Gwersyllt CP

As we come to the end of a very busy week, I’d like to start with a few heartfelt thank-yous:

• Thank you for joining us at our pupil-led Christmas Fair. It was a little different this year, but I hope you enjoyed seeing the creativity and ideas the children brought to life through their stalls.
• Thank you for your generosity today in supporting the PTA Tombola ahead of the Christmas Bingo, which will take place next Thursday in the school hall.
• A huge thank you to the PTA, staff, and pupils for all the hard work that went into the Christmas Fair and the many events leading up to Christmas.

Finally, an apology for the frustrations with the school phones this week. We’ve been working closely with the county to resolve the issue. While the phones have worked intermittently, they have often been down. If you are struggling to get through by phone, please contact us via email. Although responses may not be immediate, this ensures we can receive your messages while the phones are unreliable.

Looking ahead to next week:

• Cinema Trips:
  • Year 1 & 2 – Monday
  • Year 3 & 4 – Tuesday
  • Year 5 & 6 – Friday
• Christmas dinner and Christmas Jumper Day on Thursday
• Llwyfen and Bedwen: Sing-along and Christmas Crafternoon on Wednesday afternoon. Doors open at 1:15 pm, event starts at 1:30 pm.
• Glasbren Performance: Friday morning at 10:00 am. Doors open at 9:30 am.

We look forward to seeing you at these events. Have a lovely weekend!

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Christmas Market

We are excited to invite you to our Christmas Market on Thursday 4th December, from 3:00pm to 4:30pm.

This year will be a little different, as the event will largely be led by pupils and their classes, with a couple of external stalls joining us. Here’s how it will be organised:

• Key Stage 2 stalls – in classrooms
• Foundation Phase stalls – in Playmates
• External stalls – in the Learning Plaza
• Food and drink – in the hall

Please collect your children from their usual doors first, before entering through the front reception to enjoy the market.

Thank you for your support – we look forward to seeing you there!

Your child may be eligible for free school meal support.

This is more than just free meals in both primary and secondary schools—it can also include: ✅ Uniform grants ✅ Free school trips and music sessions ✅ Reduced costs on other aspects of education

Click the link below to check if this applies to your child:

https://www.gov.wales/free-school-meals-get-help-school-costs

Have a great weekend,

Cofion cynnes

Joel Moore

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As we move past mid-November, it’s lovely to hear the sound of various classes beginning to practice for the festive season. There’s a real buzz around the school! You will already have the dates and times for these performances. There will be more information about coming to see these performances out soon.

Poverty Proofing

This week, we welcomed two visitors who audited the school to review the impact of costs on pupils’ education. We’ve always worked hard in this area, and Estyn’s recent visit agreed that we are strong at this aspect of school life. Of course, there is always room for improvement, and we look forward to their report to see what further positive changes we can make.

Pick-Up of Pupils

A quick reminder: whenever possible, please ensure pupils are picked up promptly at the end of the school day or after clubs. Staff often have meetings and commitments after school, both linked to work and personal, and waiting with pupils can impact these arrangements. Your support is greatly appreciated.

As always, thank you for your continued support and have a lovely weekend.

Cofion cynnes,

Dear Parents/Guardians,

The end of a very wet week, here is hoping there are a few drier days ahead. Apologies that the majority of my communication seems to be festive based. Its quickly becoming that time of year.

Christmas Dates

We have now confirmed Christmas times and dates for all performances. Please see the information lower down in the Newsletter.

Cinema Trips

Please note that payment is required as confirmation that you wish your child to take part in the cinema trips (again listed below in the dates). If we don’t receive payment the assumption is that the pupils do not wish to go on the cinema trip. In these cases, provision will be made for them in school on that day. 

Poverty Proofing

Gwersyllt CP are working alongside our cluster schools to look at the impact of proofing on families within our school. Two visitors will be in our school on Wednesday and Thursday next week. There is a chance that they will present during drop off in the morning on these days and may wish to ask questions. If you have a minute of your time whilst dropping your child/children off, this would be greatly appreciated.

Have a lovely weekend,

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Welcome back to the pupils this week, we hope everyone had a lovely week last week. As I write, we have 6 weeks of a packed half term ahead of us. December in particular, gets very busy. We will do all we can to communicate everything as soon as possible. Please do check updates etc as and when you receive them.

