Dear parent / carer,

 

Please note the following:

 

• Mid-year reports are being sent out this afternoon – please see attached an explanation of the data included.
• These reports can be discussed at parent consultations next week – please respond directly to your child’s class teacher through Class Dojo to arrange an appointment.
• It is great that so many pupils come to school now by bike or scooter!  However, some do not wear helmets – please can you sort this if this applies to your child.
• Lateness – just a quick nag!  School starts at 8:55 and the gates are locked at this time – please get your child here between 8:45 and 8:55 as late children miss the input for their lesson and generally disrupt the school day – perhaps just set the alarm for 5 minutes earlier!?
• Head lice – in KS2 apparently! I have been informed by a parent (many thanks) that you can get head lice treatment for free from Boots the Chemist in Cwmbran town centre on the "minor ailment scheme" to cover the whole family - this would normally cost £8-13, so perhaps a quick check behind the ears?!
• Balance bikes – Nursery, Reception and Year 1 have recently benefited from several sessions on balance bikes through a taster scheme.  They thoroughly enjoyed it and it is great for gross motor control (so it’s a win win!).  We’d like to buy some balance bikes but they are relatively expensive and our budget is being squeezed at the moment!  Have you got a balance bike in a shed / at the back of the garage that your kids have grown out of?  Not a problem if it needs some work as both Jim (caretaker) and I are pretty good on bike maintenance / repairs.  Could you donate us that old bike?  We would appreciate it!
• The school are once again supporting the Marie Curie Charity ( https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/ ) .  If you would like to contribute to this cause, we have daffodil badges available in exchange for a donation (children to bring in old style money for this one!).
• Parent Teacher Association – I’ve had several parents express an interest in getting this up and running again (after an expended period where everything has been run by staff!) so thought we could start by meeting in school for a coffee / chat to explore ideas.  Thur 20^th Feb at 2:30p.m in the staffroom if you are interested.
• Calling all dads! Our local For Dads By Dads group is back this Thursday evening– a relaxed space where dads can connect, share experiences, and get support in their parenting journey. If you're interested, find out more at   https://www.torfaenfis.org.uk/en/for-dads/for-dads-by-dads   or email Jacob.guy@torfaen.gov.uk . (see attached flyer)
• Message from Torfaen Play:

We are pleased to announce that our February Fun & Wellbeing Camp based at Cwmbran Stadium is returning offering a variety of fun for those aged 8 – 12 years old. This camp will run 10.00am – 3.00pm on the following days:

Tuesday 25th February 2025

Wednesday 26th February 2025

Thursday 27th February 2025

 

Flyer attached.

 

All the best.

 

Simon Bates

Dear parent carer,

 

Just a few reminders:

 

• Tomorrow (Fri 13^th) we are supporting Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day  ( https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/christmas-jumper-day ).  You can, of course, contribute online, but we are once again directly supporting the local food bank (Croesy Food Share Hwb) so, if you would like to, please get your child to bring in something appropriate (dry food, tins, cereal etc).
• A big thanks to all of you that shop at ASDAs and signed yourself up to support the school – this raised £820.75, which is amazing!!  This will go towards supporting the pupils’ trips and activities.
• We break up early on 1 day in the year and it is next Friday 20^th at 2:00p.m!
• Next Monday (16^th) Y1 – Y6 are going to the panto – normal school uniform please. We are expecting a special Christmas visitor (Red coat etc) on this day  for the Reception children (he even has a DBS!) – we will assume that you are happy with this arrangement unless we hear otherwise!

 

Upcoming dates:

 

December               

13^th           10:00 Y2 Singalong!

16^th           Whole school (1-6) to the Panto in

                  Newport Riverfront

18^th           Christmas lunch

19^th           10.00 Year 3/4 Carol Concert Pontrhydyrun

20^th           10.00 Year 5/6 Carol Concert Pontrhydyrun

                 Break up for Christmas 2.00p.m

 

Spring Term 2025

 

January

6^th             Children return to school

 

February

WB 10^th   Parent Consultations

WB 17^th   Parent Consultations

Thur 20^th Break up for half term

21^st           Teacher Training Day #3

 

March

3^rd             Children return to school

6^th             World Book Day – Pupils and staff to dress as a book character!

