Latest news
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Mid-year report data explanation
Thu 08 Feb 2024Mid-term reports – a brief guide for parents
The reported results in the lower box (reading and maths) have been assessed as follows: Reading either a standardised score (SAS) or a Read Write Inc (RWI) group Maths a standardised score for pupils Y2 – 6 (SAS) and teacher assessed against year group criteria for Reception and Year 1 These three forms of assessment are as follows: Standardised scores (SAS) This measure compares your child against all the other pupils in the UK that have done the same test. The average score is 100. A higher score is above average and a lower score is below average. The majority of children score between 90 and 110 which should be regarded as the average band. Fewer and fewer children get a score that is towards the extremes of the scale (60 and 140) i.e. the distribution of scores reflects a ‘normal’ curve.
If you are interested in more detail, this is the information provided by our test provider:
https://www.renlearn.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Standardised-testing-wales.pdf
Read Write Inc (RWI) group
If your child has a number between 1 and 13 (rather than a value between 60 and 140) this relates to their Read Write Inc (phonics) group. Children progress from group 1 through to group 13 and then move onto Accelerated Reader (which generates the SAS scores, as above).
Teacher assessed against year group criteria
Along with all the schools in the local cluster (Croeyceiliog area), we have agreed expectations for each year group for various key skills, such as reading, writing and oracy. Children have been assessed against these year group expectations whereby, for example, a Year 1 child operating at our expected Year 1 level would be 1b, above this level 1a, and below this level 1c. A child may be in Year 1 but operating significantly above this level (Year 2) or below this level (Reception), in which case we will assess them in line with these expectations.
What does the school do with the outcomes?
We use the outcomes to help set appropriate targets and work for your child. Data is not shared beyond yourself and the school staff.
Please feel free to discuss these outcomes with your child’s teacher at parent consultations. Alternatively, contact me at school should you like any further clarification or wish to discuss our procedures in more detail. SB 08.02.2024
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Update 08.02.2024
Thu 08 Feb 2024Dear parent / carer,
Please note the following:
- Mid-year reports are going out tomorrow, Friday 9th Feb. Parent teacher consultations are currently being organised (WB 26th Feb and 4th Mar) and this will be an opportunity for you to ask questions about the report and discuss progress and targets. We assess pupils in many ways and the report refers to various numeric outcomes – in order to understand the numbers, you’ll need to read the attached document. (see above on webpage)
- Attendance – we’ve had a really bad run of illness recently, both staff and pupils. If your child is off ill, please contact the school office either by email (Katherine.rowlands@torfaen.gov.uk or kirsty.hughes@torfaen.gov.uk) or by phone (01633 624114) – please don’t use Class Dojo as these messages are not always picked up in time as teachers are getting ready for the school day.
The current attendance class competition is as follows:
see image below
- Measles – it’s terrible to report, but due to the awful misinformation pushed several years ago regards vaccination, there is now a serious outbreak in the UK spreading from the West Midlands. This could have serious implications for our school and community in the near future. We have received communications from Public Health Wales and we may well be targeted soon to boost our vaccination rates. You should be aware of this issue and growing threat and, if your child is unvaccinated, you may want to sort this yourselves at your local GP.
- Several clubs will be starting up again after half term – football, netball, ‘Glee’ club and chess. More to follow.
- Don’t forget that we break up tomorrow for half term (Fri 9th Feb) and the children are back on Tues 20th Feb (Monday is a teacher training day).
All the best,
SB
Upcoming dates:
February
9th Break up for half term
19th Teacher Training Day #4
20th Children return to school
WB 26th Parent Consultations
March
1st Dress in Welsh costume (all pupils)
WB 4th Parent Consultations
7th World Book Day – Pupils and staff to dress as a book character!
22nd Break up for Easter
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Request for donations - Year 5 Guatemala project
Fri 19 Jan 2024Year 5 are after any old football shirts you may have at home - see below:
Parents / Carers
As you may be aware, the topic for this term is ‘Survival’.
Year 5 will be taking part in a Guatemala project as part of this new topic. This will involve the children learning and comparing their lives/cultures to others living in a different country.
For this project, Year 5 will be closely working with a previous member of staff, Mrs Wakefield who is working with a community in Guatemala. Mrs Wakefield and her husband are supporting the build of new housing for Guatemalan communities.
Year 5 will be able to have the opportunity to work and share experiences of their life and compare to the lives of children living in Guatemala. Mrs Wakefield will shortly be taking a trip to the country and has asked for donations to take when she visits.
Therefore, we are asking if you have any old football T-shirts that your child no longer wears or has outgrown? If so, please could they be sent to school. J
Thank you ,
Year 5 team J
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Update 22.12.2023
Fri 22 Dec 2023Dear parent carer,
Please note the following:
- A ring was found in the Church (Pontrhydyrun Baptist) yesterday after the Year 3 / 4 carol service – let us know if you think it’s yours!
- In the New Year, the caterers will be running a ‘pasta bar’ instead of funky fillings. There will be options of the hot meal, a jacket potato and either hot pasta or cold pasta with a wrap or garlic bread. The pasta option has proved popular in other schools so we’ll give it a go. Happy to receive feedback once it’s up and running.
- Children return on Monday 8th January. (we finish at 2:00 today (in about 15 minutes!)).
- We are running our class attendance competition again this year – Mrs Rogers’ class currently in the lead and set to win the trip to the cinema in the Summer! Overall the school is doing really well in comparison with other schools, but we can always do better, so your continued support in this area is much appreciated .
It’s been a long term (an 8 week and then a 7 week) so we are definitely ready for our break. Hope that you have a good Christmas break and see you all in 2024!!
