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 28th October
Thu 27 Oct 2022Dear Parents and Carers,
What a start to the school year! And what an end to the first half term. I can honestly say that I think that was the best Monster Ball ever! Thank you for all the donations; to the mums that helped to decorate and to sell; and to all those who turned up to support the event. Our "photo booth" was a great hit, and I hope you will all have great memories from the evening. Our priority is always to bring the community together, but these events also provide us with funds that help with resources for our pupils to have the best possible experiences. We raised over £400 at the monster Ball, and well over half of that was raised from the snack stall run by two amazing mums. Thank you again for all the donations for this stall, this team effort really did pay off. Big thanks too, to all the staff who go above an beyond to make these events memorable! Here are the headlines this week:-
Curriculum Design Day - The Pry Cop pupils laid out the best ever display to showcase our curriculum and to capture your thoughts on what we do. Unfortunately only a few parents were able to attend. Please can ALL PARENTS help the pupils by visiting their web page and completing their short questionnaires. The pupils use your responses to help us continually design a curriculum that is co-constructed by us all. You can view the photos from the day and access the questionnaires here.
Prepared for Learning - As your child grows older our aim is to help them become independent learners, and taking responsibility for their equipment is a large part of this learning curve. We are finding that more and more of the teachers’ time is being spent organising the pupils for the lessons and the school day. We need your help to make the best out of learning time. The following points will help your child greatly:-
- Pupils need to be coming to school prepared for their day. Older children, (PryCop) need pencil cases with sharpened pencils, a black pen, a purple pen, a whiteboard pen, rubber, glue stick etc.
- Water bottles will avoid pupils wanting to visit the fountain to get a drink half way through the lesson. Hydration (water not squash) is an important aid to learning, and we do see a difference in concentration levels.
- PE kit need to be in on the appropriate days.
- Names on school uniform and equipment.
Parent Open Evening Monday November 7th - Straight after half term we would like to invite you into the pod to have a look at your child's learning environment, their books and to chat with the staff. This is a drop in session between 3.30 and 5.30, and we encourage you to bring your child so they can show you around. You will also have a written report at the end of Autumn and you will have a formal meeting in Spring. However, as always, if you do have any concerns please email the office and we will be in touch as soon as we can.
World Cup Jambori with Dafydd Iwan November 10th - Pod Pry have been asked to join in a virtual singalong on this day. Please can this pos wear Welsh rugby shirts or red tops for the event. They will be singing Yma o Hyd.
Christmas 2022 - We will be sending out all the details after half term but here are our plans in a nutshell:-
- Church Carol Service with Choir December 6th 4.30-5.30 at Llanrhidian Church
- Marchnad Nadolig December 13th. Market Stalls and Santa's Grotto 2.30 - 4.30
- Pod Pili Pala, Pengwins & Pysgodyn Christmas Shows - December 12th (Times 10am & 2pm) and December 15th (Times 10am & 2pm) We will let you know when tickets are on sale.
- Pod PryCop Christmas Shows - December 20th (Times: 13:30-15:30 & 17:30-19:30) and December 21st (Times: 13:30-15:30 & 17:30-19:30) We will let you know when tickets are on sale.
Please understand that Christmas Show tickets are limited due to the capacity of the hall. However, we will ensure "every" family has the opportunity to see one show before releasing any spares. This is the fairest way for all families, so please be kind to our lovely office staff.
Have an absolutely amazing half term!
We hope to see you all at our open evening on the 7th.
Mrs Caswell & #Teamllanrhidian
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School Blog Friday 21st October 2022
Mon 17 Oct 2022Dear Parents and Carers,
Firstly thank you for supporting our first Marchnad. It was amazing and the pupils had a great experience in running their own stalls. Our next Marchnad will be on Tuesday 13th December, 2.30-4.30 which will also be our Christmas Fayre. We will have Santa in his grotto and lots more - but we will let you know the details after half term.
This week our Director of Education sent you a letter regarding attendance. This letter outlined the views of Swansea, but I would prefer we concentrated on how attendance impacts on our pupils at Llanrhidian. We see a huge, positive correlation with high attendance, high well-being and high progress in learning. This is why we are all committed to supporting you with getting your child to school. If you are struggling with this, let us help because keeping them at home is never the answer. (Unless of course they are unwell). We will support your child to build the resilience they need to have the best life chances. We are very pleased to be running a parent workshop on the 16th November 3pm-4pm with our In Reach worker Amy Glass. The presentation will briefly explore the difference between emotional health and mental health, outline common worries and the importance of self-regulation. It will provide information on the science and psychology behind worries and big emotions, offering strategies to manage and overcome them.
