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December 2024

It has been a pleasure to welcome our families into school over the past couple of weeks for a wide range of festive events and activities. As always, we are indebted to you for your fantastic support and cooperation with all aspects of school life.

In this month's newsletter, we celebrate lots of the great things that have been going on, both inside and outside classrooms. Please also see the dates for the diary for the new year including remaining Inset days.

Finally, I would also like to thank the entire staff team for their effort and commitment throughout the autumn term. They continue to go above and beyond in providing our pupils with fantastic learning opportunities and experiences.

Merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Mr Raymond

attendance & Punctuality

We are delighted to have seen improvements in attendance and punctuality over the course of this term. We want to support all families to ensure their children attend regularly and on-time; please do get in touch if you feel you need further support.

An incredible 118 children have had 100% attendance this term - this is fantastic! We have also awarded three special attendance awards to three children whose attendance has improved significantly so far this year. Very well done!

Please note that after the Christmas break, the EWO will be visiting to undertake 'Late on the Gate' monitoring. It is important that families continue to make every effort to arrive at school on time.

school news

christmas concerts

It has been wonderful to welcome parents and carers into school to watch our Christmas concerts over the last few weeks. Thank you for providing such lovely costumes and for being so generous during raffle ticket sales. We are hoping the weather is kind to us for our final event on the yard this afternoon. A big thank you to all staff for their efforts in the organisation of these special events.

Congratulations Mrs Garza!

We are hugely proud of Mrs Garza who recently graduated from the University of Birmingham with a Masters in Special Education-Autism (Children). Mrs Garza has worked extremely hard, and we are grateful that she readily shares her ever growing knowledge and expertise. Congratulations on this fantastic achievement!

sporting fixtures

A superb end to the sport of 2024, with two football and two netball teams walking to Pencoed Comprehensive to play against Croesty Primary School. All teams triumphed and played fantastically! Netball won 5-4 and 13-1 respectively. Football won 3-0 and 6-1. Excellent behaviour and sportsmanship shown.

Lower school step back in time

As part of their Robin Hood topic, Lower School children enjoyed taking part in medieval experiences including fort building, food tasting and medieval dancing!

a special visitor

Early Years, Lower School, Little Stars, Sunbeams and Stargazers classes were thrilled to welcome our special visitor this morning. Santa enjoyed listening to the children sing songs from their concerts. He reminded them all to go to bed nice and early on Christmas Eve.

Master Chefs

Stargazers LL have been busy harvesting the carrots that they grew in the allotment. The children pulled, sorted, measured, peeled, chopped and cooked the carrots to make a delicious soup. It warmed them up nicely on a cold day.

little stars

Our Little Stars have been very busy learning all about prepositions while decorating their class Christmas trees. They have also been writing and posting their letters to Father Christmas.

Upper School Cardiff Castle Visit

Upper School had a superb time visiting Cardiff Castle this term. The opportunity to walk through a real life air shelter and experience first hand the conditions that the people of Cardiff endured was eye opening. The pupils met an air raid warden who taught them all about his job including letting them listen to the sound of the gas rattle! It was VERY loud!

Cardiff Castle staff commented on the good behaviour displayed by the pupils throughout the trip. Well done Upper School!

sunbeams sensory circuits

Sunbeams have been accessing the sensory room and the sensory equipment in the classroom to stay regulated and calm for learning!

year 5 art exhibition visit

Our Year 5 classes were invited to view an art exhibition at St David's Church. Artists from the Tondu and District Art Society kindly shared their masterpieces with the classes and allowed them to sketch their favourites!

christmas cheer

Well done to our choir who have been busy spreading Christmas cheer whilst performing beautifully at the Tabernacle church in Bridgend. They brought tears to the eye as they performed with the church choir! Thank you to Miss Cole and Mrs Ridd for coordinating this lovely evening, and to the families who came along to support the choir.

Year 6 parents/Carers: Secondary School Admissions

The admissions process for pupils moving from primary school (year 6) to secondary school (year 7) in September 2025 is now open. ALL year 6 parents/carers need to apply for a secondary school place using the link BCBC admissions

Deadline: Friday 17th January, 2025.

