Foundation Phase Christmas Concert 2012

What an amazing show!!! Well done to all of the children and staff involved in the Foundation Phase concert. It was a pleasure to see all of the children taking part and reminding us of the huge amount of talent that we have at Pontyclun Primary. It was such a memorable show,  well done we are very proud of you all.

Pontyclun Primary School's Junior Christmas Play 2012

Wow.... What a performance. Every child in the juniors played their part in this superb Christmas play. For the last three afternoons the audience have been entertained with singing, dancing and acting of a very high standard. Well done to all of our junior children, you all looked amazing and performed brilliantly.
Thank you to the parents for the costumes and the support, we really do appreciate it.  

Breakfast With Santa

What a treat the children had when Santa visited the school. The children had breakfast, did Christmas craft and visited Santa's grotto for a gift. A lovely morning for all. The staff would like to say a very big thank you to the PTA for all of hard work that they have put in this term.

Spooky Disco 2012

Every year our wonderful PTA organise a SPOOKY night of dancing, fun and games in the hall. This year was no different and was really well supported by children in both the Foundation Phase and Juniors, who dressed up for Halloween. Thank you, to the PTA members and parents who helped, the children had a fantastic time.

Children In Need

Our children raised over £1100 for Children In Need this year. By making cakes in the foundation phase and creating stalls in the juniors, the children were able to collect this astonishing amount for Pudsey. We had a non-uniform day, a visit from Pudsey in assembly and lots of all day. Well done and thank you to all.  The school would also like to thank Asda Coryton for their toy donations, that were used to raise further funds.  

Christmas Update on School Events

Dear Parents,                                                                                                                                      07.12.12

As we gear up for the festive period I wanted to keep you updated on school events.

Santa Appeal

Thank you all very, very much for your generosity for this appeal. These presents will make a huge difference to children in our area at Christmas. The appeal co-ordinators also send their grateful thanks - they couldn’t believe how many there were.  We are very pleased and proud of the support of you all for the money, time and effort given to different charities in our school.

After School clubs

There will be no after school clubs over the next two weeks due to the Christmas shows. After school clubs will resume the second week back after Christmas.

Concerts
If a parent or grandparent is coming to watch one our Christmas performances, they will be able to take their child/grandchild home after the concerts have finished. Staff will not allow another parent to take a child unless they have been informed beforehand by a parent.

Parents will be able to record the performances unless we are notified beforehand that a parent has an objection. (We have no objections at present).

Christmas Parties
Next Friday, 14^th of December we will be holding our class Christmas parties. Children are welcome to wear their party clothes into school for the day. We will provide squash for all the children. Please could all pupils bring in a covered plate of party food with their name clearly marked.  We will be holding our parties in the afternoon.

Swimming
Year 4 have one more week left of swimming - next Wednesday, 12^th December. Year 3 have now finished their swimming sessions as the Christmas performances will clash next week.
Upcoming dates

At this time of year we are always invited to perform somewhere in our community. These opportunities provide an excellent experience for our pupils.   Tomorrow morning, 11 am to 12.30pm, some of our pupils are performing in St David’s Hall in Cardiff with the BBC Choir and Orchestra. This concert is being broadcast on the big screen outside, so anyone Christmas shopping may want to come and listen!

On Sunday 9^th December we have been invited to two events, St Paul’s Church at 10 am and the Llantrisant Christmas Tree Festival at 1.45 pm. Please come along if you wish to support our pupils.

Last day of term is 21^st December and this is a non-uniform and toy day. Pupils are responsible for  any toys they choose to bring in. (We would advise that phones and ipads etc be kept at home for safety).

February 8^th 2013 is an INET day.

May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

S Harwood

Christmas Concert at St David's Hall Saturday 8 December 2012

07 December 2012

  

Dear Parents

Just a reminder of the arrangements for tomorrow:

The bus will be leaving at 7.45 a.m. so pupils need to be here before that time as we will leaving promptly.  Rehearsals start at 8.30 a.m. sharp

Pupils need to wear School uniform.  Please could the pupils wear a School jumper rather than a cardigan. 

