It has been an excellent start to the summer term and it has been a pleasure to see so many parents and carers attending the school for a wide range of family engagement events and activities. A special mention to our oldest year 6 pupils who had a brilliant time on their recent residential visit to Liddington in Wiltshire. They were an absolute credit to the school and to their families throughout the visit. 

In this month's newsletter, there is a range of great news and updates from across our school community. Please note the dates for the diary section which includes key events such as sports days and school trips. 

Many thanks for your continued support.

Mr Raymond

We continue to make steady progress towards our whole school attendance target of 95%. You will be aware that if your child's attendance figure falls below 90%, we will be in touch to offer our support in improving your child's attendance. 

Term Time Holidays

A common query is when a term time holiday request has been returned as "unauthorised". This is nearly always because a child's attendance figure is below 95%. Term time holidays can only be authorised if the attendance 95% unless there are exceptional circumstances e.g. compassionate reasons. 

Reporting pupil absence

As part of our attendance policy and processes, it is vital that parents and carers report pupil absence immediately. Please do so using the following options. 

How do I report my child's absence? 

If your child is unwell you can let the school know using any of the following:

• Call the school office - 01656 815730

• Email the school office - admin@pencoedps.bridgend.cymru (note - please don't email contact@pencoedprimary.co.uk with attendance related updates)

• Text using the School Comms Gateway App

• These can also be used to inform us about upcoming medical appointments etc. 

How do we communicate and share information with our parents/carers? 

• Class Dojo - This remains our number one platform for sharing key information with our families. Please remember to check your child's 'Class Story' page for updates specifically related to your child's class, and check 'School Story' for more general updates. Please note: Although staff can send outward messages to parents/carers they are no longer accessing incoming messages, (this does not include the ALN staff, Mrs King, Mrs Ryall-Friend & Mrs Patrick), therefore see the information below about how to share informtion with us. 

• School Comms - The School Comms Gateway app is also used to help share information about upcoming events which require payment/consent. If you need help to download this app, please contact the office staff who will be happy to assist with this. 

• Email - Some information is also shared via email from the school's admin address. Please ensure that we have an up to date email address on record for you. 

How can our parents/carers communicate and share information with us?

• School office telephone: 01656 815730

• School office email: admin@pencoedps.bridgend.cymru - 

Use this email address for the following:

-To report your child's absence

-To let us know about changes to end of the day pick up arrangements

-To inform us of an upcoming medical appointment

-Any admin related queries including trips/events/dinner money balances etc

• School contact email: contact@pencoedprimary.co.uk - use this email if you have a specific query or need to share information with your child's class teacher. Please remember to include your child's name and class, along with any details you wish to be passed on. This address is monitored by the headship team. 

Congratulations to the following pupils:

• Rosie in year 3 for her participation in the Welsh Gymnastics South Central area prelims. Great effort Rosie!

• Jack in year 6 who continues to impress us on the running track, he is ranked in the top 10 in the UK for his favoured distance 1500 metres! Jack has been selected to race in the South Wales outdoor track Championships in Aberdare in May, where he will compete in both the 1500 metres and the 800 metres. Good luck Jack! 

• Ella in year 2 competed in the Iska championships 2024 and won a bronze medal for her team Bridgend warriors. Well done Ella!

• Charlie-Ray in year 4 recently represented Cardiff junior devils in Geleen in the Netherlands, Holland. What a brilliant experience and achievement!

• In April, Sophia in year 5 competed at Sophia Gardens in her grades for Excel 2. She came 2nd overall - 1st on vault, 2nd on bars, 3rd on floor, 3rd on beam and 3rd on range and conditioning. She will now travel to Stoke on Trent next week and will compete for Wales in the British finals. Absolutely superb!

• Many congratulations to siblings Grace and Ethan who recently appeared in BBC's hit comedy series "Mammoth". Great job both!

year 6 residential trip

Year 6 visited Liddington PGL for this year's residential trip. The pupils enjoyed taking part in a range of outdoor activities including raft building, archery and climbing. Staff were delighted with how the pupils conducted themselves and all agreed that it had been a pleasure to take them! A huge thank you to the staff for accompanying the pupils.

• Monday 6th May - Bank Holiday

• Half term holiday - Week beginning 27th May 

• Thursday 6th June AM  - Sports Day for Early Years (Nursery & RHH/RGP) 

• Thursday 6th June PM - Sports Day for Lower School (R/1RB, 1MC/MR, 1ER/TH, 2NC, 2NS) 

• Friday 7th June PM - Little Stars Sports Day

• Thursday 13th June AM - Sports Day for Middle School (2/3CS, 3SM, 3/4LC/BMJ, 4CD, 4JM, Stargazers 1)

• Thursday 13th June PM - Sports Day for Upper School (5LA, 5EM, 5/6RH, 6AW, 6LR, Stargazers 2 )

• Thursday 27th June - Year 6 Transition Expressive Arts Day @ Pencoed Comrehensive School

• Thursday 4th July - Year 6 Final Transition Day @ Pencoed Comrehensive School

• Monday 8th - Wednesday 10th July - Year 5 Residential trip to Llangrannog 

• Thursday 18th July @ 9.30am - Year 6 Leavers Concert

Family Learning Workshops:

• Thursday 2nd May - Parent/Carers of RHH

• Thursday 9th May - Parent/Carers of RGP

• Thursday 16th May - Parent/Carers of Nursery YELLOW Caterpillars

• Thursday 23rd May - Parent/Carers of Nursery RED Caterpillars

Remaining Inset Days:

• Monday 22nd July

Safeguarding

• At Pencoed Primary School, we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all children. If you have a concern about the safety or well-being of a child, please report this immediately to either Mr Raymond, Mrs H. Middleton, Mrs Maund or Mrs Brennan (Designated Safeguarding Leads). 

• If you are a parent or a visitor to the school and you are worried about the safety or well-being of a child or family please ask to speak to the Designated Safeguarding Leads or a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

• Please access our child protection and safeguarding policy here - https://www.pencoedprimary.co.uk/school-policies-1/ 

Contact Us

Please let us know if you have any comments regarding the contents of this newsletter or any other matter relating to Pencoed Primary School. All issues will be dealt with in the strictest confidence. If you would prefer to make a personal appointment, please do not hesitate to contact us:

• Email: admin@pencoedps.bridgend.cymru 

• Phone: 01656 815730