Please let the school office know if you want to attend. We will look after your child if you wish to attend this workshop. Here are the headlines this week:
Curriculum Design Day This Monday 24th October 1.30-3.30 in School Hall - Again this is another event we held annually before covid. Asking parents to come in, talk to the pupils and see what our school offers has been such a vital part of our curriculum design. Many of the changes we have made over the years have come from the pupils themselves, as well as you, the parents and carers. Your views really do matter to us, and it is important that we know what you think is going well, and what you think we can improve. Our older pupils will be running the event, so please come along and join in the discussions.
Monster Ball This Wednesday October 26th (After School) 4.30 until 6pm (Volunteers from 1pm) - Please come to our Monster Ball. All pupils will need to be collected after school and brought back by 4.30. There will be no sports club on this day. Please note that all children will need to be supervised as staff have other designated duties to keep everyone safe. Here is the plan.
- Enter through gate by field
- There will be a disco in the marquee (run by Mr G)
- Refreshments (hot dogs, soup and cakes) will be run from Pengwin Land and Pilli Pala's Tunnel
- Toilets will be available in Pengwin land for pupils - adults will use staff toilet. (The rest of school will be locked up)
- Volunteers to arrive from 1pm to decorate marquee and Tunnel
We hope to see you all in fancy dress (pupils and adults) for lots of fun! Thank you so much for those who have donated decorations, refreshments and their time. We really are grateful. Please remember to bring cash for refreshments.
INSET Days - We have an INSET day on the last day of term December 23rd. All term times are available here.
Parent Open Evening Monday November 7th - Straight after half term we would like to invite you into the pod to have a look at your child's learning environment, their books and to chat with the staff. This is a drop in session between 3.30 and 5.30, and we encourage you to bring your child so they can show you around. You will also have a written report at the end of Autumn and you will have a formal meeting in Spring. However, as always, if you do have any concerns please email the office and we will be in touch as soon as we can.
Have a fabulous weekend
Mrs Caswell
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School Blog Friday 14th October 2022
Tue 11 Oct 2022Dear Parents and Carers,
Thank you for another great week in Llanrhidian. There is a lot going on, and we are so grateful for part you play in providing our pupils with the best learning opportunities we can offer.
Caffi Cynefin had its busiest this week and it appears that word is getting out. This venture is an authentic experience for our learners, and has far reaching benefits for our community. We are all hoping it is something we can sustain, and become a part of our long term curriculum. The pupils love it, and our intention is for all of Pod Pry Cop to work there throughout the year; with all the other pupils to visit there as customers. We are also hoping for special guest appearances from our choir and will keep you updated. The police are hoping to be joining us weekly for a "cuppa with a copper" too. Please please spread the word, and if you know anyone who would benefit from some good company and a real "cynefin" experience, please bring them along. A huge thank you to our volunteers to really help us to keep this going. If you want to help out, please let us know. Next week we will be running Caffi Cynefin as usual, plus a Caffi in Marchnad Mis in the afternoon.
We have a very busy end of half term and we hope to see you all at our upcoming events. Here are the headlines this week.
Harvest Thursday, October 20th 2022 - We will be celebrating with a selection of fun activities and the launch of our brand new Marchand Mis. (See Below) We will also be collecting non-perishable food items, toiletries, and warm clothing items (hats, gloves, socks, etc) to send to our good friends at Matthew’s House on the day.
Marchnad Mis (Monthly Market) Thursday October 20th - We will be introducing our pupils to the world of business and work by holding a community market in our marquee each month. Our first event will be on Thursday October 20th and we have had a number of local stall holders interested in attending. To launch the first "Marchnad Mis" we are combining it with our very own Harvest Market. Each pod will be promoting and running their own stalls to sell something homegrown, homemade or free trade. Look out for more information from your pod! The marchnad will run from 1.30 til the end of the school day. If you do visit the market and wish to collect your child early so they can attend with you, we will accommodate. There will be tea and coffee available. Please bring your own bags. This will be a cash only event as there is no wifi signal in the field.
Curriculum Design Day 24th October 1.30-3.30 in School Hall - Again this is another event we held annually before covid. Asking parents to come in, talk to the pupils and see what our school offers has been such a vital part of our curriculum design. Many of the changes we have made over the years have come from the pupils themselves, as well as you, the parents and carers. Your views really do matter to us, and it is important that we know what you think is going well, and what you think we can improve. Our older pupils will be running the event, so please come along and join in the discussions.
