Year 1 - Wednesday

• Year 2 - Monday

• Year 3 - Thursday

• Year 4 - Tuesday

• Year 5 - Wednesday

• Year 6 - Monday

In the event that you have a concern regarding a child please follow this procedure:

• During school hours please contact Mrs Ceri Littlewood, safeguarding lead at Oldcastle Primary School.

• Out of school hours please  contact  the  out of hours Emergency Duty Team Tel No 01443743665

More information on Safeguarding at Oldcastle can be found on our website.