7^th             Dress in Welsh costume (all pupils) (Eisteddfod)

 

April

2^nd             10:00 Year 5 Class Assembly

11^th           Break up for Easter

 

All the best,

 

SB

 

 

https://iweb.itouchvision.com/portal/itouchvision/r/customer/category_link?cuid=0E6EE15C911A31CD10344E063F5600A8EC0DB97F&lang=EN&P_LANG=en

 

 

Dear parent / carer,

 

Please note the following:

 

• The crossing patrol (lollipop man / lady!) job has been re-advertised by Torfaen.  Free lollipop and high-vis jacket as part of the deal!!  Interested in helping out and making some money? Follow the link! (scroll down the left) Closing date 13^th Dec.

 

https://ce0895li.webitrent.com/ce0895li_webrecruitment/wrd/run/etrec179gf.open?wvid=624083EpRF

 

• Not only do we not have a crossing patrol, but, unfortunately, we continue to have our children (and their parents / carers) put at greater risk through some pretty dangerous and ignorant parking / driving.  A mother contacted me yesterday to tell me that her child had almost been run over on the pavement.   Please don’t park on the pavement, respect the yellow zig-zags and, more importantly, please respect the other parents and children trying to get to school safely.
• I have had several parents asking me whether the school has a PTA.  We do, but it is exclusively manned by the teachers and support staff as the parents have long since gone!  Given the approaches, this seems a good moment to ask for offers of help and start things rolling again in terms of parental support.  Let me know if you are interested and we’ll set something up in the New Year to share ideas and sort some events out.
• Quick reminder about the pantomime - £15.00 per child asap or let us know if your child isn’t going.

 

All the best,

 

Simon Bates

 

Upcoming dates:

 

December               

11^th           10:00 Reception Christmas Show

12^th           10:00 Y1 Nativity

13^th           10:00 Y2 Singalong!

16^th           Whole school (1-6) to the Panto in

                  Newport Riverfront

18^th           Christmas lunch

19^th           10.00 Year 3/4 Carol Concert Pontrhydyrun

20^th           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 20^th Dec)

 

Spring Term 2025

 

January

6^th             Children return to school

 

February

WB 10^th   Parent Consultations

WB 17^th   Parent Consultations

Thur 20^th Break up for half term

21^st           Teacher Training Day #3

Sent blind copy

 

Please see below from Public Health:

........................................................................................................................................

The School Nursing Immunisation Service recently visited the school to administer the nasal flu spray.

 If your child did not receive their vaccine in school, it is not too late, we are holding regular catch-up clinics.

Parents/Guardians can turn up to any clinic with their child/children, no appointment is needed.

For a full list of clinics please visit: https://abuhb.nhs.wales/vaccinations/vaccination-pop-up-clinics/

The clinics are also available to any child/young person who is home-schooled or in alternative education provision.

If you would like to discuss the nasal flu vaccine or have any questions, please contact the School Nursing Service on 01633 431685.

........................................................................................................................................

Yn ddiweddar, ymwelodd Gwasanaeth Imiwneiddio Nyrsio Ysgolion â'r ysgol i roi'r chwistrell ffliw trwy’r trwyn. 

Os na chafodd eich plentyn eu brechlyn yn yr ysgol, nid yw'n rhy hwyr, rydym yn cynnal clinigau dal i fyny yn rheolaidd.

Gall rhieni/gwarcheidwaid ddod i unrhyw glinig gyda'u plentyn/plant, nid oes angen apwyntiad.

I gael rhestr lawn o glinigau, ewch i: https://bipab.gig.cymru/brechiadau1/clinigau-brechu-dros-dro/

Mae'r clinigau hefyd ar gael i unrhyw blentyn/person ifanc sy'n cael eu haddysgu gartref neu mewn darpariaeth addysg amgen.

Os hoffech drafod y brechlyn trwy'r trwyn neu os oes gennych chi unrhyw gwestiynau, cysylltwch â'r Gwasanaeth Nyrsio Ysgolion ar 01633 431685.

........................................................................................................................................