NUrsery parents/Carers: reception pupil Admissions

If you are the parent/carer of a pupil entering Reception in September 2025, you must complete a school admission application. Even if your child is currently attending Nursery here, there is no automatic right to a place in Reception. You are able to apply online. If you have already signed up to My Account on the Bridgend County Borough Council website, you will need to log in and you can then complete an online application for a Reception year place. Apply here from Monday, 11 November 2024 at 10am. Please note that the deadline date for completed applications is Friday, 14 February 2025.

pupil news

Another gymnastic achievement for Rosie in year 4 this month when she came 2nd for her floor work during the Anette Brown Final Showdown in Newport. Her team also won the trophy for the most festive team at the competition. Da iawn!

family engagement

christmas craft Afternoon

We look forward to welcoming families of our Little Stars, Sunbeams and Stargazers classes for an action packed crafting afternoon today. The staff have lots of exciting and engaging activities planned!

sunshine Club christmas party

The Sunshine Club had their Christmas party this week with lots of laughter! Mrs Jenkins said it was enjoyed by all and she is looking forward to new members joining the group in 2025...everyone is welcome!

Christmas toy 'pop up'

A huge thank you to everyone involved in our free Christmas toy pop up! We aimed to help families save money and recycle. A special thank you to our parent volunteers who came to help wrap gifts and to our pupil Family Engagement Team, who helped to set up. Lots of Christmas goodwill in the PPS community!

Toddler party time!

Mrs Jenkins and the toddlers had a magical time at the toddler group Christmas party. The Family Engagement Team enjoyed helping out at the party too!

pencoed food bank & PPS Cwtch Cupboard

Pencoed Foodbank operates every Monday 1-3pm from the Church Hall. Mrs Julie Jenkins can issue foodbank vouchers, and provide food supplies from our 'Cwtch Cupboard'. Please contact her via email or Dojo for further details, juliejenkins@pencoedprimary.co.uk

well-Being

Staff Recognition Award:

Miss Cole & Mrs Ridd: for their efforts in supporting the school choir.

Well-being Certificate

Mrs Patrick : for being flexible and supporting other classes.

Dates for your diary

Monday 6th January - INSET Day
Tuesday 7th January - Pupils return to school
Friday 17th January - Deadline for Year 7 Secondary School applications
Friday, 14 February - Deadline for Reception applications
Monday 24th - Friday 28th February - Half Term
Monday 3rd March - Pupils return after half term
Wednesday 5th - Friday 7th March - Y6 residential visit to PGL Liddington
Monday 10th & Tuesday 11th March - Y6 Cycling Proficiency (Only those pupils who have signed up)
Monday 10th & Tuesday 11th March - Parents Evenings (more information to follow)
Friday 11th April - End of the spring term

BCBC Term Dates

https://www.bridgend.gov.uk/residents/schools-and-education/term-dates/

Family Learning Programmes

Tues 21st Jan - RHH Funky Phonics

Wed 22nd Jan - RER/MR Funky Phonics

Wed 15th Jan - 1/2 NS

Wed 29th Jan - 1RB

Wed 5th February - 1GP

Wed 12th February - 2CJ

Wed 19th February - 2CC

Wed 5th March - 4CD

Wed 12th March - 3/4LC

Wed 19th March - 3JM

Wed 26th March - 3SM

Wed 2nd April - 4HC

(Please note that there will be an additional 'showcase' event for Years 3/4 on 9th April - more details to follow)

Wed 30th April - 6KM

Wed 7th May - 5LA

Wed 14th May - 5MC

Wed 21st May - 5/6LR

Wed 4th June - 6AW

All sessions will take place in the school hall at 9:15am and will be approximately 1 hour.

Remaining Inset Days

Monday 21st July

1 further Inset day to be allocated - this will be communicated during the spring term.

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 A. Raymond, Mrs H. Middleton, Mrs K. Maund or Mrs A. Brennan (Designated Safeguarding Leads). In addition, advice can be sought from Mrs A. Williams, Designated Governor for Safeguarding.
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/

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 or contact@pencoedprimary.co.uk
Phone: 01656 815730

For regular updates

please check Class Dojo

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