All the best,
Simon Bates
Upcoming dates:
Spring Term 2024
January
8th Children return to school
February
9th Break up for half term
19th Teacher Training Day #4
20th Children return to school
WB 26th Parent Consultations
March
1st Dress in Welsh costume (all pupils)
WB 4th Parent Consultations
7th World Book Day – Pupils and staff to dress as a book character!
22nd Break up for Easter
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update 14.12.23
Thu 14 Dec 2023Dear parent / carer,
Please note the following:
- Tomorrow, Fri 15th Dec is the last day for you to order school photographs.
- Food Bank – another amazing effort by everyone to support the local Croesy Hwb Food Share. The organisers asked me to pass on their thanks – Mrs Clark sorted some Christmassy food share items and made it up into a hamper, so hopefully our efforts will make some of our local families’ Christmas experience a little more cheery!
- We break up next Friday, 22nd Dec at 2:00p.m.
Upcoming dates:
December
20th Christmas lunch
21st 10.00 Year 3/4 Carol Concert Pontrhydyrun
22nd 10.00 Year 5/6 Carol Concert Pontrhydyrun
Break up for Christmas 2.00p.m
Spring Term 2024
January
8th Children return to school
February
9th Break up for half term
19th Teacher Training Day #4
20th Children return to school
WB 26th Parent Consultations
March
1st Dress in Welsh costume (all pupils)
WB 4th Parent Consultations
7th World Book Day – Pupils and staff to dress as a book character!
22nd Break up for Easter
All the best,
SB
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Update 30.11.23
Thu 30 Nov 2023Dear Parent / Carer,
Please note the following:
- Next Friday 8th Dec, the children can come in to school in a Christmas jumper if they would like to! This is in support of Save the Children’s annual campaign (which is the previous day). If you would like to donate to this charity, the link is below:
https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/christmas-jumper-day/about/how-to-pay-in-your-fundraising
- On this same day (next Fri 8th Dec) we are organising a collection for the local food bank again (Croesy Food Share) – the usual produce (dry / tinned food etc) or, perhaps, something Christmassy (nice box of biscuits etc). Our support is very much appreciated by the organisers and, clearly, the local community, some of whom are struggling at the moment (and attend our school). Mrs Clark is organising this again in school, so well done to her for spreading the Christmas cheer!
- Christmas lunch is on the last Wed of term, Wed 20th Dec. This, of course, is now free to everyone through the universal free school meal offer from Welsh Govt. However, due to the additional numbers, we won’t be providing ‘Funky Fillings’ on this day (wraps, rolls or jacket potatoes!).
All the best,
SB
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Update 23.11.23
Thu 23 Nov 2023Dear parent / carer,
Please note the following:
- The school photography will now take place next Monday and Tuesday, 27th and 28th Nov. All pupils will have an individual photograph and all siblings in school will have a joint photograph. However, if you would like a family photograph including yourself, older or younger siblings etc, then please email Mrs Hughes (Kirsty.Hughes@torfaen.gov.uk) to book a slot – these will happen after school on Monday in the infant school hall.
- The PTA (Mrs Roynon in 2DN / school staff!) will be running a Christmas disco on the evening of Thur 7th Dec. The infants (Rec – Year 2) will be between 4:00 and 5:00p.m. and the juniors (Year 3 – 6) between 5:30 and 7:00p.m. Refreshments will be provided. If your child would like to go, please send in £2.00 cash in a named envelope to be given to their class teacher.
Upcoming dates:
November
27th/28th Individual photographs
December
4th Whole school (R-6) to the Panto in
Newport Riverfront
13th 10:00 Rec Nativity
14th 10:00 Y1 Nativity
20th Christmas lunch
21st 10.00 Year 3/4 Carol Concert Pontrhydyrun
22nd 10.00 Year 5/6 Carol Concert Pontrhydyrun
Break up for Christmas 2.00p.m
Please note that the school day finishes at 3.15p.m every day other than the last day before Christmas (2.00p.m finish on Friday 22nd Dec)
Spring Term 2024
January
8th Children return to school
February
9th Break up for half term
19th Teacher Training Day #4
20th Children return to school
WB 26th Parent Consultations
SB
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Divali celebrations 10.11.2023
Fri 10 Nov 2023 -
quick update 10.11.23
Fri 10 Nov 2023Dear parent / carer,
Apologies about another email!
- Individual photographs are Thur 23rd and Fri 24th Nov (week after next) – apologies – the information earlier in the week was incorrect.
- Next Monday is the beginning of ‘Anti-Bullying Week’ – we’re wearing odd socks on Monday and we will be running various sessions and activities during the week.
Have a good weekend!
SB
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Update 08.11.23
Wed 08 Nov 2023Dear parent / carer,
Please note the following:
- Children in Need is a week on Friday, (17th Nov) and the children can come to school dressed however they please to show their support!! (within reason!). We won’t be collecting money on site so, if you would like to contribute, visit the website. Link below:
https://www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk/shows/appeal-show-2023/
Alternatively, Mabel in Year 6, along with her dad, are doing The Bearpee Challenge to raise money for Children in Need. Here’s her Just Giving page link:
- Individual photographs were due on this same day (17th Nov) along with Thur 16th Nov. Due to the clash on the 17th, we have moved the second day of individual photographs to Thur 23rd Nov. (Thanks to the parent that spotted the clash and contacted me)
- Croesy Food Share – well done to Year 3 for organising our Harvest and helping sort the provisions out to pass on to the food share – there was a mountain of stuff so thank you for all your contributions – see below.