First quick reminder to order school dinners for pupils in advance using the parent pay app. Can we also ask that discussion is had with the pupils about what they would like to eat. We are still seeing a lot of food waste as children do not want the food that has been selected for them. This makes it difficult as we don’t have enough of the food prepared for them of the alternative they would prefer. Many thanks.
Pick-Up
If your child is being picked up by an adult who is not previously well known by school please call through to school to make us aware. This makes the process a lot easier, as occasionally we have to make contact at the end of the day to check that it is ok.
Events this Week
A really busy week this week. Firstly, I am delighted to say that we raised upwards of £126.00 for Children in Need on Thursday. Hopefully a message will appear on the BBC tonight to recognise this. The pupils also looked great for Welsh Day and I am proud to say that we have created our very own school song ‘Yn Cymraeg’. It was also Anti-Bullying week and the pupils have spent some of their time in class digging deeper into this important message. Alongside this, we have had many Music workshops, managed to fit in a good chunk of English, Maths and Topic work.
A huge welcome back to the children after a week away. It is lovely to have them back again. We have picked up where we have left off and it is getting busy already. Please see below for information of two events next week:
Children in Need
Due to Welsh Day (see below) we will be raising money for Children in Need on Thursday 16th November. Pupils can wear spots or pyjamas and a link will be made available via parent pay for a donation (see Newsletter item below). There will be Children in Need related activities through-out the day.
Welsh Day
On Friday 17th November we will have the first of our termly Welsh Days, not including Eisteddfod of course. Pupils can come to school wearing Wales related clothes or wearing red items. The whole day will be full of activities about Wales and Welsh culture. We have booked in the Welsh Whisperer who will be working with Masarnen, Afallen and Celyn to create a Welsh school song.
We need some help…
The school are looking to secure a grant to turn the lower orchard into a community gardening area. The money we are requesting is a substantial amount and in order to access it we need a short list of people we can ask to come and help create it with an outside agency over a number of days. As of yet, we do not know when this will be and it doesn’t need to be the same volunteers every day. We have a group of staff that have placed their names on the list of volunteers, as well as, some community groups. If you think you would be available to help out, even if it is just for a day, please let us know and we will add your name to the list. We don’t have the grant yet and can’t guarantee the weather will be nice, but we can firmly state there will be free tea/coffee and biscuits for those that help. Thank you in advance.
Dates
Just a reminder for the dates in December:
Nursery and Reception Christmas performance- 15th December 2023 at 10am
Year 3 and 4 Christmas performance- 18th December 2023 at 1.30pm
Year 5 Christmas Service- 18th December 2023 at 6pm
Christmas dinner- 14th December 2023
Provisional date for Party food dinner- 22nd December 2023
New Date – Year 1 and 2 Crafternoon – 19th December 2023 at 1.30pm – more information nearer to the time.
Remembrance Service
We hels our remembrance service at 10.45am this Friday to pay our respects. The Gwersylt service commences at approximately 10.30am on Sunday at the cenotaph.
Finally… We have started recommencing our wonderful visits with Year 6 pupils and the residents of Pendine. please see the picture below to see an example of the work that the puils have been carrying out
The end of a long half term (School is closed to pupils on Friday) and a wonderful one it has been.
The pupils will return back to school on Monday 6th November ready for another 7 weeks packed full of activities (some of them seasonal of course). When they return, they will initially continue with their Health and Wellbeing topics. From approximately the end of November, the school topics will then turn their focus towards Expressive Arts and all that comes along with performance, crafts and music. We will update you on their topic titles nearer the time.
Remembrance
The week we return, we will be selling remembrance items to raise money for the poppy appeal (please see below for Poppy Merchandise). We will also have a Remembrance Service on Friday for the pupils. The yearly service will take place at Gwersyllt Cenotaph on Sunday 12th November.
School Communication
We are aware that, on occasion, parents or guardians may get a lot of communication via the school. Though we can do little about reminder texts for permissions or payments we can limit the amount of texts that are sent out for events or other reminders. In the near future we are going to attempt to give you an option to opt out of these messages, meaning that you will not receive reminders about some aspects of the school day and running. These will be communicated once via Newsletter and text. Please watch this space.