As there is a break from 10 a.m. to 10.45 a.m., children can have a small snack (no chocolate please) and a drink.   Orange juice will be provided at the Hall as well. 

The Concert starts at 11 o’clock and finishes at 12.30 p.m.

As all pupils are being picked up after the event, there is now no transport back to school.

Thank you all for your support for this event, it is an excellent experience for our pupils to perform in such a prestigious venue.  Rehearsals have gone very well and we are very proud of our pupils.  We have also been informed that the Concert will be broadcast on the big screen outside the St. David’s Hall with clips from this Concert being shown up until Christmas.   The Concert will be broadcast on Christmas Eve at 9 a.m. and Christmas Day at 5 p.m. on BBC Radio Wales.

I am sure you will all thoroughly enjoy the Concert.

Yours sincerely

S Harwood

Acting Headteacher

Santa Appeal Is A Huge Success

What an amazing response we have had from parents to our first ever RCT Santa Appeal. 

The voluntary scheme was set up to ensure that disadvantaged children within RCT don’t miss out on Christmas presents this year. 

The Santa Appeal motto is ‘to help prove to children in our area that Christmas does exist’. Over the last three weeks we have been inundated with generous gifts from our parents. Today, we had a celebratory assembly where we thanked the children and asked them to pass on their thanks to parents. The school minibus was then filled with presents and the gifts transported to the drop off centre. We would like to thank all of you who donated for your immense generosity, the school is very proud of the donation. Thank you.     

 The camera angle here does not do the donation justice, the presents covered the width of the stage. Over 100 in total.

Book Fair and Christmas Fayre

The book fair is now open in the infant hall. It is open every afternoon after school until 4.00pm. The book fair will run until next Thursday the 6th December

We hope everyone is looking forward to the Christmas Fayre today. 
All plans are going well and we are so grateful for all your support with raffle prizes, cake making and help during the day.
Just to remind you the Fayre starts at 2.30 and junior children will be singing between 2.30 and 3.30. The Llantrisant Community Band will also be performing.
We have lots of fun and interesting specialist tables and various PTA stalls and crafts.
Please come along and support us and enjoy a mince pie and mulled wine at the same time.

Cross Country Success

Today we took a team of 23 pupils to Hawthorn Comprehensive School to take part in our annual RCT cross country competition. The morning was a lot of fun and all of the children ran really well. The team  experienced enormous success with a first place in the Y6 boys race, a second place in the Y6 girls race and a forth place in the Y5 boys race. The year 6 girls squad and boys squad both came second overall and will represent RCT in Cardiff next week. Well done to all the children who thoroughly enjoyed the event.

Country Dancing

Dear Parents                                                                                            28.11.12

Dates for Country Dancing

There will be no more Country Dancing practice after our performance on Saturday 8^th December. 

Rehearsals will start back up on Thursday 17^th January 2013 until 4.15 p.m.

Mrs Abel and Mrs Brown

PTA Update

Tickets for Breakfast with Santa on Saturday 8th December are available now from Emma Aston, Rachel Jones, Rebecca Dalton, Rachel Crutcher, Lucy Hart, Jackie Codd, Carys Groves and Meg Backstedt.


Tickets will also be available from Meg or Carys from 3.00pm every afternoon in the main reception.

We also have a few tickets left for the Bath Christmas Markets on 1st December.

Cake and raffle donations for the Christmas Fayre on Friday would be very gratefully appreciated.

December Update

Dear Parents                                                                                                   22 November 2012

Junior Christmas Concerts  -   Due to demand, we are pleased to announce that we are able to put on a Grandparents Concert on Monday 10^th December 2012 at 1.30 p.m.  These tickets are of course free and are available from the main office this afternoon.

As stated previously, performances can be photographed or recorded as long as we do not receive any objections from parents.   ANYBODY WITH ANY OBJECTIONS NEEDS TO LET THE SCHOOL KNOW PRIOR TO THE PERFORMANCES.

