Latest news
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update 21.03.2024
Fri 22 Mar 2024Dear parent / carer,
Mobile phones
We have been having a lot of issues in school with mobile phones. We have, unfortunately, for several years had to deal with the fallout from inappropriate social media exchanges out of school – threatening messages, sharing of pornography links, inappropriate self-images, references to suicide and self-harm etc, and you may want to reflect on the access you provide to your child on their smart phone. However, we now have an increasing number of pupils bringing their phones into school – we have tried to oversee this but the numbers are becoming unmanageable. We have now also had several cases where the children have hidden their phones from us and used them during the school day. Given the way in which the phones are sometimes being used (as above), this is a clear safeguarding issue. Whilst I understand that there is an argument that you may want your child to have a phone on the walk to and from school, in terms of safeguarding, this makes no sense. A smart phone on a child makes them a target – on average, 500 children per day are the victim of thefts and muggings, commonly for their phone. In London, it is estimated that two thirds of all mobile phone thefts are from children. You would be much better advised to give your child a ‘brick’ phone if you need to contact them at the end of the day (and we will accept these if you write to us explaining the reasons).
As such, we have taken the decision to ban ‘smart’ phones on the school site for all pupils. This will come into effect after Easter. Exceptions to this will, of course, be those children who need a phone to regulate their medication (diabetics) or those who leave an overnight bag at school due to contact arrangements.
Please support the school in ensuring that you know where your child’s phone is during the school day – possibly turn on ‘find my friends’ in order to double check. We will be taking a zero tolerance approach to children who somehow ‘forgot’ that their phone was in their coat / bag! They will receive a red card and have the phone returned at the end of the week. There are wider issues around phones and an increasing body of evidence that they can have a seriously negative impact on wellbeing – again, you may wish to reflect on this and consider regulating the use of certain apps and the time, and the time of day, spent on a phone / screen.
Parking at the end of the day
I’ve had requests from several local residents asking that parents don’t park in front of their drives and block their cars in. This sounds a pretty reasonable request! Also, as you may have noticed, we have had some new yellow ‘zig-zags’ painted on the road – this means no stopping, dropping or waiting. The purpose is to keep the area clear so that visibility is improved and everyone is safer. Likewise, please don’t drive / park on the pavements – we had a member of staff who was bumped by a car as she walked along the pavement! She’s fine, but let’s leave the pavements for pedestrians.
New catering menu
Starts after Easter – we haven’t got it yet, but it should appear on this link:
https://www.torfaen.gov.uk/lgsl/en/SchoolMeals/Schoolcatering/School-Menus.aspx
Have a great break – see you all on Monday 8th April.
All the best,
SB
Upcoming dates:
Summer Term 2024
April
8th Children return to school
May
Mon 6th May Bank Holiday
TBA Class Photographs
15th Year 4 Class Assembly
23rd 10:30 Foundation Phase (R,1,2) Sports Day
1.30 KS2 (3,4,5,6) Sports Day
24th Break up for half term
June
3rd Children return to school
12th Year 5 Class Assembly
Fri 21st Teacher Training Day #5
26th 10:00 Year 2 class assembly / production
Fri 28th Teacher Training Day #6
July
3rd ‘Move up’ day
5th School reports sent out
15th Paulton’s Park Year 6
12th Open Afternoon 1.45p.m.
17th 1.30 Year 6 Leavers’ production
18th Year 6 Pizza Party
19th Break up for Summer
Simon Bates
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Comic Relief Friday 15th March
Wed 13 Mar 2024All
Just to let you know that we will be supporting Comic Relief again this year (this Friday, 15th March) – donations direct to the charity:
https://www.comicrelief.com/rednoseday/
Regards clothing, as ever, anything goes! (within reason!)
All the best,
SB
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Easter activities in the community
Tue 05 Mar 2024See below / attached fyi – looks like fun!! (drumming / maths!)
SB
Simon Bates
Head Teacher, Croesyceiliog Primary School (simon.bates@torfaen.gov.uk 01633 624114)
www.croesyceiliogprimary.co.uk
I hope this email finds you well.
I’m getting in touch as we have a fabulous family activity taking place at our Croesyceiliog centre during the Easter holidays that I hoped you would be able to share to your parents.
I have attached the poster if you need it and if you had any interested parties, please get in touch and I’ll do my best to help.
Multiply | Beat It!
Music and Maths go hand in hand they say!
Well, it’s true but not always obvious. We’ll use a hands on drum workshop to show you how, whilst having great fun, maths is everywhere.
Nobody will be put on the spot in this workshop. We’ll all just play, have fun and learn some new skills.
Booking is essential as places are limited.
Adults aged 19 or over, with children aged 4-12.
(1 parent to 1 child)
Croesyceiliog Community Education Centre, NP44 2HF
MMC025T23 - Wednesday 3rd April 2024, or,
MMC026T23 - Thursday 4th April 2024
1pm - 2pm for 1 session
All the very best,
Jen
Jennifer Lewis
Community Engagement & MarketingSwyddog Marchnata ac Ymgysylltu ar Gymuned
Jennifer.lewis@torfaen.gov.uk
(+44)7743921239Torfaen Adult Community Learning / Dysgu Oedolion yn yr Gymuned Torfaen
Communities, Customer Service and Digital / Cymunedau, Gwasanaeth Cwsmeriaid a Materion Digidol
Torfaen County Borough Council / Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Torfaen
Address / Cyfeiriad: Power Station, Blenheim Road, St Dials, Cwmbran, NP44 4SY
Mae croeso i chi ysgrifennu yn Gymraeg neu Saesneg/ You are welcome to correspond in Welsh or English.