Gwersyllt CP

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Training Day and Other Dates

Just a reminder that the final day of the school half term, Friday 27^th October, is a staff training day. School will not be open to pupils on this day.

Nursery and Reception Christmas performance- 15^th December 2023 at 10am

Year 3 and 4 Christmas performance- 18^th December 2023 at 1.30pm

Year 5 Christmas Service- 18^th December 2023 at 6pm

Provisional date for Christmas dinner- 14^th December 2023

Provisional date for Party food dinner- 22^nd 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.

Please see leaflet below

Attendance

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.

Have a lovely weekend,

Cofion cynnes

Mr J Moore

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Class Dojo

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.

Dear Parents/Carers,

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.

Have a great weekend

Apologies for the delay- we have had some computer gremlins

Dear Parents,

The weeks are starting to pick up pace and another one has come to an end. Just a few updates/requests for you.

YBA link

We have been asked to share the following link with from Ysgol Bryn Alyn https://forms.office.com/r/444reu20kg

https://forms.office.com/r/444reu20kg

Read more: Message – 15.9.23

Assemblies/Concerts

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.

Croeso yn ol i bawb,

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 25^th 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

Please see below for info

Have a lovely weekend,

Dear Parent/Guardians,

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.

Swimming – trunks/shorts (not Bermuda shorts) /one piece swimming costume

Uniform

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.

Have a lovely weekend,

Please see the powerpoint that was shown at the parents evening this week

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As we near the end of the School year we are starting to look ahead at next September. With this is mind, we hope your child enjoyed spending some time in their new class yesterday and that the information sheet they brought home about their new teacher, new class and new routine will be of some interest to you.

As you will probably know already, the class names are changing from September. They will be known as:

Dosbarth Collen – Nursery (Miss Thomas/Mrs Harrison)

Dosbarth Ceiriosen – Reception (Mrs McHugh)

Dosbarth Llwyfen – Year 1&2 (Mrs Moore)

Dosbarth Bedwen – Year 1&2 (Miss Jones/Miss Thomas)

Dosbarth Onnen – Year 3&4 (Mrs Sailes)

Dosbarth Derwen – Year 3&4 (Mrs Davies)

Dosbarth Masarnen – Year 4&5 (Mr Edwards)

Dosbarth Afallen – Year 5&6 (Mr McAteer)

Dosbarth Celyn – Year 5&6 (Mrs Jones)

I am sure we will all be scratching our heads initially with these, but I hope they will soon roll of the tongue.

Finally, Your child’s report should be coming home with them tonight. Please read through them and, if possible, send back the feedback slip.

Cofion cynnes

My Apologies for not getting this up sooner as we have much to celebrate this week.

We are however, heading into a very busy time. Sports days and unsettled weather always add difficulty and we will do what we can to get these events to go ahead.

A couple of great bits of news to share however.

Firstly, we recieved an email last week from the county welsh lead to say that the Criw Cymraeg plan that had been put forward by our pupils came second in selection from a panel. This means that the committee have won £200 for the school to use for welsh equipment and resources to help support and aid the plan but forward. I am very much looking forward to seeing what they do with this money.

My understanding is that the team have created a video that will be displayed in assembly on Friday.

Secondly, you may remember half a year a go I passed on the great news that our eco-committee had been awarded the eco committee bronze award. I am delight to say that the team, led by Mrs Howe and Mrs Harrison, have gone one step better and achieved the silver award. Please see the certificate below which sits proudly on our display.

I believe that the next step is now the much coveted Green flag. I look forward to seeing what September and beyond brings. Well done to the committee!

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As always it has been lovely to welcome the pupils back to school for the final half term. The weather has been fantastic and the children have been enjoying preparing for sports day and having time on the school field.

School Jumpers

The warm weather does lead to a few issues though. With school jumpers coming on and off regularly, the likelihood of them being lost or misplaced increases. Can we kindly request that all jumpers have the pupils’ names in and that if pupils do take them off they place them in their trays, bags or lockers (A conversation I have had in assembly with them). On the topic of school uniform, at the end of every term, we collect items which have been left behind, if not collected, or the items that have no name in, we take them to the garage to be reused. Please do check here on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday to see if there are any spare items to be reused or if a lost item is there.

Class Names

Just a heads up that next year we will be altering class names with the Welsh names of trees. We will send out the finalised names in the next couple of weeks so you can practice saying those names that you need to perfect. I know the staff and particularly Jo and Linda are already trying to get used to certain pronunciations.

This is something that we have been keen to do for a while as, when the school buildings joined, there wasn’t a through line, with some classes being named after birds and others having simple numbers. As we are a school proud to be in Wales we wanted to embrace this with Welsh names.

Techno Camp

We had a fantastic visit this Friday from Mr Clewitt and Bangor university. The year 5 and 6 pupils throughly enjoyed it and it is easy to see why when I took a walk into the classrooms today.

Fantastic stuff

Snakes and Magic

Our Barn Owls and Snowy Owls pupils came into a whole new world this Friday with the first of their school trip equivalent activities. The value fr money is amazin with the equivalence of four school trips happening over the next week or so.

App guides for families

This collection of guides provides parents and carers with key information about the most popular social media and gaming apps children and young people are using today.

The guides include a detailed overview of the app, outlining the age rating and key terminology. They also highlight the risks each app poses to young people and give detailed instructions on how to enable parental controls and safety settings.

This guide can also help parents and carers have a conversation with their child about a sensitive issue.

Have a lovely weekend,

Mr J Moore