PTA Events - There are still some tickets fro the Bath trip on Saturday 1^st December.   Breakfast with Santa will be available shortly.   Please see any member of the PTA for tickets.

Inset Training Day  -  Friday 8^th February will be a Numeracy and Literacy Training Day.  No pupils are to attend on this date.

Reading Update  -  Thank you again for all your suggestions following the Reading Training evening.  We are in the process of putting the booklet together and it should be with you before Christmas.

Thank you for your continuing support.

S Harwood

Country Dancing 1st December and Santa Appeal

Dear Parents

Country Dancing 1st December

Due to the fantastic response to our Country Dancing Club we are struggling to provide costumes for all concerned for our performance on Saturday 1^st December at the Athletic Club.

Would it be possible for our youngest members of the Club, i.e. Year 3 to wear their St. David’s traditional costume?  A skirt, apron and shawl would be more than adequate, no hats are needed! 

We will make sure that enough new costumes are made and bought in time for our big Country Dancing event in St. Fagan’s in the summer.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Mrs Abel & Mrs. Brown

Santa Appeal

We would like to make you aware of a local initiative by RCT called ‘The Santa Appeal’.  This is set up to ensure that disadvantaged children within RCT don’t miss out on Christmas presents this year.  Their motto is ‘to help prove to children in our area that Christmas does exist’.

We are very grateful as a school for the wonderful support you give to various charitable causes/ school initiatives throughout the year and wish to stress that this is a VOLUNTARY appeal. However, if you would like to participate, you can help by buying a present for a child.  It doesn’t have to be expensive or large as it’s the thought that counts!  One gift per family would be more than generous.

This is how it works:

·        Please call the telephone hotline on 01443 425025 - the lines are open between 9.00am – 5.00pm Tuesday to Friday from 6^th November until 30^th November. You will be given the name and age of a child.

·        Please then buy a brand new gift suitable for that child’s age and gender.

·        Place the gift in a gift bag and attach a tag with the child’s name and age that you have been allocated.

·        Bring the gift into Pontyclun Primary School by Wednesday 5^th December (at the latest).

·        We will support the appeal by taking all the gifts to a local collection point.

(N.B. When you ring the hotline they may give you details of how to take your gift to a collection point BUT please note we would like all the gifts to be brought into school instead in order to explain the appeal to the children.  Then we will ensure they are all taken to the collection point).

At this time of year our children are getting very excited at the thought of all the lovely presents they will receive on Christmas morning. This fantastic appeal is just one opportunity of many to help demonstrate to our children the importance of giving as well as receiving. If you feel this cause is something you are able to participate in we would like to thank you in advance and look forward to being part of bringing a little Christmas magic to children in our local area.

Thank you on behalf of all the staff in Pontyclun Primary School.

Yours sincerely

S Harwood

Acting Headteacher

After School Football Club

Dear Parents

Due to the wet weather this afternoon, there are no football clubs today.

S Harwood

Santa Appeal with RCT

12 November 2012

Dear Parents/Guardians

We would like to make you aware of a local initiative by RCT called ‘The Santa Appeal’.  This is set up to ensure that disadvantaged children within RCT don’t miss out on Christmas presents this year.  Their motto is ‘to help prove to children in our area that Christmas does exist’.

We are very grateful as a school for the wonderful support you give to various charitable causes/ school initiatives throughout the year and wish to stress that this is a VOLUNTARY appeal. However, if you would like to participate, you can help by buying a present for a child.  It doesn’t have to be expensive or large as it’s the thought that counts!  One gift per family would be more than generous.

This is how it works:

·        Please call the telephone hotline on 01443 425025 - the lines are open between 9.00am – 5.00pm Tuesday to Friday from 6^th November until 30^th November. You will be given the name and age of a child.

·        Please then buy a brand new gift suitable for that child’s age and gender.

·        Place the gift in a gift bag and attach a tag with the child’s name and age that you have been allocated.

·        Bring the gift into Pontyclun Primary School by Wednesday 5^th December (at the latest).

·        We will support the appeal by taking all the gifts to a local collection point.

