RE: Croesyceiliog School Year 6 Open Evening 2023

 

Dear Parent/Carer,

We would like to invite you and your child to our Year 6 Open Evening, which is taking place on Wednesday 27^th September from 4.30pm to 7pm. During this event, you will be introduced to our Senior Leadership team and the members of staff responsible for transition to Croesyceiliog School. You will have the opportunity to tour our school with current students and will meet teaching staff in their classrooms from across the faculties. Our ALNco will also be available to discuss any enhanced transition requirements.

In order to secure a more personalised experience we are facilitating two sessions that will both start in the main school hall.

4.30pm-5.30pm – Llanyrafon Primary School, Croesyceiliog Primary School and Maendy Primary School

 6pm until 7pm – Llantarnam Primary School, Ponthir Church in Wales Primary School, Pontnewydd Primary School and all out of catchment primary schools

Please note that parking is very limited and if you are able to walk to the event, it would be helpful. We look forward to welcoming you to our school as you begin preparing for this important next step in your child’s educational journey.

Yours faithfully,

 

Mrs N Richards                                                         Mrs S Wilkie

Headteacher                                                             Associate Assistant Headteacher

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear parent / carer,

 

Please note the following:

 

• Universal free school meals will be rolled out across the whole school next year – every child will have access to a free lunch from Rec to Y6.  The local authority has asked for all parents / carers  to complete this link irrespective of whether you want the free meal as it covers other grants that you may be eligible for.  This eligibility may also generate a significant budget for the school, so please spend a minute completing the relevant form. For those already signed up (in current Rec, Year 1 and 2) you need do nothing. For those in the current Year 3, 4 and 5, you need to sign up using the following link:

 

https://iweb.itouchvision.com/portal/itouchvision/r/customer/category_link?cuid=FDF363242619D121B744E0543185A401A8C00D05&lang=EN&P_LANG=en

 

For those with children going into Reception (or for anyone that would now like to sign up to infant free meals that hasn’t already done so) use this link:

 

https://iweb.itouchvision.com/portal/itouchvision/r/customer/category_link?cuid=BFA177CA3BCD46AD88E0534F500A8C0BED0ADD2C&lang=EN&P_LANG=en

 

• Dates for next year – attached / in the ‘Parents / Guardians’ section of the webpage.  We finish normal time tomorrow (Fri 21^st) and the children are back on Tue 5^th Sept.

 

• Uniform – we are setting up a Uniform Shop next academic year.  If you have any uniform that your child has outgrown (or they are moving school!) and is still in good condition, then we would be more than happy to take it off your hands!  If so, can you please send it in clean to the office.  The pupils will run the shop and payments will be discretionary.

 

• Local authority playschemes Summer 2023 – attached fyi.

 

Have a fantastic Summer and see you in September!!

 

SB

Dear parent / carer,

 

Please note the following:

 

• ‘Move up day’ is next Wednesday 5^th July.  Year 6 will be going directly to the comprehensive school (or wherever they are going in September) and the rest of the pupils will meet their teacher for September and spend the morning with them.

 

• You, as parents, will then get the opportunity to ‘meet the teacher’ at 2:30p.m on the following days:

 

Current Year 5 going into Year 6 (Mr Williams and Miss Miles):  Mon 17^th July at 2:30p.m.

Current Year 4 going into Year 5 (Miss White  and Mrs Buchanan / Miss Talemi):  Thur 6^th July at 2:30p.m.

Current Year 3 going into Year 4 ( Miss McGiveron and Mrs Payne / Mrs Davis):  Tue 18^th Jul at 2:30p.m.

Current Year 2 going into Year 3 (Mr Freebury and Mrs Jones):  Thur 13^th July at 2:30p.m.

Current Year 1 going into Year 2 (Miss DiNunzio and Miss Powell):  Mon 10^th  July at 2:30p.m.

Current Rec going into Year 1 (Mrs Davies-Williams and Miss Deakin):  Tue 11^th July at 2:30p.m

 

These sessions are simply an opportunity for the teachers to explain to you the routines in the year group, the work covered etc and for you to ask any questions that you may have.  Please don’t feel obliged to attend.

 

New Reception and Nursey parents have your own arrangements for both move up day and meet the teacher – this information should already be with you (let us know if you need a reminder!)

