November 2023
November 2023
Embedded Files
It has been an action-packed and successful start to the second half of the autumn term as we approach December and the Christmas break.
In this month's newsletter, we focus on the wide range of events and activities that have taken place in November and also provide some key information regarding attendance and our learner dispositions - Please take the time to familiarise yourselves with these as they are a crucial aspect of our language of learning as a school.
I'd like to specifically draw your attention to the dates for the diary section at the bottom of the newsletter. With so much going on, I hope this is a useful reference point for our families.
Many thanks for your continued support and cooperation.
Mr Raymond
DROP OFF AREA - Key Reminders
DROP OFF AREA - Key Reminders
Many thanks for your continued support in following our drop off area rules to ensure the safety of all pupils. families, staff and visitors. Please see a list of important reminders regarding the use of the drop off area and safe routes to school:
Only authorised users may access the drop off area in a vehicle. The authorised users include:
Local authority-arranged taxis/buses
Parents/carers displaying a blue badge
Parents whose child has additional learning needs and/or attends a learning resource base
Registered childminders
If you are authorised to use the drop off area, please ensure you maintain a 5mph speed limit, park safely and use all designated pavements and crossing points
Please note:
When walking onto site, it is vital that all pedestrians use the designated pavements and crossing points
All parents and carers who are picking up from an after school club must walk onto site.
If you have an arranged appointment which requires you to drive onto the school site during the day, please email admin@pencoedps.bridgend.cymru
There are a range of safe parking spaces available in the local area - Please see our traffic management plan on our school website for further information - Link:
Attendance & Punctuality
Attendance & Punctuality
Excellent attendance and punctuality are vital aspects of our school expectations and a core priority in this year's School Improvement Plan.
Our attendance target this year is 95%. Our current figure is 94.5%. A pleasing start to the year and with a concerted effort, we can get past that 95% mark!
We want to ensure that parents and carers are aware of the support available to families if attendance or punctuality are challenges. Please get in touch with myself or Mrs Rebecca Patrick if you would like to discuss in more detail:
head@pencoedps.bridgend.cymru
Our Learner dispositions
Our Learner dispositions
The pupils have been working hard to recognise what a good learner looks like. At Pencoed Primary we have identified five key characteristics of an effective learner, which we call 'Learner Dispositions'. See the information below for further details. The pupils are beginning to recognise these 'Learner Dispositions' in themselves and others. It would be great if you could talk about them at home too!
clubs
clubs
It has been fantastic to see so many pupils attending clubs throughout the Autumn Term. Next week will be the last week for clubs this term. Therefore, there will NOT be any clubs from the week beginning Monday 11th December. Sign up for Spring Term clubs will open the first week back in January. New clubs will start week beginning 15th January. More details to follow.
school news
school news
remembrance service
remembrance service
Thank you to our year 6 pupils who represented the school during the Remembrance service. The pupils showed respect and resilience throughout the parade despite the wet weather. Da iawn!
book fair
book fair
A huge thank you to all the families that were able to visit our book fair recently. It was lovely to see pupils from across the school eager to find a new book to enjoy reading. Your purchases helped to raise £240 worth of books for the school library.
A special mention to the year 6 pupils who volunteered to stay behind after school to help run the fair.
Amazing athlete
Amazing athlete
Year 3 and 4 and Stargazers 2 had a visit from Commonwealth Gold medalist Gemma Frizelle. They learnt all about Team Wales and took part in a training session with Gemma. What an amazing afternoon! Thank you to Mrs Jo Jenkins for arranging this visit!
local art exhibition
local art exhibition
Year 6 were invited to visit an art exhibition featuring work from the Tondu and District Art Society. They were able to explore the different pieces and discuss which artwork they liked best. A great opportunity to explore art by local artists.
Immersion day topic launch
Immersion day topic launch
Middle school pupils enjoyed their 'Immersion Day' where they took part in activities to help explore their new topic about the Roman Invasion. Pupils learnt about Roman numerals, designed their own Roman shield and used historical evidence to help learn about the past. There was even a special visitor!
Children in need
Children in need
The pupils enjoyed being 'SPOTacular' for Children in Need, and we raised over £500! Thank you so much for your generous donations towards this worthy cause!
Sporting Fixtures
Sporting Fixtures
Last Friday, we hosted Penyfai, Mynydd Cynffig and Nantymoel primary schools for a round robin of rugby and netball fixtures. It was a fantastic afternoon of sport and the children were a credit to the school. Many thanks to Pencoed RFC for allowing us to use their facilities, it's hugely appreciated.
Miss Abell was pleased with the great effort by the netball team, beating both Nantymoel teams 5-3 and 4-0, a 0-0 draw against a 'tall' Pen-Y-Fai team, and a well fought loss 1-5 against Mynydd Cynffig.
Lost property RAIL
Lost property RAIL
A reminder that the lost property rail is displayed at the back of the school, near the year 5/6 entrance.
PLEASE ensure that you label your child's uniform and other school items, as this makes returning lost items easier.
