Here you will find the latest news and information about school events. Please subscribe to the calendar to keep fully informed.
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School Blog Friday 1st April
Thu 31 Mar 2022Dear Parents and Carers,
Firstly a huge thank you to you all for a wonderful parents' evening. We hope you enjoyed seeing your child's progress, and were able to see how our curriculum is enabling our pupils to learn in a fun, authentic and creative way.
Next week we will be saying "au revoir" to Mrs Williams. She has drawn her final 100 club winner which is a must see - please click here. I hope you can all join us next week in our Easter Bonnet parade where you will have a chance to say goodbye.
As you are aware there have been a number of recent changes to covid guidance, but with schools remaining at HIGH on the Welsh Government’s framework this has led to some conflicts between both sets of advice. With the rules of isolation moving from “must” to “should”, this is now the responsibility of the parents. If your child has any of the main symptoms of COVID-19, they should self-isolate and take a lateral flow test (LFT) . If they test positive on any COVID-19 test (PCR or LFT), they should self-isolate for 5 full days. Day 1 is the day after the symptoms started or the day of the test, if you do not have symptoms (whichever is earlier). A lateral flow test (LFT) should be taken on day 5. We will keep you informed of any further changes for schools after the Easter break.
We are really hoping that the worst of covid is now behind us all, and hope that we will begin to see further improvement in attendance, and therefore progress for every pupil. There is no surprise that good attendance is linked to better progress and improved pupil well-being. Pupils do not just learn during lesson times, they also learn when they are playing and relaxing with their friends which leads to higher levels of self esteem.
We are really looking forward to next Friday afternoon when you are invited to see our Easter Bonnet Pod Parades. Thank you for supporting this event by providing a bonnet, there are some traditional events that should never be lost in a primary school! Staff are also working on an online Easter treat for you and family to enjoy. (A big thank you to the staff for going above and beyond as usual). Here are this week's headlines:-
Easter Bonnet Parades Friday 8th April - You are all invited to watch the pod parades. This will sadly be Mrs Williams' last day with us, but we have a few VIPs joining us to wish her well.
Approximate times are:-
Morning Nursery 11.15
Afternoon Nursery 2.15pm
Pengwins 2.30pm
Pysgodyns 2.45
PryCops 3.00
Weather permitting this will be around the school field so we have plenty of room to socially distance. (If it is wet - bring an umbrella and we will do it around the yards. We will put a table of tea and coffee out for you to help yourself, but please bring a re-useable cup for both covid and sustainable reasons. We will not be charging, but will have a donation bucket to help raise monies for Ukraine. Thank you for our mums who have offered to help! :)
Easter Raffle - This will be drawn next week - good luck everyone. The office staff will let you know if you have won.
Gower Cycling Festival Sunday July 10th (morning) - We have been asked to be a "pit stop" again for this traditional event. White Rock Events have already sponsored us a wonderful football kit and are also trying to source us some free portaloos for our sports day. We only have a few staff able to support this event, so if there are any parents who would like to help us run some refreshments and raise some funds for the school or their pods, please let me know next week and we can discuss.
Have a fabulous weekend, and thank you again for your positivity! It does us all good to remember that happiness is a mood, but positivity is a mindset!
Mrs Caswell
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School Blog Friday 25th March 2022
Wed 23 Mar 2022Dear Parents and Carers,
Its a joy to see the pupils accessing our fantastic outdoors more as the weather improves. We are very aware that the country's financial crisis will be hitting each and every one of us, so we really do appreciate your support in helping us with our environment. It is also great to see more and more parents organising car shares for drop off and pick up. Not only will this save you fuel, but it is also better for our environment.
We are getting closer to the Easter raffle, so if you are able to help by buying tickets or sending in an Easter egg, wine etc for the hampers, we would be very grateful. Our wonderful Mrs Blackmore is starting to put these together, so if you have any unwanted wicker baskets, please send them in for us to re-use. Here are this week's headlines:-
Parents' Evening Final Reminder - All parents should now have received an appointment time for a parent meeting next week. We are very excited to be able to show you your child's progress this year, and a big thank you to the staff as this is a long week of late nights for our teachers. Please help us stay safe by adhering to some covid safety precautions.
1. Please arrive no more than 5 minutes before your time slot.
2. Wait outside the internal classroom door until invited in by the pod staff
3. Exit from the external classroom door
4. Respect the 10 minute time slot so that all parents can be seen and staff can spray down the table and chair between sessions.
5. Maintain social distancing at all times.
6. Wear a mask at all times.
Your pod staff will email you with any specific instructions.
