Welcome back to Oldcastle Primary School! We hope you all had a restful week and enjoyed the dry weather. It's been wonderful to see our pupils return with such enthusiasm and energy for the new term. The first week has flown by and we are excited for the busy term ahead. We have lots planned during November and December! Please read on to find out more!
Remembrance
During assembly this morning Mrs Littlewood talked to the children about the importance of Remembrance Day and the significance of the poppy.
Our classes have created some lovely display items based around the poppy to highlight the importance of Remembrance Day and this was displayed in the main hall for all pupils and staff to enjoy. Children in years 2 to 6 have created a display around our monthly values and written a small paragraph about what friendship and forgiveness means to them.
Our Junior Leadership Team will represent the school at the Bridgend Town Council Family Remembrance service and lay a wreath at the War Memorial in central Bridgend. The Children and Family Remembrance parade and service will take place on Saturday 9th November and is specifically arranged for primary school age children and families. The service is tailored to provide an opportunity for children to learn about the importance of Remembrance. The parade will meet at the top of Wyndham Street and the service will commence at 10.45am at the War Memorial in Dunraven Place.
On Monday 11th November, we will hold a short assembly to remember and recognise the personal sacrifices made by men and women, past and present, to protect freedoms we enjoy today.
Anti Bullying Week
Next week is Anti Bullying Week and our school community will be participating in a series of engaging activities and thoughtful discussions, focusing on our November values Friendship and Forgiveness. We will be exploring the importance of kindness, empathy, and mutual respect with particular activities planned for World Kindness Day on Wednesday..
Governors Report to Parent
The school governors would like to invite parents to a meet the governors event on Wednesday 20th November at 6pm in the main hall. Parents will have the opportunity to discuss the Governors Annual Report to Parents.
Children in Need
We will be supporting Children in Need on Friday 15th November and children may wear 'Wear what they want' on this day. We will be accepting cash donations for the charity but there is no expectation for children to bring in a donation. Thank you for your support.
PTA Event - Christmas Wreath Making
A Christmas Wreath making workshop organised by Oldcastle Primary PTA will be held on Tuesday 26th November. Places are limited (35 people) and booking is essential. Participants need to bring gardening gloves and small gardening secateurs or sharp scissors if possible.
The workshop will take place in the main school hall from 6pm to 8pm and will cost £40. The £40 will include all materials needed to make your wreath, hot drinks and festive treats.
Payments must be made by 22nd November to guarantee a place. Cash payment should be taken into the school office in an envelope clearly marked with your name and PTA Wreath Making.
Christmas Concerts
We know it's early to be talking about Christmas but we appreciate that parents like to be given plenty of notice regarding Christmas concerts. Christmas concerts will take place on the following days and times. There will be two performances per year group and parents / carers will be able to apply for up to 2 tickets for each performance. Tickets will be £1 per person and payment can be made in cash on the door at the time of the concert. Due to health and safety reasons, we are limited in the number of people we can seat in the main hall so numbers will be strictly monitored based around the applications received via this form.
Please complete the Google form below to reserve your tickets for the performances you wish to attend.
Nursery
Monday 9th December 9.30am and Monday 9th December 2pm
Reception
Tuesday 10th December 9.30am and Tuesday 10th December 2pm
Year 1
Wednesday 11th December 2pm and Thursday 12th December 9.30am
Year 2
Friday 13th 9.30am and Friday 13th 2pm
Year 3
Tuesday 17th December 9.30am and Tuesday 17th December 2pm
Year 4
Monday 16th December 9.30am and Monday 16th December 2pm
Year 5
Wednesday 18th December 9.30am and Wednesday 18th December 2pm
Year 6
Thursday 19th December 9.30am and Thursday 19th December 2pm
Christmas Tree Funding
We are thrilled to announce that we hope to decorate our school hall with a real Christmas tree again this year, but we need your help! We are kindly requesting donations towards the purchase of a real Christmas tree to help us create a Christmassy atmosphere for our pupils, staff, and visitors in the lead up to Christmas.
If you would like to donate towards a real Christmas tree please let us know via ask@oldcastleprimary.co.uk. Your generosity will be greatly appreciated and will help us bring the magic of the season to our school.
Alternatively if you are a local business who would like to sponsor a Christmas tree or Christmas activities in school please do get in touch with Sara Peters at the school.. By sponsoring a tree, you can have your name or business logo displayed, showcasing your support for our school.
We are excited to celebrate the festive season with our school community and are grateful for your continued support. If you have any questions or would like to discuss these opportunities further, please do not hesitate to contact the school.