Change of Date

Previously, you will have received dates of many of the activities that are happening this term. We have two changes of date currently. Christmas dinner will now be on Thursday 11^th December rather than Wednesday 10^th December (This will also be Christmas Jumper day). Party Food will be on Thursday 18^th December rather than Wednesday 17^th December.

Data Collection

Just a polite reminder to bring in your Data collection forms as soon as possible, even if no changes are required. Many thanks in advance.

Children in Need

The school will be taking part in Children in Need next week (Friday 14^th November). Pupils are welcome to dress in non-school uniform, yellow or Pudsey clothing in particular. The recommended donation is £1.  Link for donations can be found in the newsletter.

Have a lovely weekend,

Cofion cynnes,

Next week is the final week of the current half term. A quick reminder that school is closed to pupils for a staff training day on Friday 24^th October. The final day for pupils is Thursday 23^rd October. Pupils will start back at school again on Monday 3^rd November.

Menu Change – Thursday 23^rd October

We are serving lunch in classrooms on Thursday 23^rd October. Due to this, we have had a menu change on this day. If you have already ordered for the 23^rd October please do check that this order is still in place. If not, it should simply be a case of reordering. Diolch and apologies for the inconvenience.

Cinema Trips

The trips planned for September should be payable by the end of next week. Please be aware that this is a non-curriculum trip. Therefore, pupils attending depends on payment and continued good behaviour. Those not attending will remain in school for these mornings.

Data Collection Sheets

After half-term, your child will be coming home with a Data Collection Sheet.  This is for you to check that all the details on the form are correct.  Please send back to school even if there are no amendments.

School crossing patrol

We have had a couple of incidents of pupils running across the road in front of the school before Nigel (our school crossing patrol) has been able to safely get stop traffic. Please make sure the pupils are cautious of the traffic when crossing the road. If they walk on their own please have this conversation with them. I have spoken to Year 1 upwards about this today in assembly

Harvest

A reminder that the school is requesting any non perishable food goods for the community cupboard for Friday 17^th October Harvest Assembly. Each class will create an offering to bring to the front at the end of the assembly.

Show racism the red card

The school are also having a wear red day to promote awareness of the above charitable organisation. If you wish to you can text ‘RED’ to donate £1 (Text ‘Red 5’ to donate £5 or ‘Red10’ to donate £10)

Forest Schools

During the course of the year, all pupils will enjoy the opportunity to take part in forest school sessions. From Year 1 upwards you should receive a text to confirm when these sessions are taking place just before they commence. These take place in nearly all weathers (high wind being the exception). Last week Year 1/2 enjoyed the deluge of rain we had. This week some Year 5 pupils were priviliged enough to try a range of Albanian food – ranging from pastice (a home cooked Albanian dish made with spaghetti noodles, feta cheese, milk and eggs) to chofte (a mince meatball- though we had it served burger shaped). Many staff turned up to this forest school session strangely enough. Thank you to Ermela for preparing this delicious food.

Have a great weekend

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Harvest

On Friday 17th October the school will be having a Harvest assembly. During this we will talk about the meaning of Harvest and how crops are shared with those who may need them. Towards the end of this, each class will bring a box of food to the front of the hall as an offering to the community cupboard. If you can spare just one item of non-perishable food (e.g. Pasta, a tin of fruit etc) could this be brought into your child’s class from Wednesday morning onwards please. Thank you so much, your support is greatly appreciated.

Wear Red Against Racism

On the same day (Friday 17th of October) we will also be wearing red against racism. As previously, all pupils are requested to wear red for this, now annual, event.  If you wish to you can text ‘RED’ to donate £1 (Text ‘Red 5’ to donate £5 or ‘Red10’ to donate £10)

School Clothing

Just a reminder to put your child’s names into all items of clothing. This makes finding and returning the correct clothes far easier.

School Trips and Ordering of Packed Lunches

Can we please remind parents that if your child is going on a school trip and needs an inhaler, can you please make sure they have it with them.  If they require other medication on the day please make sure your classteacher is aware and that you have filled in the medication form from the school office.

If you have pre-ordered a packed lunch from the school and your child no longer requires it (i.e. you are supplying a packed lunch for them) can you please make sure you cancel the packed lunch on ParentPay.  This prevents food waste and reduces the additional impact of preparing the sandwiches for our Kitchen Staff.  Thanks.