 

 

Cofion / Regards

 

Gwasanaeth Nyrsio Ysgol, Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Aneurin Bevan

School Nursing Service, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

E-bost / Email: ABB.SchoolImmunisations@wales.nhs.uk

Llinell Gyfeirio / Referral Line:  01633431685

Sgwrs Lechyd / Chat Health: 07312263262

 

 

 

Dear parent / carer,

 

Please note the following:

 

• Next Friday, 15^th Nov is BBC’s Children in Need.  We are not collecting directly but you can, of course, donate online ( https://www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk/ ) and pupils can come in whatever outfits they want!!  However, Year 2 are on a school trip to St Fagans so school uniform for them please (but they can come in next Thursday dressed up if they would like to).
• See below the message from the local ‘food share’ on Woodland Road.  We are going to support them again at Christmas and I would ask that, if you would like to contribute, you provide the usuals (dry / tinned food etc) on Christmas Jumper Day, Friday 13^th December (the actual day is  Thur 12^th but we’d rather keep to a Friday for extra bits of madness!). As with Children in Need, we are not collecting directly but you can contribute online if you choose to ( https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/christmas-jumper-day ).

 

All the best,

 

SB

 

Simon Bates

 

Head Teacher, Croesyceiliog Primary School (simon.bates@torfaen.gov.uk 01633 624114)

www.croesyceiliogprimary.co.uk

 

 

 

 

Dear parent / carer,

 

Please note the following:

 

• Individual / sibling photographs will be taken in school next Tuesday and Wednesday 12^th and 13^th Nov.  The photographer will stay after school on the Tuesday to take photographs of any pupils with siblings not in school if you would like a family shot – if so, please email Mrs Hughes (kirsty.hughes@torfaen.gov.uk) so we can book you in.
• Christmas is fast approaching (50 days to go!) and we are taking all of Year 1 – Year 6 to the pantomime at the Riverfront Newport on 16^th December to see Dick Whittington .  The total cost (including transport) is £15.00 each and you can pay on the school’s online payment system.
• Torfaen Play are currently conducting a survey to consult with parents and carers on everything linked to play and recreation for 0 – 25 year olds in Torfaen.  Please follow this link to take part: Torfaen play & recreation survey | Get Involved Torfaen
• Flu immunisation is tomorrow and Thursday – please fill in the following link if not already done so: https://linktr.ee/schoolfluab
• Reception admissions for Sept 2025 open tomorrow – all the information can be found on the council’s admissions webpage : https://www.torfaen.gov.uk/en/EducationLearning/SchoolsColleges/School-Admissions/SchoolAdmissions-Primary/School-Admissions-Primary-Schools.aspx
• We have loads of spare uniform in the school ‘shop’ – free to a good home (donations taken if you wish).  Friday afternoon at 2:45 we will be open for business! (or just pop into the school office any time).

 

Upcoming dates:

 

November

4^th             Teacher Training Day #2

5^th             Children return to school

12^th-13^th Individual photographs

20^th-22^nd  Y6 trip to Gilwern

 

 

December               

11^th           10:00 Reception Christmas Show

12^th           10:00 Y1 Nativity

16^th           Whole school (1-6) to the Panto in

                  Newport Riverfront

18^th           Christmas lunch

19^th           10.00 Year 3/4 Carol Concert Pontrhydyrun

20^th           10.00 Year 5/6 Carol Concert Pontrhydyrun

                 Break up for Christmas 2.00p.m

 

All the best,

 

SB

Dear parent / carer,

 

Please note the following:

 

• Next Wed 23^rd October at 10:00a.m Year 3 are leading a Harvest Assembly – Year 3 parents / carers are welcome to attend.  As part of this we have, once again, decided to support the local Food Share (Bank) on Woodland Road.  If you would like to support this very worthy local charity, please send your child in next Tuesday (22^nd October) with an appropriate foodstuff – something dry or tinned etc.

 

• As a school, we are once again delighted to support the Royal British Legion with their Poppy Appeal and, with your help, raise money for a very worthwhile cause.  If you would like to support this year’s Poppy Appeal, please send cash in with your child and they will be able to make their donation and pick an item which will be available to buy from tomorrow, Wed 16^th Oct (poppies, zip pull, wristband, poppy reflector and the ever popular slap-band!).  All donations gratefully received with a suggested minimum donation of £1 for a Poppy and slap-band and 50p for all other items.

 

• This Friday  (18^th) is ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ day and the school is supporting this message and charity ( Home - Show Racism the Red Card ).  If you ( / your) child would  like to show your support, pupils can wear something red on Friday.  However, Year 4 are going to the Welsh Jambori in Pontypool and we would like this year group in school uniform so that we can distinguish them from pupils from other schools! Perhaps a red accessory for year 4 (hairband, socks, tights, hat etc).

