It has been lovely to hear about Coronation events that children took part in over the long weekend last weekend.  It sounds like children enjoyed the long weekend and celebrations.  It's been a busy four day week in Oldcastle, please read on for more information.

Assembly

During our whole school assembly this morning, members of our Eco Committee launched a new competition for all children in the school.  Pupils were asked to develop a new Eco-Code which will become the Eco Committee’s mission statement. 

The Eco Code should demonstrate – in a positive, clear and imaginative way – the school’s commitment to improving its environmental performance. The Eco-Code is a fun way of capturing the main objectives of the Eco Schools Committee. It should be presented in a format that’s meaningful to pupils and the school community. The Eco-Code can be anything you want a song, statement, poem, rap, acronym or something even more creative.   Entries should be given to the class teacher by 19th May. For further information on the competition please follow this link to view the slideshow prepared by the children and presented in the assembly.  Eco Code Presentation You can also find some ideas of the following slide - Eco Code

Well done Elsie, Leo, Seren and Amelia for standing up in front of the whole school to launch the competition.

Mrs Burr also reminded pupils in assembly about our school values this month and showed the children a video highlighting how we can be caring and generous.   Parents may wish to watch the video with your child or simply view the video that was played in assembly - please click here to watch.

The choir also performed in front of the whole school during the assembly - the singing was lovely well done choir. Please read on to find out about a special performance our choir will be undertaking next week.

Summer Concert

Next week our school choir, musicians and choral speakers will take part in a summer concert event in Ewenny Priory.  We are very grateful to the Priory for allowing us to hold our concert in their amazing venue.  Parents of the children who are performing are invited to come along and see their children perform.  The venue has limited seating so we are unable to open up any tickets to any other parents however we can't wait to share photos and videos with you next week in our newsletter. 

National Testing

Over the next couple of weeks children in years 2 to 6 are taking part in welsh government national tests.  These tests are used as method for teachers to monitor progress and children do not need to prepare for them.

Careers Week - Don't forget to get in touch if you can help with our second Careers Week

Our aim is to inspire and educate our children and enthuse them about the array of different jobs that can be done.  We are hoping that we can encourage our parents to get involved in our Careers Week by coming along to school and talking or demonstrating what you do in your job.  If you cannot visit but are able to support us in another way, for instance a pre recorded session or other support, please let us know via the Google Form below. We are looking for a range of different job roles and this is the type of information we think would be useful :

• Explain what your job is and what your day-to-day responsibilities.

• How long have you worked in this job?

• What do you love the most about your job?

• When did you decide you wanted to work in this job role?

• Did you have to do any training for your job role?

• Was there something you learnt/did at school or someone that inspired you to pursue this line of work?

• Practical display - ie show something about your job or do a display for instance flower arranging - florist

We are looking for a wide variety of career / job options that will inspire our children.  If you can help out please let us know by completing and submitting this form.

Careers Week

If you require further information please get in touch with Sara Peters, Grants, Media and Health and Safety Manager on 01656 815790.

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

Parking

We have received complaints from residents regarding parking in the streets surrounding the school.  Please can we ask that parents are mindful of residents when parking in the surrounding streets and do not block driveways.  We also ask that parents are mindful that cars may be reversing out of driveways when walking along the pavements on these roads and ensure children do not run behind the parked cars. Thank you for your support.

Headlice

Please can we ask that you check your child's hair for headlice over the weekend.  Thank you for your support.

Sports Day

Sports Day for children in years 1 to 6 will take place on Friday 30th June.  Children in years 1 to 3 will complete their events in the morning and years 4 to 6 in the afternoon.  

We are still finalising details for the nursery and reception children.

Outdoor Equipment

Please can we ask that pupils and siblings do not play with the outdoor learning equipment prior to and after school.  The equipment is for learning purposes and we ask that the equipment is not played with outside of school time.  We have witnessed accidents and injuries as a result of children playing with the equipment before and after school.

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. 

Reception used the Beebots this week to find their way around the farm by going forward back left and right  Great work Reception. 

Nursery Numbers and Play

This week in Numbers and Play we read the story of ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’.  The nursery children completed some sequencing and addition activities and even made their very own caterpillar.  We ended the session by singing some counting songs.  Da iawn plant!

Well done William in year 3 for putting so much work into your Cardiff Castle project you did following your visit over the weekend.  It looks likes you enjoyed your visit!

Enrichment

Some of year 6 are busy learning Spanish in enrichment. Some really handy words on their great posters!

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.  

Inset Days 2022 / 23

Inset days for the remainder of the school year

• Friday 26th May 2023

• Monday 24th July 2023

Term Dates - all term dates are available to view on our website

• May Half Term - Monday 29th May to Friday 2nd June

• School year finishes on Friday 21st July

Wednesday 7th June - Class and Team Photos

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. 

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