Outdoor Learning

Finally, the Year 5/6 pupils enjoyed a couple of days in the forest of Northop Coleg Cambria exploring outside learning activities. Below is just a sample of the activities they took part in. As always the pupils were fantastic and did the school and yourselves proud.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Before I lead into the newsletter information please see some lovely RVE (Religion, Values and Ethics) work that our Year 5&6 were experiancing this week. With some low calming music playing it was a pleasure to step in there.

Pentrellyncymer

Can I just say again how much of a pleasure the pupils were to spend time with last week in Pentre. We couldn’t have asked for more from them. No doubt many of them slept well last Friday and are still recovering this week (I know I am). We have provisionally booked for next year for the dates 16-18th September 2026.

Information Evenings

The opportunity to book a slot with your child’s teacher should have been made available to you by now (if you haven’t received anything please contact the office). This is a fantastic opportunity to discuss how your child is settling into the new year, and possibly new classroom environment. As always, books will be available for you to look through pre or post meeting.

Dates for the diary

Below is a list of dates for the rest of the Autumn term

23.10.25         –           PTA Autumn Disco’s 

24.10.25         –           Training Day

4.12.25           –           PTA Christmas Bingo (TBC)

8.12.25           –           Year 1&2 Cinema Trip

9.12.25           –           Year 3&4 Cinema Trip

10.12.25         –           Christmas dinner

10.12.25         –           Bedwen & Llwyfen Christmas songs and crafternoon

12.12.25         –           Year 5&6 Cinema Trip

12.12.25         –           Glasbren Christmas Performance

15.12.25         –           Year 5 Christmas Service (TBC)

16.12.25         –           Year 3&4 Christmas Performance (TBC)

17.12.25         –           Christmas Party Food

18.12.25         –           School Closes

19.12.25         –           Training Day

Illness

Just a reminder to phone all absences through to the office so they can be recorded. Messages passed through to class teachers will often result in receiving a follow up text or phone call to query the absence. Diolch

Have a lovely weekend,

Dear Parents/Guardians,

A warm welcome back to you all. It has been a pleasure to have the pupils back in school with us this week and for the school to have that familiar buzz about it. Hopefully your children are starting to settle into their new classes and getting to know their teachers and their environments a little better. I have placed some photos of the classes below, just to give you a glance of what they look like. We will have an information evening in October which will be held in your child’s classroom and allow you the opportunity to discuss how they have settled in this term.

Staff updates

Just a few staff changes to make you aware of this year. Firstly, We welcome back Mr Edwards into Dosbarth Masarnen after his Welsh sabbatical last year. Miss K Jones, who led Masarnen so wonderfully last year, is now working with our Year 1&2 team. Many of you will know Miss Kelly Thomas, who has taken over the role of School Caretaker in an official capacity from this September. Mrs Thomas’ TA role is now being overseen by a Mrs L Watkins in Nursery. A warm welcome to both Mrs Watkins and Miss Paige Wynne, who will also be overseeing the pupils in Little Chicks alongside Mrs B Wright.

We say a fond farewell to Ms K Davies our Midday supervisor who has left the role and a hello to Ms C Love who is now leading the Playmates team. I am sure all the staff will feel part of the family very soon.

Vaccinations

We have had a national message about the importance of vaccinations. There is concern that low uptake in these can cause widespread outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases. Please see below for information about vaccinations 

https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/immunisation-and-vaccines/school-age-children-and-young-people/

Holidays

Just a reminder that it is county policy for holidays to be taken unauthorised with very few exceptions (please see the policy on the website for these). This means that a child will be marked in the register as ‘g’ for holidays for the time they are absent. 

Snack and School Uniform

Finally, a quick thank you for the healthy snacks that the pupils have brought in this week (without exception, all snack has been fruit and veg). Can I also say how smart the pupils have looked in their school uniform and the correct PE kit this week. A very high bar has been set.

Have a lovely weekend

Glasbren 1 (Nursery)

Glasbren 2 (Reception/Year1)

Dosbarth Llwyfen (Year 1&2)

Dosbarth Bedwen (Year 1&2)

Dosbarth Masarnen (Year 3&4)

Dosbarth Derwen (Year 3&4)

Dosbarth Onnen (Year 4&5)

Dosbarth Afallen (Year 5&6)

Dosbarth Celyn (Year 6)