Reminder - Next Friday 21st February is an inset day and the school is closed to pupils.

Junior Leadership Team

Our Junior Leadership Team are busy preparing to interview prospective PGCE students from Swansea University next week.  We are working with Swansea University as part of their interview process for PGCE candidates.  The children love being involved in this process.

Junior leaders are also working with Miss Hodgson to prepare an attendance video to highlight the importance of attending school. We look forward to sharing this video with parents shortly.

PTA Feedback

Thank you to all the parents who completed the short google form on Oldcastle PTA last week.  Your feedback is invaluable and will be used by the PTA and the School to form future plans.   

The PTA's primary role in raising funds for the benefit of our pupils is invaluable, and the recent feedback we've received demonstrates the positive impact of their efforts. It is heartening to note that an overwhelming 93% of respondents expressed their love for Oldcastle Rocks, while 78% thoroughly enjoy our school discos. Even more impressively, every single respondent indicated that their children love Oldcastle Rocks, with 86% also enjoying the termly discos. These statistics are a testament to the PTA's dedication and the joy their events bring to our school community.

Many parents have shared their appreciation for the PTA's commitment and hard work. One parent stated, "My children and I really enjoy all the events at the school. I believe the PTA goes above and beyond for both parents and pupils." Another parent remarked, "Oldcastle has a wonderful PTA."  Such sentiments highlight the significant role our PTA plays in enhancing the school experience for all.

Looking ahead, the PTA are eager to explore new event ideas suggested by our community. These include craft activities for adults,  community-focused initiatives and fundraising jumble sales.

It is crucial to note that the PTA's success relies heavily on volunteer support. We encourage more parents to join this fantastic team and contribute their time and skills. 

In conclusion, the school would like to express our profound gratitude to our PTA members for their unwavering dedication. Their efforts truly enrich the experience at Oldcastle Primary School. As we move forward, let us continue to support and celebrate the invaluable work of our PTA, ensuring that our school community remains vibrant, engaged, and united in our commitment to providing the best possible environment for our pupils.

Thank you PTA and all who volunteer to help at events.

Thank you to everyone who supported the PTA Bake Sale today.  We had some amazing creations donated and a huge queue to buy cakes !!  A great fundraiser for the PTA. We are very grateful to Marilyn for popping into school to judge the cakes.

Our two winning cakes!

Charity Fashion Show - Tickets on sale now! Special Guest announced - Mr David Emanuel!

We are looking forward to the Charity Fashion Show next Friday. Tickets have sold out now and we are excited to see our school models on the catwalk!  It is promising to be a great event raising funds for the Mayor of Bridgend chosen charity, Y Bont.  The Mayor has provided the following information on Y Bont if you are interested in reading. Y Bont.

Fashion Show Raffle

We have some fantastic raffle prizes for the event and any one may buy raffle tickets prior to and during the event.  The draw will take place in the evening of 21st February and winning tickets will be publicised via our Facebook page and Venetia Steele social media account.  Tickets are prized at £5 a strip and can be purchased from main reception.

Our PTA will be supporting the event and arranging a licensed bar.  We are very grateful to our PTA for their support.

Community Room - Barclays Community Ambassador

We were delighted to welcome Luke from Barclays Bank into school on Wednesday afternoon.  Luke is passionate about helping people and wants to support you in any way he can.  Luke will be able to offer advice on a range of subjects from setting up an electronic device  to staying safe online to all sorts of life money skills.  Luke does not provide any banking support and you do not have to be a Barclays customer to pop along.  

Luke will visit us again next week on Wednesday between 1.30pm and 3pm. We even provide you with a cuppa!

Cross Country Years 3 to 6

The next cross country event of the year will be held on Saturday 15th February in Pencoed Comprehensive School.  The event starts at 10am and children should arrive by 9.30am. We hope to see you there.

Community Invitation - Every Tuesday

Don't forget to pop into our Community Room and enjoy a warm drink and warm up in this cold weather.

We are delighted to invite parents and carers to a Tea and Toast session every Tuesday.  We look forward to welcoming parents and carers every Tuesday morning to enjoy a cuppa and a chat.

We truly want our families to feel welcome and make the most of our school facilities, especially during this season when managing heating costs can be a significant concern. Whether you are looking for a place to stay warm, some good company, or just a change of scenery, our doors are open to you.

Thank you for being part of our school community. 

Attendance

We are committed to promoting good attendance at school and have a target of whole school attendance of 95%.  This week's attendance was 95.9%.

Forthcoming PTA events

• Friday 21st February - Charity Fashion Show supported by the PTA

• Friday 9th May - proposed date for a PTA Disco. More information soon.