 

• Open day is Wed 12^th July at 1:45.  This is an opportunity for you to come to school and spend some time with you child(ren) going though their books with them and seeing what they have done.  It is also an opportunity to speak to the teacher informally.  If, however, you need a more in-depth meeting then we will need to organise this separately as we run more formal parents evenings earlier in the year with a view to leaving time to sort any issues.  Nursery will run as normal and there will be no open invitation to parents.

 

• Universal free school meals will be rolled out across the whole school next year – every child will have access to a free lunch from Rec to Y6.  For those already signed up (in current Rec, Year 1 and 2) you need do nothing. For those in the current Year 3, 4 and 5, you need to sign up using the following link:

 

https://iweb.itouchvision.com/portal/itouchvision/r/customer/category_link?cuid=FDF363242619D121B744E0543185A401A8C00D05&lang=EN&P_LANG=en

 

 

For those with children going into Reception (or for anyone that would now like to sign up to infant free meals that hasn’t already done so) use this link:

 

https://iweb.itouchvision.com/portal/itouchvision/r/customer/category_link?cuid=BFA177CA3BCD46AD88E0534F500A8C0BED0ADD2C&lang=EN&P_LANG=en

 

 

 

• Mobile phones.  A reminder that the following was circulated recently:

 

In the past we have allowed children in the older year groups to bring phones in if they needed them before or after school, for example if they were walking home on their own or needing to meet someone.  This amounted to 1 or 2 phones across the whole school and was manageable.  However, what has happened in the last few months is that we are having a huge number of phones coming into school and this had led us to question whether the children actually need them or whether they simply want them straight away at 3:15.  We are also worried that we are looking after the phones during the day and some of them are quite valuable (most are certainly better than my phone!). As such, should your child need their phone with them after school, could you please email me with the reason why and with the following acknowledgement; ‘I understand that the school cannot take responsibility for my child’s phone and will not be liable for the loss of it, or any damage to it.’  Apologies about this extra level of bureaucracy, but I do think it is necessary.

 

We’ve had a few issues recently with Year 5 pupils and mobile phones, so please follow up on this if this applies to you.

 

• Date card for 2023 2024 – attached (or in ‘Parents and guardians’ section of webpage)

 

Upcoming dates:

 

July          

5^th             ‘Move up’ day

7^th             School reports sent out          

11^th           Paulton’s Park Year 6

12^th           Open Afternoon 1.45p.m.

19^th           Y6 Leavers’ production

20^th           Year 6 Pizza Party

21^st           Break up for Summer

 

All the best.

 

SB.

 

Dear Parents and Carers,
We hope that your children are looking forward to joining us very soon. We wanted to write to you to give
you some information about our Move up Day on Wednesday 5th July and the upcoming parents’ evening later
that day.
The move up day will start at 9am on Wednesday 5th July and will end at 2.50pm. Students will be welcome to
arrive on site no earlier than 8.50am. They will make their way to the yard at the back of our main building.
Please could we ask that you make your own transport arrangements for this day? We would also advise
confirming transport arrangements with your child’s primary school before making final plans. We ask that
parents use our drop off area in our school car park for this purpose. There will be several members of
Croesyceiliog School staff and students available to guide the students to the correct assembly point in school.
We would also ask that parents do not enter our school buildings with the students on this occasion to allow
key staff to focus on settling the students and ensuring a smooth and prompt start to the day.
During Move up Day, your child will take part in a variety of taster lessons and they will have a tour of the
school to familiarise themselves with the school buildings. We would like the students to wear their sports
kits and trainers and they should bring their own pencil case. They will also need to dress for the weather
conditions on the day. It would be a good idea to label belongings that might be left behind during the day for
example their school bags and coats.
School will provide a slice of pizza for each student at lunchtime. Students can choose to bring a packed lunch
on the day. Water will be available; students should bring their own drinks bottles. Please could you advise us
of any dietary requirements or allergies?
Before the children come to Croesyceiliog School, parents and carers need to have completed our data form.
We will need this information to keep the children safe and to allow us to share important information with
you via email over the next few weeks. You should have received an email from us with the link to complete
them last month.
For the parents’ evening on Wednesday 5th July, we will need to keep the numbers as low as possible and so
we ask that a maximum of two people per family attend the event and that the students stay at home unless
there are childcare issues. There will be limited parking on school site, so it would be helpful if some families
could walk to the school if you live close to us. Crownbridge school have kindly agreed to our use of their car
park for the evening. The parents’ evening will take place in our sports hall and staff and students will be on
hand to direct you as you arrive.
We are really looking forward to seeing you all soon and here are some important dates and times for the
next few weeks
Wednesday July 5th 9.00am until 2.50pm – Croesyceiliog School Move up Day
Wednesday July 5th 5.00pm – Croesyceiliog School transition parents’ evening
Please get in touch if you have any questions about our Move up Day arrangements. You can email our
Wellbeing Administration officer directly using D.Ashley@croesy.schoolsedu.org.uk , the dedicated Year 6
email address 2023@croesy.schoolsedu.org.uk or telephone our main reception team on 01633 645900.
Yours faithfully,
Croesyceiliog School Transition Team