(N.B. When you ring the hotline they may give you details of how to take your gift to a collection point BUT please note we would like all the gifts to be brought into school instead in order to explain the appeal to the children.  Then we will ensure they are all taken to the collection point).

At this time of year our children are getting very excited at the thought of all the lovely presents they will receive on Christmas morning. This fantastic appeal is just one opportunity of many to help demonstrate to our children the importance of giving as well as receiving. If you feel this cause is something you are able to participate in we would like to thank you in advance and look forward to being part of bringing a little Christmas magic to children in our local area.

Thank you on behalf of all the staff in Pontyclun Primary School.

Yours sincerely

  

S Harwood

Acting Headteacher

Country Dancing Club diary dates for December

Dear Parent

We are really pleased with the fantastic attendance at Country dancing club last Thursday.

Already there are 2 dates in our diary for performances.   We need to confirm if your child can attend the 2 dance dates we have in December, so please can you fill in the return slip below.

Saturday 1^st December:  Pontyclun Christmas Fayre will be at the Athletics Club.  We will meet at 11.15a.m. in our costumes to dance 3 dances.  We will be finished by 12p.m.

Saturday 8^th December:  Peterson-Super-Ely Christmas Fayre will be at their Village Hall.  We will only need 10 children for this event because the stage is tiny!   If we have too many names of children who can attend we will draw them out of a hat to decide who we take.   This is an 11.15a.m. performance so we will meet at 11a.m. in our costumes.

Both events are very enjoyable to attend so bring the family along to watch and get into the Christmas spirit!

Thank you for your support.

Mrs Abel and Mrs Brown

Country Dancing Reply Slip.  Please return to Mrs Abel or Mrs Brown

(*please delete as necessary)

Saturday 1^st Dec:  My child (name) _____________________can/cannot* attend

Saturday 8^th Dec:  My child (name)_____________________ can/cannot* attend

Children In Need - Friday 16 November 2012

Dear Parents

Just a quick reminder that Friday is Children In Need day, and this year the theme is "spots".  Please note that there is no need to buy spotty clothing, spots can be stuck on, drawn on, painted etc.

It is non-uniform day, and children will be asked for a small voluntary donation for the privilege. All of the pupils in Foundation Phase will be making cakes, Year 6 will be providing "fun" stalls for Years 1- 6 to spend their money on in the afternoon.  

Thank you for your continued support.

S Harwood

Dates for week beginning 12 November 2012

Dear Parents

Just a reminder for some dates for next week – it’s going to be busy!

Parent Evenings

Tuesday 13^th and Wednesday 14^th November.

Sporting Event

On Thursday 15^th November at 1 o’clock. we will be working with a Paralympic Athlete – Mark Colbourne who won a gold and two silvers in cycling.  This is part of the Olympic legacy from Jamie Baulch’s Academy of Sport.   This event is open to all pupils.  Please ensure that if you wish your child to take part in this activity that your child will need to bring a PE kit for this day. 

There will be a photographer at this event.  IF YOU DO NOT WANT YOUR CHILD TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED please let us know.

Parents Reading Information Evening

Many thanks to all those that came to this event on Wednesday.  Feedback has been positive and the suggestions that have been put forward will be included in the leaflet that we will be sending out in the next few weeks.

We will inform you of future workshops in the Spring Term.

Children in Need 

Friday 16^th November – “Wear your Spots”

Yours sincerely

S Harwood

Acting Headteacher

Football Club Cancelled

Dear parent(s),

Just a quick note to say that due to the persistent rain throughout the day we will have to cancel football club for years 3,45, and 6. We were hoping for the weather to break earlier, and apologise for any inconvenience.

Many thanks

A. Llewellyn

Clubs

Dear Parent(s),
Just a quick note to explain that football club and art club are on today as usual. Unfortunately, Rugby club tomorrow (Tuesday the 6th November) has to be cancelled as Mr. Wiliams is not in school.

