Junior Leaders 

This week, our year 6 junior leaders have been interviewing year 5 candidates to join them on the junior leadership team.  Well done to everyone who applied and presented so well to Miss Hodgson, Mrs Littlewood, Harry and Ava.  It was a hard decision for the panel with such a high standard of application.  However, we can announce that Bette, Gabriella and Izzy will be joining the junior leadership team.  Well done! 

House Captains

Children in the school have been voting for their year 6 house captains this week. We were delighted to see so many pupils put themselves forward to be house captain.  Thank you to everyone who applied.  Following a vote, here are the new house captains :

• Blue House - Bella and Osian

• Red house - Henry D and Abigail

• Green house - Luca and Olivia G

• Yellow house - Lottie L and Aaron

Junior Leaders and Well-being Champions support Macmillan

We were delighted to take our junior leaders and wellbeing team to Carnegie House this morning to support the Mayor's Macmillan coffee morning. The Mayor, Councillor Ian Williams, had arranged a special guest: Mr David Emanuel, who designed Princess Diana's wedding dress. The school was pleased to donate £85 from a recent staff cake sale in aid of the Macmillan cancer charity.  The pupils thoroughly enjoyed the delicious cakes on offer at the coffee morning!

School Values

Throughout September our values have been respect and responsibility, and we have been pleased to see children getting involved with the values.  In October, our school values are as follows and these were discussed in assembly this morning.  Here is an overview for parents:

Compassion means we care about others, treat them with kindness, and feel a strong desire to help people in need.  Compassion is empathy in action.  For a six-year-old, compassion might look like giving a hug, making a card, or saying something kind to help a friend or family member who is feeling sad or upset.

Hope - a wish for something that one thinks could come true; desire. It is my hope to play on the  school netball team someday.

School Improvement Plan 24/25

Our School Improvement Plan is uploaded to our website on an annual basis.  Please read on to find out more details on our School Improvements for 2024/25.

Our school is committed to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability to ensure the best possible educational experience for our pupils. To achieve this, we are using the following questions to serve as the framework for our evaluation and improvement. 

Learning and Teaching 

• To continue to build a curriculum that underpins the four purposes, which are broad and balanced and based on the six areas of learning and experience. Continue to establish clear progression steps that align with the four purposes.

• To continue to refine and enhance reading sessions to ensure they are consistently of the highest quality across all classes

• To improve spelling proficiency across the school, thereby enabling pupils to achieve a higher standard of work and contributing to an increase in their spelling ages

• To continue to develop a curriculum that promotes Welsh Culture and Language. Ensure that Welsh reading materials and resources are aligned with the school's curriculum objectives and learning outcomes:

• All teachers to identify opportunities for integrating literacy, numeracy, and digital skills into each Area of Learning Experience.

• Implement the Welsh Government curriculum for non-maintained nursery settings.

Well-being, Support and Guidance

• To meet the attendance target of 95%, with a focus on improving the attendance of PDG pupils

• To continue to develop the PDG Lead positions to close the gap between the less advantaged Learners and focus on the impact of poverty.

• To further establish our school as a central part of the wider community, to develop a robust community hub that provides a pantry and other resources to the school community.

Leadership and Improvement

• Have a fully operational tracking sheet that provides a holistic view of pupil performance across the school. 

• Provide a comprehensive program for the three new SLT members, focusing on school policies, procedures, and current strategic goals.

• To schedule regular visits by Governors to the school, including participation in school events, classroom visits, and meetings with staff and pupils.

An evaluation of the previous school year's Improvement Plan can be viewed on our website.  School Improvement Plan Evaluation.

Parents Evening Bookings

You have received an email today from notifications@primarysite.co.uk containing details of how to book your child's parents' evening appointment.  The appointments will take place week beginning 21st October.  

If you have not received an email please get in touch with us via ask@oldcastleprimary.co.uk

School Governors

Oldcastle Primary School has a governing body that plays an important role in school life to lead, support and improve.  The governors act as a go between parents, the local community and the school. Governors are impartial and make decisions that seek to improve the school.  

Our school constitution states that we will have a total of 18 governors and these will be made up of:

• 5 Parent Governors

• 5 Community Governors

• 4 Local Authority Governors

• 2 Teacher Governors

• 1 Staff Governor

• The Headteacher

At each meeting, governors receive, discuss and make decisions on a range of subjects, for example:

• budgets

• recruitment of staff

• disciplinary issues

• health and safety and maintenance

• pupils performance

• school inspection reports

Governors attend committee meetings for finance and curriculum and a full governing body meeting. In October, governors will issue an Annual Report to Parents. If you would like further information on the School Governing Body or would like to view minutes from the meeting, please click here.  School Governors.

Black History Month

Throughout October we will be celebrating Black History Month.  In assembly, Miss Vaughan, Sofia, Sophie, and Aled spoke to the children about how they can get involved. Children were tasked with making a poster, creating a google slides or writing a poem about someone from the black community who has inspired you. 

Black History Month is intended to recognise the contributions and achievements of those with African or Caribbean heritage. It's also an opportunity for people to learn more about the effects of racism and how to challenge negative stereotypes.  It is important to learn about Black History Month because we need to celebrate the achievements that black people have accomplished throughout the years. Despite the fact that people have been racist and prejudice. 