Dear parent / carer,

 

It has come to the time of the year when we are planning our improvement priorities for next year and, as part of this, we are looking to seek your views of how well we are doing and what we could do to improve.  Please find below a link to a questionnaire that will only take you a few minutes to complete.  The questions are a combination of standard (Estyn) questions, questions about what is on the current school improvement plan and a free text box for ideas for next year’s plan and any other thoughts.  Thanks in advance:

 

https://forms.gle/ZijEfPYsAUGhTwy6A

 

Regards other news and updates:

 

• Sports days seemed to go really well and, it seemed, were enjoyed by pupils and parents alike!  I’m really not sure why we ran them on different days (I guess, probably, because we always have!) but, given the timings, it seems to make sense to run them on the same day next year for the sake of parents / carers with children in both buildings – hopefully this will be a small school improvement!
• Active travel – the scheme is, as I’m sure you’ve seen, well under way on Edlogan Way and we will shortly have some scooter and bike storage racks installed at the front of the school.  I’d encourage both you and your children, where safe and appropriate, to walk, scoot or cycle to school.  If they choose cycling, remember that they need a helmet!  It’s probably a good idea for scooting as well depending on their skill level / speed!
• Remember sun hats, shorts / skirts and cream if we get a hot spell.
• Everything, and more, that is emailed to you goes on the webpage – you’ll find most information you need on there.  If not, email me and I’ll put it on!!

 

Upcoming dates:

 

June

5^th             Children return to school       

13^th           10:00 a.m. Year 5 Class Assembly

Fri 16^th     Teacher Training Day #5

Fri 23^rd     Teacher Training Day #6

28^th           10:00 Year 2 class assembly / production

 

July          

5^th             ‘Move up’ day

7^th             School reports sent out          

11^th           Paulton’s Park Year 6

12^th           Open Afternoon 1.45p.m.

20^th           Year 6 Pizza Party

21^st           Break up for Summer

 

All the best,

 

SB

 

Dear parent / carer,

 

The sun is shining, the forecast is good and the Sports Days are next week.  Now that Covid is largely (and thankfully) a thing of the past, you are welcome to join us to support your child and your child’s team!

 

Arrangements for the infants (Reception, Year 1 and Year 2), Tue 23^rd 10:30a.m.

 

• Parents / carers to arrive no earlier than 10.15 for a 10:30 start on the top field.
• The events will finish at roughly 11:30.
• Normal pick up at 3:15.

 

Arrangements for the Juniors (Year 3, 4, 5 and 6), Wed 24^th 1:15p.m.

 

• Parents / carers to arrive no earlier than 1.00 for a 1:15 start on the top field.
• The events will finish at roughly 3:00.  Please leave the site promptly through the main entrance and no later than 3:10 to allow us to safely dismiss the children at the end of the day as normal.

 

Please note the following for both:

 

• Hats and sun cream may be a good idea as the forecast is full sun.
• Children to bring a drink.
• Children to come to school dressed for action (shorts, trainers etc) and in the appropriate colour (red, green, yellow or blue).  Let us know if your child doesn’t know what team they are in!