If you are reusing uniform from the uniform rail or another parent has given you uniform - PLEASE make sure you change the name to YOUR child's name. This really helps us to reunite items with the correct new owners!
toy pop up - Next Tuesday
toy pop up - Next Tuesday
pupil news
pupil news
pencoed town council competition winners
pencoed town council competition winners
Many congratulations to these pupils; Daisy, Willow, Charlie, Thea, Esme, Emmie, Aurora and Ruby, who have been announced as the prize winners for the Pencoed Town Council Christmas writing and poster competitions. They have all been invited to attend the official 'switch on' of the Christmas lights on Friday 1st December. A further well done to all of the children who submitted entries!
keep on running
keep on running
Congratulations to Jack in year 6 who raced in the UK Cross Country Series recently making the podium! 1st place Welsh Athlete and 3rd place overall out of 150 athletes. Another fantastic achievement for this determined young athlete! PPS are very proud of him!
player of the match
player of the match
Congratulations to Elis in year 2 who was recently awarded 'Player of the Match' by his football team in Cowbridge!
Player of the Match
Player of the Match
Another year 2 star... Cohen was also awarded 'Player of the Match' when playing rugby for Pencoed. Congratulations!
MODELLING SUCCESS
MODELLING SUCCESS
Grace in year 1 has recently been taking part in some modelling photoshoots for Character.com, and when they recently opened a store at McArthur Glen, she was shocked to see herself in the shop! Amazing Grace!
family engagement
family engagement
case study
case study
We're delighted to feature in this Welsh Government case study as part of our work as a community focused school. Click here to read the case study in full.
international family engagement
international family engagement
Mrs Julie Jenkins took part in an international family engagement visit to Florida recently, with educators from across Wales. As part of the study, she visited 5 Community Schools, Florida Gulf Coast University and Lee County Public Education Centre to learn from their partnership working practices. She will be sharing her findings with schools in our cluster and beyond to help further develop family engagement across Wales.
pencoed food bank & PPS Cwtch Cupboard
pencoed food bank & PPS Cwtch Cupboard
Pencoed Foodbank operates every Monday 1-3pm from the Church Hall. Mrs Patrick is able to 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
well-Being
Throughout the month of November men are encouraged to grow a moustache to raise awareness and spark conversation for men’s health issues, particularly prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health. You might have noticed that our very own Mr Raymond has been taking part, we don't think Mrs Raymond will be sorry to see the end of November!
For more information click on the visit, https://uk.movember.com/
Well-being Calendar
Well-being Calendar
If you would like to follow the well-being calendar month to month follow the link here.
StAFF RECOGNITION AWARD
StAFF RECOGNITION AWARD
Mrs Foster - for going above and beyond.
Well-being CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE
Well-being CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE
Mrs Thomas, Mrs Bowden, Mrs Lewis & Mrs Songhurst - for flexibility, positivity and dedication to supporting both children and staff in the team.
Dates for your diary
Dates for your diary
Tuesday 5th December - Christmas Toy Pop Up (More information to follow)
Wednesday 6th December - Christmas Dinner Day
Thursday 7th December - National Christmas Jumper Day
Sunday 10th December (3.30pm) - Heol Y Cyw Carol Concert
Tuesday 12th December (10am) - Middle School Pantomime Trip
Wednesday 13th December - Nursery Christmas concerts - Yellow Caterpillars (9:30am) & Red Caterpillars (2pm)
Thursday 14th December - Reception Christmas concerts - RGP (9:30am) and RHH & Reception pupils in R/1RB (2pm)
Friday 15th December - Santa’s Grotto & Baby & Toddler Christmas Party
Monday 18th December - LRC Classes (Little Stars, Sunbeams, Stargazers 1 & 2) - Christmas Craft Afternoon
Tuesday 19th December - Lower School Christmas concerts 1MC, 1ER/TH, Year 1 pupils in R/1RB (9:30am) 2HC & 2NS (2pm)
Wednesday 20th December (2pm) - Middle & Upper School Traditional Christmas Carols in the Yard and PPS Christmas Tree Festival. (Pupils in 2/3CS, 3SM, 3/4LC/BMJ, 4CD, 4JM, 5LA, 5EM, 5/6RH, 6AW, 6LR & Stargazers 2)
Friday 22nd December 2023 - Inset Day
Remaining Inset Days:
Friday 22nd December 2023
Monday 19th February 2024
Monday 8th April 2024
Monday 22nd July 2024
photos from this month
photos from this month
REMINDER of changes to Class Dojo: Dojo continues to be our main communication platform and class teachers share key information on their class story page. However, we have made some changes to the messaging facility; teachers can still send messages but they are not able to receive incoming messages.
Class Dojo will still be used for sharing key information via the class and school story. Mrs Patrick (support for families), Mrs King and Mrs Ryall-Friend (support for pupil well-being) and our LRC class teachers will also continue to use the outward messaging function as part of their bespoke roles.
Please see our updated communication guidelines below:
Call the school office on 01656815730 or email admin@pencoedps.bridgend.cymru when:
Reporting an absence
Informing the school of changes to pick up / drop off arrangements
Querying payments for school dinners or trips
Updating medical information
Asking about general school information, dates and events
Email contact@pencoedprimary.co.uk when:
You have a specific query regarding your child for the attention of the class teacher or the school’s leadership team - Please ensure your child’s name and class is stated clearly in the email subject. All relevant information will then be shared accordingly.
Email clubs@pencoedprimary.co.uk when:
You have a specific query related to after school clubs
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/
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