Universal Free School Meals - School Trips - Important Information
As you are aware all primary school children are entitled to an universal free school meal. This provision also extends to children when on a school trip, and as a result the local authority have an arrangment with Castell Howell for the provision of pre-packed and labelled packed lunches. The packed lunch will consist of a filled Talgarth Bakery ham or cheese roll, pre-packed muffin, that will accompany vegetable sticks, fresh fruit, and bottle of water which will all comply with Natasha’s Law.
Prior to any school trip, parents will be sent a google form that will allow you to order a free packed lunch for any trips. It would be very helpful if all parents can complete the form even if your child does not require the free packed lunch. We are keen to avoid any food waste so please ensure you complete the form as accurately as possible. Below are the questions you will be asked on the google form. We are required to provide the catering team with a minimum of 10 days notice prior to any school trip.
Thank you for your assistance with this. Please note all packed lunches ordered will be provided to children on the morning of the trip.
Pantomime Trip Years 1 to 6
Due to the timings of the years 1 to 6 pantomime trip children attending will not be able to have a hot school meal on this day. All children attending the pantomime on 4th December will require a packed lunch. Please read the following information and complete the Google Form by 15th November.
As your child is entitled to universal free School Meals they will be provided with a free packed lunch when they are on a school trip. All children in years 1 to 6 will require a packed lunch on 4th December for the Pantomime trip.
Please complete this form to let us know if your child will require a free packed lunch from the school or if they will be bringing their own lunch on 4th December. If you are ordering a free packed lunch please confirm the roll option required.
The packed lunch will consist of a ham or cheese bread roll, muffin, piece of fruit, cucumber and carrot sticks and a bottle of water.
If you choose to provide your own packed lunch please let us know on the form below.
Please remember we are a nut free school and you should not send in any nut products with a packed lunch.
Don't forget there is an INSET Day on Friday 6th December
Food Pantry
Don't forget to visit the food pantry and tell your friends and family about the selection of items available. Our food pantry is stocked with some lovely items. 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.
On occasion we are also receiving some bakery items from Asda as part of our Fairshare allocation. When we do we will have these items available on a Friday and are free of charge.
Parents Evening
This week we held parents evening appointments for all parents in nursery to year 6. We are grateful to your support.
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 95.1%.
School Photos
Don't forget to scroll to the end of the newsletter to view photos from the week.
School Values
The school values for November are Friendship and Forgiveness
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 Eloise and Beatrice J who ran the Richard Burton/Kevin Webber Mini Miler last weekend. The girls finished in a great time and received a medal and a t-shirt for their efforts. This is their first race and they've said they want to do more. Da Iawn girls we are very proud of you.
Well done to Isabelle from year 4 who achieved a Blue Peter Music badge recently! What an achievement and a badge you should be very proud off Isabelle!
Over the first weekend of the half term Heidi from year 6 competed in the South Wales junior squash open for the first time officially in the new age category of U13. She was super pleased to have won this event. She then travelled to Sheffield to compete in the the Pro Air British Junior Closed. This was a tough competition playing with the very best children from Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales. Heidi played well and achieved a respectable 12th place. Well done Heidi.
Oldcastle Toddlers takes place every Wednesday. This week the children and adults made some lovely firework artwork!
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.
Asda Cashpot for School
Our school pot is filling up nicely - don't forget to scan your reward card when you shop in Asda!
9th November - Bridgend Town Centre Family Remembrance Service
11th November 5T Trip to Sony
13th November - World Kindness Day
15th November - Children in Need
20th November at 6pm - Meet the Governors
4th December - Panto Trip Years 1 to 6
4th December - Nursery and Reception Christmas show for children
6th December - Inset Day
12th December - Christmas Dinner Day
20th December - Last day of term
20th December to 5th January - Christmas Holiday
The next Parents Evenings meetings are planned for week beginning 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
5E went on a visit to Sony on Monday and took part in a Digital Competency workshop - it looked very informative and great fun.
Language and Play
This week, we read the book ‘The Tiger Who Came to Tea’ by Judith Kerr, which is one of Mrs Diehl’s favourite books. The children and their grown-ups made their very own tiger plates and masks. They enjoyed re-telling the story and having their very own little tea party. What a lovely time we had!
Year 4 homemade recording studio!
This week in the Nursery we have been learning about Diwali. We have made our own Rangoli patterns, we had to carefully use rice, pasta and coloured sand. We used salt dough to make Diva lamps, before we could make them we had to measure the ingredients and mix them. Next week we will paint them to make them colourful. We have had great fun dressing up!
Climbing Wall Fun
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.