• Saturday 5th July - Oldcastle Rocks. Always a highlight in our school year as we bring the community together to enjoy some fantastic music and entertainment.

Take a look at the PTA Facebook page to keep up to date with events. Oldcastle Primary PTA Facebook Page 

Food Pantry 

The food pantry has been particularly busy over the last week, and we are delighted that many parents and carers are able to benefit from the pantry.  We are still finding a way to ensure that there is food available to parents, no matter what the day of the week, and we hope to resolve any supply issues shortly. 

Just a reminder that the pantry is £5 for 15 items - we do ask that you limit to 2 fresh and 2 frozen items to allow more people to benefit from the items.

Uniform Swap Shop

Don't forget we have plenty of pre-loved uniforms available for parents to help themselves. The uniform is free of charge and is located on clothing rails in main reception. Please pop in and take a look. We also have an ever growing mountain of lost property - please do call in to check if your child is missing an item.

Nursery Open Day - Tuesday 18th February

If your child is due to start nursery in the next academic year please come along to our Nursery open day to view our lovely facilities.

Useful Well-Being Resources

We have been provided with the following well-being resources that parents may find useful.  These materials are designed to encourage resilience, emotional regulation, and effective decision-making:

• R.A.G Resources (For Year 3 and Below): Link – A simple tool to help young children recognise and communicate their emotions effectively.

• Healthy Habits/Zones of Regulation (For Year 4 and Above): Link – A resource to help older children develop self-regulation skills and build positive daily habits.

• Support Your Child with Resilience (For Parents): Link – Practical strategies for parents to help their children develop resilience and navigate challenges.

• Thinking Traps (Parents and Y4 and above): Link - A resource to help challenge some of the negative thinking styles.

School Dinners Menu Change

Tuesday 4th March - Pancake Day - pancakes will be served as part of the menu on this day

Wednesday 5th March - St David's Day Menu 

• September - Respect and Responsibility 

• October - Compassion and Hope 

• November - Friendship and Forgiveness 

• December - Understanding and Patience

• January - Determination and Perseverance

• February - Honesty and Trust 

• March -Learning and Effort 

• April - Community and Service 

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

• June- Showing Gratitude and Care and Generosity

• 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.  

Well done to Morgan who was awarded the Bridgend Sports Player of the Match for the under 8's last Sunday. 

Well done to Lilly from year 3 who was awarded the Tondu United under 8s Player of the Match last weekend.

Year 6 were delighted to cheer on their classmate, Heidi, whilst doing their work this monring. Heidi is representing Wales in the Squash 5 nations competition in France. We can't wait to hear how she has got on. 

Circuit Training Class

Parents may be interested in the following https://www.facebook.com/share/1DEJpSaB5G/ 

Tennis Camp February Half Term

• Friday 9th May - Proposed PTA Disco

• Saturday 5th July - Oldcastle Rocks

Inset Days 2024/25

• Monday 2nd September 2024

• Friday 6th December 2024

• Friday 21st February 2025

• Friday 11th April 2025

• Monday 2nd June 2025

• Monday 21st July 2025

Health and Wellbeing / PE Days

• Nursery - Thursday

• Reception -  Wednesday

• Year 1 - Monday

• Year 2 - Tuesday

• Year 3 - Friday

• Year 4 - Friday

• Year 5 - Friday

• Year 6 - Friday

Nursery Numbers and Play 

This week in Numbers and Play we read the book ‘Lots of Frogs’ by Howard Calvert, which is a story about Tommy and his box of frogs who escape in school.  The children and their grown-ups used their cutting skills to make their own split pin frog.  They also played lots of frog-themed number games and sang the ‘five speckled frogs’ song.  Well done everyone! 

This week in the Nursery we have continued to expand our knowledge of insects. We have made salt dough insects and are looking forward to painting them next week.  We have used our pencil skills to form patterns to make insects and coloured them in.  We have practised our number skills, matching number ladybirds to the spots.  We had great fun playing with the parachute outside and are enjoying folk dancing ready for Welsh Week. 

Year 3 have written some lovely newspaper articles on their topic on Pompeii.

Lunch Club Fun and Games

Year 5 loved taking part in an online coding session this week with Barclays UK Digital Wings programme as part of Safer Internet Day.

Year 6 pupils have been hard at work on an exciting project inspired by their Literacy book, The Boy in the Tower. They are using their filmmaking skills to create short films based on the story. Pupils are designing and creating intricate sets using shoeboxes and enhancing their productions with digital technology. The progress so far has been fantastic, with students showing great creativity and teamwork. We can't wait to see the final films.

Year 6 Enrichment

Some of our Reception children loved their cooking with Ting session today! The children learnt how to make egg fried rice and enjoyed tasting the food too!

Barney and Gwen

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.