Many thanks

Upcoming Events

Just a quick reminder of upcoming events -

25th Oct Spooky Disco - Foundation phase 5-6.15pm  Ks2 6.30-8.pm (Main Hall)

26th October - Harvest celebration - Pupils who wish to contribute can bring spare change to cover the harvest picture or food contributions (cans/tins/dry foods etc.) All money raised to be given to Rwanda Restored. Food contributions will be made to the local food bank scheme at Bethel Baptist Church.
Many thanks for your support. 

7th  November Parents open evening to discuss guided reading 6pm (Years 1-6, Main Hall)

Welsh Country Dancing

Calling all Welsh Country Dancers!

Country Dancing Club will be starting again on Thursday 8th November 2012, from 3.30pm to 4.15pm. 

We are looking forward to seeing you.

Mrs Abel and Mrs Brown

Cycle, Scoot or Walk to School

Just a quick reminder to parents that tomorrow, Friday 12th October is the PTA Cycle, Scoot or Walk to School day. Bikes and scooters are to be parked in the yard by the library. Please could all bikes and scooters be clearly labelled with your child's name and class. All children taking part will be doing so to raise funds for the school via the PTA, and will be promoting the schools ethos as a "healthy school". It costs each child £1 to take part, and they may attend school in  non-uniform for the day. Please ask your child to pass any money onto the class teacher, and we will all keep our fingers crossed for fine weather.

Many thanks to all parents, grandparents, carers, guardians etc for your support tomorrow, it really is appreciated.

Art Club

Dear Parent

There will be no Art Club after school today as Miss Robinson is required to attend a training course after school today.

Art Club will resume as normal next week.

Yours sincerely
S Harwood

Welcome Back

Dear Parents,

Welcome back to the new year and I hope you all enjoyed the holidays. We are very excited to be starting a new learning journey together.

Dinner Money

Just a reminder that the price of our school dinners has gone up to £2.08 per day, £10.40 per week. Please could you send all monies in on a Monday, cheques are to made out to Pontyclun Primary School Fund. The online payment option is available to use at www.rctcbc.gov.uk/payments

Contact details

Please could you keep us informed of any changes in contact details so that we can keep our records updated. Any changes in contact details can be written in a short letter and passed to the class teacher.

Clubs

Please find a list of clubs on the reverse of this letter that are available to children from year 2-6. We will make every effort to ensure that clubs run every week, however, if a club has to be cancelled we will let you know as early as possible. Unless otherwise stated the club will start this week commencing 17th September.

Important dates for your diary

Half term- 29th October to 2nd November

Parents’ Evening- 13th and 14th November

There is a delay in sending out our INSET days for the year, as we are awaiting a decision from the Local Education Authority for our next Reading Training event. We will advise you of these dates as soon as we receive them.

Many thanks for your continued co-operation,


Yours sincerely,

Miss S Harwood

After school clubs 3.30-4.15pm

Monday

Maths club Yr 2 Miss Spackman (Until half term) /

Games club Yr 2 Mrs Vaughan (After half term)

Boys football Yr 3/4 – Mr. Bevan

Boys football Yr 5/6 – Mr Llewellyn

Cricket Yr 4,5 and 6 – Mr Bevan (Summer Term)

Art club Yr 5/6 Miss Robinson

Tuesday

Netball Yr 3/4 Miss Wool

Netball Yr 5/6 Mrs Gardiner

Pet club Yr 3 (Autumn term), Yr4 (Spring), Yr 5 (Summer)

Rugby Yr 4/5/6 Mr Williams

Thursday

Country dancing yrs3/4/5/6 Mrs Abel/ Mrs Brown (After half term)

Lunchtime Clubs   12-12.30pm

Tuesday

Recorder club Yr2 Miss Evans (Spring and Summer term)

Needlecraft club Year 2 (Spring and Summer term)

Chess club Yr 3/4/5/6 Mr Williams

Welsh club Yr 6 Mrs Hutchings

Thursday

Girls football Yr 4/5/6 Mr. Bevan

Cross Country Yr3,4,5and 6 (Summer term)

Friday

Athletics/squash yrs 4/5/6 Mr Williams

End of year at Pontyclun Primary

Another school year is drawing to a close, and the children are enjoying the end of term events before looking forward to September. This is always a very busy and sad time of year at our school, we say farewell to year 6, and celebrate all that they have achieved during their time at Pontyclun Primary. This year 6 cohort have been a pleasure to teach and have been a credit to the school. We wish them all the very best as they move onto secondary school, and we will look forward to seeing them as they "pop in" to see us all in the not too distant future.  

