Oldcastle Rocks

We are delighted to let you know that the PTA made a profit of £3302 from the Oldcastle Rocks event last Saturday.  We are so grateful to the support of our amazing PTA for putting on such a spectacular event and raising much needed funds for the school.

Thank you to all the talented performers for supporting us and entertaining the crowds.  Thank you to our staff who gave up their time to help.

Finally, thank you to all who attended and supported the event.  

The raffle was drawn at the end of the event and all winners have been notified of their prize.  We are very grateful to the companies and individuals who provided us with generous prizes.

We look forward to more exciting PTA events in the next school year.

Class Teachers and Support Staff 2024/25

Last week we informed you who your child's class teacher will be from September 2024.  This week we are providing you with a link to a video by the teachers.  You may find this video helpful to remind your child who their teacher will be following the summer holidays. Please follow the link below to view.

Class Teachers and Video Link

Year 6

Year 6 have been busy this week finishing off their clothing donation project. We are so grateful for all the donations they received.  Year 6 pupils have been learning about the importance of sustainability and giving clothes a second chance.  Their goal was to donate as many clothes as possible and reduce the amount of fashion wastage in Bridgend town.

The children worked hard washing the clothes and packaging items based on age. Pupils have put together bundles of clothes ranging from newborn to thirteen years old. Their aim is to ensure these clothes are donated to children in need.  They will be donating the clothing bundles to local charities in Bridgend town centre. Well done, year 6. You should be proud.

It is now going to be the last week of primary school for our year 6 pupils and what a busy one it will be.  The pupils will be performing their Annie production to the whole school in an assembly on Monday and performing it twice to their parents.  They will also be taking part in their Leavers Presentation on Tuesday evening.   Enjoy every moment.

Book Look

Thank you to all the parents who came into school on Tuesday to see your child's books.  If you didn't manage to make it please speak with your child's class teacher if you still want to view the books.

End of Year School Reports

End of year school reports have been sent home with children today.  We value your feedback on your child's report please complete the following google form if you can.

School Report Feedback Form

Volunteer Army

As a school we are extremely grateful to the support we receive from parents, carers and members of our local community.  We would like to grow our Volunteer Army and are asking for you to complete this short form if you can help us at all. We understand that you may not be able to commit to every week so please let us know what you would be interested in helping out with, along with days and times that suit you.    

All volunteers will be rewarded with  Tempo Time Credits. For more information on Time Credits please follow this link.  Tempo Time Credits | Uniting Volunteers, Businesses & Charities (wearetempo.org)

Volunteer Google Form

School Governor Vacancy

We currently have a vacancy for a Local Authority Governor.  Please click here for more information on how to apply.

Local Authority School Governor For more information on school governors in Oldcastle please  click here.

Lost Property and Free Uniform

We have a massive amount of lost property once again. Please can you encourage children to look in the lost property area for any items that are missing or lost.  We also encourage parents to call in and look through the pile.  We have a large amount of lunch boxes, water bottles and even pairs of glasses.

Please also help us by labelling your child's items.

Don't forget we also have free uniform available to parents - we have been putting the uniform rails outside main reception whilst the weather is dry.  Please take a look.

Food Pantry

The food pantry is restocked every Tuesday and we have a wide variety of items available.  You can call in on any day to collect items.

Food Pantry throughout the summer holidays - The Bridge Community Hub

We are delighted to announce that we have partnered with The Bridge in Bridgend Town Centre who offer access to a food pantry.  The Pantry is available to all Oldcastle parents and carers, and operates on a membership system similar to our pantry.  Membership is £1, and you can choose 10 items for £4.  Please do pop into  The Bridge, which is situated in Dunraven Place in Bridgend.  

The Bridge also offers a variety of support for families throughout the summer holidays to promote social inclusion and community participation in events.  

Parents will be interested to know that the organisation provides a free packed lunch for everyone under the age of 16 throughout the school holidays.  Parents can simply pop in and request a free packed lunch.   In addition to the free packed lunch, The Bridge offers a 'Feed the Community' option every Wednesday, which allows you to receive a free meal between 11am and 2pm.

Every Monday in The Bridge, activities for children are organised, including t-shirt making, clay modelling and arts and crafts.  The activities are offered between 12.30pm and 1.30pm and should be pre booked.  More details are available on their social media accounts.  Please refer to the poster below.

We do hope you are able to make use of The Bridge Community Hub facilities throughout the summer holidays. As well as the free food and children's activities, they also operate as a child-friendly cafe and would love to see you there.

The Bridge also offers a range of volunteering opportunities. If you are interested, please pop in and chat with the friendly team.

Period Products

Period poverty remains a pressing concern in many communities, with individuals and families struggling to afford necessary menstrual supplies.  Amid the cost-of-living crisis, soaring inflation and rocketing energy bills mean many have been forced to prioritise other household essentials over buying products like pads and tampons.  Residents of Bridgend County who are under the age of 25 years of age are eligible to sign up to a free subscription for period products.  Please take a look here.

Period Products 

Turn 2 Us

Turn 2 Us is a website that parents might find helpful as it contains lots of information on grants and benefits available for families.    Please follow this link Turn 2 Us

School Attendance

Attendance at school is important. Our whole school target for attendance is 95%.  This week's attendance was 93.5%.

Reminder - if your child is off school please ensure that you notify us by 9.30am.  

Change to School Meals

The school dinner menu will change on Friday 19th July.  The menu will be sausage or veggie sausage and chips.

Shoes

Please can we remind parents that children should be wearing shoes or trainers to school.  Crocs and sandals should not be worn. 

Eco Schools Platinum Award

We are delighted to let parents know that we have retained the platinum Eco-Schools status.  