Food Pantry

Our food pantry has been stocked with some lovely items this week. Pop in and fill a bag for £5. Surplus food gets delivered to school every Tuesday but parents may visit the pantry on any day.  Here's a little video to tempt you in.

Panto Trip - Years 1 to 6

Parents in years 1 to 6 have been emailed details about our panto trip this year.  Children will be watching Cinderella in the Princess Royal Theatre in Port Talbot. The trip is £12.50 and payment should be made via Parent Pay by 31st October.  Please check your Parent Pay account for details of the trip and how to pay.

PTA Christmas Designs

All children will have come home today with information from the PTA regarding personalised Christmas cards.  Children can create a design on the template provided, return to school and you will then receive a personalised order form displaying your child's design.  There are lots of options to choose from, including mugs, cards and tea towels - perfect Christmas presents!  

For more information on the types of products available please look at www.classfundraising.co.uk All templates should be returned to school by Friday 11th October in order for the items to be ordered in time for December.

Christmas Card Competition

We have been invited to take part in the annual Chris Elmore (MP) Christmas Card competition.  Templates have been sent home with children.  If you have not received one please get in touch with us. 

The lucky winner will have their design showcased to businesses, politicians and community groups.  There is a prize for first, second and third place.  The theme is ‘A Welsh Christmas’. The closing date is Tuesday, 5th November 2024. Please ensure all entries are returned to school by this date. 

Templates will be sent home with children this week to allow them to prepare their designs. Here are some top tips:

• Don’t use glitter as it cannot be reproduced by the printers.

• Don’t make your card too dark.

• 3D cards can’t be reproduced by the printer.

• Make it simple – sometimes less is more.

• If you are drawing a character, make sure he/she fills the space.

• Use bright colours; try not to leave some of the space without colour unless it’s white for snow.

• Stick to the template – it’s important for the printer that the size is the size on the template

• Please keep your design in a landscape format

PTA Disco

The PTA are delighted to announce they are holding a disco on Friday 4th October - Tickets are £2.50 each and this time the PTA will be accepting payment at the door. Please do not send money into school, bring the payment with you on the day. All children need to be supervised whilst at the disco.  

You will need to complete a separate form for every child you wish to purchase a ticket for. The PTA are hoping to be paperless so will not be sending tickets home.  Please keep your email to hand and show this to gain entry to the disco.  The PTA will have a list on the door of all tickets ordered.

Tickets are allocated on a first come first served basis and are limited due to fire regulations. We cannot guarantee entry to anyone who has not pre ordered a ticket.

Drinks, sweets and snacks will be available to purchase at the disco.  The event will be CASH ONLY.

Disco Application Form

Schools Cross Country  - Years 3 to 6

Mrs Evans launched the cross country competition in assembly this morning and encouraged everyone in years 3 to 6 to come along!

The Schools Cross Country 24/25 season will start in October with the first competition taking place in Bryntirion Comprehensive School on Saturday 5th October.  The competition is open to all pupils in years 3 to 6.  The event starts at 9.30am for registration with the races starting at 10am.

Following events will be held on:

• 19th October

• 16th November

Netball and Rugby Matches

Today our netball and rugby teams played matches against Mynydd Cynfig.  Well done to everyone who took part, and we are especially grateful to the parents who were able to transport the children today.  Bus costs are so high at the moment that hiring a bus to transport us to the sports fixtures is prohibitive so we are very grateful for the parent's support.

Netball

Team 1 score 11-0 Player of the Match - Megan

Team 2 score 15-0 Player of the Match - Ava J 

Rugby

Well done to our rugby team playing in two very competitive games with some great skills on show.  Fantastic to see the new year 5's integrating into the squad. 

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 93.3%.

Sickness

Please can we remind parents that children should stay off school for 48 hours following their last episode of sickness and diarrhoea. 

Jewellery

Please can children only wear studs as earrings and not hoop earrings.  Children do not need to wear jewellery to school and we ask that bracelets, rings and other jewellery are not worn to school.

School Photos

Don't forget to scroll to the end of the newsletter to view photos from the week.

• 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.  

Please let us know of any pupil success outside of school.

Toddler Group

Sadie and Franks

We have been supplied with the following information which may be of interest to you.  Please contact Sadie and Franks if you would like further information. 

• 16th October - Individual Child Photos

• 24th October - Flu Vaccine Reception to Year 6 children

• 28th October to 3rd November - October Half Term

• 20th December to 5th January - Christmas Holiday

Parents Evenings are planned for week beginning 21st October 2024 and 24th March 2025.

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

PE Days

• Nursery - Thursday

• Reception -  Wednesday

• Year 1 - Monday

• Year 2 - Tuesday

• Year 3 - Monday

• Year 4 - Wednesday

• Year 5 - Thursday

• Year 6 - Tuesday

Year 6 visited Swansea University this week

Year 3

As part of their work on the Industrial Revolution, Year 3 have been looking at the impact coal had on people’s lives. They have drawn pictures of children in coal mines, built a coal pit with blocks, created coal carts and tunnels with Lego and handled coal to describe how it feels.  

Some children from Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils, parents and carers took part in a language and play sessions this week.  We read the book ‘The Gruffalo’ by Julia Donaldson and the pupils then took part in fun activities, including making some finger puppets and a Gruffalo out of playdough.  They all did an amazing job.  Bendigedig! 

Enrichment

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.