School Prom Year 6 Year 6 Leavers Concert Pontyclun Primary School Fete 2012. What an amazing day, the PTA organised a superb fete this year. Despite the rain the fete went ahead and was well attended. There were loads of fun activities to keep the children and adults entertained, as can be seen by the photographs. The PTA raised £2500 which is a staggering amount (particularly in view of the weather). Thank you to all of the PTA members and helpers for all of their efforts, and a huge thank you to everyone who braved the weather to come along. Fingers crossed for a sunny day next year.

Car Parking Enforcement

Dear Parents

A Governor at the School has made us aware that RCT Council will now have responsibility for enforcing correct parking by fining people who park on double yellow lines or ignore parking restriction signs. 

The Scheme starts on 1 August 2012

I thought this information might be of use to you for when term begins in September 2012.

Yours sincerely
S Harwood
Acting Headteacher

Welsh Government publication

Dear Parents

The Welsh Government has issued a booklet called "How was school today?"   This is a parents' and carer's guide to Primary School.  (Ages 7 - 11)

If you wish to access any information in this booklet, the website address is www.wales.gov.uk/educationandskills.

Yours sincerely
S Harwood
Acting Headteacher

Dates for September 2012

Dear Parents

Just a reminder of dates for the new year in September.

Monday          3 September 2012   Inset Training Day (Closed to Pupils)*

Thursday        6 September 2012   Inset Training Day (RCT)*

Monday          29 October     2012   Half Term Holiday (1 week)

Friday             21 December2012   End of Term

Monday          7 January       2013   Spring Term

Monday          11 February   2013   Half Term Holiday (1 week)

Friday             22 March        2013   End of Term

Monday          8  April            2013   Summer Term

Monday          6  May 2013   May Day Bank Holiday

Monday          27 May           2013   Half Term Holiday (1 week)

Monday          22 July            2013   Inset Training Day (RCT)

*Please note that there are two Inset Training Days in the first week.  Unfortunately, this is out of our control.

Summer Fete

Can I say a big thank you first of all to the PTA for organising a fantastic variety of stalls and entertainment.   Many parents said it has a carnival atmosphere despite the rain!  Can I also thank you, the parents for your overwhelming support during the day.   I certainly enjoyed myself, despite getting sponged by the children.

Dinner Money

If your child is having dinners next week, please ensure that money for meals is paid, together with any outstanding balances, on Monday 16 July, as all arrears have to be reported to the LEA by Wednesday at the latest.

Lost property

The last day for lost property will be Wednesday 18 July, after which it will be disposed of.

Thank you for your continuing support and will look forward to seeing you in the new academic year.

Yours sincerely

S Harwood

Acting Headteacher

Thanks

To our country dancers - thank you for your hard work this past year both practising and performing at all our events! Also a big thanks to the parents who have supported you/us. Country dancing is now finished for this school year. We will let you know when it's starting up again and look forward to seeing you all and hopefully some new children too!
Mrs Abel, Mrs Brown, Megan

Return from morfa bay

Dear parents, the children are due to return between Half past one and a quarter to two. Please note that if your child left on the pant bus they will be dropped off at y pant. All other children will return to school. Many thanks

Gwyl Plant Morgannwg

We have just come back from a fantastic morning in St.Fagan's. Twelve primary schools came together to perform beautiful Welsh country dances outside! The weather was very kind to us and it was wonderful to see all the colourful costumes. A very big thank you to all the children who have worked hard all year in readiness for this festival - we were sooo proud of you - you were wonderful! Another thank you to the parents who came to support them. Finally I want to personally thank Mrs Brown and Meg Brown who have been invaluable in their support of me throughout this year. 

Mrs Abel