 

• Parent consultations are this week and next.  For infant classes (R, 1 and 2) please enter via the infant gate (far left gate) and either straight into the Year 2 demountable or through the yard door and into the infant corridor.  For all junior classes (3, 4, 5 and 6) please enter through the junior gate (far right gate) and up the path and into the building.  Year 4 and 6 are on the right (looking up the slope) and Year 3 and 5 are on the left.

 

All the best,

 

SB

Dear parent / carer,

 

Staff Restructure

 

I am writing to let you know that, unfortunately, the school is facing some financial issues. The school budget is roughly £2m a year and, in year, our deficit is in the region of £100k. We are not alone in this respect (over half the schools in Wales are in a deficit position) but, obviously, this is not a sustainable position going forward, and we need to make savings.  The particular issue that we have been facing is fewer and fewer pupils coming to our Nursery; this is no reflection on our Nursery (which is excellent), rather a result of the 30 hour free child care offer.  Staffing accounts for the vast majority of our expenditure and, in order to save money, we are going to run one less teacher across the school.  Mr Williams has secured a post in The Vale (congratulations to him!) so we do not need to look at redundancies.  However, we are going to have to move some of the classes around to accommodate this change.  Miss Griffiths will cover Mrs Rogers’ Reception class (who she taught last year), Mrs Rogers will take Class 1FR (again who she taught last year) and Miss Francis / Mrs Raine will take Mr Williams’ class (Mrs Raine had several of these children last year).  Mrs Price will oversee Nursery. These changes will take effect after half term (Monday 4^th November).  This is not ideal and not what we would have wanted mid-year, but the change has been forced on us.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like to raise any concerns.

 

Please also note the following:

 

• The Spanish language / musical performance will be taking place next Wed 2^nd October at 2:45p.m in the Junior hall – all Year 5 and 6 parents / carers welcome.
• Health are undertaking a survey of our children’s Health and Wellbeing in Year 3 – 6 in order to help inform both them and the school.  The information is attached.  If you would not like your child to do the survey, please let me know; otherwise, we will assume that this is ok with you.
• ASDA are running a scheme with Parentkind to help support schools financially – if you shop at ASDA and have a reward card, you can link it to our school.  Information here: Cashpot for Schools | Parentkind  Thanks! (and thanks to the parent who gave us the ‘heads up’ on this).
• Individual pupil photographs will be on Tue and Wed 12^th and 13^th November.

 

All the best,

 

SB

 

Dear parent / carer,

 

I hope that you are having a good Summer!

 

As you are probably aware, the school was inspected in June and the report was published this week.  The parent summary report can be found on the Estyn webpage:

 

https://www.estyn.gov.wales/system/files/2024-07/Parents%20and%20carers%20-%20Inspection%20Report%20-%20Croesyceiliog%20Primary%20School%202024.pdf

 

The full report is also on the webpage:

 

https://www.estyn.gov.wales/system/files/2024-06/Inspection%20report%20Croesyceiliog%20Primary%20School%202024.pdf

 

The staff and governors are extremely pleased with the outcome of the report.  Pupil behaviour, wellbeing, progress in all subjects, the curriculum, ALN, outdoor learning and leadership all came out as real strengths.  Two areas have been identified to ‘refine’, namely our emphasis on monitoring (to do less and focus more on the important areas – we are happy with this!) and more work on getting the children to reflect on their own work though our feedback (again, this is an area all schools can improve on and we will, of course, endeavour to do so over the coming months and years).

 

In terms of the ‘wellbeing issue’, I wanted to reassure you that we are fully aware of this and have been for many years!  This issue is the height of the fence at the front of the building where some of the younger year groups have their outdoor provision – this fence is the responsibility of the Local Authority, and the governors and I have pushed to have a new, and higher, fence installed for some time now.  The children are supervised and safe as it stands, but it would be even better if the fence was more secure;  this report will help massively in moving this piece of work up the agenda and this should be resolved in the near future.

 

The children return on Tuesday 3^rd September.  I look forward to seeing you then and hope that the rest of the Summer goes well for you.

 

All the best,

 

Simon Bates