...And finally,
A huge thank you to all the parents who came to parents evening this week- we hope you found it informative. Thank yo ufor your kind offerings for our Harvest service. Also, a huge thank you to the parents who came to support the impromptu performance about chocolate by Onnen and Derwen. We hope you enjoyed it. And of course, thank you to the staff and pupils of those classes for putting it on. What a wonderful way to finish our final half term.
Please see photos below
We hope the pupils have a lovely break and stay safe.
The end of the penultimate week this week, just a reminder that Friday 27th October is a training day and will be open to staff only (except Playmates/Holiday club)
Harvest Assembly and Community cupboard
On 25th 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 on Wednesday morning please. Thank you so much, your support is greatly appreciated.
Pendine visit
The school are continuing our invaluable links with the community and particularly Pendine.
Hopefully by now you have had your parents evening meet booked in. Please be aware that when you arrive their should be some seating for you to sit on and in Year 1 and above, your child’s books to look at. During the discussion you should have the opportunity to look at your child’s one page profile and amend there or take home to add too (if required). Those in Year 2 or above should also get their child’s reading age. We hope you will find the time worthwhile.
Just a reminder that the final day of the school half term, Friday 27th October, is a staff training day. School will not be open to pupils on this day.
Nursery and Reception Christmas performance- 15th December 2023 at 10am
Year 3 and 4 Christmas performance- 18th December 2023 at 1.30pm
Year 5 Christmas Service- 18th December 2023 at 6pm
Provisional date for Christmas dinner- 14th December 2023
Provisional date for Party food dinner- 22nd December 2023
Please note that, after conversation with the Governing Body, Year 1 and 2 pupils will take part in an Easter Performance in March (TBC) with a Christmas concert to follow next year.
These are the set performances. Classes and year groups may decide to do more informal services or performances throughout the year as part of topics or celebration events.
FSM
Just a reminder that it is worth checking if you are eligible for free school meal status. Despite every child now having access to a free school meal it is worth signing up for this if eligible. Extra money is provided for uniform, school trips (including up to £200 plus for residential trips in later years) and various other grants. It also allows school to access further funding fot he pupils’ education. If you think you may be eligible, please mention this to your child’s class teacher or myself in parents evening.
Currently, we are comparing extremely well to other Wrexham schools in our overall attendance. A huge, thank you for this- Being in and being prompt makes a massive difference to a pupils experience and understanding through their school life.
This week
There has been a lot going on this week. Dosbarth Masarnen enjoyed a long walk in the local area to see the Iron age hill fort. The pupils throughly enjoyed it and getting out into our locality is certainly something we wish to do more of in the future. The pupils camer back and did some outdoor learnig inspired by this.
Year 5 and 6 enjoyed a double whammy of Life saving skills and British sign language sessions with some very welcome visitors. A gentleman called Derek Tune does the Sign language and is someone we have welcomed back a few times.
Of course our forest schools sessions continue to flourish, and we made soem intereting use of the wet weather on Wednesday. Please see below:
We have also been lloking at Mayan clay creative art in Dosbarth Onnen and Dosbarth Derwen
School council meets have commenced and minutes and agenda notes can be found on the website soon.
Just a reminder that we have the Disco coming up on the 19th October and Parents Evenings the following week.
I hope that everyone is finding the introduction of class dojo of benefit- either as a communication tool or a god insight into the rewards your child is receiving. all these points are totted up weekly and announced in Friday assemblies. the winning house at the end of half term will have a small treat. The winning house at the end of the term will have a larger reward.
I have to say the pupils behaviour is something to be incredibly proud of. Whether this is linked to the introduction of class dojo or not, it is a pleasure to be able to reward the pupils so frequently for the small and big things they are doing that make such a difference. Diolch pawb!
Harvest Assembly
We have decided that this year, the Harvest assembly will be in school for pupils only, held by myself. Previously, we had communicated that this would be a Year 1 and 2 assembly for parents. I am meeting with the governors next week to ink in a pupil assembly/concert that we will perform for the parents and guardians of these year groups. Apologies for the change and watch this space for updates.