 

All the best,

 

Simon Bates

Please note the following:

 

• This week is walk to school week!!  If at all possible, leave the car at home!  It’s cheaper, healthier and better for the environment!  (or perhaps park away from the school and walk the last bit?)
• If your child is cycling to school (equally acceptable!!) please ensure that they wear a helmet.  Incidentally, as part of the Active Travel Scheme being rolled out locally, we have managed to get funding for 2 cycle stores and a scooter store at the front of the site (by the hall entrance) – they should be installed shortly.
• End of the day – once you’ve picked up your child, can I ask that you stop them coming back on site, particularly avoiding the area where Miss DiNunzio’s class and the KS2 children leave from.  It’s already a busy spot without any extras!! Thanks!
• Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) Policy – please find in the 'Key Information' tab in the RSE area a summary of what we teach in the different year groups.  We’ve had some great feedback from the children about these lessons and will be seeking your views shortly as part of a wider survey.  Any concerns, please feel free to contact me.
• This week is also Mental Health Awareness Week! (see Miss Talemi’s Dojo message) – wear green this Friday to support the cause!

 

All the best,

 

Simon Bates

 

Dear parent / carer,

 

I am writing to you to flag up a grant that could be helpful to you in managing your money if you are on a low income.  Through the School Essentials Grant you could receive £225 per child at the school. This applies to all children across the school (with the exception of Nursery) if they are entitled to free school meals. More details and the application form are below. 

 

School Essentials Grant | Torfaen County Borough Council

 

The deadline for applications is 30^th June.

 

I do have an ulterior motive in this as well!!  Every child that is eligible for free school meals (and therefore this grant) generates roughly £1000 funding for the school.  We use this money to run various wellbeing, literacy and maths interventions and to subsidise, for example, the school trip to Gilwern.

 

Please contact me or the school office if you need any further assistance or help with this.

 

All the best,

 

Simon Bates

Dear parent / carer,

 

Please note the following:

 

• A week on Saturday is the Coronation of King Charles III!  We thought that we would mark the occasion on the day before, next Friday 5^th May.  There will be various royal themed activities that we will run across the school.  If the children would like to, they can come in non-uniform – perhaps something sporting the Union Flag, a princess dress or red, white and blue clothes etc – anything goes really! (within reason!).  We also have a special menu from the caterers (attached) that they may wish to indulge in – if the weather is good, we may well move outside for a street party!
• Class photos are next Wed, 3^rd May.
• Mobile phones – in the past we have allowed children in the older year groups to bring phones in if they needed them before or after school, for example if they were walking home on their own or needing to meet someone.  This amounted to 1 or 2 phones across the whole school and was manageable.  However, what has happened in the last few months is that we are having a huge number of phones coming into school and this had led us to question whether the children actually need them or whether they simply want them straight away at 3:15.  We are also worried that we are looking after the phones during the day and some of them are quite valuable (most are certainly better than my phone!). As such, should your child need their phone with them after school, could you please email me with the reason why and with the following acknowledgement; ‘I understand that the school cannot take responsibility for my child’s phone and will not be liable for the loss of it, or any damage to it.’  Apologies about this extra level of bureaucracy, but I do think it is necessary.

 

All the best – remember next Monday is a Bank Holiday!

 

Simon Bates

 

Upcoming dates:

 

May         

Mon 1^st    May Bank Holiday

3^rd             Class Photographs

5^th             Coronation day at school!

8^th             Bank holiday – Coronation

10^th           Year 4 Class Assembly

17^th           3.30 Year 6 Croesy Comp meeting

Tue 23^rd 10:30 Foundation Phase (R,1,2) Sports Day

Wed 24^th 1.00 KS2 (3,4,5,6) Sports Day

26^th           Break up for half term

                 

June

5^th             Children return to school       

13^th           Year 5 Class Assembly

Fri 16^th  Teacher Training Day #5

Fri 23^rd     Teacher Training Day #6

28^th           10:00 Year 2 class assembly / production

 

July          

5^th             ‘Move up’ day

7^th             School reports sent out          

11^th           Paulton’s Park Year 6

12^th           Open Afternoon 1.45p.m.

19^th           Year 6 Leavers’ Concert

20^th           Year 6 Pizza Party

21^st           Break up for Summer

 

Dear parent carer,

 

Please note the following:

 

• The NEU strikes for the following two days (15^th 16^th March) have been suspended whilst the union members consider the offer made by Welsh Government.  As such, we are fully open as normal this week.
• Friday is ‘Red Nose Day’ run by Comic Relief – children at liberty to come in their ‘own clothes’.  Any contributions direct to the charity please:

 

https://donation.comicrelief.com/cart/1YsYOwm2pHZgBUhWr8ZL13

All the best,

 

SB