Week 38 - Friday 14th July 2023
What a busy week we have had in school. The end of term is always busy with lots of learning still taking place. We have a very busy week next week to finish off the school year especially for our year 6 pupils who will be enjoying their last week of primary school education. On Monday, year 6 parents and children are invited to a leavers presentation in school when we will celebrate all the year 6 children who will then be treated to a bbq and a chance to remember their Oldcastle times. On Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday evening, year 6 pupils will perform their end of term production 'Psychedelic Cinderella' to their parents, and will also fit in a performance to the whole school! We can't wait to share photos with you next week. Here's sneak peek of their performance.
Oldcastle Rocks
What an amazing day we had on Saturday for the second Oldcastle Rocks. The weather was kind to us and we were delighted that the event was able to go ahead. Thank you to our amazing PTA for organising another successful Oldcastle Rocks. We are so grateful to all the performers, entertainers, staff, governors, parents and grandparents who helped to make the day such a success. Finally, thank you to everyone that attended and supported our event. The event raised a profit of just over £3000 which will be used to fund improvements to our school.
Sports Day years 1 to 6
Another event we were pleased to go ahead with this week was the rearranged years 1 to 6 Sports Day. On Wednesday we took children in these year groups to the Athletic Track in Newbridge Fields to take part in a range of events. We hope that parents enjoyed the event - we certainly now the children enjoyed the time in the athletics track and enjoyed supporting their house representatives.
The scores from the day were as follows:
1st place - Red House 1035 points
2nd place - Green House 950 points
3rd place - Yellow House 895 points
4th place - Blue House 825 points
Congratulations red house!
School Values
The school values for July taking and managing risks
Book Look - Invitation to parents
Thank you to everyone that supported our Book Look this week. We hope you enjoyed viewing your children's books and listening to them tell you about their learning journey at Oldcastle this year.
Criw Cymraeg
We are preparing for our Bronze Award verification in the next few weeks. We want everyone to speak as much Welsh as possible and to be enthusiastic about the Welsh language! If you would like to find out the targets we have already completed make sure you visit our Siarter Iaith Padlet.
Our challenge for the week will be to use Welsh when asking for things in school and at home. We especially want to see our phrase of the week used during lunchtimes! Da iawn!
Community Food Hub
Thank you to the parents who have been in touch regarding our Community Food Hub. We are holding our first meeting on Tuesday 18th July. Everyone is welcome so if you would like to come along please let us know via ask@oldcastleprimary.co.uk
We are looking to create a Community Food Hub for the wider community to provide food parcels. The food parcels would be offered at a discounted or pay as you feel rate and would be operated as a not for profit enterprise. Our aim is to contribute to the reduction of food poverty and food insecurity. We would like reach out to our school community to find out if there are any volunteers that would be able to set up and run this venture once a month. We would also be grateful for businesses to support the venture and help with initial set up costs.
If you think you can help please get in touch with Sara Peters via our ask@oldcastleprimary.co.uk or by phone on 01656 815790.
Don't forget the last day of term is Friday 21st July as we have an inset day on Monday 24th July.
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.
School Photos
Reception have really enjoyed learning about Africa and have designed some amazing posters.
Enrichment
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.
Pupil Success
We love to hear about all of the exciting achievements of our pupils during out of school activities. Please share any successes with us at ask@oldcastleprimary.co.uk and include a photograph and details of the achievement to be included in future newsletters.
Congratulations to Eliza from year 6 who has gained a second Welsh cap for representing Squash Wales in the under 13's squash competition in Scotland earlier this year. A fantastic achievement.
Congratulations to Lewis and Theo from year 5 who have been selected to be part of the Bridgend Schools District Rugby trials. Well done boys we look forward to hearing about your journey.
Pupil Fundraising
Avya in Year 2 is fund raising again this year for Velindre.
“With the enormous support and kind donations, Avya in Year 2 managed to fund raise £2050 by walking 50km in August 2022. This has motivated her to fund raise again this year for Velindre cancer institute in memory of her beautiful mom (Sauj). She has set herself a “Big 4 challenge” of reading ‘4 books a week’ and ‘walking 40km’ in August 2023 during her summer holiday.
The donations will be primarily contributed towards Velindre family room and to support young families who have a family member diagnosed with cancer. This will include memory boxes, worry monsters and educational books on how to explain a cancer diagnosis to child. Also, maintenance of family room and children’s room which allows families to spend private and quality time with their loved ones while in the hospital. This would make a big difference to improve the experience and outcomes of patients and families with young children receiving care and support in Velindre.
You can help this great cause by donating directly to the fund raising page - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/avyakta
Football Success
Well done to Charlie from year 3 who has recently finished his first season with Swansea City Football Academy. His family are extremely proud of him and so happy seeing him progress and be successful in a sport he truly loves. He has reviews every couple of months and has excelled greatly with the support of the coaches at Swansea.
Keep it up Charlie!
Community News
Summer Holiday Tennis Camps 2023 in Bridgend Tennis Club
WEEK 1: Mon 24th- Fri 28th July
WEEK 2: Mon 31st July- Fri 4th Aug
WEEK 3: Mon 7th- Fri 11th Aug
WEEK 4: Mon 14th- Fri 18th Aug
WEEK 5: Mon 21st- Fri 25th Aug
Blue 3-4yrs: 10-11am Daily
Mini 5-10yrs: 10-1pm Daily
Junior 11-18yrs: 1.30-3.30pm Tue & Thurs
20% Discount for Club members
Full week discount available
For more information or to book a space please click on the link below: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/BridgendTennisClub/Coaching/Camps
Water Safety Message
Useful Dates
Inset Days 2022 / 23
Inset days for the remainder of the school year
Monday 24th July 2023
Term Dates - all term dates are available to view on our website
School year finishes on Friday 21st July
In September, we have an inset day on Monday 4th September. Children will start back at school on Tuesday 5th September.
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
Safeguarding
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.
School Vision
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