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December 2023

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

The Pencoed Cluster of Schools has agreed to a shared approach to attendance in line with BCBC's strategic plan. A cluster attendance newsletter was recently shared via Class Dojo, which has been agreed upon by each respective school's governing body and explains the school-level processes. Each aspect of the newsletter is designed to provide information and clarity and includes:

- General attendance information

- Proactive strategies

- Attend to Achieve – colour-coded letters parents/carers will receive each term

- Letters – which schools will issue once a child has fallen below a threshold

- Punctuality – expectations of being in school on time

- Medical appointments

- Holidays in term time

- Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN)

- General illnesses

- Support to parents/carers

Please pay particular attention to when a letter may be triggered. In terms of punctuality, a letter will be triggered following 5 lates. In addition, the implementation of holidays in term time and when a FPN may be issued.

We appreciate your continued support with attendance.

school news

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 volunteers who came to help wrap and to our pupil Family Engagement Team, who helped to set up. Lots of Christmas goodwill in the PPS community.

Siarter iaith bronze award

Our Criw Cymraeg have been celebrating the news of our Siarter Iaith bronze award! A huge thank you to them and the Welsh team led by Mrs Malone. Llongyfarchiadau!

christmas concerts

It has been absolutely wonderful to welcome parents and carers into school to watch our Christmas concerts. Thank you for providing such lovely costumes and being so generous during raffle ticket sales. A big thank you to all staff too for their efforts in the organisation of these special events.

a special visitor

Pupils were thrilled to welcome our special visitor last Friday. Santa enjoyed listening to the children sing songs from their concerts. He reminded them all to get to bed nice and early on Christmas Eve.

dragons' Den

Upper School pupils have been working hard designing a Victorian toy, ready to use in their sales pitch in our very own 'Dragons' Den'.

HYC carol service

Well done to Robyn and Esmee in year 6 who took part in the Heol y Cyw carol service this month. Both girls read beautifully and did us proud in front of a packed church!

expressive arts around the world

Sunbeams have been exploring art from around the world. The pictures feature their focus on Ndebele art from Africa. They created their own versions, which look really effective! Well done!

christmas cheer

Well done to our choir who have been very busy spreading Christmas cheer whilst performing beautifully at the local nursing home and at Tabernacle church, where they sang with the church choir. Fantastic performances! Thank you to Mrs Malone and Mrs Ridd for coordinating these performances.

Lost property reminder

To help reduce the amount of lost property left around the school, we now have a 'Lost Property' rail, which is displayed at the back of the school, near the year 5/6 entrance.

Any items that remain unclaimed at the end of term will be donated to the uniform rails/charity.

PLEASE ensure that you label your child's uniform and other school items, as this makes returning lost items easier.

photos from this month

pupil news

Congratulations to Coby in year 4 who was recently awarded player of the match whilst playing rugby for Pencoed. Da iawn!

Congratulations to Dylan in year 6 who recently came 1st in his age group for the double mini trampoline, and 2nd in the trampolining competition in the Welsh National Championships. An outstanding achievement!

Congratulations to Charlie-Ray in year 4 who successfully climbed Pen-Y-Fan recently as part of a fundraising effort to raise money for a forthcoming Ice Hockey tour - what an effort!

Congratulations to Seren in year 4 who played in the Bridgend Schools District Football Tournament and was announced as player of the tournament. An amazing effort Seren, Da iawn!

Congratulations to Harrison in year 3 who recently competed in Tetrathlon, achieving 2nd and 5th places across events. Da iawn!

Congratulations to Willow in year 3 who has only recently started dance classes, but has already been awarded 2 certificates and a medal for her progress and performances. On top of this, she auditioned for a part in Peter Pan and her hard work paid off as she will perform on the big stage next year! What a fantastic achievement!

family engagement

christmas craft Afternoon

It was lovely to welcome families of our Little Stars, Sunbeams and Stargazers classes in for an action packed crafting afternoon. Staff worked hard to plan some fantastic engaging activities and the pupils delivered an impressive performance of their Christmas songs, including signing along!

Toddler party time!

Mrs Patrick and the toddlers had a magical time at the toddler group Christmas party. The children looked beautiful dressed up in their Christmas outfits and their smiles lit up the room when they saw Santa. Such precious memories made.

pencoed food bank & PPS Cwtch Cupboard

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

well-Being

Staff Recognition Award

Mrs John, Mrs Owen & Mrs Thompson: for always supporting staff, pupils and families.

Well-being Certificate

Mrs Ryall-Friend: for supporting pupils' well-being.

NVR and Cygnet

A big thank you to our parents who have recently undertaken our NVR and Cygnet programmes.

Well-being calendar

For more information on the well-being calendar, click on the link below.

haptivate.co.uk/blog/wellbeing-at-work-dates-for-your-calendar/

FREE PERIOD PRODUCTS*

Period poverty remains a pressing concern in many communities, with individuals and families struggling to afford necessary menstrual supplies. Amid the cost-of-living crisis, soaring inflation and rocketing energy bills mean many have been forced to prioritise other household essentials over buying products like pads and tampons.

For young people, the lack of access to products disrupts education and school attendance.

The free period subscription programme aims to address the issue of period poverty, ensuring that individuals facing financial hardships have access to essential menstrual products, and removing any barriers to accessing education.

*free for residents under 25 years old.

For more information click here

Dates for your diary

Friday 22nd December - INSET DAY - School closed to all pupils
Monday 8th January - Pupils return to school
Week beginning Monday 15th January - Extra-curricular clubs restart (Sign up week beg 8th January)
Monday 12th - Friday 16th February - Half Term
Monday 11th & Tuesday 12th March - Parents Evenings (More information to follow)
Monday 25th March - Friday 5th April - Easter Holiday

Family Learning Workshops:

Thursday 18th January - Parents/Carers of 4CD
Thursday 25th January - Parents/Carers of 4JM
Thursday 1st February - Parents/Carers of 3/4LC/BMJ
Thursday 8th February - Parents/Carers of 3SM
Thursday 22nd February - Parents/Carers of 2/3CS
Thursday 29th February - Parents/Carers of 2NS
Thursday 14th March - Parents/Carers of 2HC

Remaining Inset Days:

Monday 19th February
Monday 8th April
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 A. Raymond, Mrs K. Maund or Mrs A. Brennan (Designated Safeguarding Leads). In addition, advice can be sought from Mrs K. Lamprey, 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
Phone: 01656 815730

For regular updates

please check Class Dojo

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