A Word from the Headteacher

Welcome back. It is good to see everyone in their new classes, and the school full of noise once again.

Every new term is a new chapter. A new teacher, a new class, and a chance to try new things! New friendships will be flourishing here before half term.

The children have started the term full of enthusiasm, and that says everything about September. Keep that momentum going at home too: ask them what the best thing they learnt today was.

Have a look through the newsletter together.

News

Well, the summer holidays have flown by, and everyone is back at school after a little break! It was lovely to welcome everyone back, especially our little nursery children, who have started their school journey for the first time this year. Everyone looked very smart in their red jumpers!

We are looking forward to another happy and busy year here at school, and to sharing more photos and news with you.

Enjoy the photos of some of the children on their first day back!

Owain Glyndŵr Day

Owain Glyndŵr Day is held every year on 16 September in Wales, as a day to celebrate and remember the last native prince of Wales. Everyone enjoyed learning more about him and wearing red and yellow to mark the day.

Walks around the village

Have you spotted the oldest children in the school walking around the village? The children enjoy exploring the village and learning more about the history and heritage of the area as part of their Health and Wellbeing lessons.

Clubs: three days to book and cancel Clwb y Gollen

I have shortened the booking and cancellation window for Clwb y Gollen from five days to three. That should give you more flexibility. Three days is the least that works for us - that is when we arrange staff for the evening.

There is no window at all on Breakfast Club. You can book and cancel right up to the morning of the session.

One thing changes with this. Because the window is now so short, we cannot cancel on your behalf. That is for you to do in the app.

The sickness rule stays as it is. You do not need to let the club know about sickness, we will see it from the register. You will get a credit for the session.

If you have trouble cancelling outside the three days, get in touch with me.

Parking: keep the bus layby clear

The layby outside the school is for buses only. We would be grateful if you could avoid parking there at any time. Buses call from eight o'clock in the morning onwards, and the layby is used during the day as well - for swimming and so on - so it is essential to keep it empty.

This includes calling by to drop a child at Breakfast Club. When there is no room for a bus to pull in, it has to wait on the road, and that road is busy enough already.

Sickness: the 48 hour rule

If your child has been sick or has had diarrhoea, keep your child at home for 48 hours after the last episode. It is the last episode that counts, not the first.

This is Public Health Wales guidance. A stomach bug spreads quickly in a class, and the 48 hours breaks the chain.

School Council

Electing a Chair and Vice-Chairs

It was lovely to listen to the speeches as the pupils presented their ideas for the role of Chair of the School Council. Everyone had thought carefully about good ideas, and the pupils listened closely before voting.

Huge congratulations to Ffion on being elected Chair, and to Mei Mei and Olivia on being elected Vice-Chairs.

Well done, girls! Good luck in your new roles!

Wellbeing Corner

Sleep in September

September is tiring. A full school day after six weeks of holiday, with the children learning new names, a new routine and a new class all at once.

If bedtime slipped over the summer, it is easier to move it back bit by bit. Ten minutes earlier each night for a week, and the old routine will come back soon enough!

A screen keeps a child awake longer than they realise. Put the phone and the tablet away at least half an hour before bed, and put a book in their place.

Park and walk

If the road outside is full of cars every morning, here is a way round it. Park on one of the nearby streets and walk the last five minutes with your child.

Your child will arrive wide awake after a bit of fresh air, and the gate is quieter for everyone. Remember that we follow the WOW scheme, which promotes walking and active travel to school.

Community Events

All the posters are on one page: Community events

Welsh at home

Three Welsh phrases to try at home. You do not need to speak Welsh to use them, and your child will love hearing you try.

The children have recorded all three for you. This term we are also learning about another language spoken in our school, starting with Chinese, so in each video you will hear the phrase in Chinese, in Welsh and in English.

Sut oedd yr ysgol heddiw? (Sit oydd uhr UH-skol HETH-yoo?) - How was school today?

Da iawn chdi! (Dah YOWN ch-dee! The "ch" is like the ch in Scottish "loch".) - Well done, you!

Amser gwely! (AM-ser GWE-lee!) - Bedtime!

We will keep the same three phrases all term, so there is plenty of time to get them under your belt.

Song of the month

Fleur de Lys, "O Mi Awn Ni Am Dro". Mr Edwards from the school staff is the lead singer.

Listen on Spotify: O Mi Awn Ni Am Dro

A song about going for a walk, and September is exactly the time to do it.

How to check your details on MyChildAtSchool

We ring the number held on MyChildAtSchool. If the number is not up to date, we will not be able to reach you.

Five minutes is all it takes. The steps are all here: Checking your details on MyChildAtSchool