Monster Ball Wednesday October 26th (After School) 4.30 until 6pm (Volunteers from 1pm) - Please come to our Monster Ball. All pupils will need to be collected after school and brought back by 4.30. There will be no sports club on this day. Please note that all children will need to be supervised as staff have other designated duties to keep everyone safe. There will be a disco in the marquee (run by Mr G); refreshments (hot dogs, soup and cakes); fancy dress (pupils and adults) and lots of fun! Thank you to those who have volunteered to help. If you can support the event with donations of cakes to sell, we would be most grateful. Weather permitting - this will be an outside event. Looking forward to seeing you all.
INSET Days - We have an INSET day on the last day of term December 23rd. All term times are available here.
School Uniform Reminder - Thank you so much for the donations of good quality uniform, we are circulating these as requests come in. Please keep them coming! We no longer hold any new uniform in the office, and this needs to be purchased from Bergoni or Wipeout. Ordering online is the quickest way to receive your goods.
Parent Open Evening Monday November 7th - Straight after half term we would like to invite you into the pod to have a look at your child's learning environment, their books and to chat with the staff. This is a drop in session between 3.30 and 5.30, and we encourage you to bring your child so they can show you around. You will also have a written report at the end of Autumn and you will have a formal meeting in Spring. However, as always, if you do have any concerns please email the office and we will be in touch as soon as we can.
Have a wonderful weekend
Mrs Caswell
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School Blog Friday 7th October 2022
Thu 06 Oct 2022Dear Parents and Carers,
This week we are highlighting the need for your help. Each teacher, across the whole school, is focussing on improving the reading skills of every pupil. We are asking you to read with, or to, your child as regularly as you can. The benefits are huge, including comfort and reassurance, confidence and security, relaxation, happiness and fun. Giving your child time and full attention when reading them a story tells them they matter. It builds self-esteem, vocabulary, feeds imagination and even improves their sleeping patterns. Importantly, it also enables your child to "practice reading". Pupils need time to build words, recognise words, understand words. They need to hear new vocabulary, explore their meanings and have opportunities to talk about what you or they have read. We will "teach" your child the skills of reading, but your child needs you to help them "practice" reading. I have asked all pod teachers to set clear expectations for reading, and these will be shared with you very soon. Together we can help your child to have the best life chances by giving them the gift of reading. If you are able to offer voluntary time at the school to support pupils with their reading, please let us know and we will send you a volunteer pack. We can do this. Here are the headlines this week:-
Harvest 2022- Thursday, October 20th 2022 - It’s hard to believe that Harvest is just around the corner and this year we will be celebrating with a selection of fun activities and the launch of our brand new Marchand Mis. (See Below) We will also be collecting non-perishable food items, toiletries, and warm clothing items (hats, gloves, socks, etc) to send to our good friends at Matthew’s House on the day.
Marchnad Mis (Monthly Market) Thursday October 20th - We will be introducing our pupils to the world of business and work by holding a community market in our marquee each month. Our first event will be on Thursday October 20th and we have had a number of local stall holders interested in attending. To launch the first "Marchnad Mis" we are combining it with our very own Harvest Market. Each pod will be promoting and running their own stalls to sell something homegrown, homemade or free trade. Look out for more information from your pod! The marchnad will run from 1.30 til the end of the school day. If you do visit the market and wish to collect your child early so they can attend with you, we will accommodate. There will be tea and coffee available. Please bring your own bags. This will be a cash only event as there is no wifi signal in the field.
Monster Ball Wednesday October 26th (After School) 4.30 until 6pm (Volunteers from 1pm) - Please come to our Monster Ball. All pupils will need to be collected after school and brought back by 4.30. There will be no sports club on this day. Please note that all children will need to be supervised as staff have other designated duties to keep everyone safe. There will be a disco in the marquee (run by Mr G); refreshments (hot dogs, soup and cakes); fancy dress (pupils and adults) and lots of fun! Thank you to those who have volunteered to help. If you can support the event with donations of cakes to sell, we would be most grateful. Weather permitting - this will be an outside event. Looking forward to seeing you all.
School Savings Club with Credit Union - Your child can now have their own Junior Account which they can then save as much or as little as they like every week (or as often as they can) whether they want to save for something special or just for a rainy day. This club will be led by the pupils of Llanrhidian, encouraging them to save and understand the benefits of saving. If your child/children are interested in joining the savings club and opening up an account with us please click here to fill in the online form.
Have a marvelous weekend.
Mrs Caswell