The assessor had some lovely comments which we wanted to share 'It is fantastic to see how the Eco-Schools programme is so embedded in school life and it shapes so much you do. Your Well-being team are superb, with such a strong sense of ownership and understanding for all they do. I loved the outdoor area and how it is used for outdoor education across the school.  Being awarded Eco-Schools Platinum status is a fantastic achievement. The school, staff and pupils should feel proud of their hard work and commitment."

We are very proud of the work our Wellbeing team do in school. 

Pupils will learn the following as part of our Honesty and Trust school value throughout June : 

• Understand what their environment is and how to care for it

• Explore being honest and what happens if we are dishonest

• Discuss a time when they have been honest/ dishonest - explore feelings

• Discuss people who they trust - what makes them trustworthy? 

• Understand who to talk to if there is a problem - trusted adult/ friend

• Understand that everyone is different and has unique views and beliefs

• Explore music and share opinions and differences in musical preference

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

Evelyn from year 2 proudly showing her work!

Year 2 had great fun using the Bee Bots this week.

1L had a dragon themed day this week. They have been painting our dragon eyes ready for our showcase event for parents, making dragon art out of 2d shapes, creating loose-part dragon eye collages and using stop motion to create a stick puppet animation. They look fabulous.  It was lovely to see so many parents and carers pop into their showcase to see their work. Thank you.

Enrichment

Today year 5 took on the role of engineers. We were challenged with building a bridge across a 20cm gap using only paper and a strip of sellotape. We were given 2 sheets of paper to discuss initial ideas, 5 sheets to create a first design with an opportunity to test using weights and then finally another 5 sheets to build a final design that was tested in front of the year group. Our strongest bridge managed to hold 3kg!! 

 Lily M from year 2 took part in the end of year Stagecoach show playing the role of the Artful Dodger in Oliver last Friday.   Well done Lily!

Well done Lottie from year who came away with a flurry of certificates and medals from her dance competitions last week! We know you were very proud to receive your special achievement certificate.  We are proud of you too.

Heidi from year 5 travelled to Amsterdam last week to compete in the Dutch Junior Squash  open. This is the third biggest junior tournament in the world attracting players from around the world. Heidi played competitors from Egypt, India and Europe  and placed a respectable 7th.  She has also just been sponsored by Head which is amazing for someone so young.  Well done Heidi we are proud of you and your commitment to the sport.  Heidi's sister Eliza who used to attend Oldcastle also competed.

Baby and Toddler Group

Toddler Group held their end of term party on Wednesday and how lovely it was to see the children and parents enjoying.  We have some lovely photos to share - see below.

Thank you for all your support since we started the group over 260 babies and children have attended! We can't wait to start back up again in September!

Community Room

Please do call in and make use of our community room.  We are happy for parents and carers to come to school and use the facilities after drop off or before pick up.  The room is also available if you wish to get together for a group chat!

Summer Tennis Camp

Bridgend Libraries Reading Challenge

Don't forget to get involved with the Bridgend Libraries reading challenge this summer.

Awen Cultural Trust will launch the 2024 Summer Reading Challenge and their summer programme of library activities with a fun-filled, family event at Newbridge Fields in Bridgend on Saturday 13th July from 12 – 3pm. The event is supported by Bridgend County Borough Council.

‘Fun in the Park’ will include inflatables, movement and dance sessions, giant games, storytime and crafts, a treasure hunt and much more. Bridge FM will be broadcasting live from the event. All activities are provided free of charge.

This year’s theme for the Summer Reading Challenge, which has been run by The Reading Agency in partnership with public libraries since 1999, is ‘Marvellous Makers’. The aim is to fire up children’s imaginations and unleash storytelling and creativity through the power of reading.

Over the school summer holidays, Awen Libraries will run a programme of events including African drumming workshops, Craft Junction workshops, Zack Franks Movement and Dance workshops and Carl John, The Magic Man, workshops. Visit our ‘what’s on’ section or pick up a leaflet from your local library.

 Fit, Fed and Fun camps will be run this summer out of rugby clubs in the Bridgend region with the emphasis being on the children being provided with breakfast and lunch alongside rugby activity.   For more information please follow this link. Ospreys in the Community Rugby Camp

School Uniform Exchange

The McArthurGlen Bridgend ‘School Uniform Exchange’ is a one stop shop for pre-loved school uniform where you can kit out the kids for the new term and recycle last years items all in one place.

Drop off your pre-loved donations at our Guest Services between 15th July and 16th August. Donations can include clothing, shoes, coats and bags and all we ask is that they are of good quality so that someone else can benefit from them.

On Saturday 17th August, our dedicated uniform shop will be open and all of the school uniform donated will be available for guests to collect for free. Guests are welcome to take anything they may need ahead of the new school term.  Opening times and location of the uniform shop will be announced shortly, keep an eye on our social media for updates!

More information is available here. Uniform Swap

• 16th July - Year 6 Annie performance at 2pm (Year 6 parents and carers only)

• 16th July - Year 6 Leavers Presentation at 5.30pm (Year 6 parents and carers only)

• 17th July - Year 6 Annie Performance at 6pm (Year 6 parents and carers only)

• 19th July - Last day of term

• 3rd September - Back to School

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

• Thursday 2nd May 2024

• Monday 22nd July 2024

Inset Days 2024/25

Inset Days have been approved by School Governors for 2024/25 and they are as follows:

• Monday 2nd September 2024

• Friday 6th December 2024

• Friday 21st February 2025

• Friday 11th April 2025

• Monday 2nd June 2025

• Monday 21st July 2025

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

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. 

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.