Breakfast Club
A reminder of the times below:
7.30am-8am– Playmates
8am-8.20am– £2 charge
8.20am onwards – Free
Please don’t send your child before the allotted time. Thank you
Charity work
Year 6 have been looking at the topic ‘Give a Little’. Off the back of this a couple of our Year 6 pupils have taken it upon themselves to raise money for Nightingale hospice. A huge thank you and well done to them. We are very proud.
School trips
School trips are commencing with some regularity now (and many more experiances are being brought, and bought, in). Last week, we were fortunate enough to go on a couple of great trips. Our annual trip to Pentrellyncymer was filled with the usual outdoor activities and enjoyed immensely by pupils and staff. Hopefully, news of next years trip will arrive around April next year.
The Year 6 pupils also had a fantastic time at RAF Cosford. It was the first time we have been here for many years. It is a trip we hope to go on again in the very near future.
Three weeks into the new year and we are in full swing now- all classes have started their new topics and hopefully you have managed to sign up to seesaw/class dojo in order to get a good idea of what is happening in your child’s class.
Just a few things from me,
Another Thank you
The pupils are doing a wonderful job at sticking to the healthy snack that we requested last year. With very few exceptions, pupils are consistently choosing fruit and veg for their snack at breaktimes. Remember pupils in KS2 can purchase fruit or water for 20p at breaktimes.
On that note, just a reminder that drink in class should be water or milk only- no juice please. We have water taps in the school that pupils can access if need be.
Breakfast Club
Please be aware that Breakfast club does not commence until 8am. Any pupils arriving before that time must be booked in to Playmates or wait with an adult for Breakfast club register to open.
Staff Goodbye
It is with great sadness that I inform you that Mrs C Harrison will be leaving us soon for a new role. Her final day at Gwersyllt CP will be October 6th. Mrs Harrison has been a huge asset to the school and will leave a large gap for us to try and fill. I am sure you will join me, and us, in saying a huge congratulations, thank you and all the best to Mrs Harrison in her future role.
Off the back of the message sent last week, I have had some communication with parents regarding the spread and allocation of assemblies/concerts. There are many reasons that have been taken into consideration when making this decision. However, I understand the disappointment that Year 1 and 2 pupils wouldn’t have the opportunity to perform a Christmas concert during the two years they will spend in these years. Off the back of this communication and with this in mind, we have decided that it will work on a rota basis with Years 1 and 2 performing a Harvest assembly this year and Years 3 and 4 performing a Christmas concert. The following year this will rotate with Years 1 and 2 performing a Christmas concert and Year 3 and 4 performing a Harvest festival. This means all pupils will perform both during their time in Years 1 and 2 and in Year 3 and 4.
There will be a whole host of Christmas activities, crafts etc for your child to enjoy at this time of the year in all classes.
Clubs
Over the next few weeks you may receive information on certain clubs happening either after school or during lunch hours, depending on your child’s year group. British sign language has already commenced with pro skills and netball starting shortly. More will crop up over the coming weeks.
School Dinners
A reminder to ensure that all dinners with school are ordered in advance. Due to universal free school meals, we are having huge numbers ordered. Even if a small percentage of these do not order it can mean shortage of food for pupils and potentially reduced portions. The canteen staff always cook to the number of orders placed.
Can I also ask that discussion about meal choices is had at home, we have had a number of the younger pupils upset as they feel they don’t like or want the meals ordered for them.
Thank you
And finally, a thank you for sending your pupils in uniform, looking as smart as they do. I have been particularly impressed with PE kits adhering to black and white as we set out in the prospectus. It makes a huge difference.
It is wonderful to have all the pupils back and fully settled into their new classes. I hope everyone had a wonderful summer and managed to enjoy what little of the warm weather we had.
Just to update you on what the pupils are doing at the moment. All classes have started of the school term with a mini topic called ‘All about me’.
After this the topics will be:
Collen/Ceiriosen (Nursery/Reception) – Marvellous me
Llywfen/Bedwen (Year 1 and 2) – If you go down to the woods today
Onnen/Derwen – (Year 3 and 4) – Chocolate
Masarnen – (Year 4 and 5) – Scrumdiddlyumptious
Afallen/Celyn – (Year 5 and 6) – Give a little
I have taken photos of the classroom environments- please do take a look on the website blog today.