Easter Bonnet Parades Friday 8th April - You are all invited to watch the pod parades. This will sadly be Mrs Williams' last day with us, but we have a few VIPs joining us to wish her well.
Approximate times are:-
Morning Nursery 11.15
Afternoon Nursery 2.15pm
Pengwins 2.30pm
Pysgodyns 2.45
PryCops 3.00
Weather permitting this will be around the school field so we have plenty of room to socially distance. We will put a table of tea and coffee out for you to help yourself, but please bring a re-useable cup for both covid and sustainable reasons. We will not be charging, but will have a donation bucket to help raise monies for Ukraine.
Summer Sports Day July 8th - As we begin to return to normality, we are thrilled to be planning our annual sports day. You are invited to attend our "outdoor only" event from 2pm until 4pm. (These times may change as we finalise the day). We hope you will bring a blanket and a picnic and enjoy our lovely field with your family. There will be cold drinks and ice-cream on sale, but we have decided not to run stalls and a BBQ to lower the expense for families. We will let you know race times nearer the day, but pupils will be released to you from 2pm. If you are unable to attend, just let your pod staff know and they will supervise until home time. The school bus will run at its usual time if you are not able to attend.
Gower Cycling Festival Sunday July 10th - We have been asked to be a "pit stop" again for this traditional event. White Rock Events have already sponsored us a wonderful football kit and are also trying to source us some free portaloos for our sports day. We only have a few staff able to support this event, so if there are any parents who would like to run some refreshments and raise some funds for the school or their pods, please let me know next week and we can discuss. Times and details to be confirmed.
Important Dates - The school will be closed to pupils and staff on April 29th for the Queen's Jubilee, giving everyone a long bank holiday weekend. The school will be closed to pupils on June 6th as staff a training day. This training will be off site and the school office will be closed.
Haver a Super Weekend!
Mrs Caswell
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Thank you and well done!
Fri 18 Mar 2022Thank you and well done to Liz Cowley for campaigning for our new safe route to school! Great result!
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School Blog Friday 18th March
Thu 17 Mar 2022Dear Parents and Carers,
Well, it has certainly began to feel like Spring now, and our daffodils are blossoming in the school field. I have even spotted a few parents in flip flops, so things must be looking up. It has been such a long winter, but we thrilled to announce that we are hoping to go ahead with our Easter Bonnet Parade on the last day of term (see below). We are also hoping that we can re-introduce some traditional summer events next term and we will keep you fully informed.
We have had some more good news this week from Cllr. Richard Lewis. Drop kerbs will soon be installed from Heronsway Filling station to our primary school, including moving one crossing point near Malt Hall for reasons of safety. I am sure that all using this route will be safer and find it easier to use with prams or wheelchairs. A big thank you to Cllr. Richard Lewis as this has been fulfilled and paid for by his community budget at a cost of £13,455.00. Here are other headlines this week:
Easter Raffle April 5th - Please return your raffle tickets help to raise much needed funds for pod resources and Easter treats for the pupils. Please support us by selling as many raffle tickets as you can. We are also collecting Easter eggs, chocolates, wine, Easter toys etc to create pod hampers as prizes. As always, if you know any businesses who would be willing to donate, please ask them for us.
Easter Eggtravaganza Week - The final week of term will include arts and crafts, Easter linked literacy and numeracy, cross curricular work, and of course an "Easter Egg Hunt" and a "Traditional Easter Bonnet Parade". We hope to invite parents in to watch your child's "Pod Parade" at the end of the day on Friday 8th April. Approximate times are:-
Morning Nursery 11.15
Afternoon Nursery 2.15pm
Pengwins 2.30pm
Pysgodyns 2.45
PryCops 3.00
Weather permitting this will be around the school field so we have plenty of room to socially distance. We will put a table of tea and coffee out for you to help yourself, but please bring a re-useable cup for both covid and sustainable reasons. We will not be charging, but will have a donation bucket to help raise monies for Ukraine.
Parents' Evening - We have now sent invitations for your parent meeting during the week of March 28th. (Monday to Thursday) Please help us stay safe by adhering to some covid safety precautions.
1. Please arrive no more than 5 minutes before your time slot.
2. Wait outside the internal classroom door until invited in by the pod staff
3. Exit from the external classroom door
4. Respect the 10 minute time slot so that all parents can be seen and staff can spray down the table and chair between sessions.
5. Maintain social distancing at all times.
6. Wear a mask at all times.
Have a Super Weekend
Mrs Caswell
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School Blog Friday 11th March 2022
Thu 10 Mar 2022Dear Parents and Carers,
It is that time of year when we are all venturing into our gardens to clean up the winter carnage. Well, it is the same for us in school, and as we look around our field and our yard we can see how much actually needs doing after the storms and excessive rain.
