Dear parents and carers,
I can’t believe we find ourselves at the end of this half term already. This half term has gone so fast but that doesn’t mean to say it hasn’t presented all of us with more great challenges. I am so proud of our whole school community and the way you have all once again adapted to such difficult circumstances. Our school staff have been incredible at adapting to the changes within school and switching to distance learning so quickly and effectively. Our pupils continue to amaze us every day with their resilience and hard work at home and yourselves as parents and carers have been remarkable in supporting the children’s learning at home and supporting us as a school.
Thank you to all of you for your hard work and determination.
We’re looking forward to welcoming our Foundation Phase pupils back on a staggered return from the 22nd of February. Further detail has been shared through the Class Stories on Dojo and the children’s start days have been shared by the class teachers. As soon as we have any further detail about the return for Key Stage 2, we will be in touch.
Have a lovely half term break.
Take care, stay safe.
Mrs Wangiel
This half term’s value is:
HARD WORK AND EFFORT
Hero of the Week
Please see the link below to today’s virtual celebration assembly:
https://youtu.be/H_t8S-ykVCM
This week’s heroes are:
Dosbarth Coch (N/R): Ava. W and Zachary. M
Dosbarth Oren (R/Y1): Jessica-Mae. H and Thea. M
Dosbarth Melyn (Y1/2): Erin. P and Rowan. T
Dosbarth Gwyrdd (Y3): Oliver. J and Sienna. P
Dosbarth Glas (Y4): Roisin. M and Kayden. W
Dosbarth Porffor (Y5): Lloyd. H and Maisie. W
Dosbarth Enfys (Y6): Jackson. D and Kaydi. W
We’d also like to say a huge well done to those children receiving a Headteacher certificate and to all of our Mathletics Bronze, and Silver award winners.
Well done to all of our certificate winners, we are very proud of you all!
Wear Rainbows for Rose
Thank you for supporting us in Wearing Rainbows for Rose in aid of Rose’s Way Foundation and brightening up our community.
You can still donate here:
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/WearRainbowsForRose
Click here to see a video of the day:
https://youtu.be/sOo9KCZjsiU
Eisteddfod
We’re all really sad that we won’t be able to compete as ‘houses’ for the Eisteddfod in our usual way this year. However, we will still be running some Eisteddfod competitions online and virtually. The Home / school craft competition this year will still go ahead which I am sure is great news to you all! This year we would like the children to create a ‘Welsh themed Covid mask’. The mask can be a homemade or a pre-made mask that your child decorates. Please encourage the children to be as imaginative as they can and offer them some help with cutting, etc, The entries should be posted as photos on child’s Dojo by the 24th of February (no entries are to be brought to school).
We will be holding a Whole School Google Meet live assembly on Monday, 1st March to announce the winners. The code to join will be shared closer to the time. Please encourage your child to dress up in their Welsh dress and join us for the live assembly.
World Book Day
We will also be celebrating World Book Day on Thursday, 4th March. The children will be taking part in lots of different ‘book based’ activities either in school or through their online learning. The children can dress up as their favourite book character and join us for another Live Google Meet assembly at 1:30pm. The code to join will be shared closer to the time.
BT Internet Vouchers
BT internet are offering WiFi vouchers for anyone eligible for Free School Meals who don’t have internet access. If you are in need of access to WiFi, please contact the school via Class Dojo, by messaging the school Facebook page (@DerwendegPrimarySchool) or via email (drdpa@caerphilly.gov.uk)
Nursery Applications
FAO Parents of pupils due to start Nursery in September 2021:
The deadline for Nursery place applications is on February 26th.
More information on how to apply can be found in this letter:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bvyepthfUZleJ-bUC50AOLhz1b92MivD/view?usp=sharing
Please share with anyone within our school community who has a child due to start Nursery in September.
Online Safety
This week we took part in Internet Safety Day. Teaching our children to use the internet safely is one of the most important things we can do. Please share this assembly with them and keep having discussions about the dangers of the internet and what we can do to keep ourselves and each other safe.
Please share this week’s assembly with your children at the link below focusing on how to stay safe online:
https://youtu.be/hqSnVax_pAw
Big Talk (Please discuss with your children):
This week’s topic is …how can we stay safe online?
Upcoming Dates
22.02.21 – Foundation Phase pupils begin their phased return/ Key Worker and Vulnerable children in KS2 return/ Online learning resumes for KS2 pupils
24.02.21 Deadline for Eisteddfod home craft competition (photos to be shared on Dojo)
01.03.21 – Eisteddfod (wear Welsh dress). 1:30pm – Live Eisteddfod Assembly for all classes.
04.03.21 – World Book Day (Book character costumes). 1:30pm – Live World Book Assembly for all classes.
05.03.21 – Launch of our Keep Fit Friday afternoons (more detail to follow)