App communication
As you will hopefully be aware we have started using Dojo as a reward system which communicates to those at home the pupil’s successes. Through trialling this, we have learnt that it does many things that See saw does. Over the next half term we will trial use of these across the school as below:
Nursery/Reception/Year 1 and 2 will use Seesaw as they always have to evidence pupil work and communicate with parents. Dojo will be used simply as a reward system. Please communicate only via Seesaw as messages through Dojo will not be responded too.
Year 3 and above will not use Seesaw and will use Dojo for all purposes of rewards, photo evidence and communication.
Teachers will try to respond as soon as possible to messages sent between 8am and 5pm. Please understand that this may not always be on the same day the message is sent. Thank you for your consideration.
Changes to performances
In order to alleviate time and space pressure over the Christmas period we have decided to spread performances over the school year. From this year onwards performances will be as below:
Nursery and Reception – Christmas performance
Year 1 and 2 – Harvest performance (pencilled in for morning of 25th October)
Year 3 and 4 – Christmas performance
Year 5 – Christmas service in Church
Year 6 – Leaver performance (in July)
This means that all pupils will perform throughout the year and in a variety of performances throughout their time in Gwersyllt CP.
Classroom environments
The staff have spent a lot of time looking at the learning environments both in and out of the classroom this year. I thought I would show off the handy work so you get an idea of the space your child is working ing.
Collen/Ceiriosen (Nursery and Reception)
Llwyfen/Bedwen (Years 1 and 2)
Onnen/Masarnen (Years 3 and 4)
Masarnen (Years 4 and 5)
Afallen/Celyn (Year 5 and 6)
Finally we have been given information about the UK Space Agency’s “Space for Everyone” rocket tour landing in Wrexham, at Queens Square, 14th September – 18th September
The end of the last full week of school prior to the summer break. Before I write anything else, congratulations to Nancy in Harriers who was chosen for our Happy, Shiny award this year. Your name will join the plaque with the rest of the winners.
Just a reminder of a few events on the final three days:
Tuesday morning- Attendance and Pupil of the Term award
Tuesday 1pm- Ice cream treat for foundation phase pupils (Nursery to have equivalent in the morning session)
Tuesday 6-8pm- Year 6 leavers event on the school field
Wednesday 1pm – Ice cream treat for Ks2 pupils
School uniform
With a long break now and September a while away, just a reminder of school uniform and PE kit expectations. The following is from the school prosepectus:
P. E.
It is important for safety and comfort that pupils are dressed appropriately for P.E. as follows:
Indoor – soft plimsolls (NOT trainers), white T- shirt and black shorts.
Outdoors – trainers, white T-shirt and black shorts, tracksuit in cold weather.
The wearing of uniform is expected at all times. We believe that it should be smart, comfortable and easy to maintain. The present uniform is:
Winter
Grey/black skirt/pinafore/trousers and white or blue polo shirt, grey cardigan or sweatshirt.
Summer
Blue and white check/striped dress/grey/black trousers or shorts, white or blue logo polo shirt.
Sweatshirts, cardigans, polo shirts, fleece jackets and waterproof jackets all with the school logo, are available to purchase from School Trends (http://www.schooltrends.co.uk/primaryschooluniform). You are not obliged to purchase uniform with the school logo. You may purchase from other shops as long as the uniform complies with our colours.
Please put your child’s name on their articles of uniform, including shoes.
Jewellery and Make up
The wearing of jewellery is not encouraged and we recommend that it is removed for P.E. activities in accordance with Health and Safety Regulations. Make up should not be worn during the school day.
We are going to turn our attention to this in September. Over the past few years, with good reason, it had not been a priority. However, now that things have resettled, we wish for the pupils to return to these expectations. If pupils come into school not in the appropriate uniform a message will be sent home in the first instance. Please, do make an adult aware if there is a good reason for non-uniform.
Healthy schools
Also, a reminder for September that it is fruit and veg only for school snack. Drinks are to be water or milk only during the school day. We have a guide to healthy lunches avilable on the school website. However, All pupils will be universal free school meals from September onwards.
Gwersyllt CP 