Finances are going to be tough for everyone, including us in education, but we believe strongly in investing in our environment as this has a very positive impact on pupil well-being. If you are able to help with any of the following projects, to reduce the cost to school, please let us know.
1. Our poly tunnel needs a new cover2. Our vegetable garden needs new raised beds as the sleepers have rotted
3. The very popular school mound has shrunk, and we need to remove the tunnel and re-build.
4. Pod Pry Cop need a new shed as it almost blew away
5. We need a skip to remove all the damaged items
If you are able to help in anyway, please get in touch. It would be amazing if we could prepare our outdoors ready for our annual planting event in May. I am sure you will be very pleased to know that our wild flower meadow will be re-planted this year to benefit us all, as well as our insects. Here are this week's headlines:
Support for Swansea Families - Matthew's House has launched an amazing new App. This connects those needing life-giving hope to immediate, local and relevant essential support services where they live. This app creates a smooth path between the people needing hope and the organisations providing it. For more information please follow this link: https://matthewshouse.org.uk/hope-in-swansea/
Ukraine Appeal - We have been asked if we can sell raffle tickets at the school in aid of Ukraine. If you are interested in purchasing a ticket, the cost is £10 each. Please can you send in the money in a marked envelope to the school office with your contact details so that we can put this information on the slip which we will pass to the organizer. The rest of the ticket will be sent home to yourselves for your records. In addition, we are collecting donations of any size for the red-cross. All donations can be sent to school, or you can donate direct via https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-crisis-appeal
Easter Eggtravaganza Week (Reminder) - We are planning a whole week of traditional Easter events to lift everyone's spirits and celebrate this special time of year. There will be arts and crafts, easter linked literacy and numeracy, cross curricular work, and of course an "Easter Egg Hunt" and a "Traditional Easter Bonnet Parade". Weather and covid permitting we hope to end the term with a small scale parade that you can attend to watch your child parade their easter bonnet. More news on this nearer the time, but the plan is for you to watch the parade and take your child home for their well deserved Easter Holiday. If you have any ideas that could help make this week a success, or you can help in anyway - please let us know.
Easter Raffle (Reminder) - Please return your raffle tickets help to raise much needed funds for pod resources and Easter treats for the pupils. Please support us by selling as many raffle tickets as you can. We are also collecting easter eggs, chocolates, wine, easter toys etc to create pod hampers as prizes. As always, if you know any businesses who would be willing to donate, please ask them for us.
Comic Relief (Reminder) - Friday 18th March 2022 - This year we will be celebrating Comic Relief by wearing something red to school. We will be supporting our friends at Matthew's House by asking you to donate a non - perishable food item and/or toiletries. If you would also like to donate a small money donation to Comic Relief we will also be collecting this on your behalf.
Have a fabulous weekend
Mrs Caswell
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School Blog Re Staff Changes
Mon 07 Mar 2022Dear Parents and Carers,
Please see below some staff changes for your information.
After more than 25 years of teaching in Llanrhidian Primary, our Deputy Head Mrs Jones has decided to leave us for her next ventures. Mrs Jones has been a vital part of our school community and our pupils and staff have all benefited from her expertise, diligence and kindness. In addition to her excellent classroom practice, Mrs Jones was integral to our contribution as a pioneer school developing the new national curriculum for Wales. Mrs Jones will be much missed by children, families and all her colleagues here at Llanrhidian. I am sure that the whole school community will join myself and the governors of the school in thanking Mrs Jones for all she has given us, and in wishing her all the very best for the future.
For over 30 years Mrs Williams has supported hundreds and hundreds of pupils. I would imagine there are many parents reading this who have gone to Mrs Williams for her magic ice packs or plasters. Over the decades Mrs Williams has led on countless community events, shows, performances, including many amazing performances with the choir. More recently Mrs Williams has become an "online superstar" supporting home learning. Sadly Mrs Williams is hanging up her BBQ tongs, and heading off to France to be with her family. We will all miss her and thank her for all her years of dedication and kindness to pupils, staff and families.
And finally, Mr Dowsett is recovering well and ready to return to work on a phased return time basis up until the Easter holidays, and returning full time during the summer term. At this point we would like to thank Mrs Jordan who has been doing an excellent job covering for Mr Dowsett during his absence. We have all missed Mr Dowsett, and I know you will join us in welcoming him back to our school.
